A US political analyst Bill Kristol has set social media ablaze after he suggested that the United States annex Cuba. In his post on Twitter the 68-year-old wrote about why he wants federal district Washington DC to become a state and noted that Puerto Rico and Cuba too should be part of the United States.
One reason I'm for DC statehood: The growth in size of the republic--and our distinctive manner of growth, admitting states with equal status--has always been a sign of our vigor. 60 years at 50 states is enough. Time for DC, Puerto Rico, Cuba (as soon as it's free), 1 or 2 more?
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) March 22, 2021
His remark about annexation of Cuba caused a torrent of comments with users criticising the analyst for what they described as an "idiotic" idea.
Dumber than a box of rocks...
— China Joe (@jmlucyc) March 23, 2021
Cuba? Are you on drugs?
— Weatherhead78 (@Weatherhead7902) March 23, 2021
Some thought that the suggestion came from a parody account.
Is this a parody account?
— Swanson and Ritner (@Fake_Burn_Acct) March 23, 2021
Is this a really bad joke or is Bill Kristol seriously arguing for the annexation of Cuba???
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) March 22, 2021
I guess the neocons are taking it to an entirely new level: Empire without any of the pretenses otherwise! pic.twitter.com/HvJEVrHk1b
Many users reminded Kristol that Cuba is a sovereign state and said Cubans will never want to join the United States.
In what possible way would Cuba become a US state? It’s a sovereign country.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) March 22, 2021
lmao, Cubans will NEVER want to be part of the usa 100%...
— Michael Marchand (@Mikemmarchand) March 23, 2021
Others criticised the analyst for insisting Cuba is not "free".
Do you mean the country with higher standards of living than America in many categories in spite of having 1/8th our GDP per capita due to suffering under 50 years of our economy-wrecking sanctions?
— Believelander Says Trans Rights (@says_rights) March 22, 2021
Yeah let's free 'em, Bill. I'm sure they're pining for us to save them from us.
cuba is already free you yankee ghoul
— Bes D. Socialist (@besf0rt) March 22, 2021
Many netizens, including the conservative ones, contended that annexing Cuba will be the end of US.
My old friend Bill wants Puerto Rico and Cuba admitted to the US as states.
— Yoram Hazony (@yhazony) March 22, 2021
I keep wondering if I’m exaggerating the chasm that’s opened up between his views and mine—between NeoCons and NatCons.
But no. It’s a chasm all right. What Bill thinks is good for America would end it. https://t.co/IZpSscFg6j
America is already over, but this would do a nice job of speeding it up.
— CharlesK (@CSax23) March 23, 2021
Despite the overall criticism Kristol’s post received 26,000 likes and some users even backed the analyst’s proposal.
Then let's get it done!
— Rogue Karma 🇺🇸 (@KarmicEraser) March 23, 2021
Maybe you could get Mexico too.
— Jo Anne (@JoAuntdodo789) March 23, 2021
This is not the first time that Kristol has said something which has caused astonishment: he was a strong advocate for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and argued for an increase in the number of US troops in the country when the situation began to deteriorate. He supported the 2006 Lebanon War, claiming it was the US "war too".
The United States won Cuba, Puerto Rico and other territories from Spain after a brief war in 1898. Cuba gained independence from the US in 1902 but the authorities then in power were regarded as client states of Washington. Under Cuba’s first constitution, the United States retained the right to intervene in Cuban affairs to supervise economy and foreign relations. Relations between the two states drastically deteriorated after the Cuban revolution, when Fidel Castro came to power.
Puerto Rico is unincorporated territory of the United States. Since 1917 all residents born on the island have become US citizens. However, Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in US presidential elections or elect their own senators and representatives to the US congress. In November 2020 the island held a statehood referendum during which 52 percent of voters voiced to be admitted into the Union as a state. The referendum was non-binding.
