What’s Next for Cuba?

What is happening now in Cuba is no surprise as the US President spreads his tentacles around the world, with eyes set on Greenland, serious divisions/rifts with Canada, changing the name of the Panama Canal, kidnapping of the President of Venezuela, and blowing up of ships off Venezuela. He cites Cuba’s ties with Iran, China and Russia as signs of disagreement. But, of course, relationship with Cuba took a serious turn a long time ago with the Trade Embargo imposed in 1960.

Efforts at normalisation appeared under Obama but those were short lived as Biden made no attempt to continue with the direction taken by Obama, and Trump pushed in the other direction. The blocking of oil supplies to Cuba appears to be an effort to strangle Cuba. Airlines have to suspend their operations because of their inability to refuel, which, of course, seriously affects its Tourist Industry. In fact, airlines are going empty in an attempt to take out tourists and citizens. The Financial Times states that Cuba has only enough oil to last for about 20 days.

The suspension of fuel supplies has led to blackouts, sometimes bordering on 12- 14 hours per week; and with schools and universities having to radically reduce their teaching times. Tricycles are becoming the major form of transport as motorists wait in line sometimes for up to 12 hours for what little fuel remains. If things continue this way with Trump threatening to impose sanctions and high tariffs on any country trying to supply Cuba with oil, the situation can become even more messy. Although I am not sure how many of our students are in Cuba, relatives and parents must be deeply concerned. I don’t know if the new Ambassador Idesha Jackson, has already left for Cuba, but my sympathies are with her, for the situation must be terrifying not only having to live in this crisis but catering to the needs of the students there. Having studied there, she would be aware of the enormous difficulties, but these appear to be more strenuous. Heads of Government of CARICOM in their meeting coming up shortly in St. Kitts might have to look at arranging to have our students back which, of course will be to the liking of the Donald as he goes for the kill. And also, even though miniscule, providing humanitarian aid.

Trump in answer to a question by a journalist claims that under consideration was a situation similar to that used in Venezuela. And he added, “It wouldn’t be a tough operation” but he didn’t think it will be necessary. His difficulty here is that if he goes for regime change who will he put in place and will that not mean ultimately putting American boots on the ground? The US under its current president seems to get pleasure threatening our countries buoyed with its enormous power, militarily and economically and by the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, an absurdity in this day. We are faced with a serious problem with boats, presumably fishing boats being blown up in our waters. We are told that they are involved in drug trafficking. The US has the capacity to seize these boats without having to blow them up. They can then provide us with the evidence! If this continues it can seriously affect our fishing industry with ‘genuine’ fishers fearful of being targeted. One of the on-line newspapers did mention one off Owia. I am yet to get details of this. While we would like to see an end to the drug trade around our waters, this is not necessarily the way to go. Most of us should by now be convinced that the argument used to do what it did in Venezuela was all hurly-burly disguised to conceal the real goal, Venezuela’s oil.

Cuba has no oil but there has been a longstanding policy to strangle that country and get them to cry Uncle. With the Hawk, Marco Rubio driving the charge, that is surely high on the agenda. The Cuban people have been suffering for a long time. The Cuban administration has expressed its willingness to dialogue with the US but wants its sovereignty to be respected. This is certainly a non-starter. The US has no respect for sovereign rights. The president even wants Canada to be its 51st state. How long will this situation last? How many more sacrifices can the Cubans make? Trump said he wants the leaders to open up the country. He can make a start by removing the embargo. That is not on his agenda. He wants that country to fall in line and accept his dictates. There are those who are critical of Cuba because of the absence of democracy. Remove the embargo and see what direction Cuba will take. We can then make a judgement. Under Donald Trump the US has only the trappings of Democracy. They should be the last ones to speak about Democracy! What next for Cuba will depend on the dictates of the US president! What other countries can do is not only provide humanitarian aid but despite the obstacles, to continue trading with Cuba. They have withstood a lot before, with the Cuban populace bearing the brunt of the sacrifices. But should this be allowed to continue with the strangulation of Cuba being high on the agenda? Is there a way of preventing it?

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian