The recent wave of anti-government protests in Cuba has garnered worldwide attention. The strife and outrage among the Cubans have compelled them to take to the streets, voicing their angst against the government’s longstanding restrictions on rights, scarcity of food, and the inadequate response towards the Covid-19 pandemic. It is regarded as the largest demonstration against the Communist-run government seen for many decades on the island.
Cuban Unrest: A Retrospect
This current revolt against the government has been attributed to Cuba’s most severe economic crisis since the collapse of its ally, the Soviet Union, marking the end of the cold war (1945-1991). Being an authoritarian communist state for over six decades, the people of Cuba have been bearing the brunt of US sanctions alongside the hammering given by the Covid-19 pandemic. The collapsing economy, soaring prices, deficiency in food and medicine, and the government’s poor handling of the pandemic have fueled the citizens’ discontent.
During the protests, demonstrators were heard shouting “freedom” and demanding President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down from his position. However, to counter this, the Cuban President blamed the US for the turmoil, stating the tight sanctions imposed by the US resulted in an economic suffocation policy, which is the prime reason behind the protests. In contrast, the US President expressed solidarity with the Cuban citizens, supporting their call for freedom.
A Brief History of Cuba
Cuba was a colony of Spain from the 15th century until the Spanish-American War of 1898 when it came under the occupation of the US. It gained nominal independence as a de facto United States protectorate in 1902. To strengthen its democratic system, Cuba made several attempts in 1940. However, political radicalization and social strife resulted in a coup and led to a subsequent dictatorship under Fulgencio Batista in 1952.
The rampant corruption and oppression under Batista’s regime led to his overthrow in January 1959 by the 26th of July Movement, thereby establishing a communist rule headed by Fidel Castro. Since 1965, Cuba has been governed by the Communist Party of Cuba. Moreover, the island nation played a significant role during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, nearly causing a nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
US-Cuba Relationship
The strained relationship between the United States and Cuba has been ongoing for over sixty years with roots embedded deep into the Cold War era. The Cuban Revolution in 1959, initiated by Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries, overthrew the US-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.
Post-revolution, Castro’s government began nationalizing American-owned properties, imposed economic penalties on trade with the US and boosted its trade with the Soviet Union. This led to the severance of diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba. In retaliation, the US sought covert operations to overthrow the Castro regime, ultimately leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Following this crisis, the US imposed a ban on nearly all its exports to Cuba, expanding to a full economic embargo, which included stringent travel restrictions. These sanctions still persist. Although US-President Barack Obama took steps to normalize bilateral relations, the Trump administration reversed these policies, reimposing restrictions on tourism and trade.
India’s Stand
As of now, India has not declared its stance on the ongoing protests in Cuba. However, historically, India supported lifting the economic blockade of Cuba. At the UN General Assembly, India emphasized that the continued existence of the US siege against Cuba undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.
Understanding a Communist Country
A Communist country is governed by a single party, and the leaders base their decisions on the philosophies of Marx and Lenin. Communism represents a political, social, philosophical, and economic doctrine aiming to replace private property and the profit-based economy with common ownership of the major means of production.
