# EXCLUSIVE: Cuba Says U.S. Is Driving the Region Toward War Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnyKcCMeLh8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/KnyKcCMeLh8 Generated: 2025-10-04T14:32:45.39+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío argued that the US embargo and its policies, including supporting alleged terrorist groups and imposing sanctions, are the primary cause of Cuba's current economic crisis and the mass emigration, stating that the Cuban government does not support war with the US or Israel but that the US is actively encouraging internal conflict. **Key Points:** - Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío asserts that the US embargo is the biggest factor hurting the Cuban people, causing economic hardship and mass emigration (over 1 million Cubans left since 2017). - Cossío denies that the Cuban government supports terrorism or instigates war with the US or Israel, countering claims made by US officials like Marco Rubio and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. - He points out the hypocrisy of the US government, citing reports of arbitrary detentions and propaganda against the Cuban government while simultaneously giving aid/support to groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which Cuba opposes. - Cossío claims that Cuban elections are not directly competitive (only the Communist Party can run candidates vetted by the system) but argues that the population still has the capacity to effect change through non-electoral means. - He notes that the Cuban state has made significant, if difficult, progress in areas like healthcare, education, and scientific research since 1959, despite the embargo. - Cossío mentions that the US has been financing and inciting unrest through social networks and supporting groups that fundamentally oppose the socialist structure of Cuba. ![Screenshot at 04:00: The interviewer questions Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío about the US embargo's impact, asking why Cubans cannot have the same freedom of choice in elections as people in the US or Europe.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-04-00.png) **Context:** The video features an interview between Mehdi Hasan and Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, conducted in an office setting with a Cuban flag visible. The discussion centers on the impact of the long-standing US embargo on Cuba, the current economic crisis, recent protests, and Cuba's foreign policy positions, particularly regarding the US and the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Cossío defends Cuba's actions and leadership while strongly criticizing US policy. ## Detailed Analysis The interview segment focuses heavily on the US embargo against Cuba and its consequences, as argued by Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío. Cossío contends that the economic crisis and mass emigration (citing over 1 million Cubans leaving since 2017) are direct results of the US policy, not Cuban mismanagement. He refutes US claims that Cuba sponsors terrorism, pointing out that the US itself supports groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which Cuba opposes, highlighting a perceived hypocrisy. Cossío argues that while elections in Cuba are not multi-party (only the Communist Party is permitted to run candidates vetted by the system), the Cuban people still have mechanisms to enact change, such as public protests, which he claims the US incites. He asserts that Cuba has achieved significant advancements in healthcare, education, and science despite the embargo, achievements he believes would be impossible for other developing nations in similar conditions. The conversation also touches upon the US role in supporting anti-socialist movements and the disparity in how the US treats allies like Israel versus Cuba regarding international law and warrants. ### US Embargo and Economic Impact - The embargo is cited as the primary cause of the economic crisis and mass emigration (over 1 million since 2017) - The embargo has been in place longer than any other country's sanctions in the world. ### Accusations of Terrorism/War - Cossío denies that Cuba supports terrorism or seeks war with the US, countering accusations from figures like Marco Rubio and Antony Blinken. He points out US support for groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Authority as hypocritical. ### Cuban Political System - Cossío confirms that only the vetted Communist Party can run candidates in elections, but argues that the people still have avenues for political change and expression outside of formal elections. ### Cuban Achievements Despite Sanctions - Cuba has achieved significant progress in healthcare, education, and scientific research, which Cossío suggests would be impossible for similarly situated developing nations under normal circumstances. ### Internal Dissent and US Role - The interviewer points to protests and reports of arbitrary detentions, but Cossío frames this as being incited by US-funded propaganda via social networks, not genuine internal unrest. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The interviewer begins by questioning the irony of the US embargo on Cuba while people suffer.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:09: Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío responds to a question about US official Marco Rubio.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-00-09.png) ![Screenshot at 01:05: Mehdi Hasan introduces the topic, referencing Barack Obama's attempts to open relations and Donald Trump's reversal.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-01-05.png) ![Screenshot at 02:22: The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister discusses the economic hardship and emigration resulting from the US blockade.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-02-22.png) ![Screenshot at 05:50: The interviewer asks about the Cuban government's stance on the US policy of sending back migrants.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-05-50.png) ![Screenshot at 12:48: The Cuban official highlights the difference between the US/UK/France approach and Cuba's approach to international law regarding sovereignty.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-12-48.png) ![Screenshot at 27:28: The interviewer challenges the Cuban official about the arbitrary detention of critics and protestors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-27-28.png) ![Screenshot at 33:33: The Cuban official contrasts the US system \(where leaders are elected\) with Cuba's system \(where the Communist Party vets candidates\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/KnyKcCMeLh8/00-33-33.png)