CubaMDAW 2013: DCH & MBK

Cuba Facts

Population: 11+ millionArea: 43,000 square milesCapital: Havana

Background InfoSettled by the Taino (Arawak), Guanajatebey and

Ciboney peoplesBrought to European attention by Christopher

Columbus in 1492Colonization by Spain began in 1511, and was

based on the encomienda system (slavery / indentured servitude of indigenous peoples)

Indigenous labor was replaced with slave labor (largely taken from West Africa)

Spanish control of the colony, which had a large export-based economy (sugar, coffee, tobacco), lasted until 1898

Background, cont’dA revolution (Marti) began in 1895—the war saw

massive atrocities (first modern concentration camps) and tremendous numbers of civilian deaths

Remember the Maine—destruction of U.S. battleship that was used as a pretext for war against the Spanish Empire

War ended in 1898 with the U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam from Spain and Cuba gaining independence

U.S. claimed right to monitor Cuba’s foreign relations and finances

Background, cont’dFormer president Fulgencio Batista seized

control of Cuba via coup in 1952Fidel Castro led a revolution against the

Batista regime beginning in 1956; captured Havana/ gained U.S. recognition in 1959

U.S. efforts to isolate the Castro regime began soon thereafter, including sanctions, support for rebel groups, and assassination attempts

Cuba began close collaboration with the USSR and other communist states

Background, cont’dCuban Missile CrisisCuba faced serious problems after the

collapse of the USSR in 1991—loss of energy, financial, military support

Cuba adapted—reforms to the socialist economy, new alliances with China, Venezuela, other Bolivaran states

Fidel Castro stepped down in 2008, replaced by his younger brother Raul

The U.S. embargo, codified in 1993’s Cuba Democracy Act and 1996’s Helms-Burton law, remains in place

Status of U.S.-Cuba RelationsTrade, assistance, business relations, monetary

transactions, travel, financial transactions, etc. are all severely restricted

Exceptions exist for trade in particular goods/services (particularly agriculture) and travel/remittances by certain Americans (typically Cuban ex-pats and their descendants). All relations must be licensed, and those licenses are very difficult to obtain

The U.S. tries to enforce aspects of the embargo extra-territorially (outside of the U.S.)

Resumption of trade/relations is conditioned on Cuba meeting strict economic/political liberalization goals

Rationale for the EmbargoCuba’s government poses a security threat to

the U.S. and we should not do anything to enrich the regime

Cuba’s government oppresses its people, and refusing to do business with the regime demonstrates our objections to these practices

Cuba’s government stole property from American companies and citizens (old and new)

The U.S. needs to take a hardline with Cuba to signal to our enemies that are deeply resolved to defeat them

Proposals for ChangeNormalize relationsEnd particular isolation policies

Travel restrictionsAgricultural payment restrictionsRestrictions on transactions with state-owned enterprisesRestrictions on joint resource developmentRestrictions on access to financial servicesTerror listRestrictions on humanitarian items /telecomm remittancesRestrictions on public/private collaborationsPromote exchanges / dialogue

Conditioned (tit for tat) easing of restrictionsReturn Guantanamo Bay

Advantage AreasCuba EconomyCuba Political Transition / StabilityHumanitarian ConcernsImperialism is BadInternational LawRelations / Collaboration Good

Drug cooperationEnvironmental cooperationScientific Cooperation

Advantage Areas, cont’dU.S. Credibility / Influence

Allies / extraterritorial sanctionsInfluence vs. competitor states (China, Russia,

Venezuela)Latin American statesMultilateralism

U.S. Economy

Negative GripesTopicality

Ending the embargo goes above and beyond “economic engagement”

Many forms of engagement are likely not “economic”

CounterplansAdvantage counterplansAlternative mechanism of engagementDomestic actor (executive v. courts v. congress)Unconditional vs. QPQU.S. vs. alternate international actor

Neg Gripes, cont’dDisadvantages

PoliticsCuba as Security ThreatCuba as Unspoiled Socialist ParadiseU.S. hegemony / influence badReverse Cuba political transition / stability

KritiksTraditional IR K’s—identity, geopolitics, etc.Affs have to be “economic”Affs have to be “engagement”“Economic engagement” means using trade/aid to turn

other countries into “mini-me’s”