Castro Demands Obama Drop Blockade, Return 'Illegally Occupied' Guantanamo
Fifty-five percent of Americans said they support ending the 54-year-old trade embargo
During the first family's historic visit to Cuba on Monday, the Cuban president confronted President Barack Obama about the crippling trade embargo and called on him to "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base."
At an afternoon press conference in Havana, the two leaders touted the "concrete" achievements made since the countries resumed diplomatic relations in December 2014.
"In the 15 months that have passed since the decision was made to establish diplomatic relations, we have achieved concrete results," declared President Raul Castro. These include resuming direct postal exchanges, and signing agreements to resume commercial flights, govern maritime environments, and pending deals regarding agriculture, drug trafficking, medicine, and other "commercial operations," such as telecommunications.
However, Castro added, "Much more could be done if the U.S. blockade were lifted."
Fifty-five percent of Americans said they support ending the 54-year-old trade embargo, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll released on Monday. A full 58 percent support the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Castro acknowledged that Obama's "repeated appeals to Congress to have [the blockade] removed" have been ignored. But, Castro said, the measures adopted thus far "are positive but insufficient" and volunteered "other steps that could be taken to remove restrictions that remain in force and make a significant effect in the reduction of the blockade."
"The blockade remains in force and it contains discouraging elements and intimidating effects and [is guilty of] extraterritorial outreach," Castro stated.
In response, Obama again put the onus on Congress to repeal the embargo, adding, "Frankly Congress is not as active as I would like during presidential election years."
The Cuban leader also said that in order to truly normalize relations, the U.S. must "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base," a demand which the Obama administration has thus far refused.
Secretary of State John Kerry said during a recent hearing that "there's no plan, no discussion" about returning the offshore naval base and prison, adding that he would "personally be opposed to that."
Castro, who has been under fire for reported human rights abuses including crackdowns on political dissidents, took a swipe at the United States' own record when it comes to prisoner abuse and issues of social and economic justice.
"There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away, since we hold different ideas on many subjects, such as political systems, democracy, the exercise of human rights, social justice, international relations, and world peace and stability," Castro said. "We defend human rights. We consider that the civil, political, economic and cultural rights are indivisible, interdependent and universal."
The communist leader said that Cubans "find it inconceivable that a government does not ensure the right to healthcare, education, social security, food, and development, equal pay, and the rights of children."
Further, he said that Cubans "oppose political manipulation and double standards in the approach to civil rights," a comment which the Guardian said "could easily be read as a criticism of U.S. actions in Guantanamo versus its rhetoric on human rights."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
During the first family's historic visit to Cuba on Monday, the Cuban president confronted President Barack Obama about the crippling trade embargo and called on him to "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base."
At an afternoon press conference in Havana, the two leaders touted the "concrete" achievements made since the countries resumed diplomatic relations in December 2014.
"In the 15 months that have passed since the decision was made to establish diplomatic relations, we have achieved concrete results," declared President Raul Castro. These include resuming direct postal exchanges, and signing agreements to resume commercial flights, govern maritime environments, and pending deals regarding agriculture, drug trafficking, medicine, and other "commercial operations," such as telecommunications.
However, Castro added, "Much more could be done if the U.S. blockade were lifted."
Fifty-five percent of Americans said they support ending the 54-year-old trade embargo, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll released on Monday. A full 58 percent support the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Castro acknowledged that Obama's "repeated appeals to Congress to have [the blockade] removed" have been ignored. But, Castro said, the measures adopted thus far "are positive but insufficient" and volunteered "other steps that could be taken to remove restrictions that remain in force and make a significant effect in the reduction of the blockade."
"The blockade remains in force and it contains discouraging elements and intimidating effects and [is guilty of] extraterritorial outreach," Castro stated.
In response, Obama again put the onus on Congress to repeal the embargo, adding, "Frankly Congress is not as active as I would like during presidential election years."
The Cuban leader also said that in order to truly normalize relations, the U.S. must "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base," a demand which the Obama administration has thus far refused.
Secretary of State John Kerry said during a recent hearing that "there's no plan, no discussion" about returning the offshore naval base and prison, adding that he would "personally be opposed to that."
Castro, who has been under fire for reported human rights abuses including crackdowns on political dissidents, took a swipe at the United States' own record when it comes to prisoner abuse and issues of social and economic justice.
"There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away, since we hold different ideas on many subjects, such as political systems, democracy, the exercise of human rights, social justice, international relations, and world peace and stability," Castro said. "We defend human rights. We consider that the civil, political, economic and cultural rights are indivisible, interdependent and universal."
The communist leader said that Cubans "find it inconceivable that a government does not ensure the right to healthcare, education, social security, food, and development, equal pay, and the rights of children."
Further, he said that Cubans "oppose political manipulation and double standards in the approach to civil rights," a comment which the Guardian said "could easily be read as a criticism of U.S. actions in Guantanamo versus its rhetoric on human rights."
During the first family's historic visit to Cuba on Monday, the Cuban president confronted President Barack Obama about the crippling trade embargo and called on him to "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base."
At an afternoon press conference in Havana, the two leaders touted the "concrete" achievements made since the countries resumed diplomatic relations in December 2014.
"In the 15 months that have passed since the decision was made to establish diplomatic relations, we have achieved concrete results," declared President Raul Castro. These include resuming direct postal exchanges, and signing agreements to resume commercial flights, govern maritime environments, and pending deals regarding agriculture, drug trafficking, medicine, and other "commercial operations," such as telecommunications.
However, Castro added, "Much more could be done if the U.S. blockade were lifted."
Fifty-five percent of Americans said they support ending the 54-year-old trade embargo, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll released on Monday. A full 58 percent support the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Castro acknowledged that Obama's "repeated appeals to Congress to have [the blockade] removed" have been ignored. But, Castro said, the measures adopted thus far "are positive but insufficient" and volunteered "other steps that could be taken to remove restrictions that remain in force and make a significant effect in the reduction of the blockade."
"The blockade remains in force and it contains discouraging elements and intimidating effects and [is guilty of] extraterritorial outreach," Castro stated.
In response, Obama again put the onus on Congress to repeal the embargo, adding, "Frankly Congress is not as active as I would like during presidential election years."
The Cuban leader also said that in order to truly normalize relations, the U.S. must "return the territory illegally occupied by Guantanamo Base," a demand which the Obama administration has thus far refused.
Secretary of State John Kerry said during a recent hearing that "there's no plan, no discussion" about returning the offshore naval base and prison, adding that he would "personally be opposed to that."
Castro, who has been under fire for reported human rights abuses including crackdowns on political dissidents, took a swipe at the United States' own record when it comes to prisoner abuse and issues of social and economic justice.
"There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away, since we hold different ideas on many subjects, such as political systems, democracy, the exercise of human rights, social justice, international relations, and world peace and stability," Castro said. "We defend human rights. We consider that the civil, political, economic and cultural rights are indivisible, interdependent and universal."
The communist leader said that Cubans "find it inconceivable that a government does not ensure the right to healthcare, education, social security, food, and development, equal pay, and the rights of children."
Further, he said that Cubans "oppose political manipulation and double standards in the approach to civil rights," a comment which the Guardian said "could easily be read as a criticism of U.S. actions in Guantanamo versus its rhetoric on human rights."