The U.S. Diplomatic Position toward Cuba

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Improvement of the relations and ineffectiveness of the economic embargo
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The feud between the United States and Cuba dates back to the beginning of Fidel Castros reign in 1959. Over the years, different U.S administrations have dealt harshly with Cuba, which they refer to as State Sponsor of Terrorism. Despite the sanctions imposed by the U.S, no administration has succeeded in weakening Castros rule. In the beginning of 2008, Fidel Castro resigned from office due to deteriorating health and handed over the reins of power to his brother Raul Castro.

Since that time, the U.S has been showing some signs of economic interest in Cuba and the Obama administration is specifically seen to be relaxing its tough stance on Cuba. Analysts are however warning that the U.S gesture does not signify a truce between the two countries. In the beginning of the year, there was increased tension between the two nations after the U.S accused Cuba of planning to bomb a Detroit-bound flight. This was not received well by Cuban authorities who described the action as a sign of hostility. (Hanson, 2010)

Improvement of the relations and ineffectiveness of the economic embargo

The relations between the U.S and Cuba are practically missing. Although the United States has an embassy in Havana, it has no communication with the Cuban government. In the beginning of 1961, the U.S placed economic embargo and diplomatic isolation against Cuba, a policy that is still in existence. In 2000, President George Bush reviewed the U.S policy making it harder to travel to Cuba.

According to the new rules, Americans who had families living in Cuba were allowed only one visit every three years for an utmost of two weeks. During the trip, a traveler was only allowed to carry a maximum of $300 down from $3000 in 2004. One year after coming to power, Obama removed the travel and remittance restrictions signaling a relaxation of the U.S. policy toward Cuba. (Hanson, 2010)

At the beginning of 2000, Congress reviewed the trade embargo to permit agricultural exports from America to Cuba. According to estimates released by the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, U.S companies exported food stuffs worth $710 million in 2008 alone. This was viewed as a big milestone since there was no existing trade between the two countries in 2001. In recent years, different states in the U.S have been seeking for avenues to broker some form of economic deals with the Cuban government. Despite this improvement in trade between the two countries, there are still many restrictions imposed on Cubans who want to export agricultural products from the U.S. (Arcelaschi, 2005)

Experts say that the U.S.-imposed trade embargo should be done away with for the benefit of both nations. In the U.S., many constituencies have shown willingness of restarting relations with Cuba. Apart from the agricultural sector, more American economic sectors are maneuvering ways to explore the Cuban market. Although, many hardliners are against resuming relations between the two countries, such a decision would be beneficial to both sides. Those opposed to the lifting of the embargo claim that doing so would be tantamount to strengthening Castros communist regime.

On the other hand, Cuban-Americans feel that the current policy has failed to fulfill its purpose and should be done away with for the benefit of both countries. There is an increasing feeling that neither the U.S nor the Cuban government should get in the way of the peoples wish. If the recent report showing an increase of agricultural exports is anything to go by, then the lifting of the economic embargo is an idea whose time has come. If the U.S decides to lift the economic embargo, it will be opening up a new and expansive market for its goods something that will benefit the country in the end. (Arcelaschi, 2005)

Despite the sanguinity that came over Obamas election, Cubans are less hopeful about a meaningful relationship blossoming between the two countries. In recent days, Fidel and his brother Raul Castro have both criticized the Obama administration terming it dictatorial. In a recent speech, the countrys defacto leader accused America of promoting insurrection against the country. These attacks show that the bad relations between the two countries do not perturb Cuba. Given the enormity of the issues separating the two countries, experts warn that a long route is needed before diplomatic relations can be resumed. This is due to a deep-seated incompatibility of political views between the two countries. (Arcelaschi, 2005)

Conclusion

The relations between the U.S and Cuba have been strained since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. Over the years, nearly all U.S administrations have termed Cuba as a haven for terrorists. These relations were strained further after President Bush reinforced the existing embargo and introduced more stringent travel restrictions to Cuba. Since coming to power, President Obama has relaxed the U.S policy regarding Cuba but experts say that this is not a sign that the relations will improve any time soon. This is due to a fundamental difference of political views that exists between the two countries. If the economic embargo is lifted, America is set to benefit since it will have opened up a new market for its goods.

References

Arcelaschi, K. (2005) Explanation of the U.S. Embargo on Cuba. Web.

Hanson, S. (2010) U.S.-Cuba Relations. Web.

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The U.S. Diplomatic Position toward Cuba

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