Cuba Frees Political Prisoners

Another big step in the process of normalization between Cuba and United States has been completed.  The Cuban government has freed the last of the 53 political prisoners, as was promised last month in the agreement made by the Obama administration to lift the 54-year long trade embargo with Cuba.

The release was confirmed by President Obama on December 17^th, despite allegations that Cuba had released fewer than promised. The release announcement comes two weeks earlier than the expected visit by the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs to discuss the next steps of the reintegration process, putting migration issues on the table, as well as the return to normalcy for diplomatic relations.

 
The prisoners had committed the crime of speaking out against their government and expressing their rights to free speech, something that needs to be addressed still in Cuba. The irony is fairly potent in that regard, as the U.S. supports various leaders around the world, who also do not recognize a free press and routinely jail dissenters.

Also, despite this being a very big step towards achieving peace, the announcement is partially fanfare, as there were already a dozen or so of these prisoners who had been released and served their time.  So, there is definitely a heavy padding of those numbers, which the media has not really touched upon.

While some criticize this action for not doing enough or being a long overdue embarrassing apology by the American government, there are of course a few members of congress spouting old tropes and talking points that are as comical as they are ignorant. One of the most absurd comments came from Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who makes the claim that this agreement offers nothing to the United States for restoring trade and business with the Cuban government. He points out that we are not being demanding enough with Cuba, calling for free elections, press, and speech. Because beating Cuba into submission has worked so well for us, we should try doing it again?

Essentially, he is okay with punishing the people of Cuba because that’s all the embargo accomplished in its lifespan. With trade, possibilities open for businesses in Cuba that never existed before, not to mention a way to update their culture to the new millennium. I’m sure the classic car culture will survive, but most people will be breathing a sigh of relief when more fuel-efficient cars are introduced for the very first time.