Relevance: GS II (International Relations) | Source: The  Hindu

1. What is the News? (The Ground Reality)

• The current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has effectively initiated a total fuel blockade against Cuba to force a “regime change”.
• The Suffering: Because there is no fuel, Cuba cannot generate electricity. The entire power grid has collapsed. Factories are closed, food is rotting without fridges, and daily life has come to a standstill.

2. The 60-Year Old Enmity 

Why does the US hate the Cuban government? It goes back to the 1960s:

• The 1960s Fight: After the Cuban Revolution, the new government took over American-owned businesses in Cuba. In anger, the US stopped all trade with Cuba (called an Embargo).
• The 1996 Law (Helms-Burton Act): The US made a very strict law. It says that if any company in the world (even an Indian or European one) does business with Cuba, the US will punish them. This scares the whole world away from helping Cuba.
• The “Terrorism” Tag: The US officially labeled Cuba as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism”. Because of this tag, global banks are too scared to process any money going in or out of Cuba.

3. Why is the situation so bad right now?

• The Venezuela Connection: For many years, Cuba survived using a smart barter system. Cuba sent its world-class doctors to Venezuela, and Venezuela gave them cheap oil in return. But recently, the US intervened in Venezuela, destroying this oil lifeline.
• US Vote Bank Politics: Politicians in the US, especially in the state of Florida (which has many rich, anti-government Cuban migrants), are pushing for this harsh blockade to win local elections.

4. India’s Stand & International Law

• Unilateral vs. Global: The US is doing this entirely on its own (Unilateral). The United Nations (UN) actually holds a vote every single year where the whole world condemns this US blockade, but the US ignores it.
• What does India say? India has always been a friend to Cuba. Rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India strongly opposes punishing innocent citizens to settle political scores. India believes disputes should be solved peacefully through the UN.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to international relations and the current crisis in the Caribbean, consider the following statements:

1. The United Nations General Assembly officially supports and authorizes the United States’ economic blockade on Cuba.
2. The Helms-Burton Act is a United States law designed to punish foreign companies that engage in trade with Cuba.
3. India officially supports the US economic isolation of Cuba as part of its strategic partnership with Washington.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)