Today I met Madame Marianik Tremblay, the Canadian ambassador to Cuba, who generously received my book on Cuban Canadian cultural ties. The irony of the moment was overwhelming. Two days ago Canada ceased all air traffic to Cuba due to the shortage of oil caused by the Trump administration’s recent blockade. Canada’s actions -the first country to do so – are the exact opposite of the history of cooperative relations in education, music and development assistance my book documents.
Canadian media has focused on unhappy tourists But accompanying me on this visit to the embassy was a Cuban doctoral student at Queen’s University who helped me research this book. His plans to celebrate his wedding with his Canadian partner in Havana next week came to a crashing halt when the bride, her parents, and dozens of friends were suddenly unable to join him and his family in Havana.
Flight cancellations are going to affect Cuban Canadian family plans, musical, artistic and student exchanges, business relationships. The oil stranglehold is obviously going to cause further hardship for Cuban citizens. As Trump himself has explained, this is the point.
Why did Canadian airlines not choose the option, as European airlines have, of refuelling in adjacent countries? When will the Canadian government announce a humanitarian aid initiative? Or send oil? Whatever one’s views on the current Cuban government- and there are divergent opinions among Cubans on the need for change – surely it is up to Cubans themselves, not foreign bullies, to decide on their future.
If you are concerned please write your MP, PM Carney, Foreign Minister Anand.
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