Venezuelans should heed lessons of Cuban exiles

Posted on Tuesday, 02.25.14

IN MY OPINION
Fabiola Santiago: Venezuelans should heed lessons of Cuban exiles
BY FABIOLA SANTIAGO
FSANTIAGO@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Venezuela is the new Cuba, or so says conventional wisdom — and Miami,
once again, is city of refuge and solidarity soundtrack for the victims
of a regime.

It's a laudable role — until Florida politicians step in to play
partisan politics, trouncing reason and common sense.

In the U.S. Congress, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio gives a rousing speech
and calls for U.S. sanctions against the Venezuelan government after two
weeks of widespread anti-government protests have left at least 16
people dead, many students killed by police and paramilitary forces
shooting into crowds, streets, buildings.

In Miami, Democratic Rep. Joe Garcia holds a press conference to say he
has asked President Barack Obama to issue an executive order granting
political asylum "to those seeking to escape the ongoing violence," to
stop deportations, and to expedite pending applications.

"As the Venezuelan people continue to face the harsh and unjust
mistreatment by [President Nicolas] Maduro and his regime, it is
critical we find meaningful, concrete measures to help those trying to
escape, or fearful of returning to their crisis-stricken country,"
Garcia said.

And so, from two Cuban Americans in Congress with opposite views on Cuba
and the embargo today, come the same ineffective 1960s U.S.-Cuba policy
as solutions for Venezuela's unique historical moment.

Economic sanctions so that Maduro can spend the next 50 years blaming
the nation's troubles on the United States and asylum for Maduro's
enemies so that he has no opposition left on the inside.

At this critical juncture in which Venezuelans inside their country are
putting their lives on the line, Venezuelans here would do well to heed
the lessons of the Cuban exile story: Five decades of too much rhetoric,
endless debate on isolation or détente, and the needle never moves in
favor of democracy.

This is not to say Venezuelans aren't welcomed here; they are. But what
parent, if offered asylum, wouldn't put their protesting teenager on a
plane to safety? A cycle of endless family separations would begin — and
Maduro would solidify his power.

Then say hello to forever exile, Cuban-style.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/25/3959985/fabiola-santiago-venezuelans-should.html