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this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying it's a chilling effect when the US can arbitrarily start blocking your financial transfers. International trade is typically done through USD. And trading with Cuba opens your company to US sanctions.
But honestly, just think about it for a second. which do you think is more likely? Cuba is completely incompetent and/or self isolating? Or the US blockade prevents Cuba from doing any significant amount of trade?
The US doesn't block anything except for it's own companies/interests to work with Cuba. That's it.
And I don't find it impossible for a country to be incompetent... Nor do I find it unreasonable for a country to be self-isolating.
The USA embargoing it certainly sucks for them. But that's how it goes. But even to that point...
So your original premise is still wrong...
How so? The existence of trade does not disprove the US blockade. Your own selected quote even states that you risk US sanctions if you trade with Cuba. This is NOT referring to US companies.
Blockade != Embargo. Stop conflicting the 2. US does not sail ships to actively block incoming trades to Cuba.
It is EXPLICITLY referring only to US companies, or companies with significant US interests (companies that work in USD). And by my own quote from earlier... 6.6% of imports to Cuba come from the USA.
Wonder how that's possible when there's a blockade! Can you at least admit that you're wrong? Cuba CAN trade with any other country... Cuba CAN trade even with the USA. It CANNOT take or give credit in USD (which is the mechanism that blocks US interest companies typically) and cannot operate on Credit with ANY US company. So nothing would have stopped Cuba from purchasing the ventilators from a EU-based company. Considering that the USA literally OWNS all USD... it makes sense that they can control how it's used and who can redeem it.
Not being able to trade in USD is a huge issue, as it means you are blocked from SWIFT. When it's stated that you have to use a different currency, it means a whole different trading mechanism. Which may or may not exist/work for your business. And if the US decides to cut your access to SWIFT completely, then you're effectively out of business.
You could argue that the US should not have this much power over world trade, and I would agree with you. But you're not. You're blaming the Cubans for not being able to buy the replacement parts they needed, because the US totally isn't interfering with their trade. Not to mention the absolute inhumanity of this position. When the US suffered from hurrican Katrina, Cuba didn't hesitate to offer aid. When Cuba's main oxygen plant breaks during a pandemic? Apparently the American people show their humanity by cheering. And you feel this is just. I feel like you're just being willfully obtuse at this point.
Cuba is not blocked from SWIFT. Currently only Iran and North Korea are blocked from SWIFT. So you're lying. https://bank-code.net/country/CUBA-%28CU%29.html
The rest of your points for the paragraph are moot.
It doesn't. It has ultimate control over USD... Which other [foreign] companies choose to use.
Already proven that US does not.
What's the point?
I never said it was just. I never made ANY moral evaluation. Simply stated that it's not the US's job to perform this action. Castro can't demand aid from the US. You can't call it genocide.
Listing data for 2023 as proof of me lying. Cute. How about going back a couple of years? But no, I'm lying about everything, and Cuba not being able to buy parts they needed is totally their fault. I'm done with this. You can continue defending your murderous country in peace.
Nothing in that link shows SWIFT blocked Cuba. Quite the contrary, I've done a relatively exhaustive search... SWIFT has NEVER blocked Cuba. So yes... you're lying.
In the common law of most English-speaking countries, there is no general duty to come to the rescue of another.[1]
Literally the first line in regards to "common law system".
What does this have to do with anything? This doesn't cover any point regarding any supposed "blockade" (contrarily proves there is no blockade). Doesn't show that there's some form of US stranglehold over Cuba (Contrarily shows that USD can make it's way back to Cuba from Cuban migrants to the USA)... This is all evidence that you're argument is bullshit.
Why are you so hell bent on defending the American empire against the Cuban people?
No, you haven't done a "relatively exhaustive search", if you had you would have learned that SWIFT has indeed blocked Cuba in the past.
https://www.dw.com/en/swift-could-slow-trumps-iran-sanctions/a-46119092
The SWIFT software manual even admits to auto flagging payments that contain the word "Cuba" even if they're not related to Cuba (the country) at all 🤣
https://www.swift.com/sites/default/files/documents/swift_iso20022_thirdpartytoolkit_final.pdf (Page 13)
Demonic worldview, just because your law books used to legitimize slavery would you also practice it?
I actually don't particularly care... I just hate looking at these shitty arguments on the topic. When it's so easily refuted.
Oh shit... so we've got one instance 22 years ago... And we're harping on it still today? Are you shitting me?
Every financial institution is required to make sure that they're not violations of actual sanctions/embargos. Also... notice that this says "Investigation" not block. eg... Swift would then have to check that the transaction isn't with a US-based or US vested company.
Nope, but I feel it's a worse violation of rights to mandate that people do something. I'd rather live somewhere where people are willingly helpful. But you don't get there by mandating it... Nor do you get there by demanding that "help" under the guise of stating that someone is committing literal genocide, when they're factually not. Accepting the premise of this "article" is literally the "demonic worldview" to me.
I like counting the fallacies you are relying on.
I'm surprised you are still argueing against the moving goalposts
Yeah... I should probably stop.
I kind of have a thing where I can help but put the blatant evidence out there that breaks their whole argument in front of them. I like to watch the meltdown...
Them: "There's a blockade!!!".... Me:"So where's the ships?" Sort of thing...
Haha fair. Thank you for your efforts :)