After resolving the issue related to a clerical error in the agreement text, the EU officially declared, they have lifted five year old sanctions against Cuba. Though the political decision was taken by EU foreign ministers at a meeting, the move formally got endorsed at a meeting of European agriculture ministers in Luxembourg. Spain was instrumental in gaining support for the decision particularly in the light of their normalized relations with Cuba since last year.
As usual, the US has protested the decision, and National Security Council Spokesman and Deputy White House Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs Gordon Johndroe said that the decision was unfortunate, and the authoritarian government of Cuba had to substantially improve on human rights conditions before any sanctions were lifted. Nevertheless, the EU officials stated the decision would give an opportunity for Cuba to falsify the claims by the US on its human rights record.
The sanctions were imposed against the backdrop of a crackdown on dissidents in Cuba, while the incumbent President Raul Castro’s brother Fidel was at the helm. The sanctions were imposed in 2003 after Cuba jailed 75 political dissidents and executed three young Cubans who had attempted to escape to the US. A well known Cuban economist and a government critic Martha Beatriz Roque expressed the lifting of sanctions means the opposition would be further traumatized in the coming days.
Spain’s Secretary of State for the EU, Diego Lopez Garrido said, with the decision the EU had shown its independent character by over-riding the US on policy making. Garrido stated the decision would become a foundation for socio-economic agreements between the EU nations and Cuba in near future. The decision is expected to serve as a succor to Cuba as well which is seriously mired by rising global prices of food and energy.
Toboc Trade News