Cuban Embargo Research Paper

The most important obstacle for normalization with Cuba is the US embargo. The abrupt embargo on US trade with Cuba left Cuba in dire straits. The embargo and nationalization of U.S. properties during the Cuban Revolution have had financial implications for both countries. Additional obstacles for normalization with Cuba are polices between the two countries, including emigration and safe travel. Consideration also needs to be given to Guantanamo Bay and the relationship between the leaders of the two countries. For nearly the first 60 years of the 20th century, Cuba’s economy had been almost completely integrated with that of the United States. Cuba’s agricultural, manufacturing, telecommunications, public health, water, energy and transportation
The United States has been a major receiving country for these emigrants. After the revolution, the United States opened its doors to refuges, eager to promote the idea that Cuba’s regime as “repressive”. By the end of the 1960s, two waves of emigration had occurred. The first wave occurred with the announcement of the revolution and consisted of supporters of the Batista regime. The second wave consisted of wealthy Cubans, as well as middle class professionals. Cuban parents were assisted by the U.S. Immigration department and the Catholic Welfare Bureau with Operation Peter Pan. Unaccompanied by their parents, children were sent to the United States to avoid the communist regime (Chomsky et al., p. 557). In 1994, the number of Cubans fleeing the country was so high, President Clinton changed the policy of immigration. The Unites States and Cuba negotiated a policy known as the “wet food, dry foot” policy. Instead of automatically accepting Cubans picked up at sea, The Unites States stated those who reached U.S. land would be granted refugee status. Those found at sea would be returned to Cuba. The agreement did not do much to improve relations with Cuba. The Cuban government felt the policy encouraged illegal immigration and was being fueled by smugglers operating out of Miami. Tensions flared in 1996, when Cuban misses shot down two unarmed planes piloted by Brothers to the Rescue
With the Platt Amendment, The United States required Cuba to “sell or lease” land necessary for coaling or naval stations to enable the U.S. to maintain the independence of Cuba. The Cuban government has argued that it is illegal for the U.S. to retain the base under the terms of the Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties, which stipulates the treaty was created under threat of force. Under the treaty, the base is to be used for “coaling and naval purposes only”. The United States has used the base for refuges picked up at sea, and as a detention facility. The Cuban government has refused to cash the $4,000 annual rent check. Discussions about the base’s future might involve converting it into a regional research and development center on climate change, energy and food security or public health. (Sweig