Trump's Despicable Actions Against Cuba

Trump signed an executive order last month that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that could further cripple an island plagued by a deepening energy crisis. That followed the administration’s capture of Maduro, as well as US piracy on open seas. Piracy, you ask?

Yes, piracy… committed by the United States. Trump has made it clear that he will seize all Venezuelan tankers destined for Cuba, and apparently, anywhere else. The latest seizure of a tanker occurred in the Indian Ocean – thousands of miles away from Cuba.

As a result of American piracy, for which Trump should be (won’t put it in print), Cuba is suffering from a severe fuel shortage. Notices to airlines and pilots warned that jet fuel won’t be available at nine airports across the island starting today and continuing until at least March 11.

The piracy… excuse me, US government defined, sanctions... is affecting many citizen’s lives. Tourism is a source of livelihood for millions of Cubans, having generated up to $3bn a year for Cuba. Some 1.6 million tourists visited Cuba last year, significantly lower than the 4.8 million in 2018 – just prior to Trump’s first round of “attacks” against the country.

One tourist driver recalled that he would sometimes work until 9pm. Now he says he’s lucky if he takes one or two tourists for a spin in a day. He used to charge $50 for a drive around the capital. Now, given the lack of demand, he has lowered his price to $25, less if a tourist insists on bartering.

This isn’t right. This isn’t moral. This is pure piracy of, and dictatorial actions upon, another sovereign country; numerous countries when one considers the threatening of tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba. It’s only going to get worse. Air Canada just announced it was suspending flights to the island, while other airlines announced delays and layovers in the Dominican Republic before flights continued to Havana.

Cuban officials also announced that banking hours have been reduced and cultural events suspended, further impeding the economy. In Havana, the public bus and train systems have effectively ground to a halt, leaving residents stranded as sporadic power outages can last up to 10 hours. Fuel shortages can affect transportation that brings food or medicine to local markets.

The national baseball season has been reworked for greater efficiency. Some banks have cut operating hours. Some fuel distribution companies said they would limit sales to 20 liters (5.28 gallons) per user.

U.S. sanctions against Cuba have been in place for more than six decades and have done absolutely ZERO to end the Communist regime. However, change isn’t what it’s about. Control and dominance is; piracy in the name cheaper US gas prices is. You would think that a president so concerned about immigration would actually want to help Cuba become a more successful country. The best way to limit immigration would be to conduct international trade so that foreigners want to stay where they already are.

Source used: Associated Press