Identidades in English No 4, December 2014 | Page 122

number of governments - while permissive about
the exclusion of civil society in Cuba and the constant violation of international democratic accords to which Cuba is a signatory - await
reconciliation between Cuba and the United
States.
The Inter-American Democratic Charter is adamant in its first article: “The peoples of the
Americas have a right to democracy and their
governments the obligation of promoting and
defending it.” For this reason, Colombia and all
the other countries of Latin America should demand of Cuba that it make a real commitment to
political transformation as an essential requirement for integration into the Inter-American System. Doing so would put an end to the isolation
the Cuban people have had to endure for numerous decades. Cuba should only be permitted to be
present at the next Summit if it shows itself to be

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a committed, noble spirit and not just a trickster
villain.
Arriving at a peace in which only a few believe,
without allowing civil society to participate in its
creation, is a serious attack on democracy and human rights. Colombia and Cuba should continue
to make an effort to smooth over internal rough
spots, so they can proudly show to the international community the result of a peace process
that does not consist only of reducing tensions
both within and outside the country, but also
guarantees fair and inclusive treatment for all of
society’s groups. This is the only way that these
two nations will be acknowledged as honorable
agents of peace within the region, eschewing appearances, and demonstrating that it is not a q VW7F