Cuba gives its 'unconditional support' to Venezuela against US

[Judi Lynn]

Cuba gives its 'unconditional support' to Venezuela against US
By AFP | 10 Mar, 2015, 06.42PM IST

HAVANA: Cuba said it's giving "unconditional support" to Venezuela after an executive order by President Barack Obama authorized new sanctions against senior officials of the country.

"Cuba again reiterates its unconditional support and that of our people to the Bolivarian Revolution, the legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro, and the heroic brotherly people of Venezuela," said a text signed by the government of Cuba.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46517914.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

(Short article, no more at link.)

[Judi Lynn]

1. Cuba throws weight behind Venezuela in row with US

Cuba throws weight behind Venezuela in row with US
By Carlos Batista (AFP) 4 hours ago.

Cuba rallied behind Venezuela on Tuesday, offering its closest ally "unconditional support" after US President Barack Obama authorized new sanctions against officials of the turbulent South American oil producer.

The Cuban reaction marked its first public confrontation with the United States since the two countries began discussions in December on fully restoring diplomatic relations.

Cuba joins other leftist regional governments in closing ranks with Caracas in the deepening US-Venezuela row.

An official statement published in the island's state-run media called Obama's executive order implementing the sanctions "arbitrary and aggressive."

More:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/cuba-gives-its-unconditional-support-to-venezuela-against-us/article/427959#ixzz3U064iywK

[hack89]

2. What other choice did they have?

They are dependent on massive Venezuelan subsidies until they can reorient their economy towards the US.

[Judi Lynn]

3. You don't imagine the US would immediately buy Cuba just to slight Venezuela now? Feeble try.

Cuba runs the risk of loosing the deal with its eternal bully by making this stand.

They didn't do it lightly, and they didn't do it because they are so dependent upon Venezuela, clearly.

Russia was a mighty ally when Reagan insisted Russia cut ties to Cuba in order to achieve peace with the US. Cuba suffered wildly, and completely reworked many ways of doing things to keep afloat.

They've come through far, FAR worse because of US machinations against them.

[hack89]

5. No. I think Cuba approached the US after Chavez's death

that's when the secret negotiations started - they saw clearly the coming train wreck that is the Venezuelan economy. There is so much pressure on the administration to open the Cuban markets to American business that Cuba is not really risking much. So Cuba is trying to walk a fine line to keep the subsidies in place until they can make substantial progress on their talks with America.

[Judi Lynn]

6. After 50+ years of economic war against them, with all of Latin America on their side,

they secretly knuckled under and crept to the US to beg for mercy.

Right.

[Marksman_91]

8. So why the reestablishment of negotiations then?

You'd think that they wouldn't want to be involved in any trade or economic partnership with their supposed sworn enemy, right?

[JonLP24]

10. Who reestablished with who

Who put the embargo on who. Who is on the Trading With The Enemy Act? I believe Cuba would have been open to US trade & economic partnerships all-this-time since they did it with everyone else around the world. Either way, the line appears to be drawn at Assata Shakur. Cuba won't give her to the US & Republicans won't accept trade partnerships without her.

[Judi Lynn]

11. The entire world, which has opposed the embargo on Cuba would suspect Cuba wants the embargo removed

That would be one clear advantage to ceasing some of the hostilities. Clearly not as big a deal to them would be any "trade or economic partnership." They want the destruction of their national way of life ended.

Everyone knows the U.S. has conducted the longest embargo on Cuba ever known in the history of the entire world. Every country in the United Nations other than Israel, and occasionally another economically dependent tiny country, like the Marshall Islands, or Palau will support the US as the ENTIRE UN General Assembly votes AGAINST the US embargo on Cuba, every autumn, annually.

Most people realize this economic war has done horrendous damage to the daily lives of all Cubans, just as was prescribed as long ago as 1897, in the Breckenridge Memorandum, written by the U.S. Undersecretary of War, John Breckenridge, a born racist a-hole, former Southern Confederate officer in the US Civil War.

His intention, all the way back, on Christmas Eve, 1897, when he wrote his statement, was to make life so horrifying in Cuba the citizens would rise up and overthrow their government, save the US the energy, the expense, and the loss of prestige from a personal bully act like another invasion.

It's a very old, downright ancient pattern. The U.S. has been very fond of this one.

[hack89]

9. Their economic future lies with America

I am sure their reasons for accepting were complex but you have to believe that the economic cul-de-sac they found themselves played a huge role. They knew that they could no longer stake their future on foreign subsidies. They knew that any path forward would have to involve reaching a working accommodation with America - America has what they desperately need.

[Mika]

4. I guess that Marksman 91 has his answer now.

[Marksman_91]

7. Words don't mean anything when actions don't back them up

As far as I know, Cuba is still trying to open up to the US. And as I'm sure you know, they already suspect Venezuela won't be able to support their economy for much longer since Venezuela itself can barey support their own.

[Judi Lynn]

12. A lot of people have the answers but can't recognize them! Blinded by ideology. n/t

[Marksman_91]

13. "Blinded by ideology?" LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Oh, wow, you're too good. The irony is just too much for me right now