Although the news wasn’t a surprise, I was heartened to hear President Obama announce the formal re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba. This breakthrough came after months of secret talks between the nations followed by his acknowledgement last December that the relationship between the two countries was headed for a profound change. This Monday, the Cuban flag was raised over the country’s newly restored embassy in Washington, DC.
In 1961, the United States enacted an economic embargo with the explicit purpose of ousting the Castro regime. The sanctions were tightened even further in 1996, again in an effort to unseat Castro. History has shown us that these restrictions haven’t attained their goals; the Castros are still in power and democracy has eluded the island’s citizens.
Although past U.S. administrations have sought to moderate or remove the sanctions, politics has, until now, stymied any efforts. Politicians seeking the votes of the large population of Cuban exiles in the swing state of Florida have been unwilling to support any changes.
There are many reasons why what seemed impossible before, now appears to be happening. For Cuba, their two main benefactors, first, the Soviet Union and then, Venezuela, imploded, leaving the government without critical economic support. Tourism, trade, and investments from the United States will offer them much-needed monetary infusions. For the U.S., not only have the sanctions failed to oust the Castro regime, but they have severely constrained our country’s trade and foreign policy options. In addition, with an agreement, the Cuban government will lose a powerful scapegoat. No longer will they be able to blame their failed economics on the policies of the United States.
Demographics have also played a big role in the softening of the stance of both countries. The Castro brothers are now in their eighties and soon these powerful symbols of the revolution will be gone. In addition, the original exiles – the most vocal opponents to any change – are also aging, and younger Cuban-Americans are more open to removing the restrictions of the embargo. Although no one believes that Cuba will instantly become a bastion of human rights and democracy, it will be hard for their government to maintain its current policies when there is more freedom of communication, travel, and commerce.
When my husband and I traveled to Cuba earlier this year (you can read about our journey here, here, and here), we found a country hungry for change. The Cubans we talked to (and there appeared to be little or no restrictions on our interactions) were friendly, welcoming, and eager to engage with Americans. Despite – and maybe because of – the hardships they face, many have a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit. They are also very proud of their country. Cuba has a 96% literacy rate and their citizens enjoy free education and healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, Cuba’s water quality is among the best in the world, as is its citizens’ nutrition levels, health, and life expectancy.
Cubans are also very proud of their medical system. Cuban doctors are highly trained and their skills are in demand around the world. In fact, some 50,000 Cuban medical workers have been deployed in over 66 nations. That, of course, hasn’t included the United States, but maybe that could change. There has been a lot of concern lately about the dearth of general practice physicians here in the US. As the Baby Boomer population ages, more and more medical care will be needed. In addition, now that healthcare is more widely available through the Affordable Care Act, we need more doctors to provide care.
I know that there are many who feel that the sanctions should remain and that formally re-establishing diplomatic ties with Cuba sends the wrong signal. I, on the other hand, think it’s time to admit that our half-century estrangement hasn’t yielded the results we wanted and has actually produced many unintended negative consequences.
By joining the rest of the world and opening up relations with Cuba, we can start a dialog that could result in increased freedom for their people. It might also mean that we could help satisfy our growing need for doctors by inviting members of their highly-trained medical establishment to practice here. Wouldn’t that be better than to continue a failed policy which, after more than 50 years, has yet to show any positive results?
Retirementally Challenged 
Great blog. I absolutely agree with you. Why do we insist upon doubling down with failed policies? And before we get all sanctimonious about human rights lets remember for a moment that we have only recently granted the human right to marry to gays and lesbians. We also have been less than stellar in our treatment of the non-white population.
When will we be able to recognize that the similarities among us far outweigh the differences?
In addition, there was a huge amount of graft, corruption, and politically-motivated jailing and murder in Batista’s regime. Castro is no angel, but there was a reason there was a revolution. It’s time to move on…
By the way, I saw that you too had otosclerosis. (Your comment on LBL blog indicated one more thing we have in common. )
Yes, I saw your comment too! Fortunately, mine is just in one ear (so far, anyway) so the fact that the bionic replacement part they put in has now “slipped” isn’t too big of a problem for me. I loved your comment about Stevie Wonder syndrome. I, too, have a hard time with directional sounds and often have to swivel my head around to find the source. If I get that aid LBL wrote about, I’ll let you know!
Interesting post and very enlightening. We all should admit it when we’re wrong. Even the government.
I think we will be in a much better position to influence Cuba’s policies (if that’s what we want to do) when we have open communication with their government. I’m surprised that it took this long to lift the embargo, but I’m happy that it appears to be happening.
Great posting and very informative. As you so correctly point out, the age of the Castro brothers is probably a huge factor in how much longer full support will come to normalization of ties. The Cuban-American community’s determination against them will ultimately lessen once they’re finally gone from the scene. I think the next ten years will be absolutely fascinating to watch the changes. Do you hope to go back for another visit?
I would go back in a heartbeat! The country was incredibly beautiful and the people so warm and welcoming. I’m glad we went BEFORE the huge onslaught of Americans descend on the small island. I fear for them a bit. They don’t have the hotel infrastructure to handle too many more tourists but I understand that Airbnb has started to book there. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Cuba became an American retiree ex-pat haven in the not too distant future. Please, God, no Starbucks, Walmarts, or McDonald’s!
I still remember watching my cousin’s home movies of her 1955 honeymoon in Cuba. It was so beautiful. Doubt that it will look that way again in my lifetime, but I would love to travel there.
Oh, wow, those home movies must have been amazing! There are still some swanky hotels and resorts, but a lot of the former grandeur has crumbled away over the years. Many other countries (including China, Canada, and Italy) have been trading with and building in Cuba all along. In fact, right next to our rather nice hotel in downtown Havana, a Chinese company was in the middle of renovating an old hotel. But, I really preferred the old buildings with the crumbling facades. They had so much more character. On the other hand (there is always an “other hand”), I’m sure the Cuban citizens would like to live and work in buildings that weren’t falling down around them.
Economic trade breaks down barriers and creates pathways forward. If we lift the sanctions it will benefit both countries, almost like a 51st state would.
Absolutely! I think the vocal critics of this change in relations will soon realize that they are on the wrong side of history.
I enjoyed hearing your well-expressed thoughts, Janis. For all the reasons you state, I’m very hopeful for our mutual future. My one fear – as you said – is a quick leap from ‘real’ Cuba to Starbucks and look-alike renovations/developments. Nevertheless, I can’t wait to see the richness that comes to us from that beautiful place and culture.
There I go again… I thought I was replying to your comment, but I replied to my blog post instead. (You’d think I’d have this figured out by now.) Anyway, my reply to your comment is below.
The next several years should be interesting, indeed. I’d love to go back and stay at least a month, probably in someone’s home (airbnb) so I can really immerse myself. I guess I should also brush up on my almost non-existent Spanish too.
I totally agree that it is good to re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba. I enjoyed reading about your visit there and truly loved your photos. Gorgeous. You have certainly proven that Cuba is a photographers dream. I hope to travel there myself someday but will likely arrive after the beautiful old Cuba is gone.
I hope you get there too. I’ve heard reports that they are going to be very protective of their culture and history, but money talks and god knows they need it! As a photographer, I want them to keep the crumbling buildings. As a humanitarian, I want them to have safe buildings to live and work in.
I understand the conflicting desires and hope your humanitarian side gets its way even if it means my photographer misses out on taking sone great images when I get there 😀