The Comfortable and Skillful Political Maneuvering of the Cuban Regime

The truth is that we will never stop being amazed by the Cuban government’s position in negotiations with the U.S. government, which began in December of last year. Despite the amount of damage they have done to their own people and to Latin America in general, not to mention to remote parts of Africa, they continue their cynicism from being considered victims of the decades long economic and financial embargo imposed by the United States. Cuba never mentions that the socialist economic system is unsustainable, unless it is financed by a stream of external money. They thought they found their tax haven within the current regime of Venezuela, which prevented their economy from collapsing late last century.

The Cubans are so skillful that, when they saw Venezuela’s economic debacle, they approached negotiations with the U.S. through several third parties (Pope Francis, the EU, etc.). Of course, for the negotiations to be successful, the United States would have to give in, apologize and admit guilt for their longstanding economic oppression of Cuba, all despite knowing the socialist project isn’t viable without permanent outside financial assistance. Cuba would also be awaiting compensation for damages from the United States.

Cuba realized a politically weak Obama, with his illusory determination toward becoming a great North American president and with a heart with shades of socialism, they could sweet-talk and trap him in the negotiations. Of course, they have taken great care to prevent any compromises toward human rights, free elections or the establishment of political plurality.

The Cuban socialist regime provoked and guided the negotiations with the United States, with the premeditated intent of outmaneuvering their eternal political rival, without allowing for any political concessions. A perfect jewel of a negotiation, with the design attributed to the political genius of Latin America, Fidel Castro, a man also considered to be the world’s coldest and most ruthless political calculator.

The new U.N. resolution, a request of the Cuban government to condemn and compel the U.S. government to lift the Cuban economic embargo, has created a new element of disagreement with the nation of the north. It was expected that Cuba would not ask for such a resolution to be implemented this year. It is interesting to see the way Cuban officials continue to attack the political position of the United States’ government and try to gain the sympathy and favor of the North American population. Perhaps it is with the intent of convincing North Americans to demand their government satisfy the aspirations of the Cuban government for a political negotiation perfect for them, but which is full of uncertainty for the Cuban people.

Unless the U.S. government has planned a brilliant surprise, which I doubt, the full intent of the Cuban government’s strategy will be realized with the lifting of the embargo, allowing them to enjoy the sweetness of the hated capitalism while maintaining a captive and oppressed Cuban people. I ask myself, “Is this really possible?”