black-lives-matter-faces-massive-backlash-over-statement-on-cuba

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https://resistthemainstream.org/black-l ... dawakening

Black Lives Matter Faces Backlash After Blaming US, Praising Cuba’s Regime
Penka Arsova July 15, 2021

The Black Lives Matter organization is coming under fire for criticizing the United States and praising Cuba’s government in a statement that came after protests erupted at the island.

The story: Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation blamed the U.S. embargo for Cuba’s economic crisis. It credited Cuba’s government for historically granting asylum to “Black revolutionaries.”

The statement was in line with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s early statement that similarly accused the U.S. embargo of being the driving factor behind the country’s economic troubles. However, it came about the time that Díaz-Canel acknowledged in a televised address that his government’s action, at least in part, prompted the protests in Cuba over food shortages and other issues.

Cuba is also facing a resurgence of coronavirus cases.

The statement: “Black Lives Matter condemns the U.S. federal government’s inhumane treatment of Cubans, and urges it to immediately lift the economic embargo,” the group said.

“This cruel and inhumane policy, instituted with the explicit intention of destabilizing the country and undermining Cubans’ right to choose their own government, is at the heart of Cuba’s current crisis. Since 1962, the United States has forced pain and suffering on the people of Cuba by cutting off food, medicine and supplies, costing the tiny island nation an estimated $130 billion,” the statement continued.

“Without that money, it is harder for Cuba to acquire medical equipment needed to develop its own COVID-19 vaccines and equipment for food production. This comes in spite of the country’s strong medical care and history of lending doctors and nurses to disasters around the world,” the group said.

“The people of Cuba are being punished by the U.S. government because the country has maintained its commitment to sovereignty and self-determination. United States leaders have tried to crush this Revolution for decades. Instead of international amity, respect, and goodwill, the U.S. government has only instigated suffering for the country’s 11 million people – of which 4 million are black and brown.,” they added.

“Now, we look to President Biden to end the embargo, something Barack Obama called for in 2016. This embargo is a blatant human rights violation and it must come to an end,” the statement concluded.

Critics blasted the organization for the statement.