Cuba marks 50th anniversary of the US trade embargo, welcomes the Colombian Foreign Minister ahead of Summit of the Americas debate, and receives praise from ECLAC.
Cuba marks 50 years under US embargo
Cuba this week marked a half-century of life under the US trade embargo. The 50-year anniversary prompted reflection on its legacy from both sides of the Straits of Florida.
The embargo was signed into law through Executive Order 3447, signed by US President John F. Kennedy on 7 February 1962 in retaliation for Cuban nationalization of US-owned businesses, and Cuba?s alignment with ?Sino-Soviet Communism.? It was tightened with the end of the Cold War, especially through the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. Foreign Policy?s Passport Blog contains an original copy of the Executive Order 3447.
Cuban officials cite the embargo as the main obstacle to growth in the Cuban economy, and complained in official press this week that the embargo has been tightened.
However, while Cuba estimates that the embargo has caused almost $1 trillion in losses to the Cuban economy, the main goal of the embargo?the removal of the Communist government of Cuba?has not been achieved.
In interviews with Cubans conducted by Reuters, many Cubans expressed that the embargo has been a failure, and that the Cuban government uses it as an excuse to explain the poor conditions on the island.
Polls in the United States show reduced support for the embargo even among Cuban-Americans. However, the US Congress says it will only lift the act when Cuba takes steps toward democratisation including freeing prisoners of conscience, respecting human rights, and legalizing political parties.
Britain?s The Daily Mail offers a good overview of the history of the embargo.
Colombian Foreign Minister visits the island
Colombian Foreign Minister Mar?a Angela Holgu?n visited Cuba this week, meeting with her counterpart Bruno Rodr?guez and President Ra?l Castro to discuss a number of bilateral agreements between the countries. The ministers also reaffirmed their support for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Nations (CELAC) as a tool for regional integration.
Although the visit was planned months ago, it was given special significance due to last week?s declaration by Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa at the Bolivarian Alliance (ALBA) Summit that ALBA countries would not attend the upcoming Summit of the Americas unless Cuba was permitted to attend. Colombia will host this year?s summit in April in Cartagena, Colombia.
The US government responded that Cuba ?in no way reaches the threshold for participation,? which includes democratic governance.
Holgu?n said she would work to find a way for Cuba to attend, and proposed that it could attend as an observer instead of a participant. She promised to find a consensus that would be palatable to all members before the Summit.
ECLAC praises Cuban economic reforms
Alicia B?rcena, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), praised the economic reforms undertaken by the Cuban government within the last two years.
?It?s clear that Cuba seeks a balance between what the state can resolve, and what requires a pact with society to bring the economy forward,? she stated at a press conference on 7 February during a visit to the island.
Going forward, she said the challenges will be preserving the education and health achievements of the Cuban Revolution, while pursuing economic growth.
Source: http://www.pulsamerica.co.uk/2012/02/13/cuba-embargo-50-years-colombia-holguin-visit-eclac-praise/
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