My TakeThe world says ‘enough is enough’ to US over Cuba
- A total of 184 countries in the UN General Assembly voted recently in favour of a resolution to demand the end of the US economic blockade on Cuba, for the 29th year in a row
Most American politicians and pundits have a strange view of the world. Every mass protest, however peaceful, in countries to which the United States is hostile is a popular demand for regime change or revolution. Every mass protest, however deadly or violent, in countries with which the US is friendly, is either ignored or downplayed. Human rights apply with a laser focus in the former but usually overlooked in the latter case.
This wasn’t something I cared about for much of my adult life, because it didn’t really affect Hong Kong – until recently. But since we are now the target of Washington’s constant hypocritical and often absurd attacks and sanctions, you tend to read world headlines differently.
Consider Cuba and South Africa today, and the responses of the government and media of the US. More than 70 people have died since unrest broke out in the African country over the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
“We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian regime,” he said in an official statement. Strong words there!
And South Africa? There was a comment or something from a junior White House spokesperson.