By Donald Ramotar, Former President of Guyana

This sustained aggression began shortly after the Cuban people liberated themselves from one of the worst military dictatorships in the region in 1959. Shortly thereafter the Cuban people set themselves the task of building a new kind of society. They wanted to construct a society based on the needs of ordinary people, a more humane society.

Such a country would be different from others in the region where the rich and powerful local and foreign corporation controlled almost every aspect of life. Those countries are run not in the national interests but in the interest of the powerful rich at home and abroad.

The United States, the main imperialist power of today decided to destroy the Cuban Revolution, to kill its hope and crush its dreams. They used everything against the Cuban people.

This included direct military intervention, covert operations to assassinate its leader, Fidel Castro, sabotage of its economy by using chemical warfare including dengue fever, fever against livestock, etc. But the main measure was the economic blockade which they imposed some sixty-five years ago.

We in this region recall very well how they frightened travelers from flying with a Cuban airline. In 1976, a CIA supported operation bombed a Cubana Airlines out of the skies close to Barbados. Seventy-six persons perished in that terrorist act, including eleven Guyanese.

In the early period the Cuban government managed to frustrate the plans with the support of the Soviet Union and other socialist Eastern European states among those the German Democratic Republic.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 the pressure on the Cuban people has increased exponentially. Yet the Cuban revolution managed to withstand the onslaught. Indeed, it did more than just survive, it has made great strides in some fundamental areas.

Cuba’s health service is probably one of the best in the world. Every family in Cuba had a family doctor. It carries out some of the most complicated operation in treating cancer, heart diseases and other deadly diseases. It is one of the only developing country that produces much of the medicines it needs. During the recent Covid Pandemic it developed several vaccines on its own to treat its people. All without charging patients for the services.

Cuba’s education level is one of the highest in the world. It has a 100% literacy rate and provide education at all levels free of charge.

It should be noted that despite the hardship imposed on that Caribbean Island it has shown remarkable solidarity and support to peoples throughout the world. At times of great disasters throughout the world Cuban volunteers are either first or among the first to be on the scene.

Recall the Ebola outbreak in the Congo; the Tsunami in Indonesia/Sri Lanka, etc. Cubans were on the front lines in the most dangerous areas. The terrible earthquake in Haiti saw Cubans again taking the lead in saving lives.

Without Cuban specialists in medicines, education, etc many poor countries would experience great difficulties. Health service in the developing countries would surely suffer.

Despite this great humanitarian effort by Cubans, they continue to be targeted by the United States for Destruction. Recently, the Donald Trump government has decided to increase the pressure on Cuba, with the ridiculous charge of forced labor. It is threatening other countries with sanctions if they accept Cuba’s generous offers.

President Trump is pushing what he calls ‘Common Sense’ international relations. The US should tell us where is the ‘common sense’ in trying to destroy Cuba whose policies are founded on solidarity, whose actions save lives and help millions throughout the world.

At the same time, where is the ‘common sense’ in providing Israel with billions of dollars in bombs, bullets, etc to continue its genocide against the almost unarmed Palestinian people. Where is the sense in supporting the Apartheid Israeli regime to grab lands of its neighbors?

All the people in Caricom must raise their voices against the attacks on the Cuban people.

The USA, a country with enormous potential for doing good things, as it is trying to end the war in Ukraine and its support for Guyana in the face of Venezuela’s aggression, has chosen to do its worst, to display the face of the ‘Ugly American’ in relation to Cuba and its people.

If President Trump is so confident about the US system, then compete on an equal footing with Cuba and see how people around the world would judge the two systems.

Cuba has done more for the poor in its own country and for poor countries than most of the developed countries ever did. If a price tag is put on Cuba’s assistance to developing countries it would dwarf those of the developed world.

In conclusion, democratic and peace-loving people everywhere are calling on the USA to take its knee off of Cuba’s neck and allow it to breath!

This would be the common-sense thing to do since it would enhance the prestige of the United States!