On Monday, former Cuban-American congressman Joe Garcia harshly criticized the Cuban government's rhetoric regarding the U.S. embargo, labeling it as "absurd." His comments were in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) reacting to an exclusive interview given by Vice Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga to NBC News, where the official attributed the island's economic woes to Washington's policies.
Garcia was unambiguous in his statement: "The rhetoric in this interview, although only a small portion has been released, is absurd. The Cuban representative here merely repeats their endless rhetoric of being victims of the embargo. The problems in Cuba do not stem from the embargo; it is a factor, but a minor one compared to all the challenges faced by the Cuban people, investors, and those trying to do business with Cuba."
The catalyst for Garcia's comments was Fraga's interview with NBC News. Fraga, who also serves as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, announced that Cuba would allow nationals abroad to invest and own private businesses on the island. "Cuba is open to having smooth trade relations with U.S. companies and also with Cuban residents in the United States and their descendants," Fraga stated.
Simultaneously, Fraga maintained the official narrative: "The U.S. blockade, the policy of hostility against Cuba, undoubtedly affects the development of these transformations. The blockade deprives us of access to financing, technology, and markets, and in recent years, it has specifically aimed to deny our country access to fuel."
The Need for Genuine Political Change
Garcia, who has advocated for dialogue with Cuba while demanding real political changes, rejected this narrative of victimhood. He added that "old habits die hard for the Cuban government." Garcia has publicly proposed that Cuba release political prisoners as a first step, and the U.S. should respond by lifting embargo restrictions on the Cuban private sector. Along similar lines, Carlos Giménez has warned that there will be no U.S. investment in Cuba without genuine political change.
Fraga's announcement comes amid a severe crisis: President Díaz-Canel confirmed on March 13 that no oil shipments had arrived in Cuba over the past three months. On March 14, the Electric Union reported a generation deficit of more than 2,000 megawatts, with blackouts exceeding 20 hours daily in several provinces.
Growing Protests Amid Diplomatic Tensions
On the same day, protesters in Morón (Ciego de Ávila) threw stones at the Communist Party headquarters, set furniture on fire, and shouted "Freedom!" and "Homeland and Life," resulting in at least five arrests. These protests in Morón gained significant attention and reached international media.
The diplomatic context is also unprecedented: Díaz-Canel confirmed discussions with the Trump administration at the highest level on March 13, and on March 15, the U.S. president declared aboard Air Force One, "I believe we will soon make a deal or do what we have to do." Meanwhile, analysts note that Díaz-Canel is reverting to anti-imperialist rhetoric, even as he negotiates with Washington.
For Garcia, any real progress involves the Cuban diaspora, but not through rhetorical maneuvers: "Anything Cuba does to move forward will require Cubans abroad," Garcia emphasized. This vision is shared by Cuban-American businessman Saladrigas, who believes that the diaspora must finance the Cuban transition.
Key Questions About U.S.-Cuba Relations
What did Joe Garcia say about the Cuban government's rhetoric on the embargo?
Joe Garcia described the Cuban government's rhetoric on the U.S. embargo as "absurd," arguing that the embargo is a minor issue compared to other challenges faced by the Cuban people.
What changes did Fraga announce in his NBC News interview?
Fraga announced that Cuba would allow nationals living abroad to invest and own private businesses on the island, aiming to improve trade relations with U.S. companies and Cuban descendants.
What is the current crisis in Cuba regarding energy?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with no oil shipments arriving in the last three months and power outages exceeding 20 hours daily in various provinces.