It should be the policy of the United States [...] to seek a peaceful transition to democracy and a resumption of economic growth in Cuba through the careful application of sanctions directed at the Castro government and support for the Cuban people…
Join us this Wednesday, September 17 at 7PM in CAS 326, and act as a delegate in a US Joint Congressional Session debate either for or against the lift of the US embargo on Cuba.
Background
The relationship between the United States and Cuba has been strained since 1958 when fighting commenced between the Cuban government, headed by Fulgencio Batista, and the revolutionary forces, led by Fidel Castro. In March of 1958, the US enacted an arms embargo against Cuba.
In 1959, the Cuban Revolution deposed Batista from power. The Revolution also began the rise to power of Fidel Castro, Cuba’s new leader with Communist sympathies. The increasingly intimate Cuban-Soviet relations, Castro’s nationalization of American sugar companies, and the Cuban missile crisis pushed the United States to consider several drastic measures against Cuba. Although attempts to kill Castro and create a counterrevolution failed, the resulting embargo against Cuba remains in effect today.
This began on October 19, 1960 as a partial economic embargo against Cuba, excluding food and medicine. In following years, the embargo was expanded to include restriction of travel for US citizens to Cuba, US capital investment in Cuba, and restrictions on non-US companies’ trade with Cuba (often known as the Helms-Burton Act). Although the severity of the implementation of the embargo has fluctuated with US presidents, the embargo has nonetheless continued to exist.
Criticisms of the Embargo
Cuba’s current socioeconomic problems have been tied to the US embargo, along with social problems such as malnutrition, disease, and famine. In light of this controversy, the European Union, along with Canada, has been a staunch critic of the embargo, citing its harm to the Cuban people despite its lack of effect on the Cuban government. The European Parliament refuses to adhere to the Helms-Burton Act and works to counter the effects of the embargo in Cuba. The United Nations has also condemned the embargo.
Issue at Hand
Though considered a viable solution in the context of the 1960s, changes in Cuba merit a re-evaluation of US policy on the embargo.
First, US trade with Cuba involving food products and medicine has increased due to recent humanitarian incidents in the Caribbean: The US exported over 600 million USD in agricultural products to Cuba in 2007.
Second, Fidel Castro stepped down in February 2008, ceding the Presidential powers to his younger brother, Raúl Castro. Foreign diplomats esteem the “other Castro’s” pragmatism could foreshadow possible changes in the future. However, Cuba and the United States insist that there will be no real change in Cuba for years to come, at least not until after the Castro “dynasty” has ended.
Both Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) have stated that they will reevaluate and possibly change the US policy with Cuba, but will not vote to lift the embargo, citing the need for constant and continuing pressure on Cuba to change its undemocratic ways. However, several leading US Congressmen on both sides of the partisan divide, such as Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Ron Paul (R-TX), believe in the importance of lifting the embargo.
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