UE Convention Resolutions
End the Cuban Blockade
And Resume Relations
Cuba poses no economic or military threat to the United States. The U.S. government has no justification for the economic blockade of Cuba.
Our people have a long history of connections with the Cuban people. Yet U.S.-based relief groups, including Pastors for Peace, are forced to break the law and face arrest simply for taking medical and other supplies into Cuba. Blocking medical exports to Cuba threatens the health of its people. We send aid to nations throughout the globe, but our government harasses people who try to help Cubans.
The blockade hurts workers in the United States as well as those in Cuba. Jobs are lost, while manufacturers are denied a major market just 90 miles offshore. Our allies enjoy trade relations with Cuba. While Republicans and Democrats promote "free trade" with countries that permit the payment of starvation wages, they refuse to permit trade with Cuba, a nation that would make the U.S. its number one trade partner without the embargo. It is estimated that Cuba spends currently over a billion dollars on food imports alone, and spends billions more on manufactured products with the 98% of nations who conduct business with the island nation. Cuba is a potential market for railroad locomotives as well as a host of other manufactured products made by UE members.
Obama's policy towards Cuba is so far less provocative, but in most ways remains a continuation of the failed and hostile policies of past administrations. Our government attempts to starve the country into submission, refuses to allow help to those who are victimized by this, and assumes the Cuban people will overthrow their own government in response. The U.S. penalizes foreign companies and countries for trading with Cuba when it has no moral or legal right to do so. The Obama administration must be measured by the progress it makes towards righting this 50 year-old wrong.
The Obama presidency will also be tested by its handling of the "Cuban Five." This case involves the jailing of five Cuban immigrants on the bogus pretext of "spying," when they were monitoring Cuban exile terrorist groups which freely operate from the U.S. The families of the five imprisoned men are not allowed entry visas for brief visits. Trade unions around the world have led campaigns to not only normalize trade relations, but to release the Cuban Five as well.
This punitive and outdated policy hurts our country and other Latin American countries which trade with Cuba, and it hinders economic development in the Caribbean basin. UE must continue to fight for dignified and democratic relations among the nations of the Americas, based on peace and mutual respect.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THIS 71st UE CONVENTION:
- Demands that Congress and the President:
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Respect the Cuban people's right of self-determination and normalize relations with the Cuban government;
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Stop interventionist policies and immediately cease political and military harassment, which seriously undermines relations between Latin America and the United States.;
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End the blockade on trade and travel for Americans;
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End the pressure against countries that wish to trade freely with Cuba;
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Cease all funding and support for Cuban-exile terrorist groups;
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Allow entrance visas to be issued to the family members of the Cuban Five for visitation, and release the Cuban Five with all haste;
- Calls on locals and regions to join the campaign to end this relict of the cold war, support the efforts of organizations working to lift the blockade, and promote labor solidarity with Cuban workers.