The Triumph of Common Sense: Cuba & the USA Re-Establish Relations

Sobre el restablecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre Cuba y EEUU, y la liberación de Gross y los tres cubanos presos en EEUU

Pedro Campos

HAVANA TIMES — The United States and Cuba have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations following high-level talks and the release of Allan Gross and the three Cuban agents convicted of espionage in the US, by Havana and Washington respectively.

I thank Raul Castro and Barack Obama for these important steps, which open up a new chapter in the history of relations between the two countries and herald a new stage in the history of Cuba. I thank Pope Francis for having helped in this reconciliation and Canada for having facilitated it.

The decision spells the triumph of common sense and wisdom, of the constructive and objective forces within the two governments, and the defeat of the conservative forces that, on both sides, aspired to maintain the old status quo we inherited from the Cold War.

Obama said he wanted to become Cuba’s ally and help it move forward towards the 21st century. Raul stated that the blockade was still in place and had to be lifted. As regards the lack of Internet connectivity, I don’t have any precise information on what the two governments talked and agreed to.

Judging from what the two leaders said, it is evident other issues were addressed and that they agreed to continue the exchange.

What was clearly expressed by the two is that a period in which relations between Cuba and the United States are to be normalized has begun, and that this should have consequences on the blockade/embargo and, most importantly, on Cuban society.

This historical event that we are fortunate to be witnessing should create the conditions for peaceful co-existence and good relations between neighbors who share spaces and common interests in multiple spheres, despite their differences.

This respect for differences should be reflected inwardly in Cuba, as a first step towards a process of democratization in which we are able to settle our disagreements through an inclusive dialogue and where freedom of expression and association become a reality.

Those of us who champion a participative and democratic form of socialism and have always been opposed to aggressive policies, pressures and the embargo/blockade, welcome these steps taken by the Cuban and US governments, and we hope they will be the beginning of long, fruitful cooperation between the two nations, and the definitive start of a new era of peace, development and harmony for the Cuban nation.