Lift the embargo on Cuba

President Barack Obama made the right call recently when he promised to restore relations with our southern neighbors back in December and meeting face to face with Cuba’s President Raul Castro recently in Panama. Economic sanctions wasn’t working cited Obama, as years of blockading Cuba from doing business with the rest of the world didn’t force civil rights or bring democracy to the island nation. It was time for a change and Obama decided to reconnect with Cuba after severing ties in 1961.

Obama plans to bring Cuba back from isolation it’s been glued to since embracing communism under the Russians during the cold war. By restoring ties Cuba will look forward to an improved economy – more remittance and increase travel back and forth. Of course the President don’t have the power to alter trade sanctions but he can open embassies and allow some export of U.S. supplies and equipment to Cuba. Only Congress have the authority to lift the trade embargo and when this happens it will allow Cuba to move towards democracy and implement civil rights.

U.S. tried to starve Cuba into Democracy

Restoring ties is a win-win situation for both countries, but more so for Cuba – who lost it’s economic partner with the fall of the soviet union in 1991 and harsher trade sanctions followed immediately. Ever since Cuba has died a dozen deaths but still preserved Fidel Castro at the top of the pecking order until old age and illness sidelined him in favor of younger brother Raul. Cuba’s economy lost billions after the break-up of the soviet union and the harsh sanctions supplied United States to impose democratic change.

After decades of economic suffering the people and the government of Cuba are ready for a more open society. Raul isn’t as hardline as brother Fidel and he will soon give way to elections and civil rights for all it’s citizen. The brothers have seen the writing on the wall for a long time but their pride wouldn’t let them step aside. Now as relations begin to improve brought on by President Barack Obama, Cuba with become a strong trading partner with the U.S., and democratic values and human rights will be enhanced by a literate society.