Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said the new U.S. policy would do nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.Riiight. Economic sanctions against Cuba were first imposed in 1960 by President Eisenhower, tightened in 1962 by President Kennedy and tinkered with ever since. Sanctions were first imposed over a decade before Rubio was born.
"But it potentially goes a long way in providing the economic lift that the Castro regime needs to become permanent fixtures in Cuba for generations to come," Rubio said.
As a tool/weapon to persuade Cuba towards regime change, they have been an utter failure. But folks like Rubio keep hoping that maybe the 55th year of sanctions might change things.
They're just insane. Time to recognize that and move on, as the President is trying to do.
Well he is a republican so the insane part is covered. Stupid, without a doubt really he thinks the Castro regime was temporary? Well maybe for a Galapagos tortoise.
ReplyDeleteI love it that Canada and The Vatican were the go-betweens for 18 months of secret negotiations. The timing of the announcement feels like President Obama was just waiting to spring this on the new (R) controlled Congress, knowing how they'd react - and is just kicking back with his popcorn watching the show. I expect he is going to do more like this over then next two years.
ReplyDeleteCanada and the Vatican HAD to do it, this administration is incapable of negotiating their way out of a wet paper bag... And this IS a prisoner exchange, regardless of what BO says...
ReplyDeleteI support relations with Cuba. After over 50 years, the embargo and sanctions has yielded little fruit beyond preventing the free movement of American citizens between the two nations. When taken in the context of every other Communist nation we have diplomatic relations with [except nK]....and the other oppressive regimes that we are or have been quite cozy with....the embargo made little sense. The best way to reform the Havana regime, is to flood the country with capitalism and western ideals.
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