High Representative of the European Union  Josep Borrell  (europa.eu)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

High Representative of the European Union  Josep Borrell said human rights are a  central element of the political dialogue and cooperation agreement between the EU and Cuba. However, Borrell strongly rejects isolating Cuba as the former American President Trump fervently pursued particularly in forbidding Americans to travel to the socialist nation.  During a debate in the plenary of the European Parliament on the political dialogue and cooperation agreement between the EU and Cuba on Tuesday, Borrell said the Trump policy toward Cuba was step in the wrong direction. 

“…having cut off the possibility for many US citizens of being able to go as tourists to Cuba, by the Trump administration, was a step backwards for the maintenance of economic activity and consequently also the well-being of Cuban citizens.”

-High Representative of the European Union  Josep Borrell

“No one can doubt that human rights are a central element of our Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba. And I want to take this moment to defend this Agreement and its application. They are a central part of this agreement [human rights] and continue to be an essential part of our policy with respect to Cuba, which we can call a policy of “critical engagement” with this country, Borrell said. He added:  “And you don’t need to tell them why. Because we Europeans believe that our political system based on individual freedoms and a dynamic civil society, we believe that they are fundamental for the social and economic development of any country.”

Borrell Says EU Supports Artist and Leader of San Isidro Movement  Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara

Amnesty International named Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a member of the San Isidro Movement, a group of artists and activists, as a prisoner of conscience in May and urged President Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez and other Cuban authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.    According to Amnesty International,  On 2 May 2021 state security officials took Luis Manuel from his home, the headquarters of the San Isidro Movement, where he was carrying out a hunger strike reportedly in protest over his artwork being confiscated from his home. According to information from the NGO Cubalex and state media, he was taken to the emergency ward of the Hospital Universitario “General Calixto García” in Havana.  After an arrest, a hunger strike, and a forced hospital stay, Cuban artist  Manuel Otero Alcántara has been released from custody in Havana May 31. 

Artist and Leader of Cuba San Isidro Movement  Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara (Credit Facebook)

Young Black artist,  Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara  has become the most visible face of the opposition to the Cuban government.

“As in the case of the artist and leader of the San Isidro Movement, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. This is the case that we have dealt with with the Cuban authorities, repeatedly, both in Brussels and in Havana. We know about this case and we have been concerned about it, I know that it concerns your honorable Members, that is why I am glad that Mr. Otero was released on May 31. And our services have been in contact with him since his release. He has informed us that he will continue his political activism, and has expressed his appreciation for the support that the European Union has given him. Have no doubt that we will continue to monitor your personal situation and the requests for freedom of artistic expression that the San Isidro Movement has formulated. We have raised these and other cases with Cuba, with the Cuban authorities because – as I say – the dialogue on human rights is at the center of our relationship.”

Borrell Says EU Ready To Support Cuba Economic Reforms 

“Because, this agenda of “critical engagement” with Cuba is precisely what allows us to accompany the country in political, economic and social reform. As we are aware that the economic situation in Cuba has been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and also for other important exogenous reasons such as the return by the United States authorities to restrictive measures, in the economic sense and in the material and people exchange.”

In this context, the announcement by Cuba of economic reforms, which include the introduction of more market-oriented mechanisms and a better regulatory framework, for the private sector are important steps. But having cut off the possibility for many US citizens of being able to go as tourists to Cuba, by the Trump administration, was a step backwards for the maintenance of economic activity and consequently also the well-being of Cuban citizen. We are ready – of course – to support the reforms undertaken, which still have to be further developed.”

–High Representative of the European Union  Josep Borrell