The National Network On Cuba denounces Trump’s ongoing threats, lies, and disrespect for the peoples of Cuba, Venezuela, and Honduras (and of other countries including North Korea and Iran) as demonstrated in his “State of the Union” speech. His statements which are consistent with those made since the beginning of his presidential campaign are in direct contrast to the opinions and experiences of the rest of the world.
Trump has said that rather than closing the prison and returning the U.S. occupied Guantanamo territory to Cuba, he will expand the misuse of this torture area. We join the Coalition against U.S. Foreign Military Bases to engage in unified actions including a twitter storm on February 23, 2018 as part of a Global Day of Actions Against Guantanamo.
Trump continues to ignore the demands of the international community as again made clear by the November 1 United Nations vote which, every year since 1992, has demanded an end to the unilateral U.S. economic, financial, and trade blockade of Cuba. Trump continues to use a discredited tale of “sonic attacks” to justify removal of diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Cuba and expulsion of Cuban diplomats from the Cuban embassy in Washington DC. We join RESPECT in rejecting the Trump Administration’s Cuba travel warning and assuring people that it is safe to travel to Cuba. Contrary to this tale is the January, 2018, naming of Cuba as: “Safest Country for Tourism” at the 38th annual International Tourism Fair, in Madrid, Spain. We renounce all threats toward the sovereign nation of Cuba and continue to call on Congress to lift the travel ban and economic blockade. A “better deal” is one of treating Cuba with respect and as an equal.
Venezuela has been a particular target of U.S. hostility including preemptively disregarding results of the upcoming Presidential election and engaging in destabilization campaigns. Venezuela’s elections have been open, democratic, and transparent with results recognized by international observers including former U.S. President Carter. Additionally, the U.S. is undermining negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition. We applaud Venezuelan independence and its commitment to regional peace and integration and stand in solidarity with the self-determination of the Venezuelan people.
In contrast the United States recognized the election in Honduras of the Juan Orlando Hernández regime which was universally denounced as fraudulent. Not surprisingly, Honduras was one of only eight nations to vote in the United Nations with the United States against denouncing Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Over and over we see the corruption and isolation of United States foreign policy. We demand that the United States and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recognize the independence and sovereignty of Latin America and treat these countries, our neighbors, peacefully, respectfully and as equals rather than with threats of economic sanctions and military aggression. Trump, Tillerson, and Haley should look to Venezuela and Cuba for real examples of democracy and learn about the power of people and their institutions.
