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Why Hasn't the Caribbean Called Out Cuba's Government for Rights Abuses?
Cubans recently protested the economic crisis, the management of COVID, and the political repression in their country. At least, that's what international media is reporting. But here in the Caribbean, we are the first to defend the communist government of Cuba, no matter what ills it's accused of committing. Uncritical and placatory - that's how you might describe our support for the communist government.
Political rights and freedoms that you and I enjoy in the rest of the Caribbean are not rights which the communist government of Cuba allows its citizens. It is a one-party state. Freedom of assembly is restricted. Freedom of speech is restricted. The internet is controlled by the government. There is censorship. Arbitrary arrest and detention is persistent. Dissent is suppressed. Musicians are jailed for lyrics critical of the government. You cannot speak out without the risk of harassment or worse victimization.
But why? The reason, we are told in this episode, is because the Cuban government, which has been in perpetual conflict with its powerful, antagonistic neighbour, the United States (US) since the 1960s, is guarding against subversion by the US. There is always evidence or at least suspicion that anti-government or anti-communist sentiment is really the product of US sponsored or supported covert action.
Throughout the Cold War, the US targeted Cuba through covert actions meant to foment discontent amongst the Cuban people with the ultimate aim of overthrowing the communist government. The centerpiece of that strategy has been a now universally condemned embargo which has survived the Cold War - an embargo which has been blamed by many for exponentially exacerbating the economic hardships in Cuba, especially now amidst the pandemic.
In the 21st century, whether the US intelligence community and US administrations have had a coherent policy on Cuba is debatable. Measures have been relaxed and tightened under different presidents. And in some cases, covert actions targeting Cuba are reportedly still occurring. The politics of US-Cuba relations is complex. It spans historical conflicts between both countries, and competition between them in Latin America.
But in spite of all that, Cuba's government is still arresting its own activists and suppressing dissent amongst its own citizens. It blames the US and imperialists whenever it does so. Is everyone who opposes the government an agent of the US? Or an enemy of the state? Why has the rest of the Caribbean not called them out for it? Why smile and remain silent? Is it impossible for Caricom to condemn the embargo while also condemning rights abuses in Cuba? Are we still so helplessly enamored with Castro and the revolution 62 years on, that we cannot?
The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:
This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on July 18th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.
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By The Big Issues Production TeamCubans recently protested the economic crisis, the management of COVID, and the political repression in their country. At least, that's what international media is reporting. But here in the Caribbean, we are the first to defend the communist government of Cuba, no matter what ills it's accused of committing. Uncritical and placatory - that's how you might describe our support for the communist government.
Political rights and freedoms that you and I enjoy in the rest of the Caribbean are not rights which the communist government of Cuba allows its citizens. It is a one-party state. Freedom of assembly is restricted. Freedom of speech is restricted. The internet is controlled by the government. There is censorship. Arbitrary arrest and detention is persistent. Dissent is suppressed. Musicians are jailed for lyrics critical of the government. You cannot speak out without the risk of harassment or worse victimization.
But why? The reason, we are told in this episode, is because the Cuban government, which has been in perpetual conflict with its powerful, antagonistic neighbour, the United States (US) since the 1960s, is guarding against subversion by the US. There is always evidence or at least suspicion that anti-government or anti-communist sentiment is really the product of US sponsored or supported covert action.
Throughout the Cold War, the US targeted Cuba through covert actions meant to foment discontent amongst the Cuban people with the ultimate aim of overthrowing the communist government. The centerpiece of that strategy has been a now universally condemned embargo which has survived the Cold War - an embargo which has been blamed by many for exponentially exacerbating the economic hardships in Cuba, especially now amidst the pandemic.
In the 21st century, whether the US intelligence community and US administrations have had a coherent policy on Cuba is debatable. Measures have been relaxed and tightened under different presidents. And in some cases, covert actions targeting Cuba are reportedly still occurring. The politics of US-Cuba relations is complex. It spans historical conflicts between both countries, and competition between them in Latin America.
But in spite of all that, Cuba's government is still arresting its own activists and suppressing dissent amongst its own citizens. It blames the US and imperialists whenever it does so. Is everyone who opposes the government an agent of the US? Or an enemy of the state? Why has the rest of the Caribbean not called them out for it? Why smile and remain silent? Is it impossible for Caricom to condemn the embargo while also condemning rights abuses in Cuba? Are we still so helplessly enamored with Castro and the revolution 62 years on, that we cannot?
The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:
This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on July 18th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.