The US first imposed an economic embargo against Cuba on October 19, 1960, and made it largely airtight on February 7, 1962.
After virtually controlling Cuba for 62 years upon grabbing it from Spain in the 1898 war, the US simply could not accept revolutionary leader Fidel Castro would put Cuba’s economic welfare ahead of greedy US capitalists and Mafia Dons.
Now in its 63rd year, the embargo stands as a monument to US cruelty against the Cuban people. Since it’s enshrined in US law, no president can overturn it, only Congress.
Even the nearly unanimous demand of the UN that it most go cannot move the US to stop defiling basic moral values the US should honor instinctively. The vote last November 3 was the most overwhelming repudiation of the American embargo since the UN campaign began 30 years ago. Only Israel joined the US in voting No while 182 countries told the US for the 30th consecutive vote to end it. Ukraine voted to abstain along with Brazil. Ukraine likely doesn’t want to upset the $100 billion US weapons gravy train, while Brazil’s vote will be lost next vote with the election of progressive president Luiz da Silva. Brazil will then join Columbia, which switched its previous abstention to Yes last year, in making Latin America unanimous against the US embargo.
There is a glimmer of hope in Congress. A bipartisan group of 5 senators has introduced the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act. If passed, it will end the embargo now in its 63rd year of utter failure, except of course, its degradation of the Cuban people. Every American should contact their senators and congressperson to support this bill. Besides uplifting the Cuban people, ending the embargo will help straighten out America’s damaged moral compass.
Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.
The embargo against Cuba has been there for 63 years and counting. It did not cause the people to rise up and overthrow Castro. Embargoes have no effect on governments. It is the average people that get hurt by the sanctions.
The US meddles in other countries’ affairs by telling them to trade with the same countries as the US and boycotting the same countries the US boycotts.
Clinton sanctions killed 500,000 Iraqi children. Madeline said it was “worth it”.
I love to see our “human rights” loving allies rationalize (and ignore) Cuba and Palestine. Disgusting hypocrisy and double standards everywhere
“There is a glimmer of hope in Congress. A bipartisan group of 5 senators has introduced the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act. If passed, it will end the embargo now in its 63rd year of utter failure, except of course, its degradation of the Cuban people.”
I thought there was a glimmer of hope with Matt Gaetz’s bill to get the U.S. to pull out of Syria to0.