Even before entering the Oval Office, the recently sworn-in president of the United States, Donald Trump promised to follow a mantra he simply refers to as America-First.
As a result, anything that seems to pose even an iota of threat to American lives or interests would be met with severe pushback from his administration.
Things like illegal immigration, unfavorable trade deals, excessive external funding, and aggression from an enemy state, have become top priorities for the new U.S. president to deal with.
One such instance is America’s shaky relationship with its neighbor, Cuba, a long-time friend of Namibia.
On his first day in office, one of Donald Trump’s 200 executive orders was to reverse the decision to take Cuba from the list of states that promote terrorism.
Trump reintroduced the “Cuba Restricted List,” which prohibits US financial transactions with Cuban firms associated with the military, and rescinded Biden’s previous order.
In response, the SWAPO party of Namibia has called the action illegal, unjustifiable, and devoid of any international legal foundation.
In a media release on Thursday, Charles Mubita, the deputy secretary for information for the ruling party, called the judgment a setback in international efforts to promote justice and unity.
“The Swapo Party is perturbed by the decision of President Donald Trump on behalf of the government of the United States of America to reinstate Cuba on the list of what the United States terms ‘state sponsors of terrorism’.
For over 60 years, the people of Cuba have been subjected to unilateral sanctions and illegal economic blockades by the US and its allies,” Mubita said.
The deputy secretary noted that Cuba has an impeccable record of supporting the world’s oppressed, exploited, and downtrodden peoples since gaining its independence.
He also noted that the nation has given unwavering support to those who have struggled for freedom, self-determination, and national independence, including the Republic of Namibia.
“We reaffirm our steadfast solidarity with the Cuban people and call on the international community, especially the United Nations, to oppose the continued economic blockade against Cuba and demand its removal from this list,” Mubita concluded.
Back in December 2024, during the meeting between President Nangolo Mbumba of Namibia and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez in the Cuban capital of Havana, the Namibian leader emphasized his steadfast support for Cuba despite the unilateral economic sanctions the United States has imposed on its neighbor for decades.
“I would like to reassure the government and the people of Cuba of Namibia’s unwavering commitment and support during these difficult times,” the Namibian president stated at the time.
“Namibia will continue to offer its support to the people of Cuba for the unconditional lifting of the unilateral economic blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States of America for the past 60 years, including for the removal of Cuba from the so-called list of State Sponsors of International Terrorism,” he added.
