Historical background and basics about the Cuban embargo deal

Last edited Wed Dec 17, 2014, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)

September 1998 - Ten people are arrested in Florida and charged with spying for the Cuban government. The criminal complaint alleges that the eight men and two women tried to infiltrate Cuban exile groups and U.S. military installations. Five of the defendants are later identified as Cuban intelligence officers Ruben Campa (aka Fernando Gonzalez), Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Luis Medina (aka Ramon Labanino) and Antonio Guerrero.

December 2009 - American Alan Gross is jailed while working as a subcontractor on a U.S. Agency for International Development project aimed at spreading democracy. His actions are deemed illegal by Cuban authorities. He is accused of trying set up illegal Internet connections on the island. Gross says he was trying to help connect the Jewish community to the Internet and was not a threat to the government.

October 2011 - One of the Cuban Five, Rene Gonzalez, is released on probation after serving 13 years in prison.

February 2014 - Cuban Five member Ruben Campa (aka Fernando Gonzalez) is released from prison after serving more than 15 years.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/14/world/americas/cuba-fast-facts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

9 questions you were embarrassed to ask about the Cuban embargo;


The U.S. began imposing sanctions against Cuba after Fidel Castro seized power in 1959 and soon after nationalized more than $1 billion in American assets on the island.

U.S. ratcheted up sanctions on Cuba in 1960 and 1961 with President John F. Kennedy making the embargo official in 1962.

Today, Cuba remains an autocratic regime - Fidel Castro's brother Raul is president - with a poor record on human rights and a track record of silencing dissent and restricting the rights of its citizens.

The embargo not only keeps American companies from doing business in Cuba, but also prohibits Americans from traveling there or spending money as tourists.

American citizens can face up to a $65,000 fine for spending money in Cuba, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. The embargo also limits the amount of individuals can send to family living in Cuba.

What's Changing?
Both countries will work toward reestablishing embassies.

The U.S. will ease travel restrictions, making it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba and do business there.
U.S. and Cuban banks will be allowed to start building relationships and that means American travelers will be able to use their credit and debate cards when visiting.

Americans returning from a trip to Cuba can now return with up to $400 in Cuban goods, a quarter of which can be spent on alcohol and tobacco.

And in return, Cuba will free 53 political prisoners and significantly relax its restrictions on Internet access. Gross had been arrested after delivering satellite phones and other communications equipment to Cuba's small Jewish population.

So why doesn't Obama just end the embargo altogether?

He can't. Only Congress can end a trade embargo, which is enshrined into law. But according to White House officials, the President can ease certain restrictions under his executive authority.
This is the third time Obama has acted to ease the embargo. But policy changes in 2009 and 2011, which eased travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans and later for academics and religious groups, didn't come close to the scope of Wednesday's landmark agreement.
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http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/17/politics/cuban-embargo-questions-answers/index.html?hpt=hp_t1