The US has offered humanitarian aid to Cuba following the devastation of hurricane Gustav, but the need for more aid will become crucial now that Ike has arrived on the eastern shores of Cuba threatening to plummet the islands as it pursues a western trajectory.

The American government has conditioned the aid by requiring delivery and distribution by non-governmental organizations along with an assessment team. The Cuban government apparently finds these conditions unacceptable, and, in spite of the dire scenario facing Cuba, the government has refused the American aid citing, as reported in USA Today and the Houston Chronicle, that “the only correct, ethical (action) ... would be the total and definitive elimination of the harsh and cruel economic, commercial and financial blockade applied over nearly a half century against our nation." This is a rather peculiar response from the Cuban government given, as has been reported by The New York Times, that the US is ranked as among Cuba’s top five trading partners.(also see CubaResponde International - The Cuban embargo (blockade) and US trade - August 16, 2008).

The US government has reasons to look with great skepticism to the management of aid offered to Cuba since there are reports that previous products sent as assistance, including medicines, have been sold to tourists in Cuba or to third world countries (see CubaResponde - ¿Debe los EEUU levantar las sanciones hacia Cuba dado las damnificaciones de Gustav y la amenaza de Ike? - 7 de agosto del 2008).

In spite of this very valid concern of the US government, the humanitarian crisis that looms upon the Cuban citizens compels the temporary lifting of the sanctions, allowing for unrestricted remittances to the island while Cuba recovers. This proposal is backed by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, members of Congress, and, of greatest importance to the future of Cuba, members of Cuban dissident movement.

Jose A Hernandez, MD
President, CubaResponde
END

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