We demand the removal of Cuba from the United States (US) Administration’s list of countries supporting terrorism, along with the unconditional lifting of the debilitating blockade, an action met with unanimous opposition from the international community.

For more than six decades, the US Government has persistently pursued a hostile policy towards Cuba, driven by a clear political agenda to isolate the Cuban people through a cruel and inhumane blockade. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the Trump Administration escalated the economic hardship faced by the Cuban populace. This was not limited to tightening the blockade through the imposition of 243 new sanctions, but also included the unjust classification of Cuba as a Country Supporting Terrorism. Such an unjust characterization impedes Cuba’s ability to engage in international financial transactions and procure essential goods from global markets, including fuel, food, construction equipment, hygiene products, and medicines.

Cuba was originally designated as a State Supporter of Terrorism in 1982, during the Reagan administration, largely due to its support for national liberation movements in Africa and Central America.

In a positive turn, on May 29, 2015, the Obama administration removed Cuba from this list as part of efforts to normalize relations. A thorough review conducted by State Department officials rightfully concluded that, despite differences between the US and Cuban governments, Cuba does not sponsor terrorism.

However, regrettably, the Trump administration reinstated Cuba on this list on January 12, 2021, citing Cuba’s involvement in peace negotiations in Colombia and its sheltering of former US political prisoners. This rationale is fundamentally flawed since Cuba actively promotes peace by facilitating dialogue between the Colombian Government and the ELN, a Colombian guerrilla organization. Cuba played a pivotal role in brokering a bilateral ceasefire between the ELN and the Colombian government on June 9 of the same year.

Labeling Cuba as a terrorism-supporting nation is a distorted characterization that turns victims of terrorism into alleged perpetrators. Since 1959, the United States has invested substantial resources, amounting to billions of dollars, in training anti-government forces in Cuba, who have engaged in acts of terrorism, including hotel bombings and loss of innocent lives. Over this period, terrorist attacks against Cuba have resulted in 3,478 fatalities and left 2,099 individuals severely injured.

Despite enduring relentless acts of terror, Cuba has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting impoverished and oppressed populations worldwide in their struggles against hunger, disease, illiteracy, and suffering. Cuba allocates its resources to the well-being of its citizens and global humanitarian endeavors, even in the face of immense economic pressures.

Indeed, Cuba has been a pioneering nation in consistently conducting international humanitarian work, particularly during the pandemic. Cuba saved countless lives through its medical brigades deployed to over 50 countries worldwide. It continues to champion peace processes and actively contributes to conflict resolution efforts. Cuba’s achievements in eradicating illiteracy serve as a model for the world. During the pandemic, Cuba developed three COVID-19 vaccines to safeguard its population and has a long history of allocating resources to promote solidarity and internationalism across the globe.

We firmly believes that neither the blockade nor any other such measures will succeed in undermining the sovereignty and self-determination of the Cuban people. Cuba’s strength and humanism serve as a testament to the successes of its social projects, making it an enduring source of inspiration for people worldwide who strive for peace and justice.

For these compelling reasons, we call upon the United States Government to remove Cuba from its list.

We believe that international pressure and the dissemination of accurate information about Cuba’s track record of international humanitarian solidarity can secure Cuba’s removal from the list of alleged terrorism-supporting countries. Furthermore, we align ourselves with the 185 countries that voiced their opposition to the US blockade of Cuba at the 2022 UN General Assembly, as well as in previous years.

Therefore, we issue a global appeal to organizations, prominent figures in society, grassroots movements, religious communities, artists, athletes, journalists, peace advocacy groups, and human rights defenders to endorse this petition by following the link: bit.ly/BiarkanKubaHidup On December 8, 2023, we will present this petition to the White House.

Cuba is not alone; the entire world stands in solidarity with the Cuban people!

Cuba, yes; blockade, no!

Signed by:

• Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI)
• Media Marsinah
• Cross Communal (Lintas Komunal)
• People's Liberation Party (Partai Pembebasan Rakyat, PPR)
• Papua Student Alliance (Aliansi Mahasiswa Papua, AMP)
• Populist Youth Horizon (Cakrawala Muda Kerakyatan, CMK)
• Socialist Youth League (Liga Pemuda Sosialis, LPS)
• Gajah Mada University (UGM) Balairung Student Press and Publishing Body (BPPM Balairung UGM)
• Youth Resistnace (Muda Melawan)
• Papua Alternative School (Sekolah Alternatif Papua)
• 5 Kolektif Para-Para Papua
• Green Papua
• National Labour Movement Centre (Sentral Gerakan Buruh Nasional, SGBN)
• Resistance
• Populist Democratic Trade Union Federation (Federasi Serikat Buruh Demokratik Kerakyatan, F-SEDAR)
• East Kalimantan Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (Kaukus Indonesia untuk Kebebasan Akademik Kalimantan Timur, KIKA)
• Mulawarman University Legal Faculty Anti-Corruption Study Centre (Pusat Studi Anti Korupsi, SAKSI)
• Student Struggle Center for National Liberation (Pusat Perjuangan Mahasiswa untuk Pembebasan Nasional, Pembebasan)
• Social Movement Institute
• Socialist Study Circle (Lingkar Studi Sosialis, LSS)
• Militant Trade Union Federation (Federasi Serikat Buruh Militan, F-SEBUMI)
• Socialist Union (Perserikatan Sosialis, PS)

[Originally posted in English and Bahasa Indonesia.]

Source: https://www.arahjuang.com/2023/09/27/pernyataan-sikap-bersama-biarkan-kuba-hidup/