Javier Corrales, an American academic based in Massachusetts, apparently considers himself an expert on the Cuban economy and is recognised as such by the Guardian (Report, 18 July). He says the great problem for the Cuban government is that "whenever they try to imagine a better Cuba, they can only remember the past". He should look closer to home and ask himself if it is his own government that is stuck in the past. For over 50 years, since it nationalised the property of US corporations and citizens, Cuba has suffered a crippling embargo imposed by the US. In spite of that Cuba has a far better record, including its role in world affairs, than the US, especially given its comparatively small resources. All right-thinking people should be calling for an end to this economic war against Cuba. The greater the power and influence they have the greater their moral obligation to do so, and this includes intellectuals at US elite academic institutions and, very much, the government of our own country.
Brendan O'Brien
London
guardian.co.uk© 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds