Cuban Embargo
Since 1960 an economic embargo has been placed on the island nation of Cuba by the United States. This embargo restricts American products and citizens from entering Cuba. As you can imagine, this has had serious economic effects on the Cuban people. The idea behind the embargo is that it will weaken the Castro government and pave the path for democracy in Cuba. After 48 years of the embargo we have yet to see either one of these come true. For one to understand Cuba one must know a bit about its history.
Cuba had long been a colony of Spain and during this time Cuba’s population was more or less oppressed by the Spanish monarchy. In 1898 the United States went to war with Spain and “liberated” Cuba. The island nation had close economic ties with the United States for the next 51 years after that, with many American businesses (and even the Italian mafia” investing in Cuba. Unfortunately for the Cubans, these businesses took advantage of Cuba’s resources and most Cubans did not reap the benefits of their economic prosperity. In the 1950’s when American investment in Cuba was at its peak, Dictator Fulgencio Batista brutally crushed any opposition groups who did not favor the Americans. The 1950’s also saw a surge in Communist ideology amongst students and the working class and in 1959 Batista was overthrown by the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro, Raul Castro, Che Guevara, and Camilio Cienfuegos. Cuba became fast friends with the Soviet Union, and in 1960 the United States imposed the economic embargo on the Castro regime.
It’s been 48 years and the Castro regime still stands albeit a bit isolated, but still standing. The embargo has done little to Castro and the communist government of Cuba and instead reduces the amount of food, clean water, medicine, and other economic needs for the Cuban people. Despite this embargo, Cuba has an excellent healthcare and education system. Although Cuba has an ample amount of doctors, there is not enough medicine and supplies to go around. Healthcare and education can be considered successes but overall the Castro regime is has oppressed the people of Cuba. The Castro regime is notorious for jailing dissidents and journalists and has banned free speech. Unfortunately, the embargo only gives Fidel Castro a scapegoat to blame all of Cuba’s problems on (not to say that the U.S. hasn’t hurt Cuba) instead of doing anything himself. In order for Cuba to really prosper, the embargo must be lifted (this will not bolster the Castro regime much) and full diplomatic relations must be restored with the island-nation.
Since 1960 an economic embargo has been placed on the island nation of Cuba by the United States. This embargo restricts American products and citizens from entering Cuba. As you can imagine, this has had serious economic effects on the Cuban people. The idea behind the embargo is that it will weaken the Castro government and pave the path for democracy in Cuba. After 48 years of the embargo we have yet to see either one of these come true. For one to understand Cuba one must know a bit about its history.
Cuba had long been a colony of Spain and during this time Cuba’s population was more or less oppressed by the Spanish monarchy. In 1898 the United States went to war with Spain and “liberated” Cuba. The island nation had close economic ties with the United States for the next 51 years after that, with many American businesses (and even the Italian mafia” investing in Cuba. Unfortunately for the Cubans, these businesses took advantage of Cuba’s resources and most Cubans did not reap the benefits of their economic prosperity. In the 1950’s when American investment in Cuba was at its peak, Dictator Fulgencio Batista brutally crushed any opposition groups who did not favor the Americans. The 1950’s also saw a surge in Communist ideology amongst students and the working class and in 1959 Batista was overthrown by the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro, Raul Castro, Che Guevara, and Camilio Cienfuegos. Cuba became fast friends with the Soviet Union, and in 1960 the United States imposed the economic embargo on the Castro regime.
It’s been 48 years and the Castro regime still stands albeit a bit isolated, but still standing. The embargo has done little to Castro and the communist government of Cuba and instead reduces the amount of food, clean water, medicine, and other economic needs for the Cuban people. Despite this embargo, Cuba has an excellent healthcare and education system. Although Cuba has an ample amount of doctors, there is not enough medicine and supplies to go around. Healthcare and education can be considered successes but overall the Castro regime is has oppressed the people of Cuba. The Castro regime is notorious for jailing dissidents and journalists and has banned free speech. Unfortunately, the embargo only gives Fidel Castro a scapegoat to blame all of Cuba’s problems on (not to say that the U.S. hasn’t hurt Cuba) instead of doing anything himself. In order for Cuba to really prosper, the embargo must be lifted (this will not bolster the Castro regime much) and full diplomatic relations must be restored with the island-nation.
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