Cuba's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, delivered an unexpected response when questioned by both national and international media on Wednesday regarding the motivations behind recent U.S. actions affecting Cuba. The most notable of these actions is the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
"In my view, these steps have been taken because the U.S. plan has failed. Their strategy to cause the collapse of the Cuban economy, incite social unrest, and implement the memorandum by Mr. Lester Mallory to overthrow the Cuban revolution through measures that cause hunger, desperation, and the overthrow of the government, has not achieved its goals," Rodríguez stated.
The Cuban Foreign Minister firmly dismissed the notion of an "economic collapse," though he admitted that the collective impact of the "Blockade" has created "extremely challenging circumstances" for the Cuban economy, leading to "considerable humanitarian damage, difficulties, anxiety, and suffering for Cuban families."
He specifically mentioned the repercussions of the "intensification" of measures since 2017, particularly those enforced from mid-2019 by the "previous Republican administration," avoiding direct mention of Donald Trump.
"Nevertheless, neither the economic collapse nor the overthrow of the government has occurred," he added.
Rodríguez further asserted that the U.S. government's decisions reflect an acknowledgment that its policy toward Cuba is outdated and ineffective, failing to serve U.S. national interests or gain the support of American citizens or Cuban residents in the U.S. "It acknowledges the severe international isolation and discredit that this foreign policy causes, undermining instruments supposedly needed to achieve certain international objectives," he clarified.
Finally, the Foreign Minister emphasized that there are "developments" in Cuba and that "the Cuban people's support for the revolution remains steadfast." On January 14, shortly after the Biden Administration announced Cuba's removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) announced the imminent release of 553 individuals convicted of "various offenses" on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. and Cuba Relations
Why did the U.S. remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism?
The U.S. removed Cuba from the list as part of recent policy changes, potentially recognizing the ineffectiveness and outdated nature of previous strategies toward Cuba.
What impact have U.S. measures had on Cuba's economy?
While the Cuban economy has not collapsed, U.S. measures have created challenging circumstances, causing humanitarian damage and significant hardships for Cuban families.
How has the Cuban government responded to recent U.S. policies?
Cuba's government claims that the U.S. policies have failed and emphasizes the continued support of the Cuban people for the revolution, while also noting certain developments within the country.