José R. Oro*, Associate of Prensa Latina
This legislation has nothing to do with terrorism but is simply a fascist political action to avoid this inevitable and imminent exclusion. It is a consequence of the intense struggle to keep Cuba on this list and the victories of progressive presidential candidates in Mexico, Chile, Honduras, Colombia and Brazil, in an international climate very, very different from the times of Bolsonaro, Uribe and Pinera differs .
What is the list of “countries that sponsor terrorism”?
“Country Sponsors of International Terrorism” is a designation unilaterally applied by the US State Department to states that the Washington government considers to be collaborators with “terrorist organizations” that are themselves unilaterally identified. Being on the list means facing severe sanctions of all kinds.
The “terrorist organizations” challenged by the US government are:
• Al Qaeda
• Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
• National Liberation Army (ELN, Colombia)
• Shining Path (PCP – SL, Peru)
• Dissidents of the FARC – EP, Colombia.
• Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA, Spain, France)
• Revolutionary Struggle, Greece
• Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party, Turkey
• Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) Ireland
• Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA), Ireland
• Ansar al-Shari’a in Derna, Libya.
• Ansar al-Sharia Tunisia, Egypt,
• Ansar Bayit al-Maqdis, Egypt.
• Ansaru, Nigeria.
• Boko Haram, Nigeria.
• Al-Mulathamun Brigade, Algeria.
• Shura Council around Jerusalem, Egypt
• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Libya
As you can see, these are all organizations that are against the US, especially against its international policies. No pro-American organization, however violent, is considered a terrorist anywhere in the world. We can mention group monstrosities like:
German Alternative, Black Hundreds, Proudhon Circle, Combat 18, National Socialist Action Front/National Activists, South African National Front, Nationalist Front, New Front, Nationalist Revolutionary Groups, Jeune Europe, Jewish Defense League, World League for Freedom and Democracy , Lincoln-88, Gray Wolves, Civic Action Movement, Pro Chemnitz Movement, Militant Organization of Russian Nationalists, Combat Terrorist Organization, Ryno-Skachevsky Gang, Pegida UK, Posse Comitatus, Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh, White Society-88, Union of the Russian People, People’s Socialist Movement of Germany/Labor Party and others never mentioned by the imperialist-controlled media, let alone “excommunicated” by the US as terrorist organizations.
Speaking of terrorism, none of these fascist-like groups appear on the list of terrorist organizations
On the other hand, in the list of “countries sponsoring international terrorism” there are only Cuba, the DPRK (North Korea), Iran and Syria.
What specifically is Cuba being blamed for having on this list of unfortunates?
Cuba was listed in 1982 (during the Ronald Reagan administration), withdrawn in 2015 (Barack Obama) and reinstated in 2021 (Donald Trump). It was listed for providing medical care and political support to members of the FARC and ETA, although Cuba did not provide weapons or paramilitary training to these organizations. Cuba was reinstated on January 12, 2021; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that “Cuba has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism” by harboring US refugees and Colombian rebel leaders. Cuba’s support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s presidential crisis was another reason to put it back on the list, as the Maduro government has “created a tolerant environment for international terrorists to live and thrive in Venezuela.” The reassignment came just eight days before Trump’s presidency ended on Jan. 20. The alleged and never proven “sonic attacks” in Havana were widely talked about, now forgotten and never called a lie.
Who supports this legislative proposal, made ad hoc to prevent Cuba from being delisted? The “Freedom Caucus”, expression of fascism in the US Congress.
The Freedom Caucus (caucus refers to a grouping within a party, such as the Latino Caucus) is made up of conservative Republican members of the United States House of Representatives. It is widely regarded as the most conservative and far-right bloc within the House of Representatives Republican Conference. The caucus was founded in January 2015 by a group of conservatives and members of the Tea Party movement with the aim of pushing the Republican leadership further to the right. Its first president, Jim Jordan, described it as a “smaller, more cohesive, leaner, more active” group of conservative officials.
It is positioned on the far right of the political spectrum, with some members holding right-wing populist beliefs, such as opposed to immigration reform, and others being openly fascist. The group takes conservative positions, favoring social conservatism and small government.
Later, the Freedom Caucus shifted its focus and priorities to total loyalty to Donald Trump, becoming even more right-wing and ultranationalist, but less committed to political principles, if at all. This group supports House candidates through their Political Action Committee, House Freedom Fund (big money, baby)
Needless to say, this group is a sworn enemy of Cuba and its people, and has close ties to the Cuban-American far right in Miami and other parts of the United States.
Three of the leading members of the Freedom Caucus in the Washington House of Representatives, from left. left to right Scott Perry, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andy Biggs.
More than 15 members of the Freedom Caucus will support and seek support for this “legislation” introduced by far-right representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27).
HR 314, “Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends”, also known as the FORCE Act because of its English acronym. This bill would prevent President Joe Biden from normalizing relations with Cuba unless “liberty and democracy are restored to the island,” in other words, that Cuba could not be removed from that list, not just until “the overthrow of the revolutionary government. No, none of that, plus there has to be a government that the far right in Miami just likes.
The Senate version of the bill was introduced in the last legislative session by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) along with Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX). HR 314 would prevent Cuba from being removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until it meets the requirements of Section 205 of the LIBERTAD (criminal Helms-Burton) Act (PL 104-114). Section 205 of the LIBERTAD Law requires Cuba to meet the following conditions:
1. Release all “political prisoners” and allow international human rights organizations to investigate Cuban prisons.
2. Transition from the “Castro regime” to a system that guarantees the Cuban people the right to freedom of expression.
3. Commitment to “holding free and fair elections”
It is striking that none, absolutely none of these three points have anything to do with terrorism, not even indirectly.
These are the same requirements that must be met in order to lift the embargo and sanctions against the Cuban regime. In other words, this bill forces the “Castro/Díaz-Canel dictatorship” to comply with current US law, not Cuba’s, and seeks to return Cuba to what it was before 1959, a US pass protectorate.
Representative Salazar will be joined on this bill by Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-25), Carlos Giménez (FL-26), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Stephanie Bice (OK-05 ) supports. , Neal Dunn (FL-02), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Ken Buck (CO-04), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Darrell Issa (CA-48), Mark Rutherford (FL-05), Steve Womack (AR-03) and Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Jenniffer González-Colón.
“Cuba’s ‘totalitarian communist regime’ is a pervasive threat to the national security of the United States,” said Congressman Salazar, adding that “the Castro regime continues to subsidize and provide financial and military support to bad actors across Latin America.”
Massive crucifix on chest, but very far from God in heart. María Elvira Salazar shows little creativity and even less decency when she insists on the murder of her compatriots.
“The FORCE law guarantees that no Secretary of State or President can remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until they meet the minimum requirements of a functioning and free society,” and that “this legislation is relevant not only to the community of Cuban exiles.” from District 27, but for thousands of my constituents who also come from countries directly subsidized by Havana,” added Congresswoman Salazar.
“Cuba has played a major role in threatening the United States, stoking instability across Latin America, supporting ruthless dictators like Nicolás Maduro and Daniel Ortega, and driving mass emigration devoted to the illegitimate regime and its evil allies in communist China, Russia and Iran will benefit decades,” said Sen. Rick Scott, former Florida Gov funded by hundreds of peaceful Cubans, including adolescent boys and girls,” Senator Scott said.
Rep. C. Giménez, Rep. M. Díaz-Balart, Rep. N. Malliotakis and other politicians from Florida’s extreme right spoke in the same words.
“The Biden administration must keep the “Castro regime” on the list of state sponsors of terrorism for unlawfully convicting “thousands of political prisoners in summary trials” following the July 11, 2021 protests,” Representative C. Giménez said . If it weren’t so serious, it would make you laugh. María Elvira Salazar represents the 27th District of Florida in the US Congress, which includes several cities and municipalities in the greater Miami area. She sits on the Foreign Affairs and Small Business Committees of the House of Representatives.
Cuban solidarity organizations and a significant number of US politicians of a reasonable level of sanity and common sense will oppose the approval and enforcement of this anti-Cuban monstrosity.
Moreover, we think it likely that Cuba will be removed from such a fateful list in the next 12 months: such is the resentment it inspires not only in the US but throughout Latin America and the world.
rmh/jro
*Cuban engineer living in the United States
(Taken from selected companies)