U.S. Restores Relations With Cuba

A scene in which the United Statespresident, Barak Obama and Raul Castro of Cuba are engaged in a game of roulette with the Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis floating around in the background would aptly capture the numerous possibilities available to humankind, with enough political will. Still,
for some, it is unimaginable. But it happened as Obama ordered the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Cuba and the opening of an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than a half a century. He capped that epochmaking
decision with a vow to “cut loose the shackles of the past” and sweep aside one of the last vestiges of the Cold War. That move, we agree, will surely erase all traces of cold war hostility. International relations’ watchers claim it was a surprise announcement, but we recall that it actually came at the end of 18 months of secret talks that produced a prisoner swap negotiated with the help of Pope Francis and concluded by a telephone call between Mr Obama and President Raúl Castro. The Cuban leader, on his part, acknowledged that his
country has been able to make headway in the resolution of some topics of mutual interest for both nations, and added that President Obama’s decision deserved the respect and acknowledgment of the Cuban people. Students, not
wanting to lose out in the joy of the moment celebrated in Havana, after news that Washington had released three Cuban spies in a prisoner exchange.

However, even with the support of the Catholic Church, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Watch and major agricultural interests, this major foreign policy thrust by Obama is beginning to receive criticism. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida and son of Cuban immigrants, has said that the policy shift was based on an illusion. For good or ill, we are persuaded to flow with the argument that the move represents a dramatic turning point in relations with an island that for generations has both captivated and vexed
its giant northern neighbour.

Putting this development into historical perspective will help in appreciating the willpower that went into the decision to renew ties between Washington and Havana. Mr Fidel Castro’s alliance with the Soviet Union made Cuba a geopolitical flashpoint in a global struggle of ideology and power. President Dwight D. Eisenhower imposed the first trade embargo in 1960 and broke off diplomatic relations in January 1961, just weeks before leaving office and seven months before Obama was born. Under President John F. Kennedy, the failed Bay of Pigs operation aimed at toppling Castro in April 1961 and the 13-day showdown over Soviet missiles installed in Cuba the following year cemented its
status as a ground zero in the Cold War. But we must point out that this is not a victory for the Castros; rather, it is a feather in President Barak Obama’s cap for his courage.