"The types of injuries suffered by diplomats
since November 2016 are new but Cuba’s outlaw behavior towards them is not." - John Suarez
Letter to the Editor published today in the Miami Herald on page 16A
CUBA LIES
The Miami Herald’s September 19,
2017 editorial “Unless Cuba comes clean about the embassy attacks on U.S.
diplomats, it will put renewed ties at risk” offers an overview of the “strange
case” of American diplomats and their dependents harmed in Cuba.
But three points should be considered.
First, Raul Castro lies, and there are
two recent examples. Castro on March 21, 2016 in the joint press conference
with President Obama said that there were no political prisoners in Cuba, and if
any were identified they would be released immediately. A list of current Cuban political prisoners
was provided, but they were not freed. In July 2013, Cuban officials were
caught trying to smuggle war planes, missiles and technology related to
ballistic missile programs hidden under 220,000 bags of sugar to North Korea
and lied about it. This was in violation of U.N. sanctions.
Second, Obama did not achieve an end to the Cold War with Cuba. On
Jan. 2, 2017 Cuban troops marched in a parade over which Castro presided chanting that they would repeatedly shoot the first African American President
in the head so many times that they would make a “hat of lead to the head.” Considering that American diplomats in
Havana were already suffering brain trauma since November 2016 perhaps this should
be looked at in a new light.
Third, the statement by the Cuban
embassy in Washington on September 19, 2017 that "Cuba strictly observes its
obligations to protect foreign diplomats on its soil" is not true. There is
a decades old pattern of hostility.
The types of injuries suffered by diplomats
since November 2016 are new but Cuba’s outlaw behavior towards them is not.
- John Suarez
Coordinator
Free Cuba Foundation
