The decision to exclude Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the upcoming Summit of the Americas, set to take place on December 4 and 5 in Punta Cana, has sparked considerable political and social media reactions. While the Cuban regime condemned the move as an act of "exclusion and coercion" orchestrated by the United States, Cuban-American Congressman Carlos A. Giménez did not hold back in his criticism of Miguel Díaz-Canel, Bruno Rodríguez, and Havana's diplomatic efforts.
In a message on X, Giménez reminded Cuban leaders of their own words: "You yourselves said: 'We don't want you, we don't need you.' Now, you must reap what you've sown over the years," he stated. Giménez, who fled to the United States in 1960 with his family to escape the Castro revolution, emphasized that democratic nations in the region have no desire to engage with "petty dictators" like those in Cuba. "Where we are, your kind isn't welcome," he affirmed.
In another tweet, the Republican representative targeted Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, calling him a "henchman of the regime" and a "Mexican of the high bourgeoisie of Castroism." Giménez argued that Cuba's foreign policy seeks to curry favor with the United States while simultaneously inviting Communist China into the hemisphere, concluding that its diplomacy is "as incoherent and incompetent as everything else the dictatorship does."
These statements were made in response to a formal greeting from Bruno Rodríguez to the Chinese government on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, highlighting the "strategic, multifaceted, and comprehensive ties" between the two nations.
Reactions to the Summit Exclusion and Cuba's Response
Dominican Republic's decision, as the current temporary chair of the forum, not to invite Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua prompted immediate outcry from Havana. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) claimed that the exclusion was due to "brutal unilateral pressures" from the United States and accused the Dominican government of succumbing to Washington's influence.
The statement released on September 30 described the exclusion as a "historical setback" that revives Cold War tensions and declared that a summit built on "coercion" is "doomed to fail." The regime argued that the decision openly challenges the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and disregards the progress made in previous editions, such as the 2015 summit in Panama, where Cuba participated for the first time.
Despite this, the official text reiterated Cuba's willingness for "respectful and constructive" dialogue. Both Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero echoed the official stance on X. The Cuban leader claimed that Cuba remains open to "respectful dialogue on the basis of sovereign equality," while Marrero accused the United States of reviving "gunboat diplomacy" and the Monroe Doctrine.
The Stance of the Dominican Republic and the United States
The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the exclusion as necessary to ensure "the broadest possible participation" and prevent political polarization from obstructing the forum's outcomes. It noted that the three countries did not participate in the previous edition and that bilateral relations remain active, although Santo Domingo does not recognize Venezuela's last two presidential elections.
The United States maintains a clear position: participation in the Summits of the Americas is contingent on a commitment to democracy. In 2022, White House advisor for Latin America, Juan González, bluntly stated, "How can we invite a country that imprisons people just for singing and asking for food?"
Public Mockery on Social Media
The exclusion of Cuba also ignited social media platforms. Díaz-Canel's message rejecting the decision received thousands of critical and mocking responses. Cuban comedian Andy Vázquez quipped, "Machi's shopping trip to the La Romana malls is off," referencing Lis Cuesta, the president's wife. Similar comments proliferated: "Cry all you want, the trip's off," "Unpack your bags, you and Machi," "Don't dress up, you're not going."
Among users, more direct criticisms of the system were abundant: "You want to exercise democracy outside Cuba, but at home, you repress and imprison"; "It's only right that dictators don't get space at a summit of democratic countries."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Summit Exclusion
Why were Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela excluded from the Summit of the Americas?
The exclusion was primarily due to "brutal unilateral pressures" from the United States, according to Cuba. The Dominican Republic, the current temporary chair, aimed to ensure the broadest participation and avoid political polarization.
What is Carlos Giménez's stance on the exclusion?
Carlos Giménez criticized the Cuban regime, emphasizing that democratic nations do not want to engage with Cuba's leadership and reaffirmed that dictators are unwelcome where democratic values are upheld.
How did the Cuban government react to the exclusion?
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the exclusion as a historical setback and an act of coercion by the United States, while reiterating Cuba's willingness for respectful dialogue.