U.S. keeps Cuba in imperialism’s crosshairs

The new year began with the U.S. government announcing new intensive airport screening for anyone traveling from or through 14 countries — the four unilaterally designated by the U.S. as “states sponsoring terrorism” and ten others allegedly “of interest.” One of the most obvious indications that this arbitrary list has nothing to do with protecting air travel or residents within the U.S. is the listing of socialist Cuba as one of the 14.

Dr. Wayne Smith, former U.S. State Department analyst and chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana until 1982, wondered if “the United States itself should be on the list?” (www.nowaroncuba.org)

The hypocrisy and self-serving character of declarations against other nations is clear. The U.S., in fact, harbors individuals who have admitted bombing civilian aircraft and been convicted of attempting to bomb a university in Costa Rica where revolutionary Cuban leader Fidel Castro was speaking. The U.S. government refuses to even comply with international law requiring extradition or trial for aircraft bombers.

In contrast, the Cuban Five, who were attempting to prevent violent acts against Cuba, are imprisoned in the U.S. with severe sentences that were only moderated after global outcry from parliaments, unions and international support committees. One of the Five, Gerardo Hernández, is still serving an exceptionally cruel double life term and is denied family visits from his spouse.

The Five are now enduring their 12th year of captivity in U.S. prisons precisely because they monitored the activities of organizations based in the U.S. — with the full knowledge of the U.S. government — that planned and carried out bombings of tourist hotels to disrupt the Cuban economy.

The Five — Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González and René González — protected their homeland by observing terrorist actions and plans in Florida so defensive measures could be prepared and taken in Cuba. They undertook this mission after Cuban government appeals for the U.S. government to stop the attacks from Florida were ignored.

Not only are the Cuban Five imprisoned and visits from family members denied or obstructed, but the admitted organizers of the first midair bombing of a civilian airliner, Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, are walking free in Miami. Venezuela has formally requested Posada’s extradition to stand trial, since the plot to blow up Cubana Flight 455 was hatched there in 1976. The Montreal Convention (1971), which was signed by the U.S., requires that anyone suspected of destroying a civilian aircraft in the air be extradited or face trial in the country of residence. (www.asil.org)

Cuba is known for teaching the world to read and sending doctors to countries in need. The country provides Cubans with a life expectancy equal to that of the U.S. — their wealthy, powerful neighbor only 90 miles away — and an infant mortality rate lower than the U.S. Cuba leads the way in sustainability and environmental preservation.

Cuba has achieved all this because its socialist system is not driven by maximizing profits. Maximizing the educational, cultural and physical development of every human being is its priority.

Cuba’s achievements are astonishing considering the relentless economic, political and terror war waged against it by U.S. imperialism. Every year the entire world, except the U.S., Israel and one or two small nations, vote in the U.N. against the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

Since the U.S. trade and travel ban cannot prevent U.S. residents from going to Cuba, the U.S. thinks that perhaps more harassment at airports can dissuade them. The Obama administration rebuffed Cuba’s request to be removed from the Jan. 4 list. By so doing, it restates the U.S. imperialist intent to destroy socialism in Cuba, whether by subversion, starvation by blockade or military means.

Cuba provides a living example for the U.S. working class, which is looking for a way out of the capitalist economic crisis stealing their jobs, homes and futures. Cuba remains a beacon that a concocted anti-terror hysteria cannot dim.