DSA on Normalizing Relations with Cuba

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) celebrates the Obama administration’s move toward the normalization of diplomatic relationships between the United States and Cuba. This change in U.S. foreign policy will help bridge the divide between U.S. and Cuban residents.

We believe that increased cultural exchanges will improve the quality of life of both peoples, as will easing the flow of remittances from the Cuban-American community to family members in Cuba. But normal diplomatic relations are not enough; DSA will work with others to pressure Congress to end the unproductive and unjust trade embargo that remains in effect.

DSA remains steadfast in its support of those working for full democracy and human rights in Cuba (dissidents both within and without the Communist Party). DSA believes, as Rosa Luxemburg did, that the right to dissent and to form free political associations and parties must be an integral part of a socialist society. Thus, DSA will continue to support organic Cuban dissident and reform movements that are working to democratize the country's political and economic institutions.

DSA has always condemned the long-standing efforts by our own government to undermine the stability of Cuba. Our government's actions were never designed to aid the Cuban people, but instead to appease right-wing U.S. citizens of Cuban origin and punish a country that rejected imperialism and neoliberalism. We hope that the normalization of foreign relations will curtail negative U.S. actions in the future.

While much remains to be changed in U.S. foreign policy and Cuban domestic policy, DSA celebrates the coming end of more than fifty years of U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba diplomatically. But our work is not done; we will join with others to pressure Congress to end the inhumane and counterproductive economic embargo. For now, we applaud the Obama administration for working to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, for an improvement in the human condition, even if limited, is a victory for social justice.

Passed by the DSA National Committee on December 17, 2014.

See the DSA website at http://www.dsausa.org/ for this and other statements.