Cuba-US Relations

The United States (US) has taken off Cuba from its State Department’s terror list, and it appears that both are set on the path of engaging each other diplomatically after some 60 years of open hostility by the US towards a tiny brave island neighbour. Many people, particularly admirers of Cuba’s magnificent social achievements, rejoiced at the announcement arguing that it is a recognition of Cuba’s achievements. Some have even argued that Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is now justified.  But, the logic behind the US empire’s latest move seems different. If we put together the developments on the Cuba–US front and the presidential declaration by Barack Obama that Venezuela poses a national security risk to the US, then the myth of the empire’s change of heart evaporates immediately. Rather, it is a change of strategy. The US has been actively trying to sabotage the Cuban government that overthrew a dictatorship backed by it. It has not succeeded in this attempt. So, it is now trying to engage Cuba upfront. With the normalisation of their relationship will come a US embassy along with an ambassador and the Central Intelligence Agency, working from a safe house within Cuba. It seems to be aiming to pamper Cuban small and medium businesses to turn them against the Cuban government. The takeover of the state by elites who benefit from the state and, in turn, provide a market and raw material to transnational capital has been historically the most favoured method of functioning of the US empire, in contrast to the direct occupation method of the British empire. 

Prashant Singh
NEW DELHI