People’s Organization For Progress Opposes Military Action Against Cuba And Call For End To Blockade

A human and civil rights group has announced its opposition to U.S. military action against Cuba. It is also calling for an end to U.S. sanctions against that country.

“It appears that President Trump and his administration are planning to take some type of military action against Cuba,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated. 

“People’s Organization For Progress is absolutely opposed to any direct or indirect hostile U.S. military engagement with Cuba, and we demand that the administration avoid such actions at all costs,” Hamm said. 

“Our organization is categorically opposed to any U.S. war with Cuba, military attack, invasion, or armed aggression against that country,” he said.

“We are opposed to any attempt by the Trump administration to engage in regime change or to orchestrate a coup in Cuba,” he said. 

“An invasion or war with Cuba would be disastrous. It would cause needless deaths on both sides, and possibly bring instability to the Caribbean region,” he said

Hamm said there are other possible outcomes that could have serious consequences. If Cuba is attacked it could decide strike back at the U.S. That could lead to a full scale war. Russia and China may decide not to stand idly by if their long time ally Cuba is invaded.

He also said that war with Cuba could lead to an increase in the already high levels of military spending. So far, the war in Iran has cost the lives of American soldiers and 29 billion dollars. 

It is also driving up the cost of living.  The invasion of Venezuela has cost almost 5 billion.  Ukraine and Israel have received billions in military aid from the U.S.

“Trump is requesting a record breaking 1.5 trillion dollar military budget for the next fiscal year. In the face of these astronomical military expenses we don’t need another multi-billion dollar regime change war in Cuba,” he said. 

“Furthermore, we condemn the U.S. Department of Justice indictment of Raul Castro, the 94 year-old former Cuban President, and brother of Fidel Castro. We call on the government not to take any further action regarding the indictment,” Hamm said. 

“We believe the charges are spurious and are a pretext to justify an invasion of Cuba and the violent seizure of Castro in a manner similar to the way the U.S. kidnapped President Maduro of Venezuela,” he said. 

“The kidnapping of President Maduro was illegal and a violation of international law, and so would be the abduction of Castro,” he said. 

“Why are we threatening Cuba?” he asked. “That country poses no threat to the United States. Cuba has not attacked the United States,” he said. 

“Cuba has not done any harm to any U.S. citizens. It has not put up a blockade and embargo against the U.S. as our government has done to Cuba for decades,” he said. 

“Cuba is an independent and sovereign country. As such, it has a right to self-determination and to chose its own government and path of economic development. The U.S. has no right to dictate to Cuba,” Hamm said. 

He pointed out that Cuba has played an important humanitarian role on the world stage. He said it has trained thousands of doctors and other medical personnel and sent them to countries around the world to provide vital medical services and assistance. 

He also stated that Cuba has played a critical role in the liberation struggles of oppressed peoples against colonialism and imperialism. He said that Nelson Mandela often spoke of the important military and political support Cuba gave to Black people’s struggle to overthrow the racist system of apartheid and white minority rule in South Africa.

“In addition, we are calling for an immediate end to the U.S. blockade and embargo against Cuba, and the lifting of all economic sanctions,” he said. 

“These measures are economically strangling that country and causing immense human suffering and harm,” he said. 

Cuba has run out of fuel and is facing serious food shortages he said. Due to the lack of fuel there are severe power outages.

Many people are either without electricity or have limited access to it. Hospitals are without adequate power and are running out of medicines.

“These U.S. imposed sanctions are causing hunger, sickness, and death. Trump administration policy on Cuba is laying the basis for a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions in Cuba,” he said. 

In response to this crisis grassroots organizations and activists have tried to bring material aid including food, clothing, medicine and other goods to Cuba. However, the U.S. government has announced it is going to investigate and possibly charge them for doing so. 

“POP condemns these investigations and calls on the federal government to immediately bring them to a halt. People should not be penalized or punished or jailed for helping people who are poor, sick, and hungry,” Hamm said. 

“Finally, rather than using 19th century style imperialist military force the Trump administration should use diplomacy and give peace a chance. We should normalize relations with this neighbor that is only 90 miles from our shore,” he said. 

For more information contact the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.