The UN General Assembly votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba | November 2, 2023
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This week, we report on the 31st consideration of the UN General Assembly resolution to end the embargo on Cuba; the vote was held on Thursday with an overwhelming majority of member states voting in favor of the resolution. Last Wednesday, Cuba’s government officials took to social media to express their solidarity with Mexico’s government following the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico. Once again, Cuba’s private sector makes headlines as it becomes a vital economic contributor to the island, showing rapid growth since its legalization in September 2021. President Miguel Díaz-Canel was interviewed by The Nation where he delved into the U.S. economic embargo, U.S.-Cuba relations, and Cuba’s economic challenges.
See you next week!
U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
UN General Assembly votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba: On Thursday, the annual United Nations (UN) General Assembly, or UNGA, vote on whether to adopt a resolution advocating to end the U.S. economic and trade embargo on Cuba was held in New York City at the Assembly’s 78th session. 187 countries voted in favor of the non-binding resolution condemning the embargo. The U.S. and Israel once again voted against the resolution, and the sole abstention was from Ukraine (AP News). While the vote is not legally-binding, it signals the US’ and the international community’s position on the embargo. Before the vote, on Wednesday, several member state representatives called for the US to end the economic embargo on Cuba. In 2022, the resolution was voted on with 185 votes in favor and two against from the United States and Israel and two abstentions from Brazil and Ukraine.
U.S-Cuba Relations Recommended Readings and Viewings
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Talks Cuba’s Future In Recent The Nation Interview: In late September, The Nation interviewed Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel where he discussed various aspects of Cuba’s current situation, including the enduring impact of the U.S. embargo, U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations, and the country’s economic challenges. This interview coincided with his visit to New York, where he delivered a speech at the UN general debate session condemning the U.S. embargo. When asked about the future of U.S.-Cuba relations, he mentioned that Cuba seeks a civilized, normal relationship but emphasized the need for both sides to engage in dialogue and address differences constructively. President Díaz-Canel emphasized that normalization of relations with the U.S. would be in the interest of both nations, especially for the well-being of the Cuban people and welcomed the restoration of some Obama-era policies, like remittances and family travel, under the Biden-Harris administration. However, he stated that he does not “expect too much to change with the Biden administration,” given the absence of concrete actions from President Biden regarding the embargo or more substantial diplomatic engagement, despite campaign promises.
IN CUBA
Organizations report more than 60 femicides in Cuba: Reported femicides in Cuba have reached 67 deaths, with six taking place within the last two weeks (Univision). As CDA has previously reported, the number of femicides reported in Cuba so far in 2023 nearly surpasses the total number of women murdered for gender-related reasons throughout 2022 and 2021 combined, which stood at 34 and 36 respectively. The fight against gender-based violence on the island is not new. In February, a dozen independent Cuban feminist groups signed a letter urging Cuban authorities to approve a comprehensive Gender Violence law, or “a mechanism that consists of establishing measures to prevent and eradicate behaviors that promote gender violence, along with protection protocols for survivors.” According to the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas, “the most dangerous place for women is their own home,” as a large number of femicide perpetrators are the victim’s partners or ex-partners. According to the Gender Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, “at least 4,473 women were victims of femicide in Latin American and the Caribbean in 2021.”
To learn more about women in Cuba, including the current discussion and treatment of gender-based violence, the effects of Cuba’s migratory and economic crises on Cuban women’s lives on the island, women in the labor force and Cuba’s care crises, and more, read CDA’s interview with Cuban experts Ailynn Torres Santana and Tamarys L. Bahamonde here.
Cuba’s private sector employs around 260,000 workers: Nearly 9,000 private Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) employ 260,000 individuals in Cuba (OnCuba News). While these numbers are smaller than the 1.4 million workers in state-owned enterprises, MSMEs play a significant role in revitalizing Cuba’s economy amidst the current economic landscape. According to data published by Cubadebate, in 2023, the private sector including cooperatives which encompass MSMEs, accounts for 13 percent of Cuba’s GDP, 8 percent of imports, and .2 percent of exports. These MSMEs are predominantly involved in the gastronomy, construction, manufacturing, and food production sectors. During an interview with Mesa Redonda, or Round Table, last month, President Miguel Díaz-Canel mentioned that Cuba’s government is working on updating regulations to address operational issues and “distortions” in the MSME sector. MSMEs were legalized in September 2021, providing private businesses with their own legal personality and more robust formal business structures.
This summer, CDA hosted a delegation of four Cuban entrepreneurs in Washington, D.C. click here for more information about the trip!
CUBAN MIGRATION
Cuban Migration Recommended Readings and Viewings
Cuba’s exodus reaches over 400,000 people leaving the island: Over the past two years, 425,000 Cubans, nearly 4 percent of Cuba’s population, have emigrated to the United States according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol data, marking the island’s historic migration crisis (The Miami Herald). Officials from the Biden-Harris Administration are scheduled to meet in November with Cuba’s officials to discuss the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords–a bilateral agreement dating back to 1984. According to a U.S. State Department spokesperson the semiannual talks “are consistent with our interest in fostering family reunification and promoting greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.”
Increased flights from Cuba to Nicaragua: Nicaragua has become a migration route for people seeking to leave Cuba, given that it does not require visas for entry (AP News). In August of this year, Nicaragua’s government began allowing the use of charter flights from Cuba to Nicaragua. Flight data indicates that since August, 172 charter flights have transported around 17,000 people from Cuba to Nicaragua. After Nicaragua lifted visa requirements for Cubans in November 2021, the demand for flights from Cuba to Central America, and even South America, increased significantly and many of the flight itineraries include multi-stop flights in neighboring countries such as Panama. Countries including Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Panama have announced transit visa requirements for Cubans since 2021, while Costa Rica announced new restrictions beginning February 2022. More recently, Mexico announced that all Cubans transiting through international airports in Mexico must now secure a transit visa, this has prompted several flight cancellations and the suspension of Viva Aerobus layover flights en route to Nicaragua. Read CDA’s most recent reporting on Mexico’s new requirements here.
Click here for data on Cuban migration to the United States, including total Cuban migration to the U.S. and the number of Cubans interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
CUBA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Cuba offers assistance to Mexico following Hurricane Otis: Last Wednesday, Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel took to X, formerly Twitter, to convey solidarity with Mexico in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco (Prensa Latina). As of last Sunday, the category 5 hurricane with winds upwards of 165 miles per hour has taken the lives of at least 43 people in Mexico’s south pacific coast. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, expressed her gratitude to President Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, as well as Cuba’s Embassy in Mexico, stating that she was deeply touched by their words of encouragement. Later that week, Mr. Rodríguez Parrilla confirmed that Cuban medical specialists in Mexico were mobilizing to aid in relief efforts, with some doctors traveling up to eleven hours to support high-need areas.
30th Session of the Cuba-China Intergovernmental Commission: Last Thursday, during the 30th Session of the the Cuba-China Intergovernmental Commission, Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba, Ricardo Cabrisas, and the Minister of Commerce of China, Wang Wentao, signed bilateral agreements to strengthen Cuba-China “bilateral cooperation (Prensa Latina).” The 30th session highlighted cooperation between the two nations in key areas of shared interest, such as biotechnology, food production, and commerce. Cuba and China have deepened their ties economically in recent years, with China emerging as an important trade partner and investor in Cuba. Over the past year, Cuba reaffirmed that strengthening relations with China is a high-priority for the island. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached around $1 billion in 2021, with Chinese investments spanning sectors such as telecommunications, renewable energy, tourism, biotechnology, and infrastructure development. Thursday’s session marked Mr. Cabrisas’ last day in China, following his 10-day working visit beginning October 16th. Shortly after, he met with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Serguéi Riabkov and denounced the “unilateral sanctions” from western powers. To learn more about Cuba-China biotechnical cooperation, read here.
Civil Society Organizations in Argentina send Cuba medical supplies: Last Wednesday, Argentina’s Agency for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance, also known as Cascos Blancos, shipped 350 kilograms of medical supplies to Cuba through the Cubana de Aviación airline (Prensa Latina). These supplies, collected through donations by the Argentine Movement of Solidarity with Cuba and the Union of Cuban Residents in Argentina, will be used in hospitals and the medical field in Cuba. Argentina and Cuba have also increased collaboration and economic and trade relations in recent years, beginning with announcements made by both governments in September 2021, in which the countries ratified strengthened bilateral cooperation in agriculture and stated their desire to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations. In addition to collaboration in the agricultural and economic sectors, Argentina’s government has also recently supported Cuba’s public health initiatives and provided humanitarian aid to the island in response to recent natural disasters.
Cuba’s Foreign Relations Recommended Readings and Viewings
First direct flight between Czech Republic and Cuba in 15 years: A new charter flight has initiated a direct route between Bratislava and Prague in the Czech Republic to Santa Clara in Cuba, marking the first direct flight between both nations in over 15 years (Prensa Latina).
EVENTS
Film Screening and Discussion: Blue Heart, November 3 | Miami, FL
FIU is hosting a screening and discussion of a science fiction feature film “Blue Heart” written and directed by Miguel Coyula banned in Cuba, which tells the story of individuals genetically altered before birth with the aim of building the “new man” and saving the socialist utopia. Banned in Cuba, the film is about the individual's inability to escape his/her environment and the violent nature of a revolution and its consequences.
In-Person Book Presentation | Cuban Music Counterpoints: Vanguardia Musical in Global Networks, November 4 | Miami, FL
In this book, Dr. Marysol Quevedo maps the intellectual and artistic networks Cuban composers forged between 1940 and 1991 by exploring concerts, festivals, and recordings that shed light on how they negotiated aesthetic and political agendas at local and international levels. Beginning with the modernist neoclassicism of the Grupo de Renovación Musical in the 1940s and its Pan Americanist backdrop, the book moves through the more turbulent 1950s and the post-1959 revolutionary period.
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of CDA.