Cuban Resilience vs. US Economic Warfare
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera covers a march in Havana honoring national hero Jose Marti, noting that some participants expressed solidarity against former US President Donald Trump and disavowed perceived US interference in Cuba. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The US embargo against Cuba began on October 19, 1960, and was intensified after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in April
1961. This isn't just 'Trump's interference'; it's a 60+ year policy of economic warfare designed to destabilize the Cuban government, costing the Cuban economy an estimated $144 billion, according to Cuban authorities. The US has continuously funded anti-government groups and operations, including over $250 million in covert programs since 1996, per USAID and NED reports. Double Standard: While
the media highlights opposition to US interference in Cuba, the same outlets often normalize or even advocate for US 'democracy promotion' efforts in countries like Venezuela, where the US recognized Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019 despite him holding no popular vote, and implemented crippling sanctions that led to widespread suffering. The narrative shifts from 'interference' to
'liberation' depending on the geopolitical target. Follow the Money: The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) levies billions in fines against foreign entities that violate the Cuban embargo, effectively coercing international compliance. Beyond direct government spending on 'democracy initiatives', industries linked to the Cuban exile community in Miami, a significant