A journalist from Cuba is aiming to raise awareness about the trade embargo imposed by the US through two enlightening documentaries set to release in early 2024.
Liz Oliva Fernández explains that every time she reported on news or events in the country, whether it was about advocating for democratic changes or the rise of private enterprises following the loosening of the Castros’ control, they were always connected to the sanctions.
The sanctions, which were initially enforced 60 years ago, are the focus of “Uphill on the Hill” and “Hardliner on the Hudson.”
Oliva Fernández, who journeyed to the United States to promote the films she helped create, believes the sanctions are having a significant effect.
She stated that the issue at hand is not two small Caribbean countries imposing sanctions on each other. Rather, it is a powerful empire like the United States hindering Cuba from having regular diplomatic relations not only with the US, but with other nations as well.
She explained in detail the dire state of the Cuban economy.
According to the speaker, if you are unable to conduct business with any nation and must pay significantly higher prices for goods due to purchasing from distant countries, while also being unable to transact in US dollars or use banking and credit card services, you are essentially powerless.
In February 1962, President John F Kennedy initiated sanctions, following the rise to power of Fidel Castro and his supporters in an armed rebellion that overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista. The CIA had previously attempted to overthrow the revolution through a failed military operation called the Bay of Pigs, as part of numerous efforts to assassinate Castro.
In October of 1962, the entire globe anxiously waited for 13 days as tensions rose between the United States and the Soviet Union. The dispute centered around Nikita Khrushchev’s intentions to place nuclear missiles on a nearby island, which would have been within striking distance of the US. While the situation was eventually resolved without violence, it created a long-lasting animosity towards Havana from Washington that remains unresolved to this day.
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The penalties have caused significant harm. Cuba’s current average income per person is below $10,000, which is twice that of Jamaica but much lower than the US where it is $70,000. Due to the extensive scope of the sanctions, countries around the globe that engage in trade with Cuba may also face repercussions. Despite numerous votes by the UN general assembly to remove the sanctions, they continue to be prevalent, except for a brief period when they were relaxed during a diplomatic agreement with Barack Obama.
During his term as president, Donald Trump caused a great uproar on the island by including Cuba in the list of state sponsors of terrorism. President Joe Biden has made minimal changes to this policy.
Oliva Fernández states that discussing the US’s Cuba policy is essentially discussing the Trump-Biden Cuba policy, as they are identical.
Despite the difficulties it faces, the speaker notes that Cuba has consistently achieved impressive healthcare outcomes, comparable to or even better than those of the United States. Additionally, Cuba has established itself as a major producer of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, and is recognized for its deployment of medical professionals to nations like Venezuela and Haiti. These countries often struggle with inadequate healthcare systems and may also have strained relationships with the US.
She stated that no one is brave enough to bring about a social revolution or implement a new system in the US’s presence.
Oliva Fernández, an employee of the American independent media organization Belly of the Beast, is striving to obtain an explanation for the continued implementation of these sanctions. She is determined to uncover the proof that the US government is using to classify Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, alongside North Korea, Syria, and Iran.
Oliva Fernández journeys to Washington DC in Uphill on the Hill where she converses with ex-US government representatives and gains insight into the influential political force of the Cuban American lobby, specifically in areas such as Florida and New Jersey.
During a state department press briefing, Oliva Fernández is seen asking Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson, about the reasons behind labeling Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism.
Patel asserts that the government has a history of severe violations of human rights, censorship of media, and suppression of civil organizations, which are ongoing issues that contribute to their placement on the list. However, Patel does not provide a specific instance and denies Oliva Fernández’s request for further information.
According to a spokesperson who spoke to the Guardian, Cuba has allegedly been supporting acts of international terrorism by providing safe haven to terrorists. However, no specific details were provided.
The statement stated that we do not publicly talk about or give our thoughts on internal discussions about designations.
Oliva Fernández will delve into the impact of Senator Bob Menendez, who chairs the influential Senate foreign relations committee, on America’s stance towards Cuba in her upcoming Hardliner on the Hudson. This enlightening content will also be available on YouTube.
70-year-old Menendez, whose parents immigrated to the US from Cuba in the early 1950s, was recently compelled to resign as chair amid allegations of accepting bribes from the government of Egypt. He has refuted these claims. He had previously faced charges of corruption, but the case resulted in a mistrial.
During an event announcing a bill to support firefighters, Menendez is confronted by Oliva Fernández and refuses to answer her questions in a clip from the movie. On another occasion, his press assistant can be seen becoming upset.
According to Oliva Fernández, discussing the difficulties of being a Black woman in Cuba, she has no affiliation with the Cuban government and does not represent their views.
According to her, Cuba faces its own domestic issues just like any other nation, but these can be addressed within our borders. However, we have no control over the sanctions imposed on us.
The speaker claims that the US has a history of double standards, as they engage in trade with countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt without addressing their human rights abuses.
“I acknowledge that Cuba is not without flaws. We still have a ways to go before achieving perfection,” she stated at a showing of her documentary in Seattle. “However, we are striving to develop our nation despite facing an economic war through US sanctions.”
The usage of sanctions by Cuban officials to shift the blame onto the US for their country’s issues instead of addressing them may be better assessed by lifting the sanctions.
Source: theguardian.com
