The Cuban regime has once again expressed its "admiration" for emigrants and reiterated its invitation for them to return to the island, emphasizing that their investments would be welcome as long as they respect "sovereignty, unity, and the common good of our people."
This message was conveyed by Cuban foreign ministry officials during the V National Meeting of Cubans Residing in the United States, held this Saturday in New York. The event aims to gather Cuban emigrants who do not oppose the dictatorship and show support for the totalitarian regime that rules Cuba through violence and manipulation, as well as for the "lifting of the blockade."
During the meeting between emigrants and high-ranking regime officials, discussions included "updates on migration policy and essential aspects of immigration, foreign national, and citizenship laws." Additionally, the importance of the work of associations and Cubans residing in the United States was highlighted for their humanitarian projects and public actions supporting the elimination of the blockade and the removal of Cuba from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
According to a tweet from the Cuban consulate in the United States, the event demonstrated "the reiterated commitment to an increasingly close relationship between Cuba and all Cubans residing abroad based on respect, sovereignty, and unity for the common good of our people."
Strengthening Ties with the Cuban Diaspora
"Strengthening the bonds with compatriots residing in other countries is a priority for our nation," stated another post from the Cuban consulate, acknowledging the regime's need for the dollars of its emigrants while concealing its hatred and fear towards the exile community that demands changes to restore rights and freedoms to Cubans.
Among the attendees, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed his satisfaction at "reuniting with compatriots committed to the well-being and objectives of the Cuban people." He added, "I am convinced that the debates will contribute to strengthening Cuba's relations with its residents abroad," echoing the regime's belief in "popular participation" in accountability assemblies as a means to "strengthen the Cuban democratic system."
Regime's Political Conditioning
During the event's closing, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ana Teresita González recalled the words of the head of state, Miguel Díaz-Canel, during the inaugural session of the tenth legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power. "We cannot be part of the politicization of Cuban emigration that the enemy traffics. We must defend a relationship with Cuban emigrants that makes it clear that we admire their successes and that their homeland respects them, looks at them with pride, and awaits their return, simply aspiring for them to respect and defend the land that saw them born and nurtured them with love."
A quote from Díaz-Canel, another from Martí, a cheer for "a free and sovereign Cuba," and a call to "end the blockade" concluded an event that underscores the regime's lobbying with its emigrants, the political conditions imposed for maintaining relations, and the regime's fear of recognizing the diversity and power of millions of Cubans who have escaped its grip and experienced the flame of freedom.
In late September 2023, during his stay in New York to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Díaz-Canel invited Cuban Americans to invest in Cuba's economic development, assuring them that all who wish to contribute to the country "would be welcome." "Know that those of us in Cuba, resisting, creating, and building, count on you," Díaz-Canel stated. "All those who want to build will be welcome. Let us together and united fulfill Martí's dream of a Republic with everyone and for the good of all," insisted the leader, who, as André Breton said of his colleague Salvador Dalí, bears the nickname "Avida Dollars."