Cuba

[Harry Smith]

As we know Cuba has had a trade embargo against it since the 1960's when Fidel Castro took power and embraced closer ties to the Soviet Union. Since then US has taken a very hawkish approach against Cuba such as the bay of pigs landing and banning travel to Cuba.

Do you think the US should end the blockade? Or do you think that the US should continue to oppose Cuba?

[Ethe14]

Yeah I think they should, times have changed and we aren't stuck in the 60's. Now should there ever be a Soviet Union 2.0 and they side with them then I say we cut off all ties.

[Stronger]

Its far outdated, if we have established ties with China, and (possibly?) Vietnam, then I think we should be able to lift that embargo, Cuba would be an interesting place to visit.

[Horatio Nelson]

We should continue to oppose them. It doesn't seem like they are going to change anytime soon. Besides, it's their government we're against, not it's people.

[Harry Smith]

We should continue to oppose them. It doesn't seem like they are going to change anytime soon. Besides, it's their government we're against, not it's people.

What do you want them to? Embrace the dictator that the US supported before Castro?

You claim your not against their people but the embargo has greatly limited life saving medicines coming into cuba, and has limited the the already impressive health service there. You can't try and starve a country, and say you don't hate the people

[Horatio Nelson]

What do you want them to? Embrace the dictator that the US supported before Castro?

You claim your not against their people but the embargo has greatly limited life saving medicines coming into cuba, and has limited the the already impressive health service there. You can't try and starve a country, and say you don't hate the people

We obviously don't hate their people considering they have free asylum in the states.

And yes, one person's actions can make it bad for everyone else. That's life.

[Vlerchan]

I just love the irony in responding to socialist market restrictions with ... market restrictions.

---

If someone is morally opposed to the happenings in Cuba then that someone should go an boycott Cuba themselves.

I don't believe that they should be able to drag everyone else into their petty-moralist squabble through this support for a nationally-enforced embargo, though.

edit: hit the wrong option on the poll:/

[Harry Smith]

We obviously don't hate their people considering they have free asylum in the states.

And yes, one person's actions can make it bad for everyone else. That's life.

Lol-the Germans offered asylum to the British during the second world war if they denounced the British and became fascist. The embargo has had a terrible effect on the people, and no I don't think causing a populace to suffer is life.

The restrictions imposed by the embargo help to
deprive Cuba of vital access to medicines, new
scientific and medical technology, food, chemical
water treatment and electricity.”


the AAWH
identified that the embargo contributed particularly to malnutrition affecting especially
women and children, poor water quality, lack of access to medicines and medical supplies,
and limited the exchange of medical and scientific information due to travel restrictions and
currency regulations

I'll ask you again, do you want Cuba to adopt a dictatorship similar to that of the 1950's which the US supported?

[Taryn98]

If/when the Cuban government stops oppressing their people, then we can move forward.

[Harry Smith]

If/when the Cuban government stops oppressing their people, then we can move forward.

What do you think the US government is doing to British citizens at Guantanamo bay?

Also since you support a trade embargo on this basis do you support a trade embargo of Saudi Arabia? http://thearabdailynews.com/2014/06/25/amnesty-international-blasts-saudi-arabia-continued-human-rights-violations/

Saudi Arabia, which has one of the worst human rights records in the Middle East, has been singled out for criticism again by the civil rights and human rights watchdog organization, Amnesty International.

Another prominent Saudi Arabian activist, Fowzan al-Harbi, a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was sentenced to an extraordinary harsh seven years in one of Saudi Arabia’s prison gulags because of his fearless championing of human rights causes in the oppressive oil-rich Gulf nation.

[Vlerchan]

Cuba actually ranks 115th (http://www.ihrri.com/contry.php) in the world in terms of human rights.

That's ahead of countries that the US trade with like:

South Africa (116).
Peru (120).
India (124).
Singapore (126).
American Samoa (128).
Uruguay (135).
Fiji (145).
Hong Kong (157).
Gibraltar (172).
Thailand (175).
Iraq (186).
Philippines (199).
Saudi Arabia (206).
Chad (216).
It seems to me like the US is either very inconsistent or its embargo has nothing to do with morality.

[Gamma Male]

It seems to me like the US is either very inconsistent or its embargo has nothing to do with morality.

That's it right there, you pretty much just hit the nail straight on the head.

I can't really think of anything else to add, except that the trade embargo on Cuba is based on old, outdated cold war paranoia and has no place in the 21st century.

[Kurgg]

I think that as long as current Cuban government poses no threat to rest of the world they should not have a trade embargo imposed on them.

EDIT: Misread the poll and pressed the wrong button.

[Daniella98]

I like cigars, and its easier to get without the trade embargo.

[Korashk]

I like cigars, and its easier to get without the trade embargo.
:yes:
It's times like this where I wish this site still had a rep system.

On to the real matter. Fact is, sanctions rarely, if ever, accomplish the goal they're set out to do. The Cuban embargo didn't hurt the Castro family. All it did was turn Cuba into/kept Cuba a third-world country.