The dire situation in Cuba has sparked a call to action from a UN human rights expert, who urges the US to lift its longstanding sanctions. This plea comes amid a worsening economic and energy crisis, with devastating impacts on the Cuban people.
A Nation in Crisis
Alena Douhan, the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council, has witnessed the deterioration of Cuba's sectors firsthand during her visit. She emphasizes that the trade and financial restrictions imposed by Washington since the Cold War have exacerbated the humanitarian situation, making it nearly impossible for Cubans to access basic necessities.
But here's where it gets controversial: Douhan argues that these sanctions do not align with international legal norms. She believes they are designed to prevent Cuba from generating any economic revenue, particularly in hard currency.
And this is the part most people miss: the economic blockade has led to a plummeting GDP, inflation, food shortages, and blackouts in Cuba. The authorities attribute this crisis to the COVID lockdowns and stricter US sanctions, among other factors.
The US imposed the economic embargo in 1960 after Fidel Castro's revolution, which overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista and nationalized US properties. The blockade prohibits US trade with Cuba, and the Trump administration has only intensified these sanctions, even returning Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
However, the US State Department spokesperson disagrees, blaming Cuba's communist government for its economic woes. They argue that the embargo does not restrict Cuba's access to world markets or trade with other countries, and US law allows for the export of essential goods to Cuba.
So, who's right? Is it the US government, or the UN human rights expert? What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
