Vatican hope: opening toward freedom in Cuba after lifting of US embargo
September 17, 2015
The Vatican's Secretary of State hopes that Cuba will respond to the end of a long US embargo by "a greater opening when it comes to freedom and human rights."
Cardinal Pietro Parolin said, in an interview on the Vatican Television Center, that the Vatican has worked for years to bring an end to the embargo, and is pleased to see that aim realized. The embargo, he argued, served no useful purpose; it failed to bring political change to Cuba, and hurt the poor people of the country far more than the political leaders. This type of sanction, the cardinal said, "brings about unrest and suffering among the population upon which it is imposed."
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: unum -
Sep. 17, 2015 9:03 PM ET USA
Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed the hope that a removal of the U.S. embargo would be accompanied “by a greater opening (in Cuba) when it comes to freedom and human rights”. Unfortunately, the same oppressive regime is in power in Cuba, and the Cuban government will receive the increased flow of funds from trade, not the people. Marco Rubio and others have said that there is little chance of these funds reaching the needy population.
