Untwisting Reality

Why the Cuban Revolution is a Threat for the United States?

• By Poetry X
• 24 December, 2014
• No Comments

“From its earliest days, the Cuban Revolution has also been a source of inspiration to all freedom-loving people. We admire the sacrifices of the Cuban people in maintaining their independence and sovereignty in the face of the vicious imperialist-orchestrated campaign to destroy the impressive gain made in the Cuban Revolution….Long live the Cuban Revolution. Long live comrade Fidel Castro.”

– Nelson Mandela

After 54 years of no diplomatic relations among Cuba and the United States, finally this December 2014, the U.S. reestablish talks with that nation. In a magnificent collaboration from Pope Francis, this situation sheds some hope in a very obscure chapter of U.S. repression against sovereign countries [TeleSur Nov 27 2016].

Despite all allegations of lack of democracy and human right violations, Cuba has demonstrated tremendous determination if defending its social successes. There is no doubt there are many problems the cuban government must correct, but at the end, the U.S. is the main responsible factor that has shaped the current situation of this island. Cuba for decades has represented a real alternative to capitalism, which is a major threat for the supper powers as the Cuban alternative represents an example for developing nations.

Relations among these countries has been reestablished, but let’s not get fooled but the blockade continues. In addition, the U.S. keep exercising a very hostile policy against Latin America. In the meantime, let’s remember some important point about the Cuban Revolution.

• In 1961 the United States imposed a commercial embargo on Cuba, which the UN has condemned, but the U.S. always vetoes any resolution to terminate it. It is estimated that from 1961 until 2008, Cuba has lost 53,000M of Euros due to the U.S. embargo.

• Every year, the U.S. sends a payment check to Cuba for the “rent” of Guantanamo, but the Cuban government has never cashed any of the checks.

• On contrary of the stated believe that Cuba does not practice any kind of democracy, actually Cuba has local elections every 5 years with participation of any individual non affiliated to a political party. These elections by law must be over-looked only by children while the adults vote. This election process is compared to the popular assemblies during the first years of the French revolution.  For example, on 1976 Cuba passed its constitution with a 97% approval of the electorate. This constitution is fully compliant with the human rights declaration.

• In 2011, Cuba was ranked 51st out 187 countries on the Human Development Index.  In addition, on 2006, the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) declared Cuba as the only country with the minimal conditions to fulfill ecological sustainability.

• UNICEF stated that Cuba is the only country in Latin America that has eradicated child undernourishment and has the highest life expectation in Latin America with the lowest child mortality.  Indeed, Cuba is the most frequent collaborator in social programs of assistance to Latin America.

• By 1961, Cuba had eradicated illiteracy. Nowadays, Cuba has prepared more than 47,000 professionals from 126 countries in its universities in more than 33 specialties. Since 1961, Cuba has assisted 154 countries with more than 270,000 professionals. Today, Cuba has 41,000 professionals cooperating in 97 countries, and 31,000 of them are in the health care field. In the campaign against AIDS, Cuba provides over 3,000 specialists while the US and Europe combined don’t get even reach 1,000 doctors.  For example during the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, Cuba sent 2,500 doctors.  In fact, Cuba gives more health professionals than the International Health Organization.

• Cuba was one of the first nations condemning the 2001 WTC attacks in New York but the U.S. kept  five patriot Cubans in prison since 1997 for spying on Miami terrorists. The Cuban Five alerted the U.S. of more than 170 attempts of terrorism against Cuba.  In addition, the U.S. has provided a safe haven for many Cuban terrorists such as Orlando Bosch, Luis Posada Carriles, among many others.

• Cuba has been accused of blocking its citizens from accessing to internet, but it is the U.S. that has put all kind of barriers not to let Cuba to access to multiple websites [Boron Feb 10-2015].

Cuba has collaborated with many independence movements like in Algeria, Congo, Angola, Namibia, Bolivia, Nicaragua etc. In 1987, Angola defeated the U.S. Israel backed South African Army.  Cuba was a key player to end the South African apartheid and to free Nelson Mandela. The first country that Mandela visited after his release was Cuba in gratitude for the Cuban support to the abolition of the apartheid regime.

For more info on facts about Cuba, you can read material from Atilio Boron, George Gallaway, Michael Parenti or Noam Chomsky.