The Embargo Of Cuba

In 1959, Cubareceived 74 percent of its imports from the US, and the US received 65 percentof Cuba’s exports. On February 3, 1962, the United States imposed a fulltrade embargo on Cuba, completely ending any type of trade between the twocountries. This embargo remains in effect today, more than four decades later,and has grown ! to be a huge center of debate and controversy (DeVarona 8).Opponents to the embargo argue that the embargo does nothing more than hurt theCuban people, while proponents argue that the embargo places pressure on Castroto repair Cuba’s mismanaged and corrupt government. Both the supportersand the opponents of this embargo have strong arguments and evidence to supportthese

In the article, “Why Do We Still Have an Embargo of Cuba?” Patrick Haney explores the history of the embargo and the different factors which have maintained and tightened its restrictions over the past fifty years. The embargo consists of a ban on trade and commercial activity, a ban on travel, a policy on how Cuban exiles can enter the U.S., and media broadcasting to the island. These once-executive orders now codified into law by the Helms-Burton Act, have become a politically charged topic which wins and loses elections, spawned influential interest groups, and powerful political action committees.

The U.S. did not help their situation as they proceed to pressure and prevent other foreign nation from trade with them, resulting in Cuba to remain in isolation. This event not only hurt Cuba economically, but socially as well by depriving innocent people from access to the outside. However, the embargo was not meant to cause harm, instead it symbolizes a probable improvement in human rights. In 2016, the Human Right Watch, reported that Cuba was still, “repress dissent and discourage public criticism," resulting to be the primary reason the U.S. would consider lifting the embargo. The U.S. would like to see the Cuban government improve, in return, they would remove the ban on trade or commercial activities.

Goods or services of Cuban origin may not be imported into the United States either directly or through third countries” (2001) . According to the Cuba Policy Foundation, the United States loses up to $4.84 billion annually in trade and exports alone (Pepper 2009) . The amount of money being disregarded because of now defunct reasons is radically lacking in logic. A simple repealing of the embargo would bring both the United States and Cuba great economic success.

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

This embargo was met with approval from both sides of the government and has survived

Supporters of the legislation believe that prohibiting foreign investment will quicken Castro’s downfall. (Close Up Foundation) Many debate on the issue of why the U.S. should or shouldn’t keep the ebargo against Cuba. These debates deal with the effects of the Embargo on Cuba’s economy, humanitarian rights and health of the people of Cuba. The embargo today places a ban on subsidiary trade, Licensing, shipping and humanitarian aid. (Close Up Foundation) In 1992, the Cuban Democracy act imposed a ban on subsidiary trade with Cuba. This ban restricted Cuba’s ability to import medicines and medical supplies from third country sources. There have also been corporate buy-outs and mergers between U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies thus adding to the number of companies permitted to do business with Cuba. Under the Cuban Democracy Act, The U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments are allowed to license individual sales of medicines and medical supplies, supposedly for humanitarian reasons to make up for the embargo’s impact on health care delivery. According to the U.S. corporate executives, the licensing provisions are so tough as to have had the opposite effect. With this statement, it is assumed that there are fewer licenses given out for humanitarian reason therefore favoring the embargo and aiding in the downfall of health in Cuba. Since 1992, the embargo has prohibited ships from loading or unloading cargo in U.S. ports for 180 days after

The vast amount of the book is spent covering the political reasons why the embargo should be ended. This section

After the Second World War sanctions emerge as a major foreign policy instruments of the powerful nations. Globalization engendered the denunciation of the brute use of force as a primary method of international coercion. Cuba is one of the countries considered as a rogue state by the United States and its allies. The emergence of Cuba as a communist country in the western hemisphere in 1960, and the nationalization of a huge amount of US assets in Cuba by the then new regime led to the sanctions against Cuba. However, starting from the end of the 1980’s the Communist block begin falling apart. Cuba lost its international allies and became helpless both economically and politically in the international seen, and it is no longer a threat

The decision made by the personal representatives of the US and Cuba to open up trade relations was an historic announcement. Presidents Castro and Obama showed a level of political will that is not seen in the world very often, such as that to undertake such a transformational act. Both presidents have overturned years of hostility of people that share the same blood but that live in a new world. They were able to leave history in the past and have discussions based upon mutual respect. In Cuban author, Jose Marti’s “Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca”, he made an offering of friendship and peace to his friend and his enemy (Macias, p. 25). This is the same offering that Barack Obama made to Raul Castro- a saludo de paz, a greeting of peace, and to burn

Even though there has been a lot of progress in Cuba, the lack of import and exports of goods into Cuba has led the economy into a big distress creating a situation where the Cuban people are struggling to put a meal on the table for their families. The Cuban people recognize that the embargo is the door that has kept them shut away from having a better life. After many years of supporting a broken policy, the United States goal of bridling a democracy in Cuba will be reached much quicker by ending the embargo rather than maintaining it.

On December 17, 2014, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced the restoration of full diplomatic ties following a swap of a U.S. intelligence officer who had been held in Havana for the three remaining Cuban Five prisoners. On May 29, 2015, The U.S. State Department removes Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Soon after, The United States and Cuba reopen embassies in each other's capitals. Both had been closed since 1961. These actions taken by the United States, help build the relationship between the two countries. The only problem left, aside from Guantanamo Bay, is The U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Sadly the embargo cannot be lifted without congressional approval and with a majority of conservative Republicans in congress, this will be very difficult for Obama to achieve.

The U.S. embargo against Cuba that has been going on since the 1950s is coming to an end. It clearly never achieved its aims as one of the Castro brothers is still in charge on this island and Fidel was in charge until ill health, not our embargo, forced him out. The Obama Administration has already lifted certain travel restrictions to the island nation, and CNN is reporting that it will be announced on Wednesday July 1 that embassies will be reopened in our respective countries for the first time in over 50 years.

As the clock struck midnight on July 20th, 2015, a tremendous step was taken involving foreign policy: the United States restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. This translated into embassies being reopened in both of the countries. This was a huge move by President Obama and poses the question: should the United States’ embargo on cuba be lifted or should it be upheld? For decades the United States has maintained an embargo on Cuba, this has sparked anger with the Cubans and created a rift with the U.S. Despite the controversy, the U.S. should cease to continue the embargo on Cuba for trade purposes, military ally opportunities, and human rights restoration..

President Castro has made much of his term serving for the greater good of the Cuban population. He met with President Nieto of Mexico to address policy letters for trade, diplomacy, fishing, tourism, business, migration, education and human trafficking. The