Two US Congress Members Visit Cuba and Call for Lifting Energy Blockade on the Island
In a significant diplomatic move, two Democratic congress members, Pramila Jayapal from Washington and Jonathan Jackson from Illinois, have embarked on a five-day visit to Cuba, where they met with key Cuban officials and called for the immediate lifting of the US energy blockade.
According to a report from Ukrinform, Pramila Jayapal and Jonathan Jackson engaged in discussions with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and members of the Cuban Parliament during their visit. This trip highlights a growing dialogue between the United States and Cuba, as detailed in a report by ABC News.
During their time on the island, the congress members made a strong appeal for the urgent removal of the energy blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. They characterized the blockade as 'cruel collective punishment,' equating it to 'economic bombardment' that has inflicted irreparable harm on the Cuban people. In a joint statement, they asserted, 'This must stop immediately.'
Jayapal emphasized that the Cuban government has taken steps indicating a willingness for 'negotiations between our states.' She criticized the current US policy towards Cuba as 'failed,' suggesting it is a relic of the Cold War that no longer serves the interests of either Americans or Cubans.
Congressman Jackson drew a parallel between the Cuban energy blockade and the strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that 'our government fights to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and to ensure the free flow of oil in the world.' He called for a humanitarian approach to guarantee the free circulation of oil, fuel, and energy in the hemisphere.
It is important to note that in late January, former President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any nation that sells or supplies oil to Cuba. However, he made an exception for 730,000 barrels of Russian oil that were delivered to the island last week. Notably, Cuba can only meet 40% of its oil needs through domestic production.
Furthermore, as reported by Ukrinform, The New York Times cited four informed sources stating that the Trump administration was trying to persuade President Miguel Díaz-Canel to voluntarily resign amidst negotiations between Washington and Havana regarding the island's future.
Previously, Trump had stated that Cuba faced two potential scenarios: either agree to a 'friendly takeover' by the United States or confront an 'unfriendly' outcome. These remarks underline the longstanding tension in US-Cuba relations that has persisted for many years.
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