US-Cuba: 90 Miles Away, 60 Years of Hostility

Relations between the US and Cuba is the issue of cold war. This war was caused by Cuba’s opposition to the US which led to this country’s isolation and the imposition of severe sanctions by the US against it. For more than 50 years, the people of Cuba were faced with an 85-page book of sanctions. These sanctions included those on travel, transport, trade and immigration. On the other hand, the US has to deal with millions of Cuban immigrants inside the country. The majority of them are normal citizens and some of them hold government positions. Prior to the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Cuba exported 8 tons of sugar every year, but following its collapse, this number was reduced to 800000. Cuba was hopeful about the reconstruction of the Soviet Union after its collapse in order to strengthen its relations but the reduction of sugar exports left undesirable impacts on the economy of this country.

Cuba is an island of 110000 square kilometers with limited resources in Latin America. They have very active diplomats who make great efforts to strengthen their relations with the countries of Latin America. But until recently, Cubans were not allowed to even participate as a member in the summit of American countries; today after the establishment of talks between the US and Cuba, there are talks of its presidency in the Panama Summit. The presidents of Cuba and the US met for one hour. It should be pointed out that the establishment of relations between the US and Cuba is due to the changes that have taken place in the international scene, although Cuba’s economic situation also had certain effects on this issue. Nonetheless, after 50 years of sanctions, the people of Cuba are used to poverty and revolutionary ideas. Cuba cannot be compared with countries like Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, some opponents of Cuba in the US whose parents are Cuban make great efforts to disrupt these relations. The demonstrations of the Cuban people in front of the US Interests Section in protest against the 16-year imprisonment of some inmates have exerted pressure on the US administration.

Strange statements were recently made by some US senators regarding the relations between the US and Cuba. For example, Senator John Mc Cain has stated that John Kerry cannot be trusted in the issue of foreign policy. Senator Marco Rubio has strongly criticized Obama for his meeting with Raul Castro. He believes that such moves will threaten the future of democracy in the region. Prior to the era of cold relations between the US and Cuba, Latin America was the backyard of the US. But the regimes of these countries have changed and they do not like to be under the yoke of the US. The US exerts political and economic pressures on countries which are not desirable for it. But the important issue is that no US president has had the courage to make changes in its approach regarding Cuba.

The two presidents had telephone conversations last December. They intend to end their 60 years of hostility and appoint their ambassadors. Although there are oppositions against this move in the US Congress, Obama and his administration attempt to end this hostility. Furthermore, the new Cuban generation welcomes the normalization of relations with the US. At one time the American people hoped to spend their holidays on Cuba’s beaches. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba made investments in tourism, medicine and biotechnology. They have also had joint projects with Belgian, French and US scientists. One of the measures taken by Fidel Castro was the establishment of a medical school wherein about 3000 students from Latin America and Africa were trained and he used this opportunity for public diplomacy.

It must be mentioned that the relations between Cuba and the US will not be reestablished soon. This process might take 5 to 10 years. Right now they intend to set aside their hostility. They will then promote their relations at the trade level. Cuba is a good market for US businessmen and it is the gate of entrance to Latin America and the Caribbean Sea; a country which is located 90 miles from the US, but with 60 years of hostility between them. The US businessmen would certainly welcome the establishment of relations. During the years of imposed sanctions, each American was allowed to take only 2000 dollars with himself to Cuba.

On the other hand, one should view the future of the US after Obama. It is not clear whether the next president will continue Obama’s path or not. One of the main issues of difference between the two countries was the issue of the freedom of the prisoners. The Obama administration has freed one Cuban prisoner who was arrested on charges of espionage. In exchange, Cuba also freed some of the US prisoners. This was a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

There are talks among the Cubans about why Cuba shouldn’t have normal relations with the US while China, with its socialist system, has established normal relations with the US. Based on polls, a high percentage of the Cubans who reside in the US are in favor of the establishment of relations between the US and Cuba.

The establishment of relations between these two countries has its own challenges. Cuba has been able to strengthen its relations with the Caribbean region. Right now Cuba has a harmonious and strong parliament. Despite the presence of the communist party in the parliament, there is unity among the different parties.

Furthermore, Cubans believe that the Russians have sometimes deceived them. This issue has directed Cuba towards the US. Cubans believe that they must put aside this tension and considering their capabilities they intend to make good use of the international scene. Cubans are aware of the US situation in the Middle East. They are smart diplomats and know that establishment of relations is a two-way street. They also know that the US is more inclined now towards eastern Asia, thus, they cannot ignore the international dimension of the establishment of relations between Cuba and the US.