Jeremy Lewin, the U.S. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom, recently addressed the situation in Cuba on platform X.
"For seven decades, the Cuban people have endured a brutal regime that has stripped them not only of political and civil rights but also of any economic opportunity. The regime has deliberately kept the country in misery to maintain its total control," Lewin stated on his official account.
Lewin holds a senior position within the Department of State, closely tied to U.S. foreign assistance policy. Additionally, he serves as a principal advisor to Secretary Marco Rubio and the Director of Foreign Assistance. From this vantage point, he oversees international aid programs and implements strategies for countries in crisis.
His remarks regarding Cuba align with a recent rhetorical shift that has taken a harsher tone towards Havana, particularly concerning human rights and economic freedoms.
In his post, Lewin also acknowledged the recent humanitarian efforts on the island supported by the United States. He publicly thanked Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello for highlighting the work of Caritas, emphasizing that in recent weeks, this organization has been a partner in what he described as the largest direct U.S. humanitarian response in Cuba in decades. "The United States will continue to support and stand with the Cuban people," he affirmed.
Lewin's focus on "economic freedom" as the only path forward for the country underscores a clear narrative: resolving Cuba's structural crisis requires more than partial reforms; it necessitates a profound change in the state-controlled model. By referencing earlier statements from the Secretary of State, he reinforced the stance that the central issue lies in the citizens' lack of economic autonomy.
For many Cubans enduring prolonged power outages, food shortages, and inflation that erodes wages, the notion that their misery is a strategy of power resonates strongly. However, others within the island might view these comments as part of the ongoing political tension between Washington and Havana.
By directly naming and linking the accusations to the daily suffering of the population, Jeremy Lewin joins a growing group of U.S. officials openly discussing the internal responsibility of the regime in Cuba's crisis. This comes at a time when the country's social and economic situation is at one of its most critical junctures in decades.
Understanding the U.S. Critique of Cuba's Regime
What is Jeremy Lewin's role in the U.S. government?
Jeremy Lewin serves as the U.S. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom, advising on international aid and participating in strategy development for crisis-affected countries.
How has the U.S. supported humanitarian efforts in Cuba recently?
The U.S., with help from organizations like Caritas and the advocacy of figures such as Camila Cabello, has engaged in what is described as the largest direct humanitarian response in Cuba in decades.
Why does Lewin emphasize economic freedom for Cuba?
Lewin argues that true progress for Cuba requires significant changes in the state's control over the economy, as economic autonomy is crucial for resolving the country's structural crisis.