Some comments by Joe Grogan*
Just before Christmas, 2014, the world was startled and
surprised to learn that Cuba and the United States had agreed to establish
again formal relations which the U.S.A. had broken off in the early 1960s.
What are the implications for such a situation? As a Canadian who has long supported the
right of Cuba to build its nation as it sees fit, this news brought me a mixed
reaction. On the one hand, I can see how
the Cuban people can benefit from such an arrangement because eventually there
will be increased possibilities for American investments, jobs and revenues
to/for Cuba. Furthermore, there will be
the possibility of less harassment from the United States a reality since the
early days of the Cuban revolution and the armed struggle against the
dictatorship of Batista who in reality was just a willing puppet for American
interests-those of the multinational American corporations and the American
Government itself. On the other hand,
there are concerns many supporters of Cuba have about the re-Americanization of
Cuba, back to the sad reality of the 1950s.
There is no doubt that there will be pressures to please the Empire next
door, particularly as there are opportunists in Cuba just like here, those who love the almighty
dollar. In addition, some of us dreamers
who believe another world is possible, one with less corruption and less
mean-spirited behaviour, we do not want Cuban culture and history to be swamped
by heavy influences from its huge neighbour.
I have concluded that the new relationship is in fact, a
victory for Cuba and the Cuban people because in spite of many difficulties
caused by the United States, the Americans have finally had to conclude that
their attacks and efforts to isolate Cuba have instead only served to
strengthen the resolve of the Cuban leadership and Cuban people to preserve the
Cuban revolution, warts and all.
Besides, Cuba has become a beacon well-respected around the world for
its efforts to resist and combat imperialism.
In solidarity with the peoples of Africa and Latin America, Cuba has
demonstrated by its actions what real solidarity is and how in addition it has
supported the struggles of peoples in Venezuela, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru,
Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Panama and indeed countries
of the Caribbean, such as Haiti (earthquake relief efforts), Jamaica, Dominica,
and others. In fact, this solidarity with
other nations and peoples, especially in the Western Hemisphere has produced a
situation where it is the United States that now is isolated, not Cuba. Its previous policies towards Cuba have been
shown to be a failure for all to see.
There will be struggles ahead for Cuba. What kind of relationship will finally emerge
will be based on what happens with the military base the United States still
holds at Guantanamo and how quickly the U.S. will remove the Embargo against
Cuba, in effect since the early 1960s.
That Embargo was designed to weaken the Cuban revolution by attacking it
through economic sanctions which have hurt the Cuban people most of all. Such an irrational and unjust war against
Cuba has caused the United States to lose its international reputation as a
peace-loving, generous nation. There is
a well-educated, dedicated and courageous cadre of Cubans who will continue the
legacy of the Cuban revolution. They will
continue to emphasize the lessons of Che, Celia Sanchez, Cienfuegos, Fidel,
Raul, Jose Marti and all others who fought for Cuba.
Joe Grogan is a retired professor from Humber College and long time activist in the solidarity movement in support of Cuba.
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