Failed Threat by US against Cuba

Juan González, Colombian by birth and American at heart, who serves as President Joe Biden’s adviser on Latin America, launched a feeble threat against Cuba.

González claimed that Cuban leaders would face sanctions if some of Washington’s scoundrels in Havana were arrested or prosecuted.

The newly named adviser made his argument with a recurrent and phony display of respect for the fundamental right of “peaceful protest,” omitting, as always, established law on the island.

What is intriguing about the Colombian American’s concern is that it shows a selective devotion when it comes to defending rights. Last April, González visited his native Colombia just as a new wave of protests erupted, a wave that surpassed the level of protest in 2019 and 2020.

After meeting with Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez and members of his administration, González reaffirmed that “Colombia and the United States are strategic allies.”*

We know what came after. From April 28 until a few weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of Colombians took to the streets nearly everywhere in the country to express their disapproval of Duque’s pro-Uribe government.

As a result, 80 people died, dozens were injured and disappeared, and there were hundreds of detainees. Faced with this mass massacre in addition to the dozens of deaths that occurred during the 2019 and 2020 protests, and in addition to the victims of systemic violence in this country, González did not issue any threats or even express any concern.

In May, when the Colombian foreign secretary and vice president made a desperate trip to Washington to whitewash the pro-Uribe regime in the face of visibly excessive repression, González reassured them, reiterating his support without any mention of sanctions.

This selective manner of defending human rights shows once again the cynicism of the Biden administration and reinforces need for a standard of tenacity that U.S. officials should have when talking about Cuba. This failed threat will be tossed overboard because it is vacuous and immoral.

*Editor’s Note: This quote, though accurately translated, could not be independently verified.