US, Cuba Relations 2015: Raul Castro Wants Guantanamo Bay Back If Normalized Diplomatic Relations Continue
Cuba President Raul Castro Wednesday addressed Latin American leaders and revealed relations with the U.S. have not normalized despite developments to renew diplomatic relations.
Speaking at Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit, a 33-country bloc conference without the presence of Canada and the U.S., Castro said the ongoing normalizing relations will be "meaningless" if the U.S. interferes in Cuban affairs.
Castro identified three conditions that will improve U.S. and Cuba relations. The first condition is lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba, which only Congress can do. Second, Castro wants compensation for the "human and economic damage" the Cuban population suffered. Finally, Castro wants the U.S. Guantanamo Bay base returned to Cuban control.
"If these problems are not resolved, this diplomatic rapprochement between Cuba and the United States would be meaningless," he said.
Castro's comments come after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson became the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit Cuba in more than three decades. Jacobson held talks with Cuban officials to further restore diplomatic relations and enhance discussions on reopening embassies at respective capitals.
Castro has also called for Cuba to be removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list. Last month, President Barack Obama instructed the U.S. Department of State to review Cuba's designation on the list. According to the U.S. State Department, the secretary of state is responsible to determine if a country's government has "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." Countries on the list have encountered sanctions including a ban on arms-related exports and sales and prohibitions on economic assistance.
Current Secretary of State John Kerry has not issued a decision yet on Cuba's designation following the Dec. 17, 2014, announcement of renewed diplomatic relations. At the time, Obama said, "This review will be guided by the facts and the law. Terrorism has changed in the last several decades. At a time when we are focused on threats from al-Qaida to ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), a nation that meets our conditions and renounces the use of terrorism should not face this sanction."
In regards to Guantanamo Bay, U.S. officials are still determined to close the detention facility on the base, which has housed alleged terrorists. The U.S. created the base following an agreement with then-Cuban officials in 1903. Cuba had agreed to lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for "the purposes of coaling and naval stations."
As Latin Post reported, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro revealed he did not speak with U.S. officials leading up to the Dec. 17 announcement. In a letter he wrote, Castro said he does not trust the policy of the U.S. but is not against a "pacific solution" between the two countries.
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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