US State Department presents courage award to Cuban human rights activist in absentia
The US will present an award in absentia today to a Cuban political dissident.
Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello is a 2024 recipient of the State Department’s International Women of Courage Award. Roque, who has fought for decades against single-party rule in Cuba, was convicted of sedition in 2003 and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Although she was subsequently released for medical reasons, she will not attend the award ceremony at the White House because the Cuban government has restricted her travel.
Cuba is a single-party authoritarian state widely criticized by human rights watchers for abuses including extrajudicial detentions and killings, torture and repression of civil liberties.
Although Havana will undoubtedly be displeased over the Biden administration’s symbolic gesture, it is unlikely to significantly impact US-Cuba relations. The administration has attempted to reverse some Trump-era policies, like loosening travel restrictions, but the US’ historic economic embargo against Cuba remains in place despite pressure from some Democratic allies to end it. Should Biden be re-elected in November, expect his administration’s position on Cuba to remain moderate or move in a more hawkish direction with the security of re-election. This, however, is also likely to lead to further divisions among Democrats on Cuba policy.
