Should we lift the Cuban Embargo?

[Accountable]

The dumbest thing we could do today would be to enact legislation unilaterally lifting the embargo. Set aside questions about the embargo's efficacy. Like it or not, it is our only leverage, aside from our military, to affect the transition in Cuba. Why would we fritter away that leverage just as time prepares to do what the embargo could not -- bring about the end of the Castro regime? Fidel was never going to negotiate a loosening of repression in Cuba in exchange for a lifting of the travel ban and other trade restrictions. But those who succeed him will, and the Castro brothers will soon be gone. The question is: When that happens, what power will the United States have to encourage a democratic transition on the island? Instead of strengthening Raúl by lifting the embargo now, we should keep our powder dry and use it to strengthen democracy and influence his successor. The embargo has been in place for 47 years -- at this point, it would be foolish not to wait a little longer.

washingtonpost.com

"The dumbest thing"? Really? Shouldn't we allow this sovereign country to be sovereign, or is it our responsibility to put the "proper" government in place?

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Accountable

washingtonpost.com

"The dumbest thing"? Really? Shouldn't we allow this sovereign country to be sovereign, or is it our responsibility to put the "proper" government in place?

Were just waiting for Castro to die......and waiting.
Personally I dont think he will.

[Lon]

We should lift the embargo. Other than making some Cubans living in the U.S. unhappy, what's the worst thing that could happen? We don't have embargoes with other countries that we don't like politically, and don't tell me about Cuba being a threat since they are only 90 mile off our shore. I was in Cuba in 1955 (during the Batista Regime). I was living in Tampa Florida at the time and went to Cuba on holiday for a week. There is no justification for the present embargo other than what our government might think is Payback for the Bay of Pigs Disaster.