Thursday, July 01, 2010

Easing the Cuban Embargo

The first tentative, but very encouraging, step in the process of rational policymaking towards Cuba has been made. Soon, I think we'll finally be able to travel to Cuba with minimal to no restrictions. As one of the experts in the article accurately noted: easing the travel ban and the sale of agricultural goods to Cuba will certainly benefit the Castro regime, but it will also benefit the Cuban people more. I actually think that the short-term benefits to the Castro regime will turn into long-term costs as the greater and easier contact between Cubans and the US will increase social pressure within Cuba for democratic reform there. The days of the Cuban-American hardliner exile community's disproportionate grip on US Cuban policy are numbered. Frankly, I think this will be better for that community's goals and interests than they are capable of realizing.

No comments: