US Claims Against Cuba: The Memory Endures in the People

In these complex times, marked by the extreme intensification of the US blockade against Cuba. It is impossible to erase from memory so many criminal actions, threats, and historical attempts at annexation. Ever since Benjamin Franklin raised the issue as a necessity back in 1767.

Cuba—whose first gestures of solidarity took place precisely during the struggles for independence of the Thirteen English Colonies in North America (1776-1783). It has always remained under the expansionist gaze of its northern neighbor. Franklin’s early idea of annexation was reaffirmed 16 years later by John Adams—George Washington’s vice president (1789-1797) and his successor as president (1797-1801). Also who emphasized that this island was a natural extension of the North American continent. And because it was a continuation of the United States, its annexation was necessary.

This growing desire to seize Cuba was also reaffirmed in 1805 by then-President Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809). Who informed the British representative in Washington that, should his country go to war against Spain. It would seize Cuba to maintain the security of Louisiana and Florida, which at that time did not belong to the Union.

In 1823, John Quincy, then Secretary of State under President James Monroe, sent a letter to the Spanish government. Reiterating the aspiration to annex this Caribbean island. Two years later, the U.S. government itself opposed the efforts of Colombia and Mexico for Cuban independence. In 1826, at the Congress of Panama, it also prevented the approval of Simón Bolívar’s proposal for the independence of Cuba and Puerto Rico.

In 1848, towards the end of President James K. Pok’s term, Spain was offered the purchase of Cuba for up to $100 million. A proposition that persisted into the 1870s.

When the War of Independence began with the armed uprising led by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes on October 10th, 1868. At his sugar mill in eastern Cuba, La Demajagua, the nascent U.S. empire closely monitored events. During the War of Independence in 1895, organized by José Martí and the Cuban Revolutionary Party, the U.S. employed the policy of “the ripe fruit.” Meaning they waited for Cuban and Spanish forces to exhaust themselves on the battlefields in order to ultimately claim victory. As seen in the naval battle that took place in Santiago de Cuba between U.S. and Spanish marines.

The Apostle of Cuban Independence—having lived within the belly of the beast for 14 years and knowing its inner workings intimately. It had emphasized that “what the United States aspires to is to seize Cuba, without dangerous complications for its nation.”

Having achieved its objective, on December 10th, 1898, the United States and Spain signed a Peace Treaty in Paris. Without the representation of the Liberation Army. They then proceeded to the preparatory process for creating the Constitution that would lead to the establishment of the Republic of Cuba on May 20th, 1902 (a process mediated by the United States). This required accepting an amendment approved by the northern neighbor. Which allowed its forces to intervene on the island in any eventuality. In addition to imposing the lease of a territory for supposed coaling stations.

Thus, the following year they established their Naval Base in a coastal area of Guantanamo. Also where they have committed all kinds of violations, such as the murders of border fighters Ramón López Peña (1964) and Luis Ramírez López (1965). The humble worker Rubén López (1961); and the fisherman and militiaman Rodolfo Rosell (1962); the training of counterrevolutionary groups and gangs. Aggression against other countries; and the creation of a detention and torture center.

It is impossible to forget the extensive history of anti-Cuban measures and actions originating from the United States during these 67 years of the Revolution. So beginning with that categorical instruction on December 23rd, 1958, from Allen Dulles. Who went on to become the first civilian director of the CIA: “We must prevent Castro’s victory.” To which then-President Dwight Eisenhower revealed that they already had covert operations underway.

Against the unforgettable Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, 638 assassination attempts were organized. Employing the most disparate criminal ideologies. The Cuban people have suffered all kinds of terrorist acts. Such as the sabotage of the steamship La Coubre in Havana Bay (1960), which resulted in the loss of 101 lives and more than 200 injuries. Arson attacks on economic targets; attacks on fishing boats and the kidnapping of fishermen. The criminal attack on Boca de Sama (1971). The bombing of the plane in Barbados (1976), with 73 passengers on board; the introduction of diseases such as dengue fever; and other biological attacks.

Now, as President Donald Trump has reiterated that, after the aggressions against Venezuela and Iran, Cuba will be next. Encouraged by his Secretary of State and other aggressive and manipulative anti-Cubans who consider this country “a dictatorship, a failed state, and an alleged sponsor of terrorism.” Among other blasphemies—he underestimates the defensive capacity of this people. Whose rich history exalts them because, as José Martí emphasized, “…to open our house to our enemies is to give ourselves to them, not to rid ourselves of them” and “what a people wills endures.”

Arnaldo Vargas Castro
Latest posts by Arnaldo Vargas Castro (see all)