Should the United States drop its sanctions on Cuba? |
I think it is time to drop the sanctions, it is way past due.
The US sanctions against Cuba have gone on far too long. Most people probably don't even remember or know why they were put in place to begin with. This happened originally in 1962, so it just seems ludicrous to still have them in place. This is a neighbor of ours, a country we could have friendly relations with, do business with. There is just no reason that I know of for this to still be happening.
Posted by: PinkMychObviously the sanctions have not done anything to change the government in Cuba.
The economic sanctions against Cuba were intended to pressure them to give up their communist government. That obviously hasn't worked; Cuba has had a communist government since 1959. It's hypocritical that the U.S. does so much commerce with China, also a communist country, and boycotts Cuba because they're communists. The sanctions aren't working and don't make sense, so they should be dropped.
Posted by: N Schroeder 60The United States should drop its sanctions on Cuba, because there is no reason to punish this tiny nation for being socialist.
The United States should definitely drop its sanctions on Cuba. There is no good reason to have them. Just because a little island nation close to Florida went socialist in an era of anti-Communist hysteria, it doesn't mean that the government's sanctions are appropriate. The Bay of Pigs was a long time ago. It's way past time to normalize relations with Cuba.
Posted by: tagappsThey are a peaceful sovereign country
They are a peaceful sovereign country who have attacked no-one. Sanctions are an act of war and should be stopped. What gives the USA the right to interfere in another country that has never threatened them. They need to grow up and become a world citizen rather than a bully.
Posted by: AnonymousThe United States shouldn't base relationships on political similarities.
Even though Cuba poses a significant threat to the political stability of the United States, it does not make sense to base sanctions on fear and close-mindedness.
Posted by: NondescriptKevinThe US should drop its sanctions against Cuba because the sanctions are antiquated.
Can we move past our beef with Cuba? Cuba is one of the closest nations to the US and they are not our friend. We should lift the embargo of yesteryear because the reasons for placing the embargo are antiquated and do not comply with our current geopolitical situation through out the world. Cuba can benefit America and vice-versa and even if it is for humanitarian reasons, we must lift the embargo on Cuba.
Posted by: R3ubHockeyYes
Cuba is the only country with a high development index, while having an ecologically sustainable footprint. By removing Cuba's sanctions, Cuba will be able to portray a viable alternative to the destructive economics of capitalism.
Posted by: AnonymousFifty years, with little to no effect, is a bit excessive.
Sanctions were placed on Cuba over fifty years ago, for specific reasons. Those reasons never did actually materialize and, as a result, the sanctions serve no purpose today, except to continuously punish a country for failing to collapse under the pressure of an economic embargo. All it does is continue to hurt the people of that country that could be doing much better, if their nation had better trade opportunities.
Posted by: KnownEvanThe Cuban missile crisis was 50 years ago - how long will the US punish the people of Cuba?
The United States should drop its sanctions on Cuba in order to open lines of communication that would be beneficial to both countries. Communism for all intents and purposes is dead globally, and Cuba and it's allies no longer pose any threat to the United States. To continue sanctions is purely punitive and serves no real practical purpose.
Posted by: ThegaXenStupid old policy
It has been too long to have such as stupid policy in place. In the modern world to turn our back on such a close neighbor is shameful. We allow travel to Russia, Germany, and Japan. These are countries we have true been at odds with at some point in our history. But hey Cuba is 90 miles from key west...Lets not go there! Saying I can't just makes we want to go more...
Posted by: AnonymousYes, because I don't think sanctions are an effective way to effect change.
I think open trade, travel and communication of not only goods and services, but also ideas, is what will ultimately produce change and better relations. I don't think it's our place to always have a say in how other countries are governed. And I think sanctions on trade ultimately end up punishing that country's citizens.
Posted by: Th4FireDrop the embargo!
We deal with China, a communist country on a daily basis. What seems to be the problem with Cuba? I realize that our country has had many disagreements with Cuba during the 50 plus years of communism, but if we worked together, all mankind would benefit from trade and personal contact. I would like to see relations normalized ASAP.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat good have these sanctions done so far?
Closing the border with Cuba has had little effect and is currently doing more harm to both nations than good. People are still visiting Cuba and still smoking Cuban cigars. Moreover, if the economic sanctions with cuba were lifted, the influx of refugees from Cuba would be greatly reduced.
Regarding the Cuban political system, Cuba is one of the few remaining socialist governments, and it long stood as American policy to have no ties to socialist states. Also present are Cuba's numerous human rights violations. Which is in contradiction another American policy. However, China is also a socialist state, and we, as a nation, have no problem doing business with them. And, likewise, China has quite the checkered past.
Refusing to lift sanctions with Cuba on principle of policy is a form of hypocrisy. In the current state of growing global economy, opening relations with any nation, especially one as close as Cuba could be nothing but positive.Posted by: AnonymousThe hypocrisy of the Embargo
The Embargo was set in place because "Communism is a threat to democracy" but our fourth biggest trading partner is none other than China who shows no sign of leaving their communist ways. Cuba is the only remaining country with an embargo on it. To add to the hypocrisy: the US is looking to normalize relations with North Korea and Iran. Why does the US make it its business to decide whether a country is running well or not or whether or not their people are happy? Before trying to "fix" another country we need to look at ourselves. In addition to this the embargo has done way more harm than good, it has lead to malnutrition, a lack of medical supplies, and a lack of humanitarian aid.
Posted by: silviabobbyCuba is our next door neighbor, so we should be friendly to them, if possible.
Sanctions against Cuba will only hurt us. They are our close neighbor and we should get along with them. Doing business with Cuba is important. Trading with them should not be sanctioned, unless it was a matter of war. They have exports that are important to us, and vice versa.
Posted by: PriceyWaylon79The United States should drop its sanctions on Cuba, because keeping Cuba isolated from America accomplishes nothing.
If we continue to impose sanctions on Cuba, then we accomplish nothing, except to let the world know that we still disapprove of Communism. This seems like a rather hollow victory at this point in time. In addition, the sanctions have done nothing over the decades to change the political situation in Cuba. It is still a Communist country. Castro is still in charge. The sanctions have served no purpose, other than to make life harder for the people of Cuba. This effort to isolate Cuba and refuse to trade with it has also given many other countries the opportunity to make inroads in business and industry, since few countries honor our sanctions. We will eventually lift the sanctions. This has been obvious for a couple of decades. Our government must find a way to gracefully bow out of this situation in which it has put itself. We should be trading with Cuba. We should have tourists vacationing in Cuba. The now-American relatives of Cuban citizens should be able to visit their families. Cuba is not going to attack America. Cuba doesn't really need America. A question: If Cuba were an oil-rich country, would we still have sanctions against it? I think not.
Posted by: CI3IikeSanctions on Cuba have done nothing to impact Fidel Castro's rule.
Despite decades of sanctions, Fidel Castro has remained in power from 1976 to 2008. In fact, his brother Raul was elected by the National Assembly to be President. The Cuban people have stood by him, through oil and food shortages, even natural disasters. They will not be forced by an outside agency to overthrow someone they consider a father of their country.
Posted by: R4PParFive decades of U.S. sanctions have failed to create regime change in Cuba, and as the Cold War is long over it is now time to end the sanctions.
The United States' sanctions on Cuba have been in place five decades, yet have failed to topple the Communist regime. With the Cold War long over, Cuba poses little threat to the United States, and therefore the sanctions are unnecessary. Furthermore, the United States may be more likely to accelerate change in Cuba by engaging and trading with it as it had done with other formerly communist countries in the world.
Posted by: EminentBennett93Yes, we should certainly terminate the sanctions, because it is not up to us to judge how others live their lives.
We have no business getting involved in how people in other countries live their lives, unless they actively threaten us or are being systematically oppressed (and/or wiped out) by a cruel regime. My sister, a bi-lingual Urban Studies professor in California, has visited Cuba several times, and has reported back that the people are not miserable there (as has so often been depicted by our conservatives). Yes, the richest of the Cubans lost money and possessions to the Cuban brand of Communism/Socialism. They left the country and settled in the United States. It is the POOR Cubans that we are hurting by cutting off trade.
Posted by: J MartinezUS citizens are not free to travel
I was born in a communist country and one rights that communists deprived us was free travel.
By denying its citizens to travel to Cuba, US government is stepping the same path as communists did.
Allowing travel will do more to bring democracy to this island that decades of embargo’s did.Posted by: Anonymous
I don't believe that we can drop the sanctions because it would encourage the growth of communism.
If a country like Cuba wants to have relief from sanctions they need to become a part of the world community and drop their communist philosophies. They are pursuing an oppressive form of government that oppresses their people and participates in an alliance with other rogue nations that are operating outside of the mainstream. If they want the benefits of the community they should join the community. The sanctions are intended to encourage them to join the mainstream and they are not only necessary, they are well deserved.
Posted by: TasticBranThe United States should not drop any sanctions on Cuba.
The type of government in Cuba would only be reinforced by the economic benefits that they would reap by dropping sanctions. Many families coexist in both the United States and Cuba and the large influx of visitors and US dollars would give the government much needed funds to support their repressive way of life.
Posted by: R0d30PincI do not think it is time to drop sanctions against Cuba yet because Fidel Castro is still in the picture.
While dropping sanctions against Cuba will probably happen, as long as Fidel Castro is involved, even behind the scene, I think the United States should be very careful in their handling of Cuba. We have had many years to see what he has wrought and until we are sure that Cuba will be friendly to the United States, the sanctions should stay in place.
Posted by: R0d0FerdyThe United States should not drop its sanctions on Cuba because the country still engages in human rights violations
The United States should not drop its sanctions on Cuba because the country continues to violate human rights. Doing business with Cuba would aid the Cuban economy. The whole point of the embargo is to send a message that the united States does not support Cuba and its government. Trading with the country would send the message that the U.S. tolerates and accepts how the country is run politically.
Posted by: SandDariThe United States should not drop its sanctions in Cuba.
Cuba is still run by an iron-fisted dictatorship that the United States should cease nearly all dealings with. In the past, all similar situations tend to end badly or worse, in an all out war. Cuba should be left to its own devices while refugees that make their way to American soil should be protected from extradition.
Posted by: CurvyErich46Hell Nooo
Don't stop shit. Cuba deserves all their getting!!
Posted by: AnonymousWe should not lift the embargo!
Yes, by lifting the embargo, America would get more jobs and money in more people's pocket, however it would be like giving money to a communist country. If we keep giving money to Cuba then the communist forces would "open the door" a little bit; or in other words give them a bit of a chance to attack the U.S.A. Also, if you think that by giving the Cuban government money, we would be helping the citizens of Cuba, you are sadly mistaken. I highly doubt that the government there would even share the money with its people. By lifting the embargo we would not only harm ourselves but also harm the innocent persons living in Cuba.
Posted by: AnonymousI oppose dropping sanctions in Cuba and rewarding communism and dictators.
The Cuban government has routinely broken international sanctions against developing biological weapons, allowing drugs to come through their country heading to America, and harboring American fugitives. Dropping sanctions with Cuba with give the Cuban government more money to continue in these activities. Cuba is also known to oppress its people. No aid should be given to any country which oppresses its citizens.
Posted by: KourtneyBKeep sanctions active.
In September of 2004, the Cuban government executed three young black men for trying to come to America. If we drop the sanctions, we will be supporting this type of behavior. We must remember the citizens of Cuba are under a dictatorship, and just because we drop sanctions does not mean that that will change. When I asked my mother, who was 23 when the Cuban Missile Crisis took place, if we should drop the sanctions on Cuba, she said if we do there will be a war. Let Cuba become a respectable country and then lift sanctions.
Posted by: Anonymous