Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio denounced the United States' long-standing migration policies as a deliberate tool of political destabilization, while rejecting the Trump administration's proposed mass deportations as "unrealistic and unfair."
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), the veteran diplomat, who has led Cuba's delegation in bilateral migration talks with the U.S., characterized the recent exodus of Cubans to the U.S. as primarily economically driven, exacerbated by America's selective enticements.
The deputy minister presented a historical indictment of U.S. strategy over the past six decades.
"The U.S. has used migration, historically, for several decades, as an instrument of destabilization against Cuba, and it's a reality of developing countries of people who want to migrate to the North to more developed countries. But what's peculiar and singular in the case of Cuba, which is unique, is that you have the combination of a policy of the United States, of course, of economic measures, which call the economic blockade, which depresses the living standards of the population, makes life economically difficult for them, which pushes them to migrate, and at same time a flexible and privileged treatment once they reach the border by whatever means. If you add to that legislation the 'Cuban Adjustment Act,' which allows Cubans, the sole citizens of any countries in the world that, within a year can become residents in the United States," he said.
Regarding Trump's deportation threats, Fernandez de Cossio was unequivocal.
"Mass deportation is not within the agreements, and we have expressed to the U.S. government, and we have expressed publicly, that it is unrealistic to believe that there can be, and should be, a mass deportation of Cubans. And it is also unfair to do so. These people have made their life in the United States, they have jobs, they have property, they have family in the U.S.; so it's very unfair to try to deport them massively back to Cuba," he said.
Cuban deputy FM denounces US migration policies as political tool
Spanish students have expressed their expectation that a healthy China-U.S. economic and trade relationship will inject greater stability into the global economy and create greater opportunities for Spain.
On Sunday, Chinese and U.S. delegations convened in Paris, France for talks on economic and trade issues. Guided by the consensus reached by the two heads of state in Busan and their subsequent phone talks, the two sides will conduct consultations on economic and trade matters of mutual concern.
Ahead of the talks, members of the public in Madrid, Spain, shared their views on China–U.S. economic and trade relations with China Media Group (CMG). They agreed that reaching an agreement between the world’s two largest economies would have a direct impact on the global landscape.
"They are the two countries that contribute the most economically, in a manner of speaking, to the rest of the countries. They are major importers and exporters. So I think that a satisfactory relationship between them can be very beneficial for all other countries," said Claudia, an engineering student.
Noting that both sides are important trading partners of Spain, the interviewees stated that a healthy, stable and sustainable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship also affects various aspects of the Spanish society, and that agreements between the two countries would help promote Spain's economic growth.
"I do think that it could have a certain effect on the Spanish economy, both in terms of prices, and I would dare say employment as well. Because I think that if those two great powers reach an agreement, Spain could also get in on the action. It would create quite a few jobs in Chinese and American multinationals for all Spaniards," said Claudia.
"Spain is caught in the middle; it has good relations with both the U.S. and China. If it gets on the bad side of either one, it could be hit hard, because Spain mainly relies on tourism -- well, other things too, but essentially tourism, construction and agriculture. It's very important to have more help and trade with all countries around the world," said Denis, a law student.
Spanish students say stable China-US ties benefit global economy
