Why the US still hates Cuba

At the centre of the Summit of the Americas held in Trinidad and Tobago over April 17-19, was the only country from the hemisphere not present — Cuba.

Speaking at the opening session, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega noted that while a large majority of the heads of states of the Americas were present, “there are two major absentees”.

The first was “Cuba, whose crime has been to fight for its independence, for the sovereignty of the peoples; lending solidarity, without conditions, to our peoples, and for that it is being sanctioned, for that it is being punished, for that it is being excluded.”

The second was the nation of Puerto Rico, which continues to be an official colony of the United States — denied independence.

In 1962, Cuba was expelled from the Organisation of American States for having openly declared the nature of its revolution to be socialist — based on the ideology of “Marxism-Leninism”.

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http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/792/40807

I'm hoping he'll end the embargo by the end of his first term.

Maybe he wants to end it but wants to get something from Cuba first.

a box of cigars?

k&r

NT

Would you consider political activists who take funds from foreign powers for the avowed purpose of overthrowing the government political prisoners? Or might you consider them agents of a foreign power? Would that be tolerated in this country?

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I really think we need to just get over communism and end the embargo, and all other sanctions. That type of foreign policy really is stupid; it's days are numbered in my opinion.

I don't quite agree with the snippet only because you can't really base a current administration solely on past administrations policies and actions. It was a different era then, as opposed to now.

That being said, end the embargo.

We "got over it" with China, those evil commies, too. It's not "ideology." It's not "philospohy."

Hell, we're pals with VIETNAM. And that was a pretty bloody war now, wasn't it?

There's a reason we can't get over it with Cuba just yet. I wonder if the reason isn't hidden in a classified dossier.


I'll bet we'll manage to become lovey dovey, though, when Fidel pushes up daisies. As he ages and is closer to the crypt, things seem to get freer and easier.

The losers in that equation? Puerto Rico.

economy. The only one left refusing capitalists exploitation. That is their great sin.

The Cuban Revolution is about a lot more than Fidel Castro. The transformation to a communist society is an difficult challenge, largely uncharted waters. That the Revolution has survived and striven towards it's goal despite the pressures exerted by the US is a testimony to that Revolution and it will not go away with the passing of Fidel.

They allow "hundred percent" private ownership by foreign firms now. There's European investment all over that country. Here's their own slightly unrealistic though sunny view of the situation: http://www.cubaminrex.cu/English/Look_Cuba/Economy/economy_About%20foreign%20Investment.htm

However, the big fish, the big market, in ninety miles away and that market is still off limits, so that limits investment. Who wants to go to Cuba from Europe when Florida, Puerto Rico, or the Bahamas is just as close, pretty much, and way better, with no political overtones, electricity that is reliable, 21st century conveniences, beautiful golf courses, casinos galore, and multiplex vacation complexes? Sure, it's fun as a "different" destination, but it's not jazzy enough for repeat visits if you don't have family or friends on the island.

The Vietnamese retain state control, too. So do the Chinese. But they have no problem marrying "capitalist foreign investment" with a heavy government hand.

The Cubans would go nutzo for "capitalist exploitation" if only they could get some of it. They'd run a tight ship like the Chinese still do, but they'd Starbucks/Mickey D's/KFC the hell out of that place if only they got the shot.

What the Cubans have to their advantage is a smart population that will work for cheap. That's a perfect storm for manufacturing; the only problem is, anything they make, the big market ninety miles away won't buy.

Not long after Fidel croaks, watch drug companies, light medical manufacture, and all sorts of interesting little factories migrate from PR to Cuba.

That will be a big "ouch" for Puerto Rico. They'll have to retool to stay viable.

I can see relations thawing at some point, but this sentence is probably the crux of it. They're doing it without capitalism, and that is very scary to some very powerful people.