Vacationing in Cuba Finances Repression

Michael Lima Cuadra interviewed by Karlene Media Nation on why vacationing and investing in Cuba finances repression of journalists, artists and critics of the Cuban dictatorship.

Ver articulo en español. “INVERTIR EN CUBA AYUDA A FINANCIAR LA REPRESIÓN”

Cuba is ruled by Latin America’s longest lasting dictatorship. It holds the onerous record of being the regime with the highest number of political prisoners in Latin America (1.167 political prisoners). It is ranked by Freedom House with the least amount of civil and political liberties in the Americas. If you stand for democracy and reject persecution, exclusion and political imprisonment of those who think differently, be aware that investing and vacationing in Cuba props up the Cuban dictatorship. It directly helps strengthen the regime’s repressive apparatus, launders the regime image and makes you complicit of a regime actively participating in Putin’s disinformation campaign on the invasion of Ukraine.

Original photo and design by Yanelys Nuñez, International Coordinator in Spain of the San Isidro Movement and co founder of the Museum of Dissent. Initially the photo referred to #BoycottMelia in reference to the Melia hotels in Cuba. The poster design included information to make it relevant to the Canadian context.

1- Financing the payroll of an army of police and State Security agents working to surveil, persecute and imprison human rights activists, journalists, artists and critics.

I would start by arguing that investing in Cuba doe not improve the wellbeing of the people of Cuba as a regime that has prohibited free, fair and multi party elections for over 6 decades is not accountable to its people. This means that revenues from tourism and other investments are arbitrarily & disproportionately invested by the regime in building more hotels for foreign tourists. In fact in 2019, investment in real state surpassed 3 billion Cuban pesos in comparison with 34 million Cuban pesos in education and over 27 million in health care and social assistance.

The regime instead uses that money to cover the payroll of an army of police and sustain what has been considered by Global Fire Power as the 4th paramilitary force in the world.

2- Laundering the image of the Cuban dictatorship

Furthermore, vacationing in Cuba helps launder the image of a human rights predatory regime responsible for unleashing the most brutal crackdown in decades against civil society in decades, after the July 11, 2021 pro democratic protests.

By laundering its image, the regime whitewashes its dismal human rights records. The narrative of tourism, beaches and concerts whitewashes the regime’s image as one that persecutes and jails journalists, artists and criticas. Like in other dictatorships through history, image laundering helps conceal atrocious human rights abuses. Hosting entertainment, cultural, and other events in Cuba is a “deliberate strategy” of the Cuban regime to deflect from Cuba’s image as a pervasive and systematic human rights violator.

3- Being complicit with a regime actively disseminating Kremlin’s disinformation on the invasion of Ukraine.

Canadians who stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine should be aware of how the Cuban regime supports dictator Vladimir Putin in this conflict. In a world where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is re defining international relations, they should be aware that the Cuban regime actively takes party in a hybrid warfare by helping the Kremlin disseminate its disinformation campaign. The Communist Party of Cuba’s controlled media almost exclusively echoes Russia Today and Putin officials as sources. Through this process, Putin’s direct responsibility as a war criminal is hidden in a fabricated narrative of an alleged “military exercise.” Vacationing in Cuba therefore makes you complicit of a regime that covers up Putin’s atrocious crime through a false narrative and dissemination of fake news about the war in Ukraine.

Democratic Spaces encourages all Canadians stop financing persecution, surveillance and repression of artists, journalists, activists critics of the Cuban regime and instead call on the government of Canada to stand with Cubans in their peaceful struggle to live in a free, democratic and inclusive nation. While humanitarian aid to the people is highly appreciated, the best way to get to the root cause of issues in Cuba is by helping Cubans to take control of their nation through free, fair and multiparty elections.

Global Fire Power ranking of PARAMILITARY forces around the world in 2022.

Paramilitary Force Strength by Country (2022) MILITARY | PERSONNEL

Ranking the total available paramilitary force strength by country, from highest to lowest.

Paramilitary forces / organizations are semi-military entities that can strengthen a given nation's fighting capability on the ground. The value is used in the final GFP ranking to further refine a nation's overall military strength. Some nations can field a frontline, reserve, and paramilitary force while others not capable of sustaining reserves make paramilitary forces a vital component to its defense. Others do not officially support a paramilitary force but may still call upon one.

Data presented on this list is through 2022. Estimates are made when official data is not available.

Global Fire Power ranks Cuba as the 4th Paramilitary Force in the World.