Fernandez: Cuba is not ready to 'sacrifice' socialism | Talk to Al Jazeera
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
- Leaders of the Americas prepare to gather in Los Angeles on June 6 for their ninth regional summit. But Washington has announced Cuba will be excluded, arguing the Caribbean nation does not meet the required democratic standards.
United States-Cuban relations have been hostile ever since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. In 2016, President Obama visited the island, calling the occasion an "historic opportunity" to leave the Cold War behind.
But under President Trump, all opportunities were lost. And now, under President Biden, relations remain tense.
So, what is next for the two countries? Cuba's deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, talks to Al Jazeera.
Cuba Deputy FM Carlos Fernandez de Cossio says what he must say to maintain his position. Over 60 years have passed and Cuba is in a worse economic situation than it was before the revolution. There is NOTHING on the shelves in the shops. Cubans are hungry, inflation is astronomical, unemployment is huge and the government promises more "summer sunshine"! Nothing more!
It is true what you saying that Cuba is in a worse economic situation over the past 60 years.Let us remember that the USA has had an economic embargo over the last 60years. You are now using the results of the embargo to justify hunger ,inflation and unemployment.. You want Cuba to return to the days when Cuba was a vassal of the USA and being exploited by the Mafia and the American fruit company
Those 60 years of a bad economic situation in Cuba coincide with a rotten American sanctions policy of starving that country. America doesn’t want a possibly thriving socialist country in its neighbourhood or else Americans will start asking questions about all the fat cats in their own home sucking off the hard work of the rest of the population. Corporate America which really rules the country is used to a model of:
1. Don’t let your workers make anything at home. Deny good education to the ones without much money.
2. Import all you need from Bangladesh and China for a pittance.
3. Sell that to your people for an unreasonably high price giving those large profits to your fat cats.
Worked well so far until you woke up one day and discovered that China who did the real work has now surpassed you. All the while making their people prosperous while you have marginalized your own, driving them to crime, guns and drugs because they cannot aspire to anything else.
End your criminal blockade of the Island!!!
@@kimobrien. let’s see 192 other countries to trade with Kim why isn’t cuba trading with them ? No money’s to buy anything they only produce sugar which is really 💩
@@kimobrien. Yawn, this is such an old excuse for the corrupt Cuban government. They can literally trade with the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, US actually sells them millions in chicken every year. Cuban citizens aren't even allowed to fish. This has nothing to do with the U.S EMBARGO.
FREE THE cuban people
💘 from 🇯🇲
From Communism!
They are free. Freer than you and me in the U.S.
@@joannerouse9734You are DELUSIONAL and ready to be interned in mental institution.
This man appears to be highly intelligent.His English is very fluent
Intelligent yet evil.
Thank you Al Jazeera, for making this neutral journalism. It's difficult to find that in modern media. As a Cuban, I deeply appreciate it.
I have to say the tone of Carlos Fernandez, is very moderate and he seems like a person which whom you can talk, but the general Cuban politician has a far more radical, intolerant, speech. If you don't believe me, all videos of public appearances are online. There are millions of Cubans who would have been open for discussion with the government, but the government offers no real way to openly discuss any issue if it's controversial towards their policy. And by ignoring their needs and denying the possibility of political participation, the Cuban government has pushed them to increased frustration, further radicalizing them and feeding the mutual hate.
It's of course obvious the US state plays also a role in this story, but I would like to focus on Cubans only, since this is our problem, not anybody else's.
It would be very useful if Mr Fernandez, would give a precise definition on what socialist system means. It's a vague term that have changed a lot over the year. And there lies many of the issues in Cuba, the ambiguity in all aspects of life.
Once again thank you Al Jazeera for giving voice to us that can not have this kinds of talks. I hope to see more like this in the future.
@Abraham Toledo Mr. Fernandez is a professional, and don't expect any other narrative from him. As long as this government in Cuba is in power, there will also be no negotiation between the government of Cuba and Cubanos. No dictatorial government agrees to this! Proof of this are the few countries in the world that cultivate this evil empire, including Cuba.
In fact, Cuba has not established socialism.
And it is a fact that socialism cannot be established in a poor country. That’s what Marx envisaged.
It is not about human nature, bout real material conditions: plenty vs. scarcity, democracy, vs. bureaucracy, external threats vs. cooperation and peace, acquisition of technology vs. embargo, socialism in one country (Stalin) vs. internationalism …
@@nadm.191 In fact socialism can not be implemented without wealth as you say, and the only economy system that produces wealth is capitalism with it's "free" market. There is the contradiction. And one proof of that is that by your own definition socialism can not create wealth by it self, since a wealthy country is required to begin with.
That's why socialism can only exist within capitalism.
Another way to realize this is that socialism is more focused in distribution of wealth, but it doesn't know how to create it. You can't distribute something that you don't have.
@Abraham
“the only economy system that produces wealth is capitalism with it's "free" market.”
Wrong wealth has been produced for thousands of years.
Socialism too can create wealth. As long as there is human labour and brain wealth is produced.
But today with the destruction of the environment by capitalism, the degradation of the soil, climate change, huge waste of wealth produced (example food waste), huge resources wasted on things we do not need or they are not priorities for humanity… the concept of wealth is debatable.
Socialism as defined by Marxists cannot exist within capitalism. Socialist elements have existed within capitalism, for example, the social democrats along with trade union struggle introduced socialist elements during a particular conjuncture of capitalism.
Socialism as a transitional society envisaged by different Marxists and anarchists is contradictory to the capitalist system that is based on profit and exploitation of labour by capitalists.
Conversely, unlike under Stalinist regimes, elements of capitalism should exist within socialism.
Distribution of wealth is one element of socialism, but not socialism. The issue is where wealth goes once it is produced, who controls its production democratically, what the priorities are, etc.
Socialism is the opposite of nationalism and the nation state.
@@nadm.191 What wealth was produced for thousands of years. Seriously? You would very likely get killed in 18th century over a pair of boots.
Capitalism is not the cause of the planet's problem. Corruption is a condition of humanity, it doesn't have anything to do Capitalism or any other economic system, but with a political system that enables or not a healthy society.
The issue with Marxist Socialism is that the whole theory of Marx is based on the Labor Theory of Value, which says that value of some good is proportional to the labor required to produce it.
Labor Theory of Value is a total non sense, since value is subjective and different for everyone, and therefore impossible to measure. Any serious economist will tell you that the only effective system for estimating value is market price. And that's the reason why market economy is the only known mechanism that efficiently produces wealth, because measuring value is essential to that.
Labor Theory of Value is so easy to debunk. For instance, a copy of Marx's "Capital" is worthless to me but very valuable for a Marxist. But Marx says it must have the same value for everyone. You see the contradiction?
A capitalist economy can co'exist with a socialist society, provided a good designed political system. And empirical evidence shows it.
Sen. Fernandez is not just a politician, he's an intelectual! He presents his opinions very steady, well put and quite on point!
Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it.
He's a smart communist rat thats proud of being part of a government that oppresses its people.
And yet he’s still advocating for socialism
@@andrewwilkey6195 What's the advantage of a few greedy capitalist investors doing things based in making themselves fatter? We have that in the US and the only result is a fatter upper class. Real wages stopped following productivity since 1973. Why would Cuba want to become another colony like Puerto Rico?
@@kimobrien. Spot on Kim.
So much appreciated, forward to friends in Cuba, to know the true story
The US accusing another country of meddling in South America is so tone deaf.
AMEN
It’s not tone deaf. It’s psychological warfare.
The Cuban government is literally working within the Venezuelan government. How is that not meddling?
" Meddling in South America "... That's the Pot calling the kettle black!!
@@ronberman8947 The US invaded ever Latin American country at least once during the 20th Century.
Mr. Fernandez, it's time to stop propaganda. How many more years will you say the same thing? Cubans want to eat. Why is everything expensive and there is nothing in the shops???
Your totally Correct, the stupid socialism and big government policies strangle individual free market energy and incentive, how stupid people are to give positive reinforcement to the lazy and negative reinforcement to the hard working.
Cut the bullshit and end the blockade.
The guy basically keeps a whole country prisoner, sucks every bit of life and profit from them... and then spits on them, calls it socialism and says ''hey don't look at me, everything is on them!! they all prefer that I keep spitting on them instead of bettering their lives, I'm just doing what they want here!''
@@kated3165 Your full of Sh+t!!! The President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canal comes out in his shirt selves to meet with his people something America Presidents since Kennedy have been afraid to do. Dictators always need to hide behind bullet proof glass and ride in luxury with heavily armed motorcades.
@@kimobrien. END COMMUNISM!
Carlos Fernadez de Cossio has the joint son he had with Gertrudis Martorell Ballester, living in the United States, in Miami, as a rich young man. His father was a lifelong diplomat and ambassador to several countries, including Mexico. He has his sister living in Miami and the youngest of the male brothers who died a few years ago, also there. He lived in Canada when his father was appointed diplomat there in the 1960s, which is why he speaks English so well. They were always one of the bourgeois families of Cuba since 1959 of the privileged Castroites. Interesting data about his father José Agustin Fernandez de Cossio from before 1959 can be found on the RepressorID page. The brother who remains in Cuba, with the same name and profession as his father, has also carried out diplomatic activities.
The party class promotes communism, opresses their own people while loves the perks of living in a free open liberal democratic society. They hold millions in bank accounts abroad, own land in South America and love to vacation in Europe and NYC.
🇨🇺 🇨🇺 🇨🇺 🇨🇺 🇨🇺 🇨🇺
24/04/2023 Mr. Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba Deputy Foreign Minister, please tell the truth. If you can't tell the truth, please resign. You are not a patriot. The Cubans don't need you.
This was a very interesting interview. Thank you. I'd like to see more documentaries and content concerning Cuba.
He says the U.S. embargo is criminal? Who says the U.S. is obligated to trade with Cuba? I've seen signs on businesses here that they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone! If I have bad character they don't have to deal with me. I understand that and am not going to cry about it. I'll simply IMPROVE myself.🇺🇲
Yes...and if some other country wants to trade with Cuba uncle Sam will either inpose direc sanctions or indirectly impose secondary sanctions by asserting (military) pressure on that other country to make sure that uncle Sam gets his way.
---> under no circumstances a successful communist country with good living standards for their people in the American neighborhood.
Otherwise the ordinary American workers might get "ideas" who is really responsible for the rise in poverty, homelessness and the disappearance of the American middleclass in the US and that another economic system might be better.
And this can not be allowed under any circumstances.
Otherwise how would the billionaires in the US stay billionaires?
This is journalism at its best. Good job, Miss Newman. And thank you!
The US has no right to interfere in Cuban affairs. Please leave the country alone.
Their frightened, they know it works, hence sanctions for 70 years, (missiles never got there), if some southern states figured this out that would spell trouble for the Republicans in the south.
Cuba is a failure socialist example
The former U.S. President Donald Trump accuse Cuba of being a state that sponsors terrorism.
But as we can see Donald Trump did not want to leave the White House as president of America, after he lost the presidential election to Joe Biden. So Donald Trump had thousands of his fanatic, terrorist Republican followers go to America's capital city Washington D.C. and tried to take over the U.S. Government by force in a coup. But it did not work. So Donald Trump is really the terrorist, not Cuba.
America also accused Venezuela of terrorism and put sanctions against Venezuela Government and economy, causing great economic difficulties in Venezuela.
But when Russia recently went into Ukraine doing its "Special Military Operation." America and Europe and all the countries of NATO put sanctions against Russia and tried to destroy its economy, by forcing countries not to buy Russia Oil and Gas.
Now that Global oil supplies are low because of America and the countries of NATO sanctions against Russia is slowing down the sale of oil and gas from Russia to the world.
America went back to Venezuela begging for Venezuela to sell America and the world it's oil, it was America and NATO that destroyed the economy of Venezuela.
America's military is All Around the World in foreign countries taking their resources, and many of those countries or small island do not want America there,
The Hypocrisy of Democracy.
Long Live Cuba, Long Live Russia, Long Live Venezuela they are all Great.
Well said , sadly the US imperialism is still harming many people around the globe
Cuba dictatorship has no right to enslave its people
The elite leaders and officials in Cuba are eating and living a good, comfortable life! It's the majority of the poor citizens that suffer. On a video where secret police were hauling a protestor away, what told me that one of the plainclothes policeman worked for the party was the fact that he was "pretty overweight and well fed".
This is sad I hope things improve for Cuba
They will only improve once dictatorial socialism is ended, otherwise it's just the top bureaucrats in Cuba who rule over the poor people and keep them away from free market values.
Very informative.
Democracy now for Cuba ! Free elections for Cuba !
¡Viva la Revolución y el Che! ¡Viva el socialismo! ¡Yo soy Fidel! 🇨🇺☭
@@purpleblastoise Socialism is the Problem! Capitalism WORKS!
sending from the fields!
Feel bad for all the Cubans people, still don't understand how can so many people from Canada, France, Belgium, Spain, UK, and many others can enjoy their vacations there and their country cannot support in a way Cuba, products, medecine, cars etc,,,,
Going to Cuba is HELPING the Cuban people, I recently took a bunch of needed supplies to the Cuban people ANd I supported private businesses.
🇨🇺 ❤
❤❤❤❤
Fernandez is a high professional and interesting personality. He represents the country that knows and follows own ways
LIES, he represent a brutal dictaorship
@@corredor305 explain how it is a brutal dictatorship, for every bad thing that cuba does the united states have done worst by a long shot, do your research b4 saying dumb things
@@rivaldophillips3525 There's nothing done about what he said. Cuba's regime has been locking up or executing dissidents or forcing them into exile for as long as it's been in power, and it's never allowed the people to pronounce themselves freely about the socialist system.
@@rivaldophillips3525 I don’t care America, don’t compare my country with other one .
@@WestIndianAK The US executes political terrorist like Timothy McVeigh. The Cuban people ratified the last socialist constitution by over 90%. Their is no censorship of libraries or books so the idea that no one knows anything about capitalism is wrong. The US has been broadcasting a campaign of lies from Radio and TV Marti for years.
Better to talk to the wall than to this minister. No one will convince him. It's good for him. He has "everything" but he is not representative of the Cuban people. He knows that the economic situation in Cuba is bad and Cubans have nothing to eat. He will say as long as this system exists that it is good. That's his role. Talking to him is a waste of time!
Cuban officials will put all the blame on the embargo. Just lift this stupid policy and let socialism fail the same way. They won't have excuses anymore.
What socialism?? Cuba is less socialist then the US for crying!! Don't let corrupt dictators tell you what the labels are or what they mean. The top elites reaping 99.99999% of the country's money, and then redistributing 0.01% of it to its people is not even remotely close to being socialism.
@@kated3165 That's North Korea. Cuba is way closer to tge soviet style socialism.
@@Guizambaldi You seriously think that Cuban people have any say on resource and wealth management and distribution?
That its not a tiny ruling elite faction that are in control of everything, siphoning the country's wealth and resources while the people are left to dry??
All those fancy government resorts and hotels and restaurants and shops that are fully stocked up with goods and foods that the locals don't have access to?? Yeah none of those profits are ever seen by the population, I can promise you!
Mr. Fernandez tells children's stories. He can't tell the truth because he'll lose his position or because he's so red he can't see the colors?
There is simply no excuse whatever for Cuba not holding free and fair elections and letting the people decide how they are governed. There is no point in a Cuban minister sounding reasonable unless he agrees to a normal democratic system - which he does not. He blames the USA for Cuba's economic crisis but he does not accept that a lot of blame lies with the clique who rule Cuba without the consent of its people.
Yes!
@@vancouver4sure Ypu don't like their Constitution that received overwhelming approval and their elections. Well, to bad go fix your capitalist government Trump wants a new election why don't give him another bite at the apple. Your normal Democratic system says it was almost overthrown in an insurrection according to your Congress. .
TBH the US government messes up by imposing such a harsh sanction. Partially because it gives the Cuban government an excuse.
If we compare the US the elections are almost as free... Compare to the EU and you will see a more functioning democratic system. Definitely not a perfect one, but a more functioning one. European countries have many parties to choose from when voting, they have a nice range of ideologies and views. The citizens of the US get to only vote between to parties, that really aren't that different from each other in the end. They both definitely lean more to the right. They only favor capitalism but in just different methods.
But they do have free and fair elections? Seems like the US doesn’t tbh
There is no economic blockade on Cuba. US companies cannot do business in Cuba but Cuba can do business with any other country. Cuba gets about 2 million Canadian/EU tourists every year.
The problem with Socialism is that it rewards laziness. 75% of the food that Cubans eat has to be imported.
The real reason that world financial institutions do not want to do business with Cuba is because they owe money on loans to China, Mexico, Russia and others that Cuba has not been able to pay back.
He is very pro-Cubans leaving Cuba to go to the US. I guess that means more food for those that stay in Cuba.
People in Cuba, can't speak out against the one system, political party, who has made life difficult for it's own citizens
They don't need US Wall street running the country from New York.
There you are. Cuba has a clear path to progress they set out for themselves... Except that it has taken them more than half a century now and they are still nowhere in sight of their goal.
You don't create socialism in one country only. The struggle for socialism is an international struggle and Cuba can not advance all alone.
@@kimobrien.
In other words, it has to be imposed everywhere even in places the people don't want it. And yet socialists have the nerve to call capitalism imperialist.
@@shauncameron8390 In about 400 years capitalism swept across the world creating the bourgeois epic the same will happen as socialist revolutions sweep across the world replacing capitalism just as capitalism replaced feudal society.Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism since capitalism was born in the nation state and created rival national capitalist state who must compete in a world maket. The new weapon of the proletarian struggle is human solidarity. Solidarity in working class struggle solidarity against war and fascism solidarity against the decline of world capitalism.
@@kimobrien. Then give those people the right to decide that. This is not a question of economic policy, but one about a group of people exercising power over the rest of the country. Socialists tend to become dictators. If socialism works, allow people to vote for it then.
@@rickmorty7284 They decided they wanted socialism and they have a constitution that was overwhelming approved in a vote and the have an elected assemble of peoples power. Its not my place to tell Cubans how to do things. Your opinion doesn't count. Their is more evidence that the US is a dictatorship of private property owners than their is of the Cuban government being a dictatorship despite the campaign of lies from Washington and the two US capitalist parties. The communist party is a big party but it doesn't choose candidates for the non partisan elections. People are nominated with a short biography and voting turnout is high with no electioneering. The only real political opposition is that being generated by the US Imperialists. Their is no need to have vote to satisfy Washington or anyone outside of the Cuban people themselves certainly not Marco Rubio who has never set foot on Cuban soil or Ted Cruz who was born in Canada. .
Why dont you ( the socialist party) ask the citizens of the country what they want?
Unlike the US Government their government listens to what their people want. They don't want US Intervention!!!
@@kimobrien. man shut up you know nothing about cuba
Oh ok so there ppl want to live in slums and be dirt poor and risk their lives on the open seas in flimsy boats ok gotcha 🤣🤣🤦♂️
@@jaklinhyde They come by the Mexican border or by plane only a few idiots come by boat. Haitian's come by boat. DF
@@kimobrien.
Open debate, plural parties, free journalism, freedom to assemble and peacefully protest the government has nothing to do with the embargo. The Cuban government can at least allow the own people to become wealthy as they do in Vietnam and China. That would be a nice start.The U.S. be damned. Do good by your own people first.
Become a democracy and your lives will change for the better.
The U.S will never forgive a former colony from excercising its right to self determination.
It was never a US colony but I get the sentiment.
That is true. Just like how France and the US have treated Haiti for 200 years.
@@100domathon while you continue to look else where to put the blame, you leaders are spending and investing their wealth in those countries you blame.
@@chechnya Its a small country it may be an island but economically no country is an island. All rely on world trade.
@@100domathon true
As a daughter of Cuban exile, I must protest and speak my mind on a few talking points here because I can see that in the comments there is a lack of actual Cubans that know and have lived the misery that is living in Cuba. 1 It is not just this Administration that accuses Havana (communist government) against Human rights violations, It is the Cuban. Americans exile community that suffered the evil of the communist party that put pressure on their US elected officials to do what their constituents are asking them to do. 2 The blockade is not to diminish the standard of living of the Cuban people, it is to suffocate the evil communist party totalitarian regime. The communist party is responsible for the hunger and misery of the people. 3 The US is not stimulating migrations North, it is the communist party’s abuses, ineptitude that squashes peoples lives and makes it impossible to live and have any future in the island. 4 They are accepted in the US because they know they are running away from human rights abuses, from being killed by ineptitude, or the unqualified or apathy of the communist party. 5 Why is he blaming the causes of migration on the US? There is hunger and misery on the island. The cause is the communist party. 6 Fernandez and the communist party need the migrants to go to the US and send money back to them. They’ve ruined the country and produce nothing. 7 The difficult economic conditions of the country is due to the destruction of all businesses and properties and the looting of all businesses and properties stolen at the onset of Fidel in 1959. There is so much wrong here. To conclude… Many have been incarcerated or killed, 1000 plus since protests of summer of 2021, people are being threatened to not say anything or not publish videos and pictures of the abuses that have always been there, but now there’s internet and phones. Currently they take children to do military service against their will. THE PEOPLE DONT WANT THAT SYSTEM ANYMORE! The Castro, Canel and families suck the life out of the islands people just so that they can stay in power. This is a brutal totalitarian regime and are conducting a genocide in slow motion. Anyone that doesn’t see that is just blind. Thank you for reading. From a Cuban American
@Lily Oquendo I am Polish, see my entry above. I know a lot of Cuban protest in Florida, but as you write yourself, Cuban who live in Cuba cannot do anything else, not even write the truth.
Buenas noches!
We need to help Cubans to get out of the island it is an other communist catsdyroph most Cubans want to gky to usa,once in usa cuban succeed quite well,so the problem is not cuban people.there is no blocade between Cuba and china,do in uds you see about ,90 purcent products made in china,so why don t let Cubans people go buy on wish or Ali express like all other citizens of the world dhl deliver everywhere mainly in each large city in Cuba,do why Cuba boycott china and Vietnam,I don t understand
The Cuban people are so beautiful! But it's up to them to choose freedom.
@@vancouver4sure They have chosen freedom and its doesn't include US big business.
@@kimobrien. They have chosen freedom but the dictators in charge won't allow them any.
Very good Discussion! It shows that two Educated people from different countries can sit down and talk respectfully with each other. After all its good to listen to both sides ( all sides ) of a story with a open mind.
This is not a discussion, is a declaration...worst journalism ever
translation - "we gonna throw a tantrum because cuba doesnt like us"
Kool
under the current socialist system in cuba no investor will invest on that island i dam sure wouldn’t. The government doesn’t want what’s best for its people they want full control.
Because they aren’t allowed to talk the truth. Those that live well like this guy, doesn’t speak for the people.
The problem is the disenter's lack a justice cause to defend and no monopoly on practical ideas that will move the poorest people forward.
Agreed !
@@kimobrien. No Kim, the problem is No free Press, No Free Market, and only the big gov has control... that's what All socialism lead to.
@@jonc6157 No corporate press, no stock market with a capitalist ownership class to corrupt the government. Decisions made on how to best to advance the Cuban working people and the international struggle for a just world. A society with little violence where people share what the have with others. Big government control is where the logic of capitalism leads to as the need to guarantee profits of the two big to fail and the national debt becomes paramount along with the need to win the battle of the world market and guarantee foreign investment from other national ruling classes. Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism as you break up into competing blocks of capitalist countries on the way to war and fascism. You ruling classes are much too greedy to stay away from the cookie jar and war becomes the way arbitrate world trade disputes. For as machine replace labor the rate of profit must decline when the market becomes saturated with no more room room for monopoly sales at a profit.
@@kimobrien. All the real world evidence suggests you are false, look at Venezuela, what happened, why did the Soviet's fail, why is North Korea poor and South Korea well fed, why are the Swiss well fed but Cuban's starving... Look, as long as corps are not monopolies then they are Not like commie governments that control everything, it's the commie gov's that control All that make everyone starve.. just look at the country profiles, lose the ideology bs.
Very good interview.
Carlos Fernández very informative and great at defending CUBA....
There is no "blockade", that is a fallacy of these tyrants. There is an embargo: laws that reduce to almost zero the possibility of the Cuban government to export to the US, US companies to invest directly in Cuba, and the exceptions cannot open lines of credit with the Cuban state. Prohibited to use U.S. banks for transactions from/with Cuba. Added to this are sanctions against companies from 3rd countries that make investments or do business with properties stolen by the Cuban dictatorship (however, in spite of it, multinationals such as RIU and TUI manage dozens of hotels in Cuba).
But... is the embargo the cause, or the main cause of the total Cuban disaster?
No. Not at all.
Let's start with a topical issue. In recent years, Cuba received credits from Russia and Qatar of hundreds of millions of dollars specifically for the renovation of the country's energy industry. The corrupt totalitarian regime invested those funds in building hotels instead of renovating power plants. Today the national energy system has collapsed.
Precisely, the Cuban economic disaster is due in the first place to the fact that the tyrants (for 50 years Fidel Castro personally, and since his death a handful of select members of the Raul Castro clan) do and undo with the economy and the country's wealth as they please. Zero control, zero division of powers, zero critical media, zero opposition.
Virtually each and every day that this disgusting tyranny lasts (we are going on 23,000 days) the tyrannt has committed one economic barbarity after another, with devastating effects. The nationalization (expropriation) in 1960 of everything, even micro businesses like barber shops and dry cleaners, was a hydrogen bomb on the national economy. Not even a hundred thousand years of U.S. embargo could destroy so much. Hundreds of Castro crazy plans like "el cordón de La Habana" (deforesting a belt of fruit plantations to grow coffee which never grew) and the "zafra de los 10 millones" (paralizing the entire economy and putting all resources to achieve a messianic and unreached sugar production goal) were disastrous tyrannical mistakes. Eliminating all incentives for farmers and reducing agricultural production to a minimum (peasantry is nearly extincted today) has resulted in cronical and acute food shortage since time immemorial. And as mentioned already: the most recent totalitarian economic crime is the obsessed and uncontrolled and erroneous bet on tourism: 90% of state budget going into tourism investment (to make it worse: corrupt and badly managed), neglecting everything else, from schools to hospitals to power stations. And so, day after day, for 23,000 days, since January 1, 1959, one economic disaster after another due to totalitarian powers of tyrants who make impactful economic decisions out of any control. This is the root cause of Cuba's destruction, accounting for 99% of the disaster.
Then there is the model of centralized state economy that is applied to the entire economy, from large factories to hotel management to micro businesses. This weird economic model has never worked in any country or time. The idleness caused by the lack of incentives, the generalized theft, mismanagement by inept and corrupt state employees, are infinitely more harmful than the worst embargo. Adding that this sick economic model suppresses any private initiative.
Cuba cannot import many things directly from the US. However, it can import from any other country. Cuba can buy any manufactured product in China (and cheaper than in the US). The issue here is that the Cuban state chronically lacks liquidity and reserves (and nobody lends Cuba anymore, because Cuban state never pays back) to buy and import, for the reasons explained above. And everything gets worse because of the absolute monopoly of the state over imports and exports. However, when the state has dollars, it goes and buys whatever it wants on the world market. Materials to build luxury hotels, for example. Or thousands of brand new cars for tourism and for the repressive apparatus (police, black berets). And then they have the nerve to say that there are no ambulances "because of the embargo".
The Soviet subsidies 1960-1990 were of a unique magnitude in history: never before has one country sucked so much from another. Those massive resources 'arrived by pipeline' and were largely wasted in (1) gigantic and unsustainable projects, e.g.: sowing the country with boarding schools ("becas"), a mega-investment only possible because the USSR paid for it; when the sucker with the wallet disappeared the boarding schools ruined; (2) in financing armament, army and wars in Angola, Ethiopia, Grenada; (3) in training, coordinating, equipping, logistically and financially supporting left-wing parties and organizations and guerrillas in Latin America; (4) in maintaining a costly, powerful and effective communist propaganda industry that spanned the entire world. In other words, no investment was made in foundational developing, those resources were thrown out of the window... as it was a gift, and it was foreseen that the pipeline would last forever.
Conclusion. Yes, there is an embargo. But it is the tyrants and their system who have destroyed Cuba.
Enough of empty slogans!
Enough of destruction and misery!
Enough of the exodus of our children!
Enough of repression!
Enough of filling the jails with young Cubans!
Enough of justifying the unjustifiable!
Enough of lying!
Enough stealing!
Go away you scoundrels!
Abajo la dictadura!
Viva Cuba libre!
I will second that!
Vietnam too is a Socialist state but Vietnam institute reforms in order to adopt to the new realities of the world for Cuba to duplicate the same policy is up to the head of the socialist government.
Vietnam is not socialist though (despite their name). It is capitalistic communism. Capitalism and socialism actually can not truly go hand in hand... as they are literal opposites. There exists (nor has there ever existed) a truly socialist country in the world.
@@kated3165 pardon,but please do your research ok Vietnam is not a capitalist country but a socialist one.
@@jamesdoliente5213 I did my research... no one thinks Vietnam is actually a socialist country. It is communist. There are no currently existing countries that are truly socialist... nor has there ever been.
05/04/23 Cuba es uno de los países más pobres del mundo. Actualmente, se acerca al nivel de Corea del Norte, que también está construyendo el socialismo, pero los habitantes no tienen nada para comer. En ese momento, el Kremlin hitler prometió comida a los coreanos a cambio de soldados coreanos que lucharían contra Ucrania.
Cuba is one of the poorest countries in the world. Currently, it is approaching its level to North Korea, which is also building socialism, but the inhabitants have nothing to eat. At this moment, the Kremlin hitler promised Koreans food in exchange for Korean soldiers who would fight against Ukraine.
comer. En ese momento, el Kremlin hitler prometió comida a los coreanos a cambio de soldados coreanos que lucharían contra Ucrania.
Cuba is one of the poorest countries in the world. Currently, it is approaching its level to North Korea, which is also building socialism, but the inhabitants have nothing to eat. At this moment, the Kremlin hitler promised Koreans food in exchange for Korean soldiers who would fight against Ukraine.
Gracias Gracias Viva Cuba Patria o Muerte Venceremos Siempre Hoy manana como ayer Palante Si patras Jamas
Well......at least they should admit their model is unworkable. Instead of punitive and degrading policies they should be looking to provide real optimism for their citizens. Instead of cream only for their elite there should be butter on every slice of bread
Agreed !
@@jonc6157 Why not admit that the US capitalist system is unworkable? That all that happens is the rich get more and the rest are being pushed into crushing poverty.
I definitely agree, the minimum wage is ridiculously low compared to inflation, people who work full time in regular jobs still need to be on food stamps.
There should be open dialog with Cuba because this bad blood has gone on long enough!!
The only dialogue would be between the Dictator of Cuba and the elected officials of the US... think about that for a blink of an eye.
Why the embargo and what benefit.
...fernandez is solid and intelligent, loving his country; the interviewer is predetermined like an actor, confident when she's said her lines that she can leave this petulant socialism
Mr. Fernandez says what he must say to maintain his position. Over 60 years have passed and Cuba is in a worse economic situation than it was before the revolution. There is NOTHING on the shelves in the shops. Cubans are hungry, inflation is astronomical, unemployment is huge and the government promises more "summer sunshine"! Nothing more!
Fernandez doesn't love his country. He just loves the regime he works for that has done plenty to destroy the country.
Oh comrade
@@henrykstopikowski5379 You can end your 60 year criminal blockade of the Island.
Not intelligent
Si yo hubiese tenido en la vida un cargo en el gobierno , enseguida renuncio ; yo no trabajaría jamás en favor de dirigentes asesinos como Raúl Castro , y Canel .
Say what you like about Cuba, but they chose their deputy foreign minister well.
Another top down government lackey you mean...
How much cash has this fellow stashed in Switzerland?
12/12/22 I returned from Cuba on November 11, 2022 after a month stay at the hotel. I will never go back to Cuba. Unless the government changes to democratic.
The bulls hit the comes out of this man’s mouth
Viva CUBA
Only when they become free market.
Safe Cuba.
Interesting
nice
Viva Cuba 🇨🇺
Only when they become free market.
First 💙
This lady seems very antagonistic and bigoted. She's mad at the Cubans for whatever reason, and keeps side-stepping the fact that the U.S. government is committing a crime against humanity.
She's a reporter she's supposed to ask the tough questions she's not there to be nice. He understands this because he's intelligent so he's not offended instead he replies accordingly and doesn't jump to simple minded conclusions like you.
Yes she seems very hostile towards Cuba.
The former U.S. President Donald Trump accuse Cuba of being a state that sponsors terrorism.
But as we can see Donald Trump did not want to leave the White House as president of America, after he lost the presidential election to Joe Biden. So Donald Trump had thousands of his fanatic, terrorist Republican followers go to America's capital city Washington D.C. and tried to take over the U.S. Government by force in a coup. But it did not work. So Donald Trump is really the terrorist, not Cuba.
America also accused Venezuela of terrorism and put sanctions against Venezuela Government and economy, causing great economic difficulties in Venezuela.
But when Russia recently went into Ukraine doing its "Special Military Operation." America and Europe and all the countries of NATO put sanctions against Russia and tried to destroy its economy, by forcing countries not to buy Russia Oil and Gas.
Now that Global oil supplies are low because of America and the countries of NATO sanctions against Russia is slowing down the sale of oil and gas from Russia to the world.
America went back to Venezuela begging for Venezuela to sell America and the world it's oil, it was America and NATO that destroyed the economy of Venezuela.
America's military is All Around the World in foreign countries taking their resources, and many of those countries or small island do not want America there,
The Hypocrisy of Democracy.
Long Live Cuba, Long Live Russia, Long Live Venezuela they are all Great.
@@halluciongen3000 journalists do treat their interviewee like idiots sometimes. and not all questions are constructive. sure, it's nice to keep asking "when will cuba be a democracy?". but instead of insisting on a narrative, which we all know won't happen anytime soon, they could be asking about what the interviewee thinks he/she wants to do or see happen, and their future plans. it's not the interviewers' job to push an ideology or to change the interviewee's mind, their job is to extract information from the interview for us
yes it has become a normal interview style where an endeavour to understand has been replaced by antagonism, prejudice. It eminates from media so wealthy it does not need to understand the world but needs only to frame the world in the narrative that aligns with its donors
What "crime against humanity" are you talking about? The embargo? The embargo is ineffectual and foolish, but the idea that it constitutes a crime against humanity is just silly. And *YOU* keep side-stepping all the massive failures of the Cuban communist system to provide a decent standard of living for its people, especially in recent years-not to mention the political repression the regime carries out against any Cuban who dares to disagree with it.
Repeating mistakes? Or keeping one solution to an old problem that didn’t worked several times
Maybe its time for a socialist revolution in the United States.
Time for the Americans to line with its neighbour Cuban,
Can you imagine the tourism potential?
What a shame
Get rid of dictators and tourism is great, keep commie dictators and reap what you sow.
They had it.and the U.S companies as usual monopolized it and had ll the money while there was tons of homeless people living in shanty towns not far from the hotels.
Thats part of what the Cuban Revolution was about.
Guess you are young. They have had modern Tourism since the early 90's...Thats how the government makes money and one reason they are surviving. the U.S blockade.
They go to a mixed economy and stick to large companies
You are mixed up.
@@kimobrien. how so ?
@@urbanentertainmentgodz Why even talk that mixed economy BS. All that is nonsense inverted by Bourgeois professors who needed a way to divorce economics and politics.
@@kimobrien. because you are on a status about cuba and you are seeing the stagnation the command economy causes ..
In Cuba school kids don’t get killed as in the USA
Even 99.9% cuban people are educated very well
@@anmona4803 You can't eat education. All your doctors are slave labour in other countries so their government can make money. Why don't you check what happens to their pay in Brazil and South Africa.
@@jonye7511 Lmao CIA bot active everywhere
@@anmona4803 Thought you were educated.
@@jonye7511 Propagandist have no rule
Why don't they migrate to South America..! .
Or Russia?
Cuba is not a friend or ally, so why should we treat them as such. The American dollars is our currency we control how it's used.
Neither is China yet its on the most favored nation list for trade.
Where are all those missing protestors from the the July protests ? Dead or in prison
When Cuba except s 2506 help so Cuba can be free economically everything will change
Why Cuban want to immigrate to America???
Like any other country of the south many believe in the so called American Dream
Oh I don't know , maybe the allegedly "world's best health care" is not enough to keep them in Cuba , you know , with the grinding poverty, government surveillance, backwards economy with no chance to move upwards.
I don't know , most people want MORE than health care.
Please try to make a video with people against the Cuban government
In another word, Cuban communists are NOT ready to give up their dictatorship power...LOL
Its time for the US to let go of the past and move forward towards the future. How much more do Cubans need to suffer? When is enough, enough?
It’s not US fault!!! The only blockade it’s called Castros Regime!! How is it so hard to understand, cuba has an embargo that won’t be lifted until the dictators give us back our freedom and democracy!! That’s it.
@@adamsm.fernandez7512 So where is the blocade of Saudi, or china? I think after Bush that line doesnt work anymore.
it’s infinitely more difficult to make large-scale/long-term experiments on social/political issues than natural phenomena, which makes Cuba all the more important in order to discern how socialism works without falling into the trap of despotism. In my view, Cuba seems to make a good contrast to North Korea.
Even with the blatant bullying by AmeriCancer, Cuba has somehow been able to survive with its socialism. So, it’s easy to imagine what Cuba would be like without those unnecessary and malicious sanctions.
North Korea has been helping Cuba for many years, you should look into North Korea its a lot more interesting than the Western media portrays it.
Cube is in decay, and it's people are the slaves of the top gov officials, it's so obvious.
@@kingsugulleh North Korea is about as interesting and way less prosperous then serfdom during medieval France. The majority are a bunch of slaves that have zero power to talk bad about their own government. No free press, no free anything, duh !
It's not the socialism's fault. You chose a country out of spite and you point and say: see, it's their own fault. US is physically blockading not only politically.
Just look at Iran bro. It has been under sanction for almost 70 years yet you can still find toilet paper and soap. Socialism doesn’t work bcs no one can micromanage a whole economy.
Sadly, the Cuban Government is unwilling to take corrective action to better the lives of the Cuban people.
@Raul Pendas The government of Cuba does not want because this government cannot offer Cuban anything, only old propaganda on TV.
The Cuban government listens to what those on the Island want. Which more than what the US Congress and the rest of the government does.
@@kimobrien. nice opinion. Did a youtuber give it to you?
@@kimobrien. dam your blind
@@kimobrien. What a joke. You ever even been to Cuba or you just read their propaganda bs online?
The United States does not have to solve the economic problems of Cuba. Cuba can solve its own economic problems by getting rid of communism once and for all. Case in point, Russia. Enough said!
No one wants Milton Freed man's shock therapy or Bill Clinton's approval of tanks blasting the in Supreme Soviet in Cuba. The American Imperialist can end their criminal blockade and campaign of economic sabotage.
it's not Cuba but the aged revolutionaries and their younger relatives do not know what to do and don't want to give up their privileges
somebody say hi to Pombo for us and the EZLN Zapatista Solidaridy Coalition ,in Sacramento And all the revolutionarys of the special interest section. revolution...
or MUERTE!!!
What an amazing lesson of diplomacy.
Yes honest questions and lies.
Senator Fernandez is quite correct in his assessment of the situation between USA and Cuba..The USA does not want Cuba to succeed in its socialist policy .The USA want continue with its capitalist policy of exploitation and greed
And Cuba wants the US to fail too. Cuba can trade with China Russia EU. All they need is a system that csn succed.
@Godfrey Fortuin The US government does not want to support the Cuban government because the Cuba government takes American aid for itself and leaves nothing for Cuban. If you think otherwise, you are very naive!
Mr. Fernandez says what he must say to maintain his position. Over 60 years have passed and Cuba is in a worse economic situation than it was before the revolution. There is NOTHING on the shelves in the shops. Cubans are hungry, inflation is astronomical, unemployment is huge and the government promises more "summer sunshine"! Nothing more!
Oh boy. Grow up.
Then give Cubans the right to decide that. This is not a question of economic policy, but one about a group of people exercising power over the rest of the country. Communists tend to become dictators. If socialism works, allow people to vote for it then.
Go Cuba !
Only if they are free market, otherwise they love being slaves to big government policy.
I LOVE CUBA!
Oh it’s worked so well for you hasn’t it, you lived better 100 years ago than you do today.
Haha! Agreed!
Millones de canadienses disfrutan de las hermosas playas de Cuba, como yo tengo en Cayo Coco, y también disfrutan que se les permita el derecho a protestar pacíficamente en público por cualquier tema en Canadá.
Cuba en 2022 necesita permitir a sus ciudadanos el derecho a protestar pacíficamente cualquier tema en público, sea a favor o en contra del Gobierno cubano o no tenga nada que ver con ningún gobierno! (Google Translate)
Millions of Canadians enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cuba, as I have in Cayo Coco, and they also enjoy being allowed the right to peacefully protest in public any issue in Canada.
Cuba in 2022 needs to allow it's citizens the right to peacefully protest any issue in public,
whether it is pro or against the Cuban Government or has nothing to do with any government!
Maybe that's not a good thing considering how long the trucker protest lasted and how horrible it was for the people who lived there.
@@eemilsavolainen5129 The FreeDUMB Truckers are right wing stooges being played the Fool,
real Democratic change has happened by the people standing up for their rights!
A smooth, suave and educated Cuban - a species anathema to the Americans.
Another top down government lackey, a species anathema to freedom you mean, wow.
@@jonc6157 what freedom are you talking about? The freedom of a rotten middle school system, or the freedom to declare bankruptcy because you have to cover your medical bills by selling off your home or the freedom to carry a gun so that you or someone else can cut your life short because of a hot temper or trigger itch or the freedom to buy drugs from every street corner or local gang distributor?
@@galabaga Compare the freedom of Switzerland to the freedom of Venezuela, one is capitalist free market, the other socialist, the truth on the ground comparison is no comparison. Heck the US in compared to any socialist country, and don't use the Denmark excuse, the Nordic countries have huge business freedom, they just tax the middle class more. but they have business freedom which allows for them Not to starve, unlike Venezuela or Cuba or any real socialist country, the Soviets' are the perfect example. And the State Capitalism argument is lame, so how else to socialists think things should run, family farms only where everyone is supposed to be a Borg member like start trek?
@@jonc6157 I see you are avoiding talking about China.
@@galabaga Oh, really, you mean slave loving China where the Uighur's pick cotton for the CCP...
Good for Cuba!!! Solidarity!
The cynicism of the Cuban government is appalling.
He only says what he can. I can't write either because all my entries are erased. How long will this system of evil and obsessions be in Cuba?
Socialism will continue in Cuba until the Citizens rise up and throw it out.
Take your delusions in Polish capitalism and explain where all the jobs in the Gdansk shipyard went.
@@kimobrien. Who are you? Soviet agent? Poland is flourishing and there is enough work for everyone. Don't worry about Stocznia im. Marshal Pilsudski who in 1920 protected Europe from Bolshevism!
Go to Cuba, dog and horse sausage waiting for you and drinking water from the sewer.
@@henrykstopikowski5379 Poland is not immune to problems of capitalist world market. Poland is part of American Imperialist NATO military allaince. Imperialist nationalist are always out for themselves will gladly sit back while other nations take the punishment. Imperialist world more than happy to have Marshal Pilsudski. Putin wants to reestablish CZAR's Russian Empire which Poland was a rat of. American imperialism in decline vs the other Imperialist powers. German Imperialists already reaming due to Russian Imperialism. British and Americans willing to fight until last dead Ukrainian like British have always done with Poland. Go ahead and fight for the Imperialists they'll be glad to make you into cannon fodder.
Speaking of Cubans, Arturo Sandoval who defected from Cuba in 1992 has always said that Cuba is a island with 11 .33 million slaves, many who have not had a glass of milk for many years. Fix your country before criticizing any other.
and who are the cubans whom can actually get an airplane ticket to chile panama or argentina?
Please, DON'T EVER be willing to give up socialism 🙏🙏✌️!!!!
Yes, all the socialist countries are thriving as their leaders are wealthy.
Said the zombies who keep starving and slaver over big government bosses...
***** As a reminder, that Henderson law CAN be changed by executive order or Congress or by someone [OR SOMEONES] within the US suing the govt/challenging the "constitutionality" of that law. Yes the supreme court or Congress could fu©k up the first two options if someone ever repealed that law. SCOTUS could also fu¢k up number three by considering the Henderson law to be "constitutional", ie legal but that would take someone actually changing or trying to change that law FIRST - WHICH IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE... It's ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS really a matter of WILL anyone ever change/repeal it 😣😞🥺 *****
ALSO, I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE BULLSHIT LAW TO WHICH HE REFERRED, THE SAME LAW SHE MORE OR LESS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
American here. Here’s my perspective on this. Ever since their revolution, Cuba has been an enemy of the United States. Not the kind of enemy you fight to the death, but the kind you pressure until they conveniently go away. They sided with the USSR during the Cold War, and they’ve continued on the same path even after the USSR’s collapse. The United States is a country, and just like any other country, it will treat its enemies differently from its allies and neutrals. The United States is waiting for Cuba’s government to be replaced with, if not an ally, then at least something they can do business with. The US can wait a few decades if it has to.
That said, two things can be true at the same time. While Cuba is under economic attack from the US, it’s socialist system of government is dysfunctional at its core.
Furthermore, despite what the crazies say, Cubans emigrating to the US is a benefit to the US. The Cuban government is a foe, but Cubans are a valuable addition to our country. Cuba’s loss is our gain.
If Cuba wishes to prosper, then it’s fundamental system of government and foreign policy needs to change.
congratulation! You clearly acknowledged that your governement is beeing an Imperialistic threat that will do anything in its power to keep Cuba in poverty until its beeing replaced by a governement that goes along your interest. If you don't have the slightest compassion for the Cubans who have been suffering the effects of your repressive policies and human rights violations for sixty years, you are at least honest.
Cuba can't prosper even if it wishes to, because of the embargo and other politics the US weaponizes against them. The US will only change their actions if Cuba accepts the same kind of capitalism the US has. Many politicians are seen arguing that socialism will fail by itself, but in Cuba it hasn't failed even when faced by hostility.
@@jungo9054 Have you looked into why sanctions were put on Cuba. This is a fact that is seemingly overlooked.
The Cuban state has routinely appropriated the land and investment of foreign companies, not only the USA. This is why the US put the initial embargo on Cuba - the Cuban government has simply stolen hundreds of millions of dollars of assets and property from US investors. This has happened to other countries too. Spanish companies in the 90s started to invest more heavily in the country until the Cuban state again started to appropriate their investments without recompense. What do you think investors do when a government consistently steels from them? They go elsewhere, specifically the Dominican Republic next door in which citizens enjoy a vastly superior quality of life because their government merely corrupt, not total authoritarians who don't believe in private property.
The Cuban government is to blame for the poverty in Cuba. They have had decades to negotiate with the Americans, which they haven't even attempted to do. Why should the most wealthy country on earth allow its citizens to have their money stolen by a tiny communist island? It's on Cuba to come to the table, not the US. Further to this, they have been free to trade with the rest of the world, but most countries simply won't trade with them and investors stay away because the communist government has a track record of appropriating investments when it sees fit.
I can tell by your answer you haven't been to Cuba and don't really understand much about the issue. If you actually set foot on the island and speak to people you will see just how sick the communist regime is. I've lived in various places around the Caribbean including Cuba and Cuba is beyond poor, it's simply disgusting and tragically unecessary.
@@joblakelisbon Sanctions were placed on them because they’re not a pro-west globalist banana republic anymore, they were placed on the country for regime change that simple.
@@joblakelisbonwell China is building spy base
Why don't Cuba Trade With South American Countries..Neighbors..?!.Brazil..Etc..!
Viva la revolucion......
? They have for a million years, to what, more starvation and big government idiocy...
The need is for a multi party state and free elections
Cuba is the Ukrainian metaphor for the USA
You didn’t mention ya sanctuons
I feel sorry for Cubans they want to rule but are stuck between two powerful countries dogma