Cuban writer, poet, and babalawo Axel Presas argues that U.S. policies aimed at instigating change in Cuba have been ineffective for over six decades, suggesting a fundamental shift in this approach of "unsuccessful policies" is necessary. In an interview with Tania Costa, he carefully and critically assessed Washington's role in shaping the island's fate.
Presas, who serves as an assistant professor of Spanish at Eckerd College in Florida and is a priest of Ifá, chooses his words wisely when discussing the topic. "I don't want to delve into this subject from a U.S. perspective because it might come off as disrespectful to those who have chosen a particular political stance here," he notes. Nonetheless, he does not shy away from expressing his fundamental assessment.
"I believe these changes are not truly aiding the Cuban people, as we can witness. These are changes that fail to yield positive results, grounded in an idea that is entirely outdated," Presas asserts.
The writer and babalawo draws a clear line between opinion and appreciation. For him, an opinion lacks a foundation in knowledge, while appreciation is built upon verifiable facts. With this understanding, he concludes, "If we study this country's political history and its relationship with Cuba, we see that all these attempts to force a change have not succeeded for 67 years. Clearly, something needs to be done differently."
The Historical Context of Failed Policies
In his view, this history is marked by various failures. From the embargo implemented by Kennedy in 1962 to the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, and including the thaw initiated by Obama between 2014 and 2017, no strategy has resulted in a regime change in Cuba. The debate persists in Washington, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in September that the Cuban regime "has failed" and supports a transition with simultaneous political and economic freedoms, although he denied the existence of a fixed timeline for this transition.
Building Change on Integrity and Understanding
Presas does not criticize those within the Cuban-American community who support pressure policies. He acknowledges that everyone has their reasons, which deserve to be heard. Yet, he emphasizes that any genuine change process must be built "from a position of integrity and mutual understanding of who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation."
In the broader context of the interview, the babalawo warns that emotions should not dictate this process: "We cannot let our emotions interfere with defining Cuba's future actions or its future reconstruction or reconciliation process, because then we would be failing."
Regarding whether there is room for hope, Presas is unequivocal: "Absolutely, absolutely. But hope is for the good; it must always be tied to positive outcomes."
The underlying question of his reflection—why Cuba has remained unchanged for 67 years—lacks a simple answer for him. However, it begins with one condition: that those involved in the future process must act with good intentions, integrity, solidarity, and what he refers to as "good nature."
Understanding U.S. Policies and Their Impact on Cuba
Why have U.S. policies not led to change in Cuba?
According to Axel Presas, U.S. policies have not led to change in Cuba because they are based on outdated ideas and have not effectively addressed the needs of the Cuban people over the past 67 years.
What does Presas suggest is necessary for change in Cuba?
Presas suggests that any change in Cuba must be built on integrity, mutual understanding, and good intentions, avoiding the influence of emotions in the process.