In 1960 Fidel Castro came into power for the Cuban government, and since that day relationships with Cuba and the United States has been on thin lines. Travel and trade restrictions were put on forbidding and Cuban exports to be let into America and no American could go to Cuba. President Obama has announced a policy to loosen the travel restrictions to Cuba.
I feel that we should adapt to the new policy by President Obama to loosen restrictions for Cuban-American’s to travel to Cuba to visit family. Many people will argue that this is not a good idea, but the opening will not only be good by letting the people go back to see there families but will also help create other policies to work with Cuba in the long run in economical terms and many others. With the opening the feeling of Cuban-American’s in this country will be better towards America.
This policy will also allow people to send money to there families in Cuba to help support them and make them less depended on the Castro regime. This was not possible in the earlier days with the policy stating that no American money could be put into Cuban economy to help it in anyways. This would include people from even paying for hotel rooms while in Cuba before. Even with the money flow being allowed there has still not been any official word on the stance about being able to bring Cuban products into America.
Ninoska Pérez Castellón is one man that believes this act should not occur since we are not expecting anything in return from Cuba and says that Cuba should change first before any action from America is taken. This is and understandable but for over 40 years we have waited for this to happen and nothing has changed. The only thing now is that we put the first hand out for friendship with Cuba and expect a friendly hand back from Cuba. If this is to succeed, the trade restrictions can be pulled and Cuban products can be brought into this country and help bring the economy up since a lot of these products are valued by Americans such as the Cuban Cigar. This is also a good way for America to rework its foreign policy with countries of hostility and get allies since this is one area that has been weak during the Bush Administration and will just become worse if proper action is not taken.
Only time can tell what good will come out with this action from President Obama and his Administrations. With things at its steady hopefully good can come from it and new policies will not only be made with Cuba but also other Latin nations to make a friendly alliance.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/world/americas/05cuba.html?ref=politics
http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/cuba/a/CubaRestriction.htm
I agree with the author’s opinion about the relationship with the Cuban government and the United States. Families in Florida and Cuba have been separated from each other for many years because of the policies that were put in place to prevent Americans from going to Cuba. I believe it is up to President Obama to take the first step into trying to make a change in policy that helps the relationship between United States and Cuba. However, we should receive the same treatment in return. The recession in the United States is still occurring and opening up trade with Cuba will help boost the economy, especially in the southeastern region of the United States. This is a very sensitive matter because it can also risk the chance of more drugs flowing into the United States.
ReplyDeleteIf both countries start to communicate and begin negotiations to help each other out then it will be the benefit for both governments. In this time, President Obama has to do all he can to get the economy boosted and becoming friendly with Cuba is a step in the right direction.