Cuba sets conditions for normalizing relations with the US

(Baonghean) - Since the US and Cuban leaders announced the normalization of bilateral relations at the end of last year, on January 28, senior Cuban leaders detailed their country's demands for the US in the process of normalizing bilateral relations for the first time. The issues raised by Cuban leaders show that Cuba has become more flexible, but that does not mean accepting any price in exchange for normalizing relations with the US.

In his speech at the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States taking place in Costa Rica, Cuban President Raul Castro affirmed: The ultimate goal is to reduce political confrontation through economic, political exchanges and dialogue. If these issues are not resolved, improving diplomatic relations between the two countries will be meaningless. Specifically, President Raul Castro said that the US needs to lift the embargo against Cuba, remove Cuba from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and demand the US return the Guantanamo military base that the US illegally occupied from Cuba. In addition, President Raul Castro also emphasized that Cuba wants to improve relations with the US but that does not mean that this country will abandon its ideals of independence, social justice or give up any principles.

Cuban President Raul Castro talks about normalizing Cuba-US relations.

Previously, on January 26, Cuban leader Fidel Castro also expressed his support for the negotiations between Cuba and the US for the first time through a letter sent and republished by Cuban television. In this letter, leader Fidel Castro wrote: "We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all countries around the world, including our political enemies. Any peaceful solution through negotiations must be handled according to international principles and practices."

These articles and statements are the first specific messages from Cuban leaders about normalizing relations with the United States. These statements show that Cuba wants to implement a foreign policy that is ready to cooperate with all countries. This is a major change in Cuba's foreign policy, showing that the country is initially ready to diversify relations with other countries, thereby gaining many benefits for the country. Cuba's willingness to dialogue to resolve differences also shows that the country is more flexible and open. Since the early 1990s, Cuba has adjusted its foreign policy to suit the new situation. However, through this specific incident, the negotiation to normalize relations with the United States, public opinion can see a larger adjustment in Cuba's foreign policy, that is, the country is ready for a broader integration process with the world, including hostile countries like the United States.

However, one thing that Cuban leaders have made clear in their recent statements is that the country will not accept any conditions in exchange for improving relations with the United States. Cuba is ready to dialogue with the United States but remains steadfast in its chosen ideals and opposes any interference from the United States. In the context of the US political arena, there are still many views demanding that Cuba be more democratic and change the one-party regime, the views of Cuban leaders have drawn a clear line that Cuba will not accept if the United States intends to cross. What Cuba can consider is allowing independent politicians to run for office in the upcoming elections.

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