Chomsky says US isolation pushed shift on Cuba, amid calls for end to blockade

US isolation over Cuba across the hemisphere meant 'something had to be done, because the US faces the possibility of being excl

Internationally renowned US intellectual Noam Chomsky told Mexican newspaper La Jornada on July 20 that it was because Washington was becoming increasingly isolated from “their own backyard” of Latin America, that the US decided to normalise relations with Cuba.

Chomsky said the fourth Summit of the Americas of 2012 in Colombia was a major turning point for the US. It saw itself, along with Canada, completely marginalised from all the crucial issues being debated — including Cuba.

“Something had to be done, because the United States faces the possibility of being excluded from the hemisphere all together,” Chomsky said.

He said it was at that point that US President Barack Obama decided new measures and strategies had to be implemented around Cuba. Therefore, out of convenience, it was decided to allow the Caribbean nation, which has been blockaded by the US since 1960, to “escape, slightly, from international isolation”.

Chomsky said the change of US foreign policy toward Cuba was the result of the notable changes occurring in Latin America, with many governments pushing greater regional integration and unity at the expense of the US.

Chomsky's comments came as the US and Cuba reopened embassies for the first time in decades.

He pointed out: “For over decades in surveys, the US population has expressed their support for normalisation of relations. However, by norm, public opinion is ignored. What is more interesting is that greater sectors of US capital have been in favour, such as pharmaceuticals, energy and agro-industrial sectors, among others.”

However, until recently, even those interests have been sidelined by what Chomsky called the “greater interest”. He said this was the need to punish Cuba for its “defiance of US foreign policy”, which “cannot be tolerated”.

Despite the warming of relations, major differences remain between both countries, particularly regarding the US illegal occupation of Guantanamo Bay, which US Secretary of State John Kerry said he would not discuss. Also, Cuba demands the US blockade be lifted.

Latin American leaders have welcomed the formal restarting of relations between Cuba and the US, but joined Cuba in calling for an end to the blockade.

[Compiled from TeleSUR English.]

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