BERNIE BLAMES IT ON U.S.
Cites Cuba embargo
Outspoken democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remained silent as of early Tuesday about protests erupting in Cuba, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders finally spoke out — to blame US sanctions rather than decades of Communist dictatorship.
Cuban officials cracked down in the wake of Sunday’s unrest, the largest anti-government demonstration on the island in decades.
“All people have the right to protest and to live in a democratic society,” Sanders tweeted just before midnight Monday of the protests that demanded “freedom” and the removal of President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
“I call on the Cuban government to respect opposition rights and refrain from violence,” the democratic socialist implored of DíazCanel, who had called for “revolutionaries” to take to the streets and fight for communism.
“It’s also long past time to end the unilateral U.S. embargo on Cuba, which has only hurt, not helped, the Cuban people,” Sanders wrote.
That generated backlash from many who suggested he was missing the message being sent by protesters demanding freedom from the nation’s rulers — with viral images also showing some carrying American flags as a symbol of the democracy they sought.
“You want to help? Repost the unedited streams coming from the Cuban youth on the island. They are calling for Liberty and an end to Communism,” Miami-based musician Eloy Escagedo replied to Sanders.
Still, Sanders had done more than other progressive Democratic leaders, with critics noting the ongoing silence of the party’s usually outspoken progressive “Squad” members.
Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronz/ Queens) was active on Twitter until late Monday — ripping “white supremacy,” without any mention of Cuba. Other “Squad” members like Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also appear to have ignored the protests.
In addition to denouncing the Cuban leaders, protesters denounced long-running food shortages in government stores and the lack of COVID-19 vaccines.
The crackdown swept up some journalists. Officials in Spain demanded on Tuesday that Cuban authorities release journalist Camila Acosta, who was detained Monday.
She was reporting for the Spanish newspaper ABC, which said she was being charged in Cuba with “crimes against state security.”