By Bill Hackwell on April 30, 2020
Early this morning at least one assailant sprayed the front of the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC with rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle. DC metro police arrested Alexander Alazo, 42 of Aubrey, Texas on the scene. In a police report obtained by the Associated Press, the assault was described as a “suspected hate crime”. One of the rounds hit the statue of Cuban national hero Jose Marti that was only dedicated last July 1in the front yard of the embassy.
The official website of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that no staff members suffered an injury, as all were safely protected, although the building was damaged. The Ministry went on to remind the US that, “ It is the obligation of states to take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of diplomatic missions accredited in their country against any intrusion or damage and to avoid disturbing the peace of a mission or violating its dignity. “ There has been no response from the State Department as of yet.
Ironically this comes a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo continued the lies against Cuba by once again attacking Cuba’s Covid International Medical Brigades. Pompeo used the occasion to criticize and threaten countries who have made agreements with Cuba for the medical professionals to come and help to stop the pandemic. In the same press conference, Pompeo congratulated Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador for expelling Cuban doctors who had been working in the most remote parts of those countries. Sadly these are the 3 countries with the highest rates of Covid-19 cases, highest rates of Covid deaths with the most overwhelmed national health care systems in the Western Hemisphere.
The embassy attack comes in an atmosphere of aggressive hatred that is constantly percolating into the public from the Trump Administration against Cuba. On July 20, 2015 the Cuban people were so proud to finally have an embassy in the US and now cannot help but be deeply offended. Former First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC, Miguel Fraga put that sentiment in this way on his Facebook page:
“I am trying not to write from outrage. I firmly believe hate is not the answer. But I can’t stop thinking that silence isn’t the answer either. The aggression against the headquarters of the Cuban Embassy in the United States of America is a cowardly, unjustifiable, and reprehensible action.
This is no time to rush to conclusions, but sadly, the history of bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States of America tells us that only hatred and frustration can be the motives of this despicable act. It is a reoccurring sequel of the permanent demonization campaign against Cuba and it’s a vile attempt to justify the cruel sanctions that for more than half a century has been aimed at harming the entire Cuban people.
This action constitutes a new terrorist act. It is one more. Painfully we know and remember all the others that have preceded it. Those responsible do not learn that our determination is increased in the face of every one of these cowardly episodes.
International law requires the Government of the United States of America, as a duty, to ensure the security of the headquarters and diplomatic personnel accredited to their nation. Its obvious failure to avoid yesterday’s attack from happening and its total silence so far or lack of condemnation of the fact, constitutes a dishonor that the people of the US do not deserve, most of whom support improving bilateral relations between our country.
We are irritated by the images released after the attack, especially the one where one of the projectiles impacted the statue of our National Hero, José Martí. But when it comes to our Martí nothing and no one can harm him. His ideas continue to inspire a noble people who continue to fight to conquer all injustices.”
Source: Resumen – English