29.02.1996

USA rattles sabre at Cuba

On February 24 the Cuban air forces destroyed two light aircraft over the Caribbean to the north of Havana, apparently killing the crews. The aircraft had flown from the US state of Florida. They were from an organisation called Brothers to the Rescue, part of the large anti-communist Cuban exile community in the USA.

The organisation claims to want to aid Cubans adrift at sea trying to flee their homeland. Some western media outlets have conveyed the impression that the destroyed planes were some kind of airborne Oxfam. However, Brothers to the Rescue aircraft have engaged in propaganda stunts, overflying Havana to drop leaflets attacking Fidel Castro and the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.

The USA maintains the destroyed aircraft were over international waters when they were shot down. For its part, the Cuban agency, Prensa Latina, accused US Secretary of State Warren Christopher of lying when he made such a claim.

Privately, the US authorities may well regard the destroyed planes as part of a foolish provocation by Cuban exile vigilantes. However, the USA is no stranger to interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs, and it is an election year. The Cuban exile community contains wealthy, influential and extremely right-wing individuals who are clamouring for action against their homeland. Both Democratic and Republican candidates will seek to pander to such people.

The US government never ended its cold war against Cuba and is now stepping it up. Actions by the US armed forces cannot be ruled out. A response from communists in Britain and all over the world is necessary.

John Craig