Cuban President Slams US for “Genocidal Act” of Depriving Cubans of Oxygen During the Pandemic (peoplesdispatch.org)

submitted 1 year ago by shreddy_scientist@lemmy.ml to c/worldnews@lemmy.ml

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[-] Saik0Shinigami@lemmy.saik0.com -5 points 1 year ago

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...

Despite the existence of the embargo, Cuba can, and does, conduct international trade with many countries, including many U.S. allies; however, US-based companies, and companies that do business with the US, which trade in Cuba do so at the risk of U.S. sanctions.[10] Cuba has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995.[11] The European Union is Cuba's largest trading partner, and the United States is the fifth-largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba's imports come from the US).[12] The Cuban government must, however, pay cash for all food imports from the United States, as credit is not allowed.[13]

So your original premise is still wrong...

[-] WhatWouldKarlDo@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 1 year ago

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.

The risk of US sanctions can create uncertainty and businesses, especially banks, sometimes find themselves caught between conflicting legal requirements. UK companies, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, have for example encountered problems in payments to/from Cuba being blocked by UK banks.

We recommend that companies with extensive US interests which are interested in doing business with Cuba seek independent legal advice. We advise potential investors to read the advisory notes regarding US regulations on the OFAC website.

[+] Saik0Shinigami@lemmy.saik0.com -6 points 1 year ago

The existence of trade does not disprove the US blockade.

Blockade != Embargo. Stop conflicting the 2. US does not sail ships to actively block incoming trades to Cuba.

Your own selected quote even states that you risk US sanctions if you trade with Cuba. This is NOT referring to US companies.

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.

[-] WhatWouldKarlDo@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 year ago

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.

[+] Saik0Shinigami@lemmy.saik0.com -6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Not being able to trade in USD is a huge issue, as it means you are blocked from SWIFT.

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.

You could argue that the US should not have this much power over world trade

It doesn't. It has ultimate control over USD... Which other [foreign] companies choose to use.

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.

Already proven that US does not.

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.

What's the point?

And you feel this is just.

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.

[-] WhatWouldKarlDo@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

[+] Saik0Shinigami@lemmy.saik0.com -7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Listing data for 2023 as proof of me lying. Cute. How about going back a couple of years?

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.

tort law link

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".

Remittance nonsense

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.

[-] Krause@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

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

Based in Belgium, SWIFT claims political neutrality, but has bowed to US influence in the past, blocking transactions to Cuba and Iran.

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)

In the MT example, it’s highly likely the payment would be one of the 10% typically stopped by a sanctions filter, triggering an investigation. This is because the word ‘Cuba’ appears in the name and address and it’s otherwise unclear where the payment is going.