The State Department's removal of Cuba from its "terrorism list" marks another huge step towards true normalization of diplomatic relations between our two nations. The US move follows the recent America's Summit in Panama (April 10-11) where the depth of the US isolation from the rest of the hemisphere came into sharp relief, and the Obama administration was forced to back away from its March assertion that Venezuela posed a threat to our nation's national security. The increasingly awkward position of the US had been evident for several years as Latin American countries moved toward greater cooperation and solidarity and formed the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) five years ago. These recent developments give cause to consider the political context affecting current negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba.
The US blockade of Cuba has been a tool of foreign policy since February 7, 1962 through Executive Order 3447 by JFK. Though economic warfare was designed with the intention to destroy the Cuban revolution, it failed to achieve the desired result. During the Reagan/Bush administration, the strategy to starve the Cuban people into submission intensified. A State Department directive placed Cuba on a spurious list of nations supporting terrorism, a convenient excuse for continued intervention in Latin America.
In 1983, a non-governmental entity, the National Endowment for Democracy, became the leading exponent for destabilization and social unrest in foreign countries. In order to adapt to new conditions, the image of US state-directed terrorism required a face lift and change in tactics. An organization named the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) was anointed the primary channel to target campaign contributions to politicians without compromising the original goal of regime change. Immediately, the CANF began its assault on democracy gaining approval of the controversial Radio/TV Marti to beam counterrevolutionary propaganda to Cuba via Miami.
Throughout the decade of the 1990's, an intensive lobby campaign directed by rightwing politicians in alliance with the Bacardi Corporation succeeded in passage of Helms-Burton. This legislation usurped political power from the U.S. executive branch for the narrow self-interest of anti-Cuban extremists. By codifying US interventionist policy against Cuba, Helms-Burton sanctions transformed international relations into domestic policy thereby ignoring international law and increasing US government isolation from world opinion.
Essentially, Helms-Burton is a remnant of the Cold war era. The extraterritorial nature of this anachronistic law disrupts political, economic and social relations with Cuba. Section 109 authorization of humanitarian assistance for dissident activity in Cuba amounts to an illegal kickback scheme that benefits embittered opponents of the Cuban state. Its defects have been criticized by all civilized countries of the world and should be seriously re-examined by Congress. For example, denial of presidential authority to formulate an independent course of action regarding Cuba subverts the rule of law and violates the separation of power doctrine. Prohibition of tourism without a license infringes on the Constitutional right of US citizens to travel to Cuba. In addition, interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country undermines the free flow of commerce and communication required for comity of nations and economic development in a global environment.
Cuba earned its right to co-exist as a sovereign, independent nation when it defeated US imperialism at the Battle of Giron. Its ability to withstand the longest blockade during peacetime has captured the imagination of the entire international community. Any pretext that serves to mislead the US public against Cuba must be challenged. Economic blockade policy and the US legacy of entitlement promulgated through the Plattist Helms-Burton law (1996) for domination and control as the natural order of things is a political liability no longer sustainable.
Cracks in the 54-year history of the blockade were present long before the breakthrough of December 17, 2014. Release and return of Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino and Antonio Guerrero to their homeland, highlighted by an agreement to resume diplomatic relations, marks a turning point in US/Cuba policy. "Getting to know each other better" is key to resolving political differences. Dialog and cooperation may ease many years of hostility and separation, but it cannot restore 3,478 Cuban lives lost to terrorism or Cuban citizens disabled (2,099) by counter revolutionary activity fomented to destabilize the Cuban government.
As fraternal relations among ALBA, CELAC and CARICOM nations continue to advance in solidarity, peace and friendship, the direction of US/Cuba negotiations will define the future for peoples in the Western Hemisphere. US recognition of Cuban sovereignty on equal terms requires that the socialist character of the Cuban revolution not be a pre-existing condition endangering the success of talks. Respect is a necessary component for the normalization of relations. Therefore, the demand that the US Congress overturn Helms-Burton is an idea whose time has come. Any injury to one is an injury to all.
Photo: President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shake hands at the Americas Summit. Getty images
