By: Staff Writer
June 14, 2022
Cuba was not invited to last week’s Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, but that didn’t mean that the country would not have a voice.
Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of Cuba, in a video address to the simultaneously held People’s Summit of Democracy, said that: “Revolution have always been clear when governments try to deprive us of our voice, people will be there to represent us to speak on our behalf.”
He continued, “Solidarity is not only a principle inseparable from the from the revolutionary praxis, it is the most formidable weapon for those of us who believe in the power of the masses, in the tulleric force of mobilized peoples and the inspiring struggle for social justice.”
Clearly, President Diaz-Canel is feeling a little disappointed to have been left out of the Summitt of the Americas by this year’s host, the US, especially when relations between the two countries have reportedly been thawing out in recent years.
US President Barack Obama visited Cuba in 2016, the first time a US President visited the island nation since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Obama also lifted travel restrictions on Cuba in 2016 as well.
However, in June, 2017, Obama’s successor, Donald Trump announced that he was suspending the policy for unconditional sanctions relief for Cuba, while also leaving the door open for a “better deal” between the U.S. and Cuba. In November of 2017, it was announced that the business and travel restrictions which were loosened by the Obama administration would be reinstated and went into effect on 9 November along with further restrictions in 2019.
Current President, Joe Biden, has promised to be “tougher on Cuba” and this is where modern day relations between the two countries stand, with the US’s 63 year embargo on the country still as strong as ever despite the US government having a permanent military base on Guantanamo Bay.
Mr Diaz-Canel also said: “The struggle we share to day dates back centuries at the cost of the best of our sons and daughters of our great homeland.
“That struggle is waged against the powerful attempt to recolonise our American nations. It is waged against the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine that continues to guide the US approach to our region. It is waged against imperialist politics and sanctions and punishments for countries that would not yield to such desires.”