Unpacking U.S.-Cuban Relations: A Depthful Interview with Carlos Fernández de Cossío

This week, we had an exclusive interview with Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, to discuss the high-level U.S.-Cuban migration talks that recently took place in Washington. During the conversation, Fernández de Cossío highlighted the significant impact of U.S. policies that expedite permanent residency for Cubans in the United States on the flow of people between the two countries. However, he emphasized that the primary driver of migration continues to be the enduring U.S. embargo on Cuba.

According to Fernández de Cossío, economic hardships faced by Cubans push them to seek better opportunities elsewhere, with U.S. policies aimed at undermining the Cuban economy exacerbating these conditions.

Furthermore, Fernández de Cossío touched upon topics such as the upcoming 2024 election and potential policy continuities between the Trump and Biden administrations. He also shared Cuba’s stance on the U.S.-backed Israeli military action in Gaza and recent protests within Cuba addressing living conditions and other grievances.

Overall, our conversation shed light on the complex dynamics shaping U.S.-Cuban relations from migration policies to geopolitical conflicts and domestic challenges facing the island nation.

In conclusion, it is evident that while there have been efforts to ease travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States through high-level talks, there are still significant challenges to be addressed before meaningful progress can be made towards normalization of relations between these two countries. The ongoing embargo continues to pose a significant barrier for both nations and will need to be addressed if any lasting peace is to be achieved in this long-standing conflict.

In addition, it is important for policymakers on both sides of this issue to recognize that while immigration may be one aspect of this conflict, it is not its sole cause or solution. Addressing economic hardships in Cuba and working towards greater cooperation between these two nations will require a more holistic approach that goes beyond simply easing travel restrictions or expediting permanent residency for Cubans already here in America.