During a recent interview, we spoke with Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister, about the high-level US-Cuban migration talks held in Washington. According to Fernandez de Cosí, the primary driver of migration between the two countries is still the permanent US embargo on Cuba. He highlighted the significant impact of US policy that accelerates the permanent residence of Cubans in the United States on this flow. However, he also emphasized that economic difficulties faced by Cubans are pushing them to seek better opportunities elsewhere and that US policies aimed at undermining the Cuban economy are exacerbating these conditions.
Furthermore, Fernandez de Cosio touched on other topics such as the upcoming 2024 election and potential policy continuity between the Trump and Biden administrations. He also shared Cuba’s position on the US-backed Israeli military action in Gaza and recent protests in Cuba over living conditions and other grievances. Overall, this conversation shed light on the complex dynamics shaping US-Cuban relations from migration policy to geopolitical conflicts and domestic challenges facing the island nation.
In addition to discussing migration policy, Fernandez de Cosio also addressed issues related to Cuba’s domestic situation. He pointed out that despite recent improvements in living standards for some Cubans, economic difficulties continue to be a major concern for many people on the island. He highlighted how policies aimed at undermining Cuba’s economy are exacerbating these difficulties and causing many Cubans to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
Furthermore, he touched on recent protests in Cuba over living conditions and other grievances. While he acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns about human rights abuses by both governments involved in these conflicts, he emphasized that peaceful protest was necessary for progress towards a more democratic society.
Overall, this conversation provided insights into the complex dynamics shaping US-Cuban relations from migration policy to geopolitical conflicts and domestic challenges facing both countries. It is clear that addressing these issues will require cooperation between both governments if they hope to achieve lasting peace and stability in their respective regions.