Clearly, the heroic resistance of the Cuban people has been the decisive factor in the surprising breakthrough in efforts to move on towards a positive change in US policy regarding the island as expressed in the announcement of the US President on December 17, made simultaneously with the announcement by the Cuban President.

Admittedly, both Cuban President Raul Castro and US President, Barack Obama, face internal complexities in their own nations resulting from the impact of over half a century of sustained hostility.

The Cubans have suffered serious actions against their national identity orchestrated by Washington since the times of their fighting against Spanish colonialism, during the US military occupation of the island (1898-1902), and throughout the years of the diminished republic, until the triumph of the revolution in 1959.

From then until now, the longest, most intense and all-encompassing economic and financial blockade in history; the deliberate isolation of the island; and the effects of uncontrolled migration stimulated by the United States against Cuba have left deep scars, which will be difficult to erase.

On the other hand, a shameful smear campaign, paid for with taxpayer’s money, has made most US citizens identify Cuba, its political system, its leaders and heroes with the worst attributes.

Add to this the fact that influential groups of Cuban extreme right –created in Miami over 50 years ago from a nucleus of corrupt politicians and torturers from the tyranny defeated by the revolution– received terrorist training, funding and orders from the CIA. Ever since, they have filled their coffers with much of the money the US government allots to "promoting democracy in Cuba." Today, from the arena of politics, they have made counterrevolution a business of huge proportions.

Just as in Cuba there have been anonymous heroes –and also well-known as the five Cuban anti-terrorists who devoted an important part of their lives to this confrontation– it is fair to acknowledge the role of many Cubans living in the United States and many US citizens who have supported Cuba in this conflict reflecting the true best interests of their countries. Hundreds of thousands of US citizens have worked hard against the policy of blockade against Cuba; or have traveled to Cuba despite the travel ban through third countries, with special licenses, or on their own at the risk of being fined. Many thousands have signed petitions to their legislators or participated in rallies and marches. Many have sponsored, raised funds for, or attended concerts and cultural events with Cuban artists. Many have written letters to members of Congress, to the Administration, and to media editors urging them to adopt a favorable position towards the normalization of relations with Cuba for the benefits this would bring to the country, or simply for being fair and right.

For many years now, national and Florida local polls have been showing that most US citizens, including the ones called "Cuban-Americans" over there have wanted an "opening to Cuba".

The most recent survey by Florida International University (FIU) showed a majority support among the "Cuban-American" respondents on the issues of travel to Cuba, diplomatic relations and compromise.

A CNN/ORC poll, taken six days after the announcement of the President on policy change towards Cuba, found that 6 of every 10 North Americans favor diplomatic relations with Cuba, and two thirds want the travel restrictions lifted.

Another significant public survey, conducted by the Atlantic Council in February 2014, had shown that "56 percent of the US citizens and more than 60 percent of Floridians and Latinos" want a change in US policy toward Cuba.

It is obvious that both sides will have to make great efforts; and the Cuban side should seriously evaluate the role of the Cuban migration as well as the political and social grassroots organizations in the United States as important components of these efforts. These could press for a positive change in the US Cuba policy. The US will eventually have to accept a relationship of true respect for the sovereignty of Cuba, if only because it may have no other choice.

March 4, 2015

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A CubaNews translation. Edited by Walter Lippmann. http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs4332.html