Fifth Summit of the Americas 2009, Trinidad and Tobago: The Latin American leaders' double standard on the Cuban issue

Authors:
Luis Alberto López Rafaschieri and José Alberto López Rafaschieri
www.morochos.net

In the Fifth Summit of the Americas held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, one of the most prominent issues that was discussed was the Cuba subject. In this regard, the majority of Latin American presidents -but specially Hugo Chavez- made his position very clear: 1) It is necessary to lift U.S. trade sanctions against Cuba, and 2) Cuba should be reinstated in the Organization of American States.

However, this Latin American leaders' position seems hypocritical, because who is really committed to the welfare of the Cuban people would demand not only what we have just mentioned, but also why, in Cuba, the government does not allow free elections; only the communist party is permitted to exist; the current president Raul Castro inherited power from his brother Fidel like a family-owned business; hundreds of journalists, civil activists and dissidents remain imprisoned on political charges; independent trade unions are not allowed; and human rights are violated continuously.

But as if only the actions of others matter, Chavez and Latin American presidents who attended the Summit of the Americas to demand the lifting of sanctions on Castro-communism and the return of Cuba to the OAS, do not include in their proposal the call for Cuba to make democratic reforms, reflecting their double standards and that their commitment is not with Cubans but with the Havana regime.

It is time that Latinos take actions in favor of the Cuban people and help them move toward a true democracy, where there is freedom of choice and expression. How long our leaders will continue to ignore the suffering of these people to please the Castros?

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