Pondering Politics: Time for the embargo to go?

Everyone is talking about the latest events in the tense relationship between the United States and Cuba. Last week at a Latin American summit, President Obama claimed that the U.S. trade policy with Cuba could be altered during his presidency. President Obama and others believe that both the United States and Cuba would benefit from trade with each other during these dire economic times that are not just limited to American borders. This proposition may sound like a win-win offer on paper; however, President Obama is in for a fight in order for his vision to become a reality.

The U.S. trade embargo against Cuba is not like a grudge you hold against your freshman roommate for reasons you can no longer remember or never fully understood to begin with. In fact, the reasons for its passage in early 1962 are still rather relevant to this day.

The embargo was crafted by Cuban-American exiles who managed to escape the communist country of Cuba for freedom in America. Once on American soil, these refugees told stories of horrific human rights violations on the part of the Cuban government against its people in the name of communism. As a result, many Cuban-Americans demanded that their new home’s free and democratic government refuse to do business with their former country unless they developed a greater respect for human rights and moved towards democracy. More and more Cuban-Americans began to support the legislation and as soon as these Cuban-Americans became eligible voters, U.S. lawmakers’ support soon followed as well. It also seemed to make sense in the Cold War atmosphere of the era, with the U.S. crafting policy against all things communist.

So it is clear that President Obama will meet opposition when it comes time to begin trading with Cuba. Emotions run high for Cuban-American exiles and they continue to be adamant in fighting for what they believe. These Cuban-Americans make the point that Cuba has done well domestically over the years and perhaps if these trends continue the country may be forced to abandon its tyrannical practices in favor of a more democratic approach equaling civil rights for all Cuban individuals.

However, others argue that ending the embargo is a necessary step for both nations to improve their economic states. It stems from some of the rhetoric seen in the ’08 presidential campaign about openness and inclusion in foreign policy. President Obama has shown a willingness to talk with countries that have often been denied a place at the international table due to their domestic policies. Cuba is an interesting case because it is really the last country that the U.S. continues to treat with Cold War era policy. Ending the embargo would finally end this mindset and truly signal a change in how we conduct foreign policy. Furthermore, there would be economic benefits for each country.

What stands in the way of change is the current government in Cuba. By ending the embargo it signals that we approve of the regime in Cuba. It is a delicate situation for President Obama, who wants to create new relationships and partnerships internationally but also has to maintain the political stance against harsh regimes and dictatorships that inhibit freedom. How President Obama treats countries like Cuba and Iran, who have in recent history been seen as our adversaries, will really demonstrate how his “politics of change” approach is applied to foreign policy. Before any embargo can be lifted, there would have to be a real change in the Cuban government—primarily a reversal of rights violations and a new commitment to openness with the outside world.

Just the idea of openness with these countries is a change from the previous administration. Hopefully, President Obama can inspire these countries to make a commitment to change that will affect their diplomatic relationship with the U.S. Will the trade embargo against Cuba come to an end? It is hard to say, but beginning a dialogue that creates opportunities for diplomacy is an important first step.