In the face of the aggressive escalation against Cuba

STATEMENT FROM THE CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH REGARDING THE ESCALATION OF AGGRESSIVE ACTION AGAINST CUBA

Images of protests by the Cuban population in various locations are flooding social media. What is really happening in the country? These reactions stem from popular discontent caused by daily material shortages, exacerbated more recently by prolonged power outages in some areas amidst the sweltering summer heat. Add to this the fact that this situation coincides with a pandemic peak that has the nation in its grip. The manipulation of these spaces by the counterrevolution to support interventionist policies is significantly dangerous.

The crisis created is the purpose of the systematic economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed on the island by the United States government. Never before has this hostile policy been expressed with such ferocity. In the midst of the pandemic, the US denied Cuba humanitarian aid. The fight against COVID-19 demanded enormous resources while severely impacting the country's already limited economic resources. In this context, new measures were added to further cripple the country's weakened economy. Recently, Cuban banks had to stop accepting US dollars because they are unable to operate with that currency.

These actions are accompanied by subversive and unconventional warfare strategies already successfully tested elsewhere. They use mercenaries to carry out provocations and create a climate of instability in the country. They finance acts of vandalism and terrorism. At the same time, they unleash campaigns to demonize the Revolution on social media. Now they cynically promote a humanitarian intervention in Cuba.

The Cuban Revolution is a symbol of the anti-imperialist struggle, of resistance, and of human solidarity. Beyond simply setting out to do so, its people have had to confront this historical challenge, and for that, pay a high human price.

In the midst of the pandemic, Cuba has sent medical brigades around the world and is working on five vaccine candidates. The first Latin American vaccine approved is Cuban-made, and it is currently being used to immunize its population, offering hope to the millions not included in the projections of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Cuba doesn't need humanitarian intervention; Cuba demands the end of the blockade. The Revolution is far from perfect, and we Cubans who believe in it know this well, but essentially, the Revolution represents the opportunity to build a better society, for Cuba and for the downtrodden majorities of this world. That is why we Cuban revolutionaries will defend it in the streets. Martí's call is once again relevant: "Whoever rises up with Cuba today, rises up for all time."

July 11, 2021