The New York Times (and Obama) Proven Wrong (Again) on Cuba
Monday, September 14, 2015
On December 27th, 2014, The New York Times' Editorial Board argued how Obama's new Cuba policy would purportedly promote regional solidarity with Cuban dissidents:
"For decades, Latin American governments have coddled, or appeased, the Castro regime because confronting it would be interpreted as an endorsement of Washington’s harshly punitive policy toward the island. By changing that policy, Mr. Obama has removed that concern, which should allow leaders from democratic nations to support the principles Cuban activists have put forward."
This argument has also been a centerpiece of the Obama Administration's policy.
As Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson testified on February 3rd, 2015, to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
"We are already seeing indications that our updated approach gives us a greater ability to engage other nations in the hemisphere and around the world in promoting respect for fundamental freedoms in Cuba. It has also drawn considerably greater attention to the actions and policies of the Cuban government."
Apparently, she's the only that "saw these indications" -- or hallucinations -- for the fact remains that in the face of record political arrests and repression since Obama's policy change, Cuban dissidents feel more abandoned than ever.
Not only are they being ignored by European and Latin American governments alike (not to mention by Pope Francis) -- but now alsoby the Obama Administration and visiting Members of the U.S. Congress.
Under Obama's new policy, Cuban dictator Raul Castro is officially the only game in Havana -- and it's his way or the highway.
Thus, imagine our "surprise" to read today's lament by The New York Times' Editorial Board about the lack of regional solidarity with imprisoned Venezuelan democracy leader Leopoldo Lopez.
"So far, there has been little international response to the Maduro government’s growing repression. The Organization of American States, the Union of South American Nations and Latin American presidents all should be denouncing the imprisonment of an innocent man and demanding his release."
Yet, these are the nations The New York Times and the Obama Administration thought would hold Castro's regime accountable?
These same nations that maintain a collaborative silence towards Castro's puppet regime in Venezuela?
To the contrary, they are less incentivized than ever to criticize the behavior of Maduro, Correa or any other Cuban stooge -- for they've seen how the Obama Administration has given Castro's regime (and its abuses) a pass.
As we wrote (and predicted) on February 24, 2015, "Venezuela Proves Fallacy of Obama's Cuba Policy."
(Click here to read it.)
It was a fallacy then. It's a fallacy now.
"For decades, Latin American governments have coddled, or appeased, the Castro regime because confronting it would be interpreted as an endorsement of Washington’s harshly punitive policy toward the island. By changing that policy, Mr. Obama has removed that concern, which should allow leaders from democratic nations to support the principles Cuban activists have put forward."
This argument has also been a centerpiece of the Obama Administration's policy.
As Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson testified on February 3rd, 2015, to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
"We are already seeing indications that our updated approach gives us a greater ability to engage other nations in the hemisphere and around the world in promoting respect for fundamental freedoms in Cuba. It has also drawn considerably greater attention to the actions and policies of the Cuban government."
Apparently, she's the only that "saw these indications" -- or hallucinations -- for the fact remains that in the face of record political arrests and repression since Obama's policy change, Cuban dissidents feel more abandoned than ever.
Not only are they being ignored by European and Latin American governments alike (not to mention by Pope Francis) -- but now alsoby the Obama Administration and visiting Members of the U.S. Congress.
Under Obama's new policy, Cuban dictator Raul Castro is officially the only game in Havana -- and it's his way or the highway.
Thus, imagine our "surprise" to read today's lament by The New York Times' Editorial Board about the lack of regional solidarity with imprisoned Venezuelan democracy leader Leopoldo Lopez.
"So far, there has been little international response to the Maduro government’s growing repression. The Organization of American States, the Union of South American Nations and Latin American presidents all should be denouncing the imprisonment of an innocent man and demanding his release."
Yet, these are the nations The New York Times and the Obama Administration thought would hold Castro's regime accountable?
These same nations that maintain a collaborative silence towards Castro's puppet regime in Venezuela?
To the contrary, they are less incentivized than ever to criticize the behavior of Maduro, Correa or any other Cuban stooge -- for they've seen how the Obama Administration has given Castro's regime (and its abuses) a pass.
As we wrote (and predicted) on February 24, 2015, "Venezuela Proves Fallacy of Obama's Cuba Policy."
(Click here to read it.)
It was a fallacy then. It's a fallacy now.
