On January 1, 1959, the Revolution known as that of July 26 triumphed in the Republic of Cuba and generated positive expectations in the people of that country and an unequivocal attraction in many countries of the West. Today, after more than 60 years, it is clear that for Cubans the expectations were not fulfilled and in the Western democracies those sympathies, after this period, are not what they were.

At present, because of the information that arrives from the island, what is noticed in the reading of the new Constitution is known as real. The freedom of thought, of expression, of association, of the press, of syndication, not even of artistic creation are real. Only the ideology proposed by the current system is recognized as unique and dominant.

Maintaining this situation leads to continuity in a system of control-repression on what could be understood as divergence or dissent that clearly violates human rights.

On the other hand, the failure of Cuba's model to ensure a future of hope for Cubans is not questioned today. The Cuban economy was initially subsidized by the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe and after the end of the Soviet bloc, it was the Republic of Venezuela of Chaves and Maduro who took over. At this time, the difficult situation of that country introduces a deep concern in Cuban society that according to an authorized voice of the response to the dictatorship fears cuts in the electrical fluid, shortage of food and medicine and a clear increase in precariousness and profound social crisis suffered by Cuba.

The media has recently picked up that, given the delicate situation of Cuba's economy, the Government that presides over Díaz-Canel could launch a new price control policy. An economic measure already upset that nothing affects the structural causes that prevent economic growth on the island. According to some sources, the forecasts in some key sectors of the Cuban economy have not been fulfilled for, among other reasons, failures in the material structure of the production facilities. Key elements in the development of the Cuban economy such as communication channels, energy supply and a clear obsolescence of the productive material unequivocally undermine the possibilities of the Cuban economy offering products or services in conditions to compete in value for money in an economy global.

We have also been able to confirm and, already irrefutable, the existence of a firm control over freedom of thought that, with repressive actions that are usually a consequence of it, can lead to the existence of new political prisoners. Fact that would only help to increase the malaise of the Cuban and international community.

On the other hand, in recent times, we have had evidence of news that can be considered positive since it has manifested the intent on the part of senior representatives of the European Union and Spain to make visits to the island of diplomatic character. Visits of importance that, without a doubt, we hope will be translated into a political dialogue of interest, which from democratic countries we must ensure revert for the benefit of the people of Cuba. These actions cannot result in the consolidation of a dictatorship and, therefore, every effort is little to get the main beneficiary to be the people of Cuba and serve so that, together, continue paddling to drive a change.

Faced with this unquestionable reality, the European Union must proceed to the development of the Cooperation Agreement signed with the Cuban Government and, therefore, must fully assume, in the field of its foreign policy, the defense of freedom and respect for human rights. as founding principles of the Union. This action would give continuity to the criteria expressed at some point by the President of the European Commission, speaking in general terms, in a plenary assembly of the Council of Europe. On that occasion, Mr. Juncker called for closer collaboration between the Council of Europe and the institutions of the Union and pointed out that the founding principles of the Union had to be embedded in the foreign policy of Europe.

In this sense, Spain, whose relationship with the Republic of Cuba is especially close, not only for historical reasons but also for very close social ties , must be decisive in the European Union's relations with Cuba.

The position already marked by the Cortes thus supports it and giving proof of this, the majority of the Delegation of the Cortes launched a motion before the Council of Europe, so that it could prepare a report on respect for human rights, in a way special in the labor market of Cuba.

In Cuba, under current foreign investment law, joint ventures or foreign companies have to hire workers through a government-controlled placement company. It is that company that selects the workers and receives the remuneration, seriously affecting the labor interests of Cubans.

If the European institutions can sanction Venezuela or set criteria with respect to political realities of other non-member countries, more correctly they should be involved in the case of Cuba, the country with which the aforementioned Agreement should be developed. This approach is not a novelty, since it has already been launched in relation to other countries not members of the Union.

Thus, therefore, Europe and Spain must very firmly assume their responsibilities with the people of Cuba and help to offer Cubans a future of hope , a future they have not been able to have in the last sixty years.

Therefore, the commitment of Spanish democracy and the countries of the European Union to promote the motion presented in October 2016 is essential in the Council of Europe.

Teófilo de Luis was a member of the Congress of Deputies.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Opinion
  • Cuba
  • Fidel Castro
  • European Union

TadeuAval real

TadeuCon or without

GrandstandJohnson erodes the Monarchy