Call on the Canadian government to pressure the U.S. to end the blockade against Cuba

Since the beginning, the blockade against Cuba has been a misguided endeavour, driven by the Cuban exiles in Miami that left the Cuban coffers empty when they fled Cuba.

Many people cite the Cuban Missile Crisis as the reason for the blockade; however, that historical event occurred years after the blockade was established. Looking back at the the Cuban Missile Crisis now, it is obvious that the U.S. government overplayed their hand when they placed their nuclear missiles in Turkey.  The U.S. placed its missiles close enough to the border that they could be seen by the Russians with the naked eye.  This forced the Russians at the time into a game of tit for tat. The Russians needed a place to locate their missiles.  Cuba, who already fended off a U.S. invasion was the clear choice.  This being the case it is ironic that relations between Russia and the U.S. have normalized while Cuba, treated as a pawn in the struggle between superpowers, is still being punished.

The blockade has been in place for over five decades.  It started in 1960, it was strengthened in 1962 and again in 1993 and again in 1996 where now they fine any foreign company for doing business with Cuba.  This year for the 22nd time the United Nations General Assembly has voted in favour of ending the blockade.  188 countries have voted against the blockade, while only two have voted in favour, the United States of America and Israel.

Even if the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba were justified, it would be the moral equivalent of jailing children for their parent’s crimes, 76% of the Cuban population was born after 1960.  There is no defence for the blockade.  In fact, at this point we should be questioning why we are doing most of our trade with a morally bankrupt nation that has no respect for the decision of the 188 countries in the United Nations that are for lifting the blockade against Cuba.


We call on you Minister John Baird and the Canadian government to pressure the United States of America to lift the blockade against Cuba.  This is an issue of human rights and the people of Cuba have the right to sovereignty and self-determination.

The Honourable John Baird


Minister of Foreign Affairs


Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada


125 Sussex Drive


Ottawa, ON, K1A 0G2





Dear Minister Baird,


 


Re: US Blockade on Cuba and Canada’s role


 


The Cuba Edmonton Solidarity Committee calls on the Canadian government to pressure the United States of America to end the blockade against Cuba.


Since the beginning, the blockade against Cuba has been a misguided endeavour, driven by the Cuban exiles in Miami that left the Cuban coffers empty when they fled the revolution. One of the main excuses still given to justify this criminal action is Cuba’s nationalizing of subsidiaries of U.S. corporations. Subsidiaries of Canadian corporations were also nationalized by the revolution at the same time.  Canada Dry is one example. Canadians except that business is a gamble, you pay your dime and take your chances, like the millions of people who have lost money in the New York Stock Exchange.


Many people cite the Cuban Missile Crisis as the reason for the blockade; however, that historical event occurred years after the blockade was established. Looking back at the the Cuban Missile Crisis now, it is obvious that the U.S. government overplayed their hand when they placed their nuclear missiles in Turkey.  The U.S. placed its missiles close enough to the border that they could be seen by the Russians with the naked eye.  This forced the Russians at the time into a game of tit for tat. The Russians needed a place to locate their missiles.  Cuba, who already fended off a U.S. invasion was the clear choice.  This being the case it is ironic that relations between Russia and the U.S. have normalized while Cuba, treated as a pawn in the struggle between superpowers, is still being punished.


The blockade has been in place for over five decades.  It started in 1960, it was strengthened in 1962 and again in 1993 and again in 1996 where now they fine any foreign company for doing business with Cuba.  This year for the 22nd time the United Nations General Assembly has voted in favour of ending the blockade.  188 countries have voted against the blockade, while only two have voted in favour, the United States of America and Israel.


Even if the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba were justified, it would be the moral equivalent of jailing children for their parent’s crimes, 76% of the Cuban population was born after 1960.  There is no defence for the blockade.  In fact, at this point we should be questioning why we are doing most of our trade with a morally bankrupt nation that has no respect for the decision of the 188 countries in the United Nations that are for lifting the blockade against Cuba.


We call on you Minister John Baird and the Canadian government to pressure the United States of America to lift the blockade against Cuba.  This is an issue of human rights and the people of Cuba have the right to sovereignty and self-determination.



Sincerely,


 


Cuba Edmonton Solidarity Committee


 
Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.