Arnold August - Cuba–U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond

CUBAU.S. RELATIONS

Praise for CubaU.S. Relations

Arnold August is one of the foremost experts on Cuba and the 1959 Revolution, which continues to shake the world. In this new book, August puts forth a valuable, detailed account of U.S.Cuba relations dating back to 1783 and continuing to the present time. August shows that this relationship has centred on the U.S.s attempts, sometimes successfully, to dominate Cuba and exploit it as its own playground and, in the case of Guantnamo, as a maximum security prison. As he shows, the 1959 Revolution broke the U.S. hold over Cuba, and the U.S. has tried desperately, and many times violently, to regain its control over the island. Obama opened diplomatic ties with Cuba for the first time in 50 years. August explains what this opening means for both countries, and where he sees U.S.Cuba relations heading after the death of Fidel Castro at age 90 and the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump. For those who want a fresh and reasoned perspective on Cuba and U.S. relations and with it a perspective very different from that which we get from the mainstream Western media this book is a must-read.

Daniel Kovalik, teacher of international human rights, University of Pittsburgh, School of Law

In his third book, August highlights the many roadblocks on the way to normalization. Unlike many mainstream cubanologists, who are blind to imperial arrogance, he places the onus squarely on U.S. prejudices. Regime change remains the ultimate objective under a new disguise. A cultural war has been targeting the younger generations. New Plattists [those in favour of annexation to the U.S.] are showing up. Augusts deft analysis, firmly grounded in a prolonged exposure to Cuban history and debates while mapping out the possible future developments, makes for an enlightening book.

Claude Morin, professor (retired) of Latin American history, Universit de Montral

Arnold Augusts new book on Cuba dispels the propaganda and myths perpetuated by both the U.S. corporate media and the Obama administration and provides valuable insights into what we might expect from a Trump government in the post-Fidel era. August lays bare the realities of Obamas policies toward Cuba by methodically revealing how his administrations engagement with the island constituted a shift in tactics while retaining Washingtons decades-long objective of achieving regime change to bring the socialist nation back into the U.S. sphere of influence. It also highlights our narrow definition of democracy by challenging the repeated assertions that Cuba is a dictatorship. This book is a must-read for understanding the constantly evolving imperialist strategies of the United States, not only in Cuba, but throughout the world in the 21st century.

Garry Leech, independent journalist and teacher of international politics, Cape Breton University

Arnold Augusts bristling collection of interventions vigorously debunks U.S.-centric misrepresentations of Cuban society and of Obamas new regime change strategy. It also engages critically with Cuban intellectuals and bloggers fighting in the Cultural War, challenging the Revolutions cohesion since the 2014 normalization process began. With its withering anti-imperialism and comradely criticism of Cuban realities, this timely book will open many eyes and raise many hackles.

Steve Ludlam, senior lecturer (retired), University of Sheffield, and editorial board member, International Journal of Cuban Studies

In CubaU.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond , Arnold August provides an incisive analysis of the process that led to the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba under the leadership of Ral Castro and Barack Obama, as well as further developments since. The book is a timely and valuable source of clear analysis of CubaU.S. relations at the dawn of the Trump era, and an indispensable tome for activists and others interested in furthering normalized relations between Cuba and the U.S. and asserting Cubas right to self-determination and sovereignty over all its territory.

Pepe Ross, adjunct professor, University of Albany, State University of New York

ARNOLD AUGUST has an M.A. in political science from McGill University, Montreal, where he resides. His most recent book is Cuba and Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion (Fernwood Publishing/Zed Books, 2013). An accomplished journalist, he contributes articles in English and Spanish to websites in the United States, Canada, Cuba, Latin America and Europe. Since 1997, he has spent extended periods in Cuba pursuing his intensive investigations.

CUBAU.S. RELATIONS

Obama and Beyond

ARNOLD AUGUST

FERNWOOD PUBLISHING
HALIFAX & WINNIPEG

Copyright 2017 Arnold August

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Editing: Brenda Conroy

Cover design: John van der Woude

Printed and bound in Canada

eBook: tikaebooks.com

Published by Fernwood Publishing

32 Oceanvista Lane, Black Point, Nova Scotia, B0J 1B0

and 748 Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3G 0X3

www.fernwoodpublishing.ca

Fernwood Publishing Company Limited gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund, the Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism under the Manitoba Publishers Marketing Assistance Program, the Province of Manitoba, through the Book Publishing Tax Credit, the support of the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

August, Arnold, author

CubaU.S. relations: Obama and beyond / Arnold August.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-55266-965-5 (softcover).--ISBN 978-1-55266-966-2 (EPUB).--

ISBN 978-1-55266-967-9 (Kindle)

1. Cuba--Foreign relations--United States. 2. United States--

Foreign relations--Cuba. I. Title.

E183.8.C9A94 2017 327.7291073 C2016-908071-4

C2016-908072-2

CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS

ALBA - TCP Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra Amrica (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America)

ANAP Asociacin Nacional de Agricultores Pequeos (National Association of Small Farmers)

CACR Cuban Assets Control Regulations

CANF Cuban American National Foundation

CDA Cuban Democracy Act

CDR Comits de Defensa de la Revolucin (Committees for the Defence of the Revolution)

CELAC Community of Latin American and Caribbean States

CFR Council on Foreign Relations

CSO s civil society organizations

DRL Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

EAR (or EAR 99) Export Administration Regulations (or Export Administration Regulation 99)

EEUU Estados Unidos (United States of America)

FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

FTAA Free Trade Area of the Americas

GES Global Entrepreneurship Summit

GTMO Gitmo; Guantnamo Bay

ISRI Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacionales Ral Roa Garca (Ral Roa Garca Higher Institute of International Relations)

LASA Latin American Studies Association

MINREX Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations

NED National Endowment for Democracy

OAS Organization of American States