5 Days in Havana, Part 3: The Blockade vs. Humanity
It's not just about Cuba—it's time for us all to declare together: ¡Cuba Sí, Bloqueo No!
Two weeks ago I traveled to Havana as part of a 44-person delegation from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). We left Havana with a shared understanding and mission:
The blockade is inhumane and evil, and we must end it.
THIS IS ONE PART IN A SERIES OF FOUR POSTS:
- Part 1 provides foundational knowledge on the blockade
- Part 2 covers some of its effects on travel and schools, but counters with how revolutionary solidarity empowers the Cuban people to withstand those challenges
- Part 3 describes the harrowing impacts it has on medicine in Cuba and worldwide
- Part 4 focuses on the beauty of Cuban resiliency and its imperfect, ongoing socialist project within the Revolution
- Part 4.5 continues what turned out to be too much for one part
- Part 5 concludes with questions left unanswered and a call for action
The Blockade vs. the COVID-19 Pandemic
On the second day of the trip we visited the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). There we were greeted by a shot of Cuban espresso (it was everywhere and it was excellent) and Senior Researcher Manuel Raíces.
Dr. Raíces delivered what was to me one of the most impactful and compelling presentations of the trip. As you read this section and the next, keep in mind that he passionately emphasized repeatedly that his dream was for the blockade to end so that Cuba and the United States could work together as neighbors. His wish is for political barriers not to bury medical advancement in the pursuit of saving an incalculable number of lives.
Cuba has advanced biotech and medical fields due to the emphasis placed on them by the Revolution. They’re so advanced that, despite all of the restrictions of the blockade, Cuba was able to develop five COVID vaccine candidates independently. Further, they developed four COVID treatments by themselves, one of which is a nasal spray. They are currently in the final clinical trials of a nasal spray vaccine that they hope to roll out early next year.
Think about that. Compare it to the United States.
The US is the richest, most powerful country in history. It is the country with the most resources and with relatively unrestricted trade access to any resource beyond their immediate reach. It, in contrast to Cuba, developed three vaccines and three treatments, none of which are nasal sprays.
Cuba also mobilized to fully vaccinate over 90% of its population, while the resource-rich US sits at less than 70%.
Why have you never heard of the Cuban vaccines, treatments, and successes?
Well, they came under attack by western media, of course, and were purported not to be effective against variants. But, as Dr. Raíces kept urging us to do, look at the data and judge for yourself what was effective (and if you’re inclined not to trust these charts, you might trust Johns Hopkins’ Cuba and US numbers):
If you’d like more info on Cuba’s uncanny results in their fight against COVID, especially as they compare to other countries’, check out this article.
The Blockade vs. Diabetes
Warning: The next section contains graphic medical images, so if you're squeamish, considering moving on to the next section instead of looking at the images.Dr. Raíces’s forte actually lies in research related to diabetic ulcers and the treatment Heberprot-P. What he showed us is pretty miraculous, and you can check out many of the slides yourself below:
The basics are that diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers are serious problems in both the US and in Cuba. The latter often results in amputations.
Dr. Raíces explained that the treatment Cuba developed (alongside US doctors) has gone through 2 out of the 3 necessary clinical trials. In these trials, 70% of patients have seen quality of life improvements.
However, due to the blockade and the additional restrictions put on Cuba by Trump (and maintained by Biden, don’t forget!), the program has stalled. Since Cuba is on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, they can’t get the $50 million loan necessary to complete the 3rd clinical trial. In turn, the medicine can’t go to market.
Cuba even reached out to venture capitalists (VCs)—those who represent the antithesis of Cuba’s socialist values—to help fund the project. The stipulation was that if their VC partners were going to make a profit off of their treatment, Cuba—naturally—required a share of the profits.
They had willing takers, but the VCs were warned that if they were to enter such an agreement with the Cuban government, they would be jailed.
And so, the blockade strikes again. The Cuban people may suffer the most, but the entire world suffers. With Biden’s refusal to end the blockade, he makes his people and all people suffer.
By the way, Dr. Raíces pointed out that this is also a racial justice issue—most amputations are performed on Black and Brown people.Dr. Raíces requested that we share information about a symposium around this topic that will be held in Varadero next year. If you know anyone who may be interested, please share the below image and info with them. I also may be able to get someone directly in touch.
Healthcare as a Human Right
Article 72 of Cuba’s latest constitution (ratified in 2019 with 90% participation and 76% approval after counting abstentions and blank ballots as ‘no’ votes) reads:
Public health is a right of all people and it is the State's responsibility to guarantee access to quality medical attention, protection, and recovery services, free of charge.
The State, in order to effectuate this right, institutes a healthcare system at all levels that is accessible to the population and develops prevention and education programs, in which the society and families contribute.
That’s in the constitution—it’s not just some legislation that can be taken to court every other week. Pretty. Rad.
While you may not have heard of Cuba’s achievements in the biotech sphere, you may be aware that its healthcare system is top-notch. It is so because the revolutionary government made healthcare a top priority since its earliest days in taking power in 1959.
In fact, Che’s image and quote on the billboard at University Hospital Calixto Garcia at the top of page is not just for show. Che was most radicalized by his experiences traveling through Latin America during a break in his studies as a medical student (which you can see depicted in the The Motorcycle Diaries, a 2004 biopic based on Che’s own travelogs).
Edit: Note how the constitution declares that "public health is a right of ALL people"—not just a right of the Cuban people. Part of Cuba's healthcare notoriety is based in its commitment to healthcare worldwide, and its enshrined right there. More on this in future parts! Thanks so much to comrade Steve for pointing out this critical distinction!
The Blockade vs. Healthcare
If Dr. Raíces’s presentation wasn’t sobering enough, allow me to tell you about the visit to the hospital.
Despite their advances in medicine and universal healthcare, one of the most devastating effects of the blockade is that it’s difficult for Cuba to get the medicine and medical equipment it needs to treat its patients.
Imagine not being able to get antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them to you. Imagine not even being able to get over-the-counter basics such as ibuprofen.
Coupled with our solidarity donations of school supplies (described in Part 2 alongside a distinction between solidarity and charity), our delegation transported around 500 lbs. of medical supplies to Calixto Garcia Hospital through the organization Not Just Tourists’s New York and Orange County chapters.
500 lbs. of supplies may seem like a lot—and it is relative to what the hospital has been able to get from get from travelers to date—, but in reality, it’s just a drop in the bucket of what’s needed. Not to mention, there are only certain supplies that NJT has folks transport because they don’t want to take any risk going through Customs. For instance, we brought equipment like respirator tubes, but no medication.
No matter how much solidarity donations like this help, they are in no way a substitute to working to end the blockade so that Cuban hospitals can get what they need to treat their patients.
The doctor that hosted our visit showed us a couple of areas where patients were getting treatment. In one of them, he opened up a door to a small room. In that room, he said, they clean the hemodialysis filters.
It may go without saying, but blood filters shouldn’t be reused. If you’re barred from getting them, though, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. Harrowing.
Further, during the height of COVID, Cuban hospitals were in severe need of supplies. We were told that they were lined up to purchase respirators from a Swiss company, but since it had been purchased by a US company a couple years prior, the transactions were canceled. We were also told that when they were set to get ventilators and other equipment from China, the airlines refused to deliver (according to this article, it’s ”because [the airline’s] major shareholder is a U.S.-based company subject to the trade embargo on Cuba”).
These examples are the tip of the iceberg.
It’s up to us all
Part of that last linked article sums up the vibe that I got from many officials on this trip:
The blocking of the aid should be “an action inconceivable in a global crisis,” but “it doesn’t surprise us,” said Carlos Fernando de Cossio, Cuba’s head of U.S. affairs. “It’s the type of obstacle that Cuba confronts daily in order to take care of the country’s basic necessities.”
Despite having pride in what they’ve been able to accomplish in spite of the blockade, there’s a sense of dejection when these officials talk. They won’t be giving up, but simply don’t know what else they can do.
The US cannot justify the atrocities that Cuba has to face due to the blistering sanctions of the blockade. It knows the human cost well. Remember, via the United Nations, we know that the entire world save for Israel (and Ukraine via abstention) recognizes that cost, too, and understands that the US’s continued aggression is criminal.
Everyone we met at all levels of society wants people to come to Cuba. They want people to experience the conditions on the ground and talk to the Cuban people. Per Deputy Foreign Minister de Cossio, Cuba “cannot and should not hide” its reality.
As people of the country that unilaterally applies the source of the suffering and unilaterally has the power to rescind it, it truly is on us to engage in whatever means possible to end it—not as saviours, but as comrades in solidarity.
Once more, with feeling
As I’ll reiterate in every post in this series, I don’t claim to be an expert on Cuba. Reading and listening to material over the last year and a half and visiting the country once doesn’t make me an authority on anything.
I do know one thing, though: The blockade must end. The Cuban people must be allowed to live.
If you have questions, I’m happy to answer them as well as I can. Please don’t hesitate to ask.
Peace,
Greg
PS: A better world is possible—join DSA today and let’s fight for it together 🌹
PPS: Some photos are mine but others are from other comrades on the trip (who I won’t name for anonymity’s sake unless any of you reading this wants credit!).
