Monday, February 16, 2009

Cuban Travel Ban

Since Fidel Castro's 1959 siezure of power in Cuba, the United States has maintained a hardline approach in its opposition of the communist regime. In 1962, under the leadership of President John F Kennedy, the United States enacted a trade and travel embargo against Cuba. Forty-six years later, the embargo still stands, but is currently being challenged by a bill in Congress. The proposed bill would drop travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States.


This proposal comes at a crucial point in Cuba's history, as long-time Cuban President Fidel Castro has recently stepped down and the nation continues to experience economic hardships. A lifting of the ban would likely pump United States tourism dollars into the Cuban economy and serve to strengthen the Communist regime now under the leadership of Fidel's brogher, Raul. The prospect of economic benefits and better relations with the United States may make reform-based dialogue between the neighboring nations possible. However, it is unlikely that Cuba will significantly alter its stance on human rights and individual liberties for its people. Unless the Cuban Government is willing to address these fundamental issues in regard to the treatment of its population, I do not believe that any form of financial support of the Castro regime is appropriate at this time. The United States must focus on ways to support the Cuban people, not the Cuban Government.

-Daniel Uden 2-19-2009

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