Linton P. Gordon
We must congratulate the United States President, Barack Obama, on his decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. It is a bold, brave and firm decision taken by Mr. Obama, given the constant, longstanding and, in a sense, irrational opposition by some Americans to any relationship with Cuba.
Cuba is in a class by itself. It has held out against the most powerful country for over 50 years. Fidel Castro first and now his brother Raul have led the Cuban Revolution over the past five decades with an uncompromising commitment to the interest of the Cubans and no one else.During this period, Cuba was invaded by a force put together and supported by the United States of America. The USA also imposed an embargo, banning all trade with Cuba. The embargo banned the supply of spare parts, medical supplies, agricultural equipment and educational supplies to Cuba. However, the Cubans hunkered down and relied on their ingenuity and they have been able to survive the continuing embargo.
JAMAICA BENEFITS
Today, Cuba has the least illiterate population in the new world. The United States has a higher percentage of illiterate citizens than Cuba does. Cuba’s public medical service is second to none. The ratio of medical doctors per hundred thousand is higher than that of the United States. The only thing missing in Cuba is the wide spread choice of consumer goods that we are accustomed to. There is no malnutrition and there is no discrimination on the basis of race, colour or class in Cuba. Jamaica is now benefiting tremendously from having had several of our young people trained in the medical field and other areas in Cuba.
Prior to the 1959 Revolution, Cuba was all but owned by the United States. All the major businesses were owned by the United States of America. The sugar plantations, the casinos, the clubs and all important entities in Cuba were owned by Americans.When Castro’s Revolution succeeded in 1959 these assets were repatriated to Cuban ownership. The Americans have never forgiven the Cubans for this, thus the imposition of the embargo.
Cuba trained, developed and equipped its military to a standard that it is a deterrent to any invasion by the United States. The Cubans deliberately leaked to the Americans the nature and extent of their military prowess.
The Cuban philosophy has always been that ‘Yes, the United States can inflict a military defeat on us but it will be at a grave cost.’ This has been an effective deterrent against the Americans invading and taking over Cuba.Cuba’s military prowess is not theory. Cuba was able to intervene in Angola in the 70s and save that country from the invading South Africa who were backed by the white supremacy group who wanted to capture Angola for its minerals and oils. When the Cubans landed in Luanda the capital of Angola, the South Africans were less than 50 miles from the airport.
DEFEAT IN ANGOLA
The small contingent of highly trained Cubans were able to hold the airport long enough for reinforcement to arrive and then started the counter offences which saw for the first time the defeat of the mighty South African Apartheid army. That was the start of the end of Apartheid. Cuba is well recognized in South Africa for its contribution to and support for the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial forces that were struggling against those who wanted to keep the Africans in bondage and servitude.
While the USA, UK and other western countries were fully supportive of the Apartheid regime in Africa, Cuba not only opposed it but provided training facilities in Cuba for the fighters for the Anti-apartheid movement and in some instances sent fighters to assist them.
TOURISM
In recent years, Cuba has developed a vibrant tourism sector and they anticipate receiving over three million tourists in 2015. This sector brings in hard currency for Cuba and it is anticipated that this sector will grow even more after diplomatic relations are established with the United States of America.
The embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba in 1959 has failed to break the spirit of the Cubans. This should be a lesson to all countries that believe that they should determine the policies of another country.
The decision by President Obama to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba will place Obama in history as one of the most sensible Presidents to have occupied the White House.
We in Jamaica have always maintained a friendly relationship with Cuba.
Our Government, be it of the PNP or JLP has always maintained that the embargo on Cuba and the isolation of Cuba should be brought to a halt. We, as a country, can therefore celebrate with the Cubans the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States.
