Obama makes history again with Cuba.
Since 1960 the United States has had an embargo with the tiny island nation of Cuba located 90 miles from Florida. The embargo was imposed by President Kennedy, over a myriad of issues with Cuban President Fidel Castro. These issues almost caused a conflict with Russia that could have led to nuclear war. The almost 55-year-old embargo has led to the suffering of the Cuban people and forbids direct travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens. Now, President Obama has made history by announcing that the United States has begun to normalize relations with the island nation. This historic announcement will mean that family members in Cuba and the United States will once again be united. Additionally, the travel ban will be eventually lifted and trade established with the impoverished nation.This means that many U.S. citizens will once again be able to enjoy the same sites and scenes as Beyoncé and Jay Z, who spent time in the island nation as cultural tourists.Their visit caused controversy because somehow they received permission to travel to Cuba.
The Obama administration and the Cuban government were engaged in high-level talks for over a year that lead to the exchange of a CIA agent held in Cuba for 20 years as well as three spies held by the United States. Also released by Cuba was American AID worker Alan Gross, who had been held for five years. But not everyone is happy with this decision. Republicans have risen to the attack and called Obama’s decision a betrayal of American ideals. In addition the Cuban exile community in Miami, has criticized the President’s decision as well fearing the oppressive Castro regime will now be strengthened and no change in Cuban human rights will occur. However, the generation of Cuban-Americans born after the 1961 embargo is very much in favor of the normalization of ties with Cuba.
