Press Statement by Friends of Cuba Society, Cape Town South Africa
January 12, 2021
Photo: Alexis Rua Perez
The announcement by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo that it is listing Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism is deeply ironic.
The whole world has heard the speech of Donald Trump inciting acts of domestic terrorism leading to an attack by his supporters on of the Capitol, the citadel of US democracy.
Meanwhile in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic; the Cuban Medical Brigade is in the forefront of saving lives in South Africa and across the world. Cuba’s behavior in the world is fuelling a campaign for Cuba’s Henry Reeves Medical Brigade to be awarded the Nobel Peace Brigade for its contribution to humanity.
The totally discredited and reprehensible Trump administration is now in a rush against time to foment as much lasting violent confrontation in the world before going out of office on January 20.
The declaration against Cuba is a final reward to his anti-Cuban support base in Florida. To this day Florida remains home to extremist elements responsible for decades-long acts of terror against Cuba.
The declaration of the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organization will rapidly escalate the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster. It is also fueled by Saudi and US arms and is partly a proxy war against Iran
Perhaps the greatest danger in the days before Trump’s ousting is a terrorist attack by the US against Iran.
Elevating recognition of Taiwan is a deliberate poke in the eye to China at a time of increasing tensions.
Actions of the Trump administration in relation to Israel and the Palestinians provide blanket support for increased violent repression by the Israelis and resistance by the Palestinians.
Cuba provides free Health care for all its citizens and acts in solidarity with suffering humanity. By contrast, the US foments and perpetuates wars for the benefit of its military-industrial complex.
President Miguel Diaz- Canel of Cuba has recently expressed his willingness for an open dialogue with the incoming Biden – Harris administration based on mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty.
It is in the interest of both the United States and Cuba to normalize relations as soon as possible. However, these relations cannot be normal until the illegal US blockade against Cuba is totally lifted and Guantanamo Bay returned to its rightful owners.
The Friends of Cuba Society in South Africa was founded in the 1990s to advocate for these goals and foster friendship between our two peoples.
Today it is Trump, his administration and supporters who are the leading terrorists in the world today.
We call on the Government of South Africa to reject the declaration of Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism and to once again speak out against the blockade by the US of Cuba.
It is important that everything humanly and legally possible is done to remove Trump from office and to prevent him from ever standing again.
Thank you, Cuba for being light in a dark world.
Father Michael Lapsley SSM, Chairperson
Friends of Cuba Society, Cape Town.