The Catholic Church had been negotiating with Cuba to free hundreds of political prisoners, many of whom were jailed following unprecedented protests in July 2021.
I’m actually not convinced that the one has anything to do with the other. I mean, yes, it’s true that a lot of times sanctions mostly just strengthen the regime they’re aimed at, and cause a lot of suffering for no reason. But I think it might just be that Biden’s doing some performative stuff on his way out and also some prisoners got freed, and it’s a happy accident if they can make a deal to make it all happen together.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, whose father is Cuban, criticized Biden’s actions. “Today’s decision is unacceptable on its merits,” he wrote in a statement. “The terrorism advanced by the Cuban regime has not ceased. I will work with President Trump and my colleagues to immediately reverse and limit the damage from the decision.”
I agree that overall it’s a bit weird but also isn’t it strange to do this as a cynical, calculated move after his party already lost the election? Like what’s the love here, in 4 years people will have forgotten
I don’t think it’s purely a cynical calculated move. Those people are still going to be free regardless, and if anything that State Dept+Catholic Church+Cuba worked out enabled this to make it any smoother, then great. Also, every little good thing is one more thing that Trump has to spend time and effort undoing. Me saying it was “performative” wasn’t intended to mean I thought it was purely cynical or not a good thing.
I’m actually not convinced that the one has anything to do with the other. I mean, yes, it’s true that a lot of times sanctions mostly just strengthen the regime they’re aimed at, and cause a lot of suffering for no reason. But I think it might just be that Biden’s doing some performative stuff on his way out and also some prisoners got freed, and it’s a happy accident if they can make a deal to make it all happen together.
cruz ‘working’ from a lounge chair at the beach
I agree that overall it’s a bit weird but also isn’t it strange to do this as a cynical, calculated move after his party already lost the election? Like what’s the love here, in 4 years people will have forgotten
I don’t think it’s purely a cynical calculated move. Those people are still going to be free regardless, and if anything that State Dept+Catholic Church+Cuba worked out enabled this to make it any smoother, then great. Also, every little good thing is one more thing that Trump has to spend time and effort undoing. Me saying it was “performative” wasn’t intended to mean I thought it was purely cynical or not a good thing.