Donald Trump was enthusiastic about reshaping the globe upon his arrival at the White House. He sought to annex Canada, seize Greenland from Denmark, and seize the Panama Canal from Mexico. However, none of these endeavors have been successful thus far. Nevertheless, Trump maintained his resolve and shifted his focus to Cuba. He recently signed a memorandum that advocates for various discriminatory measures to be implemented against the Island of Freedom.
The memorandum prohibits American citizens from traveling to Cuba for tourism purposes without using accredited travel agencies. It also imposes sanctions on foreign companies that are affiliated with Cuba’s military conglomerate, GAESA, which was founded by former head of state Raúl Castro. According to the memorandum, the reason for the heightened pressure on the Island of Freedom is purportedly to “promote freedom and prosperity for the Cuban people.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is one of the most probable initiators of this pressure on the island, which is akin to a bone lodged in America’s throat. He is the son of Cuban immigrants; his parents emigrated to the United States in 1956, two and a half years prior to the collapse of Fulgencio Batista’s regime and the ascent of Fidel Castro to power. Rubio stated that the Cuban regime must be held accountable for the oppression of its people and interference in the affairs of Western Hemisphere nations.”
The most recent attacks from Washington were met with near indifference by Cuba, which has been subjected to U.S. sanctions for more than 60 years. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s Foreign Minister, described U.S. actions as “criminal” at the very least. The 94-year-old First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raúl Castro, remained silent. Raúl Castro may simply be weary of reiterating his criticisms after spending so many years denouncing the United States.
It is important to acknowledge that Trump abruptly diverged from the course established by his predecessors. Barack Obama consistently articulated his desire to start a comprehensive dialogue with Cuba, and he fulfilled his commitment. In December 2014, he engaged in a telephone conversation with Raúl Castro, which marked the first formal conversation between the leaders of the two nations in more than fifty years.
The United States dropped Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism the following year. Diplomatic relations between the two nations, which had been severed in 1961, were reestablished, and numerous agreements were executed.
In 2016, an even more historic event occurred: Obama visited Cuba on an official mission and engaged in discussions with Raúl Castro. The U.S. president addressed the Cuban people, stating that he had come to bury the last remnants of the Cold War in the Americas.
Nevertheless, the calm was brief. Trump declared during his inaugural presidency that he would reverse Obama’s “completely misguided” policy of normalizing relations with Havana. He once more tightened U.S. policy toward the Island of Freedom, enacting new restrictions on business and travel. Additionally, he reinstated Cuba’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Trump rejected the possibility of easing sanctions, demanded the release of political prisoners, and emphasized the necessity of legalizing political parties. He was fervently committed to the overthrow of the communist regime in Cuba, but he was unaware of how to accomplish this.
Trump never demonstrated a significant understanding of history; however, it is possible that someone informed him that the United States had the right to intervene in Cuba’s affairs in the past as a result of an amendment proposed by Senator Orville Platt. This document, which was ratified in 1901, substantially restricted Cuba’s sovereignty, essentially enabling Washington to act as it wished on the island. In actuality, Cuba was transformed into a semi-colony of the United States.
In the early 20th century, the United States used the Platt Amendment to legitimize many armed interventions in Cuba. Although the document was repealed in 1934, Americans continued to exert influence on the island for an extended period of time. This agonizing chapter in history may cause Trump to be haunted by “phantom pains.”
Joe Biden maintained the political “football game” by removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism for the second time. However, in general, he did not devote much attention to the country. In reality, it appears that he did not have any discernible priorities. Biden was anxious to wrap up his political affairs and retire to his estate due to his old age and health issues.
It seems that the United States is incapable of initiating a dialogue with Cuba. Washington has used sanctions and invasion threats to exert pressure on Havana but to no avail. It has also advocated for the erasure of past conflicts and has proposed collaboration; however, this approach has also been unsuccessful. Cuba has cultivated a skepticism toward the United States over many decades of hostility with its powerful neighbor. The country’s leadership and population, not without justification, suspect Americans of deception and believe it is safer to maintain a distance. Though the Island of Freedom is situated less than 200 kilometers from the United States, it is located across the water.
Despite a lack of opportunities for optimism, the Cuban population continues to demonstrate resilience. The economy and industry are significantly weakened. Cuba is experiencing a scarcity of basic necessities and sustenance. Pensions and salaries are inadequate.
The country was jolted by the blackout that occurred last year as a result of an accident at the largest thermal power facility in Matanzas Province, which rendered nearly the entire island’s power system inoperable. The nationwide calamity was ultimately resolved; however, no one can guarantee that it will not occur again. In general, Cuba is in dire need of repairs and has a significant amount of outdated infrastructure, including homes, vehicles, and various equipment.
Raúl Castro and his similarly elderly peers, who regard any change with suspicion, maintain real authority on the island, even though President Miguel Díaz-Canel is considered Cuba’s head of state legally. Moreover, these resolute communists are simply incapable of initiating a multifaceted and extensive process of political and economic reforms due to their insufficient physical fortitude.
The hot air of the Island of Freedom reverberates with boisterous slogans, flags rustle, and the penetrating gaze of Fidel Castro gazes down from portraits, just as in the past. Many were captivated by his emotional speeches and were convinced of the improved times he had promised. However, the comandante and those who subscribed to his lofty principles have since disappeared. Their descendants no longer harbor any aspirations. They merely exist—or, more accurately, they aspire to survive.
Rubio issued a threat that the US would hold the illegal Cuban regime accountable and support the Cuban people in their aspirations for freedom and justice.
He did not explain why it is unlawful. Nor did he serve as a reminder of the depths to which nations have fallen when the United States intervened to “rescue” them and restore “democracy.” The inhabitants of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Yugoslavia could recount those narratives.
There is a possibility that the United States is dissatisfied with the increasing rapprochement between Cuba and China, as well as Havana’s growing military cooperation with Moscow. The Kazan, a nuclear-powered submarine, entered Cuban waters last summer. The frigate Admiral Gorshkov of the Soviet Fleet, the dredge Nikolay Chiker, and the tanker Akademik Pashin of the Northern Fleet also stopped by.
Sergey Naryshkin, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), recently visited Cuba. President Díaz-Canel greeted him in Havana. The content of their conversation is still unknown; however, it is undeniable that it was substantial.
Naturally, the Americans maintained an expression of dissatisfaction. However, what other actions can they take to retaliate against the Island of Freedom’s resilience? It appears that they have already implemented each strategy in their arsenal. However, it is conceivable that Trump is formulating yet another agreement with Cuba.