We’ve learnt to overcome our challenges
THIS month, Cuba is marking 60 years under sanctions after the United States of America imposed an embargo in 1962. The sanctions are among the worst imposed by one country on another in the world today. Last week, The Sunday Mail’s correspondent WALLACE
RUZVIDZO (WR) spoke to Cuba’s chief diplomat to Zimbabwe, AMBASSADOR
CARMELINA RODRIGUEZ (CR), on how her country has survived sanctions, lessons for Zimbabwe and other important issues.
********************** WR: Last week, Cuba marked 60 years under US sanctions, how did it all start and why has the US maintained these measures for so long?
CR:
On February 3, 1962 the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, signed the Presidential Executive Order that established the full economic blockade or embargo against Cuba, the worst and longest economic blockade, with the aim of suffocating Cuba, obstructing its sources of income, hindering the bilateral relations and creating an internal climate of un-governability.
In spite of who is the president of the USA government, either the Democrat or the Republican, the policy of persecution, harassment and sanctions did not change. In all these 60 years, the US blockade has been the main obstacle to Cuba’s development. We have suffered from lack of food and medicine, the impossibility of obtaining spare parts for deteriorating machinery or public transport, and lack of school materials.
WR: How has Cuba managed to survive the embargo?
CR: Without trying to be a chauvinist, I have to say the Cuban character is particular. As a nation, we are resilient; a robust people that never give up. Maybe it is a result of our history and mixed blood, with a high African component. Along with our history, we have learnt how to overcome the most complex obstacles, to be creative, and (we) have firmly resisted.
Since 1959 we have managed to build a different society where humanism, social justice, social cohesion and peace prevail. We will not accept any pressure, nor accept any interference from any foreign power in our internal issues.
The cruel nature of the US blockade has been demonstrated during the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic when the
Trump administration put in place 243 new sanctions to tighten the obstacle for the commercial and financial possibilities of Cuba, including the access to medicines and medical equipment.
WR: Zimbabwe has been under US sanctions for over two decades, what lessons can be learnt from Cuba?
CR: Resistance and unity. To be creative and work for the well-being of the country!
We share more or less the same history. Zimbabwe also is a victim of economic sanctions. Its applicants try to convince that they are not targeting the population, but selected entities and officials. The imposed restrictions on Zimbabwe to the access of financial credit and to normal international trading channels is also directly affecting the daily life of the general population.
Different studies by NGOs and international organisations have demonstrated the negative impact of the economic coercive sanctions on the daily life of the common people. It is an issue that affects all citizens who are deprived of the most basic tools to survive: medicines, infrastructure to make water drinkable, material for building, etcetera.
WR: How best can the voice of countries under sanctions continue to be heard globally?
CR:
Cuba defends the use of multilateral organisations where the voice of the affected countries has to be heard calling for the end of unilateral coercive sanctions.
Since 1992, year after year, Cuba has presented to the General Assembly the resolution of the necessity to end economic, commercial and financial blockade that has received overwhelming support from the international community.
WR: What areas of joint co-operation are there between Zimbabwe and Cuba this year?
CR: The Covid-19 pandemic has hindered our plans. We have continued developing cooperation in the health sector. This year we have plans to restart those projects that we needed to put on standby during the Covid-19 pandemic. The idea is to further deepen and broaden the cooperation. There are real possibilities and interest in private and state sectors.
WR: What is the progress on the Covid19 vaccines under development by Cuban scientists?
CR:
Despite the enormous obstacles and limitations, Cuban scientists achieved one of the greatest milestones in the biotechnology industry and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by obtaining the first vaccines against Covid-19 produced in Latin America.
The Cuban management of the pandemic has been recognised internationally. At present, more than nine million Cubans have received the complete scheme. Cuba hopes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) will this year approve the locally manufactured Abdala vaccine.
WR: To what extent has the Cuba-Zimbabwe doctors programme been affected by Covid-19?
CR:
The medical co-operation has not been affected. Our medical personnel have remained in the country in different hospitals, including hospitals in Bulawayo and Harare.