By Nirupam Deo
Published On : August 19, 2021 12:49 IST
Introduction
Intonating the clarion call for “freedom” and demanding the resignation of the President Miguel Diaz Canel, protestors in huge numbers step out into street protests from Havana to Santiago to the biggest Anti-Government protests the Country has experienced over decades in Cuba.
These protests have shown the same intensity in size and resentment as was shown after the tumbling of its old ally, The Soviet Union two decades ago. The people attribute the protest as a result of scarcity of generic goods and medicines, lack of vaccination, frequent blackouts and blame everything on the present Government. They demand the resignation of the current system and were seen chanting “Diaz Canel step-out”.
The Government, on the other hand, burden everything as a result of the “provocation” of its old foe, The United States. The present Government contends that the collapse of the financial condition of Cuba is due to the embargo tightening of the United States since Cuba is dependent on other Countries for its food and basic needs.
Moreover, it accuses the United States of funding mercenaries and funding the Protests, fuelling it with “Fake News” in social media. It blames the Long-term policy of the United States to capture Cuba and that it is using the Cuban people for the same purpose.
While the United States takes an affront to stand asking Cuba Government to let people protest peacefully claiming it’s their right if they don’t turn violent. The United States accuses the Cuban Government to be obnoxious and power crazy, claiming the “One-Man Rule Policy” has only allowed the festering of Corruption at upper tiers and the leaders care about no one than themselves and that “they have brought the crisis on themselves because of their evil policies”.
The Protestors claim that the Government has been hostile to their demand. With dozens of arrests, violence to the protestors, mysterious missing, killing of protestors, bringing heavy weaponry to subdue the rebellion, it’s no longer hidden that indeed the Government is vicious towards its Citizens and doesn’t want to listen to their demands for once.
What caused the dissatisfaction of the People?
- Lack of Food:
There is an enormous lack of food supply. Cuba depends a lot upon other countries for its nourishment needs which is quite a lot to expect in the pandemic due to which there is a vast shortage of food, people are seen standing in extended queues to get hands-on some groceries.
- Lack of Basic Amenities:
Shortage of medicines can be indicated as another factor. Cuban Government aren’t supplying ample medicines for afflicted people. The shortage in the amount of food and medicines, which are the basic requirements and the Government which failed to do its duties are a constant cause of resentment.
- Dictator like nature of the Government and intense disregard to it’s people’s problems :
The Civil liberties are made a joke by the Cuban People, from opposing any kind of resentment to practice controlling the People’s lives as if they are mere puppets to the whims of Government has caused great bitterness. Freedom of any kind is completely abhorred by the Government and most people found practising their freedom and their family are tortured bitterly.
- Bad Pandemic Management:
Handling of Pandemic was another big failure. From being unable to provide food and medicines at times of crisis of jobs, not providing masks and adequate vaccines, the management policy of Cuba had been exposed to the Public. Lots of deaths happened due to the negligence of the Ruling Government which were not even addressed by them.
- Military Rule:
The military rule which has been prevalent since 62 Years of Cuban Freedom has only treated its people as tools. A complete apathy to their problems or interests has been shown for all those years, always being treated as puppets for the fulfilment of their goals.
- Poverty:
There has been a steady decline in the Standard of Living of the citizens and the Government tried to do nothing substantial to find a solution to it. Most people are poor and struggling hard to make their ends meet.
- Indiscriminate violence by the Government and disregard for its people’s lives:
Special forces Jeep brought ” Machine Guns” to invoke fear in the hearts of protestors. Extensive use of pepper sprays to calm down the situation can be seen as another instance of how far the Government can fall and how much it cares for its people who were just doing silent protests.
Background of the Revolution
The Armed Revolution of Cuba toppled the Government of Fulgencio Batista on 1st January 1959. The Leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro hereafter ruled Cuba from 1959 to 2008.
Cuba used to be a Spanish Colony until the Spanish-American Wars after which the United States assumed control of Cuba in 1899. A special conference for the enactment of Cuba’s own Constitution entrusted Cuba in the hands of Cubans finally in 1902 after signing Platt Amendment.
With the implementation of Platt Amendment provisions, Cuba pledged not to incur deficits that its existing earnings could not assume, to continue the clean government undertaken by the U.S. Military Government, to rent naval depots to the U.S., and, if necessary, to permit the U.S. to interlude to protect Cuban autonomy and an administration sufficient to preserve vitality and estate.
In May 1902, Cuba got its first President, Tomàs Estrada Palma. Abundance began in flowing in the Country as a result of Reciprocal Trade, the United States bought its Sugar at high payment rate. The United States remained the chief trading partner of Cuba till the first half of the 19th Century.
Estrada Palma tried infusing Progressive reforms to the economy, but due to the circulation of rumours by the Opposition Party and it not being able to fulfill some of the reforms and the Pension Fraud case led to revolutions circulating in the Country.
He finally gave up his position and on 29th September 1906 United States retook the authority of Cuba. American War Secretary, William Howard Taft was declared as the next President of Cuba. He took control of Cuba until the condition of disorder prevailed and Cuba was given again under Cuban rule in April 1909.
The United States intervention grew in Cuba. Three new leaders were elected meanwhile Jose Miguel Gomez (1909-1913) Mario Garcia Menocal (1913-1921) and Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso (1921-1925). Gomez was overthrown for the reasons of suspicion of being a racist and supporting the Spanish cause. Similar revolutions broke against Menocal whose rule although characterised by peace and prosperity came with skepticism of being corrupt and encouraging Nepotism.
Cubans enjoyed a period of continuous prosperity until 1919 due to its export of expensive Sugar. It entered into World War 1, under the flagship of Allies and declared War on Germans. As the whole World faced a Financial crisis, it struck Cuba even worse.
The price of Sugar declined steadily, the economy of Cuba crumbled. The World bank wasn’t able to help them as well because of ongoing crisis around the World and it has lent too much and was facing a credit deficit itself. Zayas got $50 million as a loan from the United States. His inability to solve the economic crisis finally led to war by people against him and he had to flee the post.
Gerardo Machado y Morales, became the first full-fledged Dictator of Cuba in 1925. In 1928 his reign of terror commenced. Martial Law was inaugurated, every kind of Freedom was curtailed. He tried to stabilize the economic conditions but after failing in that sphere as well the uprisings increased, finally, the USA had to intervene, he made a public amnesty, made every attempt to stay put in the office but he finally had to withdraw in 1933.
Fulgencio Batista y Zalvidar assumed the office thereafter. Batista had a turbulent career as a President with several ins and outs. He assumed Dictatorial powers to suppress the constant rebellion emerging during his regime. He headed Cuba when it entered World War 2 under the Allies flagship. After the end of World War, diplomatic ties were established with a peculiar Nation, the Soviet Union.
After being re-elected in 1952, he stalled his time and showed vast desperation to stay in power despite major fails of his reforms and the growing rebellion against him. Finally, he was overthrown by Fidel Castro and his troops in 1959 after a bitter battle with Batista’s Army.
Fidel Castro (1959-2008) came up as a heroic figure after the July Revolution and overthrowing Batista. Although coming out as a clean person or as it appeared after the Revolution, Fidel too assumed the same tactics to remain in power. He negated any attempt for further elections and assumed Totalitarian Power. He killed, arrested and executed his enemies and Batistas supporters mercilessly. About 600 death sentences were given to former Batista’s supporters as soon as he assumed power. He brought down any attempt to rebellion against him mercilessly.
Although keeping on toes with the United States, he negated any attempt to support the USA during the Cold War against the Soviet Union giving the excuse of Cuba being a poor nation that lacks arms and people for war. With the constant leaning over Soviet, Castro gave a four and a half-hour speech of pure contempt against the USA in the United Nations and it led to the reverence of all ties of Cuba with the USA.
The USA imposed certain embargoes against it and then Cuba relied completely on its trade needs with the Soviet Union until its demise. Castro remained in Power till 2008 when Cuba was in a constant state of economic crisis at the time of his resignation, handed over of Cuba to his brother at last because of his inability because of old age. But while he handed over Cuba to his brother, it was already in tatters.
What are the International Reactions?
- Countries
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States Ronald Sanders denounced the attitude of the United States in not homogenizing the connections between the two nations. He condemned the United States for the scarcity of all manner of liberty in Cuba and dubbed to stop the United States embargo against Cuba.
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández let out that he could not tell precisely what was transpiring in Cuba but endorsed the end of the embargo.
Barbados’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jerome Walcott phoned for an end to the embargo, naming it as an “unjustified retribution on Cubans” that was sequestering Cuba from the international community.
Bolivia’s President Luis Arce conveyed his backing for the Cuban people who “battle against wrongs.” Former President Evo Morales indicted the United States of undertaking a new Operation Condor against the Cubans.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro remarked that it was a tragic day for Cuba because people petitioned liberation and earned bullets, assaults, and lockup rather. He told that there are people in Brazil who support Cuba, Venezuela, and “those sorts of people.”
Canada said it favours the right to freedom of expression and assembly and calls on all organizations to ratify this Fundamental Right.” Global Affairs Canada said that all aspects should talk peacefully and comply in friendly dialogue.
Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a proclamation criticizing the repression in order “to hush protesters who peacefully assert more freedom, decent health policy and better quality of life.” It thought that a civilized State must not curb the rights of expression and opinion of its people.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian called for the ending of the United States embargo on Cuba, which he said was liable for the deficit of medicine and energy in the country.
Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso called on the Cuban government to “start a democratic method to put an end to this situation.”
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said: “I want to convey my solidarity with the Cuban people. I speculate that an outcome must be found through a conversation without the use of impetus, without conflict, without unrest. And it has to be Cubans who determine because Cuba is a free nation, autonomous and sovereign.” He stated that other nations mustn’t interfere in the Cuban System, and the health crisis of the Cuban people must not be used for political purposes. López Obrador formulated Mexico’s assistance with food and vaccines, and supported the removal of USA embargoes.
Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega delivered his tones of backing to Miguel Díaz-Canel, accusing the “continual blockade, destabilization and aggression” against Cuba.
North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated through its spokesperson that “the anti-government protests that occurred in Cuba are an outcome of behind-the-scene manipulation by the external impetuses bonded with their chronic anti-Cuba blockade plotting to destroy socialism and the revolution”, and asserted its backing to the Cuban government.
Peru’s Interim President Francisco Sagasti assisted the protesters to “convey voluntarily and peacefully” and conjured the Cuban authorities to “evaluate their prerequisites in a democratic spirit.”
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russia stated through its spokesperson Maria Zakharova that it is “inappropriate for there to be external interference in the inner liaisons of a Sovereign Nation or any fatal efforts that would facilitate the destabilization of the condition on the island.”
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves handed out an announcement in support of the Cuban government.
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a declaration comprehending the Right of Cubans “to demonstrate freely and peacefully” and that “aspects of assistance that could ameliorate the situation” shall be beneficial.
In Spain, the Cuban uprisings provoked discussion and political disagreement, as Spanish right-wing politicians stressed a more serious censure of the Cuban government from the Spanish authorities, that the Spanish Government authorize it as a tyranny, and that Spain compels the European Union to adopt an effective resistance strategy towards it.
When asked if Cuba was totalitarian, left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded: “It is apparent that Cuba is not a democracy. That said, it has to be the Cuban community that uncovers that road and the global society that assists it to discover that path.”
These actions from right-wing politicians have earned objection, being denounced for using the protests as a resistance ploy against Sánchez-led left-wing government. The dearth of identical brutal rebuke by the political freedom against events in other nations, such as the 2021 Colombian riots, Human Rights in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s repression in Egypt, was also criticized.
United States’ President Joe Biden called on the Cuban government to heed the protesters and asserted that he favours the Cuban people and their “clarion warning for freedom and relief.” Julie J. Chung, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs for the United States Department of State, stated: “We are deeply worried by ‘calls to war’ in Cuba. We stance by the Cuban people’s Right for peaceful assembly. We call for peace and denounce any violence.
On 22 July, the United States Department of the Treasury declared openly new embargoes on Cuba, targeting a top Cuban military administrator and the special police unit Black Wasp, accusing the administration of Human Rights infringements, repression, and turmoil against peaceful protesters. On 30 July, extra embargoes were positioned on Cuba’s National Revolutionary Police and its directors.
Uruguay’s President Luis LacallePou conveyed his assistance for the resistance protesters, saying they had “admirable courage.”
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro communicated his support to the Cuban government led by Díaz-Canel.
Vietnam advised the United States to “take tangible steps in the path of normalizing associations with Cuba for the usefulness of both nations, bestowing to peace, resilience and growth in the nation and the world.”
- Supranational Organizations
European Union’s Foreign Relations Chief Josep Borrell opined that the Cubans have the right of their resentment against the Government known peacefully.
Organization of American States Secretary-General Luis Almagro decried the “Cuban authoritarian administration for dubbing on civilians to quell and confronting those who practice their rights to protest.”
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for the necessary discharge of those imprisoned for “practising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly, opinion and expression” in the protests.
- Human rights groups
Erika Guevara Rosas, director of Amnesty International for the Americas, said that “Amnesty International received with shock rumours of internet swoons, random arrests, excessive use of force encompassing cop firing on demonstrators and announcements that there is a long list of missing persons.” Amnesty International called on the administration of Díaz-Canel to respect the right of peaceful assembly.
Conclusion
Cuban Protests are the result of basic Rights of life of Cubans being infringed and the audacity of the Government to use violence of the highest kind on the protestors just goes on to show how Authoritarian Powers reaches the head so easily when the Government can do like it, please. Surely it has its share of problems but the way it treats its people just shows the rotten nature of the Government which rightly held by the Protestors needs to be replaced immediately.
Cubans have shown indomitable courage in the face of all odds and they deserve a Democratic System, so Corruption doesn’t fester in the System for too long. The International Community must put pressure on the Government along with the USA to comply with it. This might be the only medium for Cuban liberation for a Country being repressed and dictated by Corrupt power-hungry leaders for so long.
References