Obama to Announce Easing in U.S.-Cuba Relations

President Barack Obama plans to talk today about the next steps in U.S.-Cuba relations, strained by a decades-long embargo, after Cuba released prisoner Alan Gross.

Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat close to Obama, said in a statement the president would announce the normalization of trade and travel relations with the island nation. Source

It would appear that the administration is preparing to ease or possibly lift the 50+ year trade and travel embargo on Cuba. I am curious to see if any demands are made on human rights issues in the Caribbean nation which have been notably harsh on its citizens. I am also curious to see the reaction from the large Cuba-American community which was anti-normalization until Cuba began a democracy.

I'm looking forward to some Cuban cigars...

Very interesting. I wonder if this is an attempt to "Westernize" Cuba.

Maybe they're proactively trying to prevent closer ties to Russia as the collective sabre-rattling intensifies.

a reply to: mikeone718

I have a bunch, you can order them thorugh Swiss companies. The price will only go up dramtically now.



Actualkly, I have none, zero Cuban ciagrs in my house.

originally posted by: mikeone718

I'm looking forward to some Cuban cigars...

You are probably going to see flood of counterfeits as supply outstrips demand. Even people who do not smoke cigars will want to try them.

originally posted by: ScientificRailgun

Very interesting. I wonder if this is an attempt to "Westernize" Cuba.

Maybe they're proactively trying to prevent closer ties to Russia as the collective sabre-rattling intensifies.

An excellent point as the Cold War starts up again. Last thing the United States wants is a Sovie...erm, I mean Russian base 90 miles from Florida.

Good. I visited Cuba this year and the restrictions and embargos really are harming the people there.

Incredible place, by the way.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Its about time the embargo goes away and diplomatic relations are restored.

a reply to: ScientificRailgun

Maybe they're proactively trying to prevent closer ties to Russia as the collective sabre-rattling intensifies.

That would be my guess.

a reply to: ScientificRailgun

I wonder if this is an attempt to "Westernize" Cuba.

I wish.

I think we may have to re-westernize the US after Obama is done mucking things up here.

originally posted by: Xcathdra

Its about time the embargo goes away and diplomatic relations are restored.

I am all for improving the lives of Cubans through trade but I am skeptical how much the average citizen's life will improve via the lifting of the embargo. I am fairly certain the Castro family will benefit much more then they will.

I'd like to go for a visit. Take some photo's. Eat. Go deep sea fishing. I hope the people won't hate us?

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
I hope the people won't hate us?

I have a few friends and acquaintances of Cuban ancestry and they have always made it clear that their relatives and the rest of the population are very open to Americans visiting and our culture and would like to see more of us.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
I'd like to go for a visit. Take some photo's. Eat. Go deep sea fishing. I hope the people won't hate us?

To my experience, Cubans do not hate Americans...and Béisbol (sound that out if you need to) is their national game. Sure will clutter up the beaches, though...

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

You know over time we'll turn it into a big resort area. They won't be able to resist tourist dollars. They will all be wearing big diamond rings, and working in casinos. Kinda gauche. Guess I'm getting ahead of myself. I just want to charter a boat and hit the deep blue sea with mucho deck hands. : )

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Perhaps the regular contact with Americans will compel them to redress their government for better rights and freedoms.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Perhaps the regular contact with Americans will compel them to redress their government for better rights and freedoms.

Every bit as effective as China, I'll warrant. But you never know...East Germany's government folded its tents pretty quickly.

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Me too. I would love to see Cuba. I hear it is a beautiful island. I think this is a good thing.

originally posted by: MOMof3
a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Me too. I would love to see Cuba. I hear it is a beautiful island. I think this is a good thing.

I love Cuba, it's a beautiful place, the people are great, and I'm returning for trip #6 in a couple of months. I think normalisation with the US would be a good thing, though I think it would be better for the residents to phase in a social democracy like the Nordic countries rather than to just open the gates and put the country's resources up in a fire sale like they did in Russia.

a reply to: JohnnyCanuck

Either one is better than the end of the stick they have now.