LATEST:Statement of the World Peace Council on the recent protest events in Cuba:

Recent events in Cuba have made headlines around the world. That, of course, does not mean that we are getting the full picture or even that the reports are true.

For nearly 60 years, the United States has enforced an embargo against Cuba, severely restricting the flow of goods to the island. US companies are forbidden from dealing with Cuba and various US laws punish foreign companies that do business in Cuba. Since the late 1950s US government policy, and the purpose of the sanctions, has been “regime change” – or, in everyday language, overthrowing the Cuban government.

Since Joe Biden took up office earlier this year, he has continued the illegal economic sanctions against the Cuban people, ratcheted up the anti-Cuban rhetoric, pandered to the right-wing lobby of Cuban exiles in Miami and conspired to create a climate which seeks to destabilise the Cuban government.

Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel has denounced what he said was a false narrative over recent events. Speaking alongside ex-president Raul Castro during a rally in front of thousands of supporters in Havana, the President said “What the world is seeing of Cuba is a lie”. He went on to denounce the posting of false images on social media designed to “encourage and glorify the outrage and destruction of property.”

The Cuban government has also criticised the European Union for its uncritical support of the Biden administration and its failure to call out the economic, commercial and financial blockade that the United States government has imposed on Cuba for more than six decades.

Despite the United Nations repeatedly condemning the US sanctions they remain in effect. Cuba is being punished by the most powerful nation in the world for choosing to live, work and play under its own alternative political system. Cuba has removed the price tag from such fundamental human necessities as health and education and its near neighbour has reacted by attempting to overthrow its government and impose its own values on the Cuban people.

Now more than ever, Cuba needs, and deserves, the unwavering support of the international community.