Hypocrisy: U.S. designates Cuba a ‘sponsor of terrorism’ while supporting terrorist attacks – People’s World

Report on Terrorist Activities Against Cuba and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: National Report in the Context of International Security

The government of Cuba has submitted a report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in accordance with Resolution 1373, which mandates states to take measures to prevent and counteract terrorism. The report details a history of terrorist attacks allegedly originating from the United States, presenting a significant challenge to international peace and security, and directly undermining multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Cuban officials, including Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Josefina Vidal, have highlighted the paradoxical situation of Cuba being designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. while simultaneously being a long-standing victim of such acts. This report outlines the key findings and their direct implications for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The core of Cuba’s report addresses the fundamental tenets of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build effective, accountable institutions. The alleged activities directly contravene these targets.

• Erosion of Peace and Security: The report documents a sustained campaign of violence intended to destabilize the nation. This includes recruitment, financing, and execution of attacks against civilian and state targets.
• Access to Justice: Cuban officials criticize the perceived inaction of U.S. authorities in response to intelligence and cooperation offered by Cuba. This failure to prosecute alleged terrorists operating from U.S. soil denies justice to the victims. Recent incidents cited include attacks on the Cuban embassy in Washington D.C. in 2020 and 2023.
• Institutional Accountability: The report lists 62 individuals and 20 organizations allegedly involved in terrorism against Cuba. The vast majority of the individuals named reside in the United States, raising questions about institutional accountability and adherence to international counter-terrorism commitments under UNSC Resolution 1373.

Entities Identified in the Report

The report formally identifies numerous entities. A new organization, Cuba First (Cuba Primero), and five new individuals have been added to the list.

Recently Added Individuals:

1. Armando Labrador Coro
2. Seriocha Humberto Fernández Rojas
3. (Three other unnamed individuals)

Prominent Historical Organizations Listed:

• Alpha 66
• Cuban-American National Foundation
• Brothers to the Rescue
• F4 Commandos

Furthermore, officials highlighted the criminal nature of cyberterrorism and the use of social media to incite violence, representing a modern threat to peace and institutional stability.

SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities)

The terrorist acts have had a devastating and direct impact on human life and public infrastructure, severely impeding progress on SDG 3 and SDG 11.

• Human Cost: The violence has reportedly claimed 3,478 lives and resulted in nearly 3,000 injuries, a direct assault on the right to life and well-being (SDG 3).
• Targeting of Critical Infrastructure: The report notes that terrorist plans have targeted sensitive public infrastructure, undermining the goal of safe and resilient communities (SDG 11). These targets include:
  • Hospitals and day care centers
  • Schools
  • Energy infrastructure
  • Transportation services
  • Tourist facilities
• Historical Attacks on Civilian Life and Infrastructure:
  • 1960: Bombing of the French ship La Coubre in Havana, killing 101 people.
  • 1976: Mid-air bombing of Cubana Flight 455, killing all 73 people on board.
  • 1976: Assassination of Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffit in Washington, D.C.
  • 1990s: A campaign of attacks against tourist facilities.
  • Recurrent use of bacteriological warfare against Cuba until the 1980s, posing a grave public health risk (SDG 3).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The deliberate targeting of key economic sectors, particularly tourism, constitutes a direct attack on Cuba’s economic stability and its ability to achieve SDG 8.

• Economic Sabotage: Attacks on tourist hotels and transportation infrastructure are designed to cripple a vital source of national income and employment.
• Disruption of Livelihoods: By creating instability and fear, these acts deter international visitors and investment, impacting the livelihoods of thousands of Cuban citizens employed in the service and transport sectors.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The situation described in the report underscores a significant failure in international cooperation, a cornerstone of SDG 17, which calls for global partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

• Commitment to International Law: Cuban officials state that the nation has signed 19 international agreements on combating terrorism and has consistently sought to cooperate with other nations, including the U.S.
• Failure of Bilateral Cooperation: The central grievance is the alleged failure of the U.S. to act on the information provided and to prevent terrorist groups from operating within its jurisdiction. This lack of partnership enables continued violence and undermines the global framework for combating terrorism established by UNSC Resolution 1373.
• Contradictory Policies: The U.S. government’s role in initiating UNSC Resolution 1373 is contrasted with its alleged tolerance of anti-Cuba terrorism, creating a policy contradiction that weakens the global partnership against terror.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most relevant SDG as the article’s central theme is terrorism, violence, and the pursuit of justice. The article details Cuba’s efforts to combat terrorism, its reporting to the United Nations under Security Council Resolution 1373, and its call for international cooperation and legal action against individuals and organizations perpetrating violent acts. It discusses the failure of justice, as perpetrators allegedly operate with impunity from the U.S., and highlights the human cost of violence, directly aligning with the goal of promoting peaceful societies and providing access to justice.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article touches upon this goal through its emphasis on international cooperation. Cuba’s report to the UN, its reference to UNSC Resolution 1373, and the mention that “Cuba has signed 19 international agreements on fighting terrorism” all point to the necessity of global partnerships to address transnational issues like terrorism. The call from the Attorney General’s office for “international cooperation in fighting terrorism” further reinforces this connection.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article directly relates to this target by quantifying the human cost of terrorism against Cuba. It states that these acts “has claimed the lives of 3,478 people and [injured] almost 3,000.” It also lists numerous violent acts, such as bombings, shootings, and attacks on infrastructure, which are the very forms of violence this target aims to reduce.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   This target is central to Cuba’s complaint. The article highlights the “inaction of U.S. authorities” and the paradox of the U.S. designating Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism while allegedly harboring individuals who carry out attacks. Cuba’s submission of a report to the UN and its listing of individuals and organizations are actions aimed at promoting the rule of law and seeking justice on an international level.

3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

   The article demonstrates Cuba’s efforts to strengthen its national institutions to combat terrorism. It mentions the involvement of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Attorney General’s office, and the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, the statement that “Cuba has signed 19 international agreements on fighting terrorism” is a direct example of using international cooperation to build capacity, as specified in this target.

4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development… to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries.

   Cuba’s actions, such as reporting to the United Nations under UNSC Resolution 1373 and calling for international cooperation, are attempts to engage the “global partnership” to address a problem (terrorism) that severely undermines its ability to achieve sustainable development. The article frames the issue as one requiring a multilateral response, which is the essence of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 16.1

  The article provides direct quantitative data that can be used as indicators:

  • Number of deaths due to terrorism: The article explicitly states that terrorism against Cuba “has claimed the lives of 3,478 people.” This serves as a direct measure related to Indicator 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths).
  • Number of injuries due to terrorism: The article mentions that “almost 3,000” people have been injured, providing another key metric for the impact of violence.

• Indicators for Target 16.3

  The article implies indicators through its narrative on the lack of justice:

  • Number of perpetrators of terrorist acts brought to justice: The article implies this number is very low, citing the “inaction of U.S. authorities” and the fact that “All but 10 of the persons named in the report live in the United States,” where they allegedly operate with impunity. A low number here indicates a failure to achieve the target.

• Indicators for Target 16.a

  The article provides a specific indicator of international cooperation:

  • Number of international agreements on fighting terrorism signed: The article states, “Cuba has signed 19 international agreements on fighting terrorism,” which is a concrete indicator of its commitment to international cooperation to combat terrorism.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: peoplesworld.org