For sixty years, the United States’ blockade against Cuba has worked to hinder the island’s development and prevent it from trading even with third countries. It’s time Washington stopped its cruel punishment of its smaller neighbor.

On February 25, a top official in Joe Biden’s administration said US sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine were also intended to hit Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. That month marked the sixtieth anniversary of the US blockade of Cuba, introduced in February 1962 by President John F. Kennedy’s Embargo on All Trade with Cuba. The embargo of Cuba constitutes the longest and most comprehensive set of sanctions in modern history. It is not merely a legal or a bilateral issue, as proponents claim. It is a key instrument in the US toolkit to pursue regime change on the island. It is an act of war, a violation of human rights designed to obstruct Cuban development, to undermine its example as a revolutionary alternative, and to intentionally cause suffering among the Cuban people.

While the pretext for US actions against Cuba has changed over six decades, the objectives have not. The goal was made clear in an April 1960 memorandum authored by Lester D. Mallory, US assistant secretary of state, who advised measures “to weaken the economic life of Cuba . . . to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.” The CIA had already launched operations against Cuba’s revolutionary government in late 1959, orchestrating acts of terrorism and sabotage and recruiting agents on the island. Given the hardship and heartbreak caused by these actions, clearly the human rights of the Cuban population were of no concern. Although the revolutionary government had already carried out the Agrarian Reform of 1959, confiscating unproductive plantations over one thousand acres and expropriating seventy thousand acres from US sugar companies in January 1960, Mallory did not frame the proposed policy as retaliation for nationalization or a means to pressure the government over the issue of compensation — a claim that was only later made to justify the US embargo in international law. The concern expressed was “communist influence.”

On April 16, 1961, this influence was confirmed when, on the eve of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Fidel Castro announced, “What [they] cannot forgive us for is . . . that we have carried out a socialist revolution right under the nose of the United States!” The early measures of the revolutionary state rapidly encroached on private interests, domestic and foreign, dismantling the economic and political institutions of the old Cuba, a US client state, and building new institutions, power structures, and social relations, as well as adopting a centrally planned socialist economy and setting up “organizations of the masses.” While it was the threat of communism that made Cuba the target of US sanctions, the adoption of socialism and the shift to trade with the USSR and the socialist bloc enabled Cuba to survive the potentially devastating impact of the US blockade.

Embargo or Blockade?
An embargo is when one nation establishes a policy not to trade with another nation; it is the prerogative of any nation. A blockade is when a country uses a military threat or force to close the borders of another entity to international commerce, preventing normal commercial activity with third parties. A blockade is an act of war. The cumulative effect of US sanctions on Cuba is to impede the island’s commerce with the citizens and companies of other states through financial, legal, and political mechanisms.

Indeed, during the first six years of Barack Obama’s presidency, a record-breaking fifty-six fines were imposed on foreign entities engaging with Cuba, amounting to nearly $14.3 billion, with a further $2.8 billion in fines imposed even after rapprochement with Cuba was announced by the administration in December 2014. European banks fined for transacting with Cuba (among other sanctioned countries) include ING ($619 million), BNP Paribas ($8.9 billion), Commerzbank ($718 million), Credit Suisse ($536 million), and the Royal Bank of Scotland ($100 million). Banks around the world now list Cuba among the countries with which they will not transact. Blocking bank payments prevents trade in goods and services, remittances, and donations. The United States also applies political pressure on governments, pressing states to reject Cuban medical assistance, even recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Cuban officials.

Sanctions on Russia
Cuba will be hit by rising global prices of oil and essential foodstuffs resulting from sanctions on Russia, as will the rest of the world. It will also be impacted in specific ways:

***Russian financial institutions facilitate payments to Cuba, including by third countries. These will now be blocked.
Cuban and Venezuelan trade in oil and other services may be obstructed, because, in 2019, Venezuelan oil company PDVSA moved its administrative functions from Portugal to Russia to evade US sanctions.

***Development plans agreed on between Russia and Cuba may now be halted, including upgrades to Cuba’s railway system, a steel plant, oil production facilities, thermal power plants, and airline fleet.

***The abrupt end of Russian tourism. As a direct result of sanctions, Russian airlines have stopped flying to Cuba and ticket sales have been suspended. In 2021, Russia became the principal source of tourism to Cuba, and Russians were expected to make up 20 percent of all visitors in 2022. The tourism sector is vital for the island’s post-COVID recovery.

Sanctions as War
The United States currently has sanctions programs targeting over twenty countries. In 2019, 88 percent of international transactions involved US dollars, giving the United States extraordinary power over global trade. By 2018, the National Association of Cuban Economists calculated the cost of the blockade to be $4.4 billion annually, equivalent to $12 million every day. Cuba estimates a cumulative total cost of over $144 billion over six decades.

"In 2021, the UN General Assembly voted, for the twenty-ninth consecutive year, to end the US blockade of Cuba."
International bodies have documented the high cost in terms of human suffering, which, along with their exterritorial character, puts US sanctions on Cuba in violation of international treaties and conventions. US and UK sanctions on Iraq killed half a million children in the 1990s, more than 150 a day. That this level of devastation has not been evident in Cuba has enabled some commentators to downplay their significance. In 1997, the American Association for World Health concluded, “A humanitarian catastrophe has been averted only because the Cuban government has maintained a high level of budgetary support for a health care system designed to deliver primary and preventative health care to all of its citizens.” In other words, the socialist state has used its welfare-based, centrally planned economy to protect the population.

In June 2021, the UN General Assembly voted , for the twenty-ninth consecutive year, to end the US blockade of Cuba; 184 countries supported the Cuban motion with just the United States and Israel opposing. Beyond this annual vote, Britain, the European Union, Canada, and other countries have “blocking” legislation that protects their own entities and citizens from the United States’ Cuba sanctions. However, they have failed to implement that legislation for fear of incurring the wrath of the United States and OFAC fines. It is up to citizens in those countries to insist that they do. It is more urgent than ever to end the US blockade and finally give Cubans the chance to prosper, not just survive.

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2022/03/us-blockade-embargo-cuba-sanctions-russia

Cc; Lalasticlacla, Mynd44

USA should lift the embargo on Cuba.. It's embarrassing...

The US actively trades with numerous countries whose political establishment is by far magnitudes worse than the current Cuban administration.

Castro is dead, China is ruled by a communist party and the US trades with China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executes far far more political dissidents than Cuba so really, the only points of the embargo seem to be sour grapes over Castro and the fear that an economically stable Cuba will influence Latin America towards socialism. However the US doesn't apply that same standard to China or Vietnam so come on, it's ridiculously that the people of the United States can't trade with a country 90 miles from its shores because of the Cold War.

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/mar/04/weekend7.weekend9

I cried while reading this article. Can you imagine The same country that dropped Nukes in civilian population, which includes woman, old men and even new born babies in WW2 and still justifies the action, deems it fit to impose sanctions that would lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of civilian just because they have a beef with their govt. Are you guys even aware of what is going in a Afghanistan today?
If these guys Americans, or perhaps American leaders, all of them..... If they go to the same place where other random people go after death, say if God doesn't judge them appropriately, it would be greatly unfair

America is the number 1 hypocrite in world's politics

Those who love America to a fault should come and see what their darling government is doing. Let's see what they would say about this.

MangekyoAlt:
For sixty years, the United States’ blockade against Cuba has worked to hinder the island’s development and prevent it from trading even with third countries. It’s time Washington stopped its cruel punishment of its smaller neighbor.



https://www.jacobinmag.com/2022/03/us-blockade-embargo-cuba-sanctions-russia

Cc; Lalasticlacla, Mynd44

Blockade is better than brutal war going on now. I wish Russia can do the same for Ukraine instead of invasion.

Joezinho:
USA should lift the embargo on Cuba.. It's embarrassing...

The US actively trades with numerous countries whose political establishment is by far magnitudes worse than the current Cuban administration.

Castro is dead, China is ruled by a communist party and the US trades with China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executes far far more political dissidents than Cuba so really, the only points of the embargo seem to be sour grapes over Castro and the fear that an economically stable Cuba will influence Latin America towards socialism. However the US doesn't apply that same standard to China or Vietnam so come on, it's ridiculously that the people of the United States can't trade with a country 90 miles from its shores because of the Cold War.

Do you know why usa imposed sanctions on Cuba?
All American companies were nationalised by Cuba. No compensation. Similar thing was done by Robert Mugabe.

chronique:
Those who love America to a fault should come and see what their darling government is doing. Let's see what they would say about this.

FERNANDEZISBACK will definitely and deliberately avoid this thread

joyandfaith:


Do you know why usa imposed sanctions on Cuba?
All American companies were nationalised by Cuba. No compensation. Similar thing was done by Robert Mugabe.

The Soviets placed Nukes in Cuba after the USA installed nuclear weapons in Turkey. The Soviets asked the USA to remove those weapons, but the USA refused.

Thus, the USSR replied by installing missiles in Cuba. It was the USA who provoked the Cuban Missile Crisis..

joyandfaith:


Do you know why usa imposed sanctions on Cuba?
All American companies were nationalised by Cuba. No compensation. Similar thing was done by Robert Mugabe.

You must be out of your entire senses to type this gutter!

joyandfaith:

Blockade is better than brutal war going on now. I wish Russia can do the same for Ukraine instead of invasion.

How is Blockade better?
A war lasts for a few months at max, except for world wars of course. Meanwhile, blockades seriously hampers the development of countries UNTILL the Blockade is removed.
Most of the countries who fought fiercely and lost many during WW2 have regained all they lost and have even developed more. Just look and Germany, Japan and China.
Meanwhile, Cuba that has barely fought any country has had its development restricted and has lost more than $500 billion dollars because of the Blockade.

Joezinho:


Nukes were put in Cuba after the USA installed nuclear weapons in Turkey. The Soviets asked the USA to remove those weapons, but the USA refused.

Thus, the USSR replied by installing missiles in Cuba. It was the USA who provoked the Cuban Missile Crisis..

I know about Cuban Missile Crisis
Do you also know that American companies were nationalised by Fiedel Castro? US asked for compensation. Castro refused.

joyandfaith:


Do you know why usa imposed sanctions on Cuba?
All American companies were nationalised by Cuba. No compensation. Similar thing was done by Robert Mugabe.

Holy moly, did you even read the article at all.. Or you're just deluded? I hope you're not.
Click on the source and read from the website itself thoroughly. I excluded some parts because of the length. So do that now. You're in need of serious enlightenment.

MangekyoAlt:

How is Blockade better?
A war lasts for a few months at max, except for world wars of course. Meanwhile, blockades seriously hampers the development of countries UNTILL the Blockade is removed.
Most of the countries who fought fiercely and lost many during WW2 have regained all they lost and have even developed more. Just look and Germany, Japan and China.
Meanwhile, Cuba that has barely fought any country has had its development restricted and has lost more than $500 billion dollars because of the Blockade.

Wars in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, few months? Humans are tired of seeing of blood. Economic blockade is better. Each country should work on her economy and play games with other countries.

joyandfaith:

I know about Cuban Missile Crisis
Do you also know that American companies were nationalised by Fiedel Castro? US asked for compensation. Castro refused.

Where did you get the information that Cuba nationalized US companies? Drop the the source here now because what you're saying is completely new to me. Infact, nothing like that happened. You must've read this from a propaganda source or something. Either way, drop it, I'll verify if it's True

MangekyoAlt:

Holy moly, did you even read the article at all.. Or you're just deluded? I hope you're not.
Click on the source and read from the website itself thoroughly. I excluded some parts because of the length. So do that now. You're in need of serious enlightenment.

Beside, missile crisis. Cuba nationalised America businesses. I read historical books not mere articles.
It is you that need enlightenment.

joyandfaith:

Wars in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, few months? Humans are tired of seeing of blood. Economic blockade is better. Each country should work on her economy and play games with other countries.

Im talking about full fledged conventional warfare between two countries going all out as that is what is going on in the UKRAINE YOU QUOTED! not a Nation using proxie to fight against another or containing guerilla warfare

MangekyoAlt:

Im talking about full fledged conventional warfare between two countries going all out as that is what is going on in the UKRAINE YOU QUOTED! not a Nation using proxie to fight against another or containing guerilla warfare

I am anti-war in all ramifications. Nations should settle their scores by playing economic games not brutal war.

joyandfaith:


Beside, missile crisis. Cuba nationalised America businesses. I read historical books not mere articles.
It is you that need enlightenment.

You've not read more books than me.
When I said source, I hope you don't assume I meant it is only restricted to articles as that would expose your level of illiteracy. A source could mean a book, a documentary, article or even image. Wherever you got the information you're trying to feed us now, bring it and back yourself up with it. I would very much like to read it as well, since like I said, you're allegation is pretty new to me. This is the first time I hearing that Cuba nationalized US companies

joyandfaith:


I am anti-war in all ramifications. Nations should settle their scores by playing economic games not brutal war.

Yes, I feel the same way too. But war is still always an option! Russia has played this economic games with Ukraine, they've been playing with them untill USA interfered and completely ruined everything. Do you know that this same Ukraine declined to join the European Union, after the EU tried to lure them to join by offering them money. But russia countered their offer by giving Ukraine an even better deal which included trading more with them and increasing the money they received from Russia's gas sale to Europe since the gas pipeline passes through Ukraine and Poland. It was right after the president refused to sign the deal that the EU and USA orchestrated the coup that removed that govt and replaced it with another, which would do exactly as they're told to. A puppet!

MangekyoAlt:

You've not read more books than me.
When I said source, I hope you don't assume I meant it is only restricted to articles as that would expose your level of illiteracy. A source could mean a book, a documentary, article or even image. Wherever you got the information you're trying to feed us now, bring it and back yourself up with it. I would very much like to read it as well, since like I said, you're allegation is pretty new to me. This is the first time I hearing that Cuba nationalized US companies

Do you know me? Don't be arrogant. Do diligent study and research before forming opinion on piece of articles. Cuba nationalised America businesses. That is the reason for prolonged economic sanctions.

MangekyoAlt:

Yes, I feel the same way too. But war is still always an option! Russia has played this economic games with Ukraine, they've been playing with them untill USA interfered and completely ruined everything. Do you know that this same Ukraine declined to join the European Union, after the EU tried to lure them to join by offering them money. But russia countered their offer by giving Ukraine an even better deal which included trading more with them and increasing the money they received from Russia's gas sale to Europe since the gas pipeline passes through Ukraine and Poland. It was right after the president refused to sign the deal that the EU and USA orchestrated the coup that removed that govt and replaced it with another, which would do exactly as they're told to. A puppet!

If Russia is smart, it couid have plotted another counter coup instead of senseless war.

joyandfaith:


Do you know me? Don't be arrogant. Do diligent study and research before forming opinion on piece of articles. Cuba nationalised America businesses. That is the reason for prolonged economic sanctions.

You don't know me either. Go read the comment you made that made me toss your words right back at you. You claimed you read actual books while I don't, or something around that line........ Do you even know me?
I send most of my time reading pre and post WW2 books and even have more than enough documentaries on my laptop to keep you busy for 2 weeks consecutively.
I have read about the US-Cuba relations, and why it deteoriated. I never read anywhere that Cuba nationalizing US companies was among them. You burst out of nowhere and claimed they nationalized their company and can't even give a source to back up your claim. Why should I believe you? Are your words the gospel?

joyandfaith:


If Russia is smart, it couid have plotted another counter coup instead of senseless war.

Two wrongs don't make a right mate. Besides, not sure if the russians are really good with executing coups compared to USA

MangekyoAlt:

You don't know me either. [b]Go read the comment you made that made me toss your words right back at you. [/b]You claimed you read actual books while I don't, or something around that line........ Do you even know me?
I send most of my time reading pre and post WW2 books and even have more than enough documentaries on my laptop to keep you busy for 2 weeks consecutively.
I have read about the US-Cuba relations, and why it deteoriated. I never read anywhere that Cuba nationalizing US companies was among them. You burst out of nowhere and claimed they nationalized their company and can't even give a source to back up your claim. Why should I believe you? Are your words the gospel?

You started it. You said i need enlightenment. I replied it is you that need enlightenment for not knowing cuba nationalised us businesses. If you are reading books with biased mind, you will miss important points. Simple Google search will help you to know Cuba nationalised US businesses.

MangekyoAlt:

Two wrongs don't make a right mate. Besides, not sure if the russians are really good with executing coups compared to USA

Coup and counter coup are better than senseless war. War doesn't discriminate. Innocent people will get killed. In coups, only actors may get killed. Even there are bloodless coups. The bloodless wars are economic and cyber warfares.

joyandfaith:


Coup and counter coup are better than senseless war. War doesn't discriminate. Innocent people will get killed. In coups, only actors may get killed. Even there are bloodless coups. The bloodless wars are economic and cyber warfares.

You assume those who carried out the first coup would leave loopholes for Russia to exploit? No. Like I said, wars will never cease to be an option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8bNdNA49po

China criticizes U.S blockade policy against Cuba

joyandfaith:

Blockade is better than brutal war going on now. I wish Russia can do the same for Ukraine instead of invasion.

did u know dat when chinese liberation army crossed d yalu river and beat un and usa soldiers from pyongyang to seul dat us thearter comander gen macarthor wanted to nuke? china but thank GOD dat soviets have developed nuke den, u are evil for commenting dis trash

joyandfaith:

I know about Cuban Missile Crisis
Do you also know that American companies were nationalised by Fiedel Castro? US asked for compensation. Castro refused.

Amidst his flaws, Castro was a hero .Was Castro perfect? No. But his revolution freed the Cuban people from the American empire.

There's a reason why most people living in Cuba remember Fidel as a hero.

Despite the embargo, Cubans have the same life expectancy as Americans, better standards of healthcare in many regards, a near-zero rate of homelessness, and startlingly low rates of food insecurity. That's the legacy of Fidel Castro..

Joezinho:


Amidst his flaws, Castro was a hero .Was Castro perfect? No. But his revolution freed the Cuban people from the American empire.

There's a reason why most people living in Cuba remember Fidel as a hero.

Despite the embargo, Cubans have the same life expectancy as Americans, better standards of healthcare in many regards, a near-zero rate of homelessness, and startlingly low rates of food insecurity. That's the legacy of Fidel Castro..

Of course, castro and his friend Che Guevara were real revolutionary leaders.

greatness77:
did u know dat when chinese liberation army crossed d yalu river and beat un and usa soldiers from pyongyang to seul dat us thearter comander gen macarthor wanted to nuke? china but thank GOD dat soviets have developed nuke den, u are evil for commenting dis trash

Economic blockade is better than millitary confrontation.