International outrage at the continued US blockade against Cuba are at fever pitch, as protests in more than 50 cities across the world took place, writes Shannon Ebrahim.
Trump administration taking steps to designate Cuba as state sponsor of terrorism in coming days cnn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dear Compañeros and Compañeras:
An extremely difficult year for humanity is finally coming to an end. It has been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic where the world’s health systems collapsed and where privatization of health services prevailed before life, economic crisis, reduction of jobs, and near paralysis of air and sea transport and the accelerated destruction of the environment. As if that were not enough, the odious Trump administration intensified the aggression against Venezuela and the inhumane blockade against Cuba as never before.
During the Trump administration Cuba has been levied with120 economic sanctions of all kinds, including shipping and insurance companies, an attempt to stifle the island’s economy, leaving it without fuel, food and medical supplies, even banning the purchase of ventilators to deal with the pandemic.
Trump administration taking steps to designate Cuba as state sponsor of terrorism in coming days
The Trump administration will soon take steps toward designating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism as an 11th hour effort to create hurdles for the incoming Biden administration, which is likely to pursue warmer ties with Havana.
A senior administration official told CNN that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to make the designation in the coming days. A second official confirmed that discussions are taking place, although the timing is uncertain.
The Cuban government has already denounced the move, which is one of a series of bold initiatives the Trump administration is taking as it attempts to leave a lasting imprint on US foreign policy with just three weeks left before President Donald Trump leaves office.