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Research Paper On Cuban Embargo

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It is said that President John F. Kennedy secured nearly 1,200 Cuban cigars just hours before enacting the Cuban trade embargo in 1962. Many Americans probably wished they could have done this before all trade between the United States and Cuba ceased as the United States now marks the 55th year of an ongoing embargo against Cuba. On February 3, 1962 President Kennedy signed Proclamation 3447 to declare an embargo against all trade between the United States and Cuba. This embargo consists of trade, travel, and commerce restrictions for all people and companies under United States jurisdiction. The United States cut off all ties with this neighboring nation just ninety miles off the coast of Florida. This was Kennedy’s defense against communism, …show more content…

What do these countries have to do with Cuba? While despite these countries records of human rights violations and differing governments, the United States continues trade, travel and commerce with all of these nations. Wayne Smith explains how former President George W. Bush lifted trade sanctions on North Korea in 2008 even amidst concerns about the nations desire to develop nuclear weapons (Smith, Wayne). Cuba has tried to meet the high standards of the United States with no avail. After the CDA was passed in 1992, Havana initiated a number of reform measures in 1993, permitting farmers markets and small private enterprises, including private restaurants and repair shops, use of the U.S. dollar as legal daily tender, and more favorable terms for foreign investment. Americans are allowed to travel to other communist countries, nations known for human rights violations, and even places on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism but cannot travel to Cuba. The United States even trade with countries of differing governments and policies such as China, Venezuela, and Vietnam regardless of their opposing governments and Cuba should be no

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