As Cuba grapples with ongoing blackouts and a declining quality of life, over 100 cultural figures--including artists, curators, and intellectuals--have made a public plea for international support. They assert that the enduring US oil blockade has severely hindered efforts to address the island's escalating humanitarian challenges.
The letter, titled "Cuba is Not a Threat", was released on February 16 and features signatures from prominent Cuban personalities, including Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso Grau and renowned poet Miguel Barnet Lanza.
"Cuba's true wealth lies in its people," the letter emphasizes. "While we may lack abundant natural resources, our human capital is rich in creativity and resilience. We advocate for peace and strive to build a just society."
The Caribbean nation has been under a US economic embargo for over six decades, with a full blockade initiated by President John F. Kennedy in February 1962. Critics argue that these restrictions on oil and fuel have led to significant shortages, crippling essential services like healthcare and education.
Access to oil has become increasingly difficult for Cuba, particularly after the second Trump administration's policies. Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, fuel shipments from Venezuela--Cuba's primary supplier--were effectively halted. New tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba have raised concerns about the potential impact on the Cuban populace.
"Cuba will continue to resist this inhumane aggression," the letter states, calling for solidarity from individuals worldwide. "It is vital to prevent acts that could be deemed genocidal and to protect a people who are merely defending their sovereignty."
Since the pandemic, Cuba has faced significant social and political challenges, with widespread protests erupting against government inefficiencies. The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), which spearheaded the letter, concluded with a rallying cry inspired by Cuban poet José Martí: "Whoever rises up today for Cuba, rises up for all time."
