Right now, the Caribbean nation of Cuba is facing an existential crisis due to fuel shortages, lack of medicine and electricity. It is partly the result of a strict U.S. oil blockade since this past January’s American intervention in Venezuela.
Cuba, known for its beaches and radical socialism, has been in trouble for decades – some would even say centuries. But the recent capture of Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela has sent ripple effects across Cuba.
By blockading all foreign oil shipments to the island, the Donald Trump administration has effectively choked off its oil supply, which Cuba needs for its electricity to run hospitals, resorts, and communities.
Al Jazeera reported on how U.S. sanctions are causing hospitals to limit surgeries. In March, the country experienced two nationwide blackouts that left 10 million Cubans without power.
This is unacceptable and inhumane. And without justification.
For their part, the White House is clearly motivated by the hope of “regime change” on the island. It is in the interests of many Cuban Americans in Florida, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for this to happen.
“I do believe I will have the honour of taking Cuba … I think I can do anything I want with it,” Trump said in the Oval Office on April 3.
The U.S. sanctions are a relic of the Cold War, when the country aligned itself with the Soviet Union during Fidel Castro’s leadership.
However, the Cuban government deserves at least part of the blame.
Cuba is a one-party socialist state that disallows political opposition or free elections. The United States and Canada, on the other hand, are liberal democracies where criticizing the government is both acceptable and commonplace.
The fact that they have never had a free and fair election in their modern history is unacceptable. And they have a centrally planned economy with high rates of inflation and extreme poverty, according to the Universidad de Navarra, a university in Spain.
In fact, Rubio is correct that “Cubans can only be successful if they leave the country.”
But his approach is rooted in vendetta rather than conciliation. His family fled the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
Although Cuba needs reform and democracy, the U.S. chokehold is unjustified and in violation of international law, and the United Nations agrees.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, action must be taken.
Canada has an opportunity here, since Ottawa has always maintained a softer foreign policy position on Havana. Former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau took a famous trip to Cuba in 1976, in which Trudeau got along well with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Consequently, Canada’s relations with them have been above average compared to other Western countries, especially the United States. It has been reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney has considered sending essential aid to the country.
We call on him to do it, as it would benefit both Canadians and Cubans.
The situation in Cuba is bad for everyone, especially the ordinary people on the island. Though both Washington and Havana are to blame, the situation cannot be ignored by contemporary observers; something good needs to happen.
