For half a century now, Cuba has been facing an economic, financial, and commercial embargo imposed by the United States. When Cuba nationalized foreign property and businesses (nationalization of American-owned oil refineries in Cuba) in the 1960s, the Unites States government imposed an economic sanction against Cuba by stopping sugar cane imports from the country. Moreover, the scope of the sanction has widened over the years comprising of economic, financial, and commercial sanctions. In 1960, the US came up with a policy to isolate the island nation through a number of economic and financial sanctions such as the trade embargo and financial transactions, freezing of Cuba government assets in the US, and prohibition of financial transactions with Cuba. International forums including the UN General Assembly and the International Community have continuously condemned the ongoing embargo against Cuba because it violates international law such as the human rights.
The various US administrations have made attempts to correct the Cuba embargo, for instance the Clinton Administration (1998), to enhance direct flights to Cuba, streamlining of commercial sale of medicine, equipment, and medical supplies to Cuba and resumption of cash remittances by the US nationals in order to support their relatives in Cuba. In 1999, the Bush administration further implemented policies intended to help Cuba people. An example is the broadening of cash remittances to ensure that all the US residents can send cash to Cuba and loosening travel bans for a number of traveler categories such as sports activities, religious, and professional researchers.
The Bush administration, on the other hand, also tightened the sanctions by isolating Cuba through a number of economic sanctions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Correction Policies and Improvements
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the history, evolution, and subsequent policy attempts to correct or lift the long-standing economic, financial, and commercial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba, while analyzing the socio-political challenges that have hindered full normalization of relations.
- The historical origin of the U.S. embargo against Cuba following the 1960s nationalization policies.
- Analysis of policy shifts across various U.S. administrations, from the Clinton and Bush eras to the Obama administration.
- Evaluation of the impact of humanitarian, travel, and trade restrictions on the Cuban population.
- Discussion of external pressures, including international condemnation and domestic lobby efforts.
- The role of human rights concerns and terrorism designations as barriers to reconciliation.
Excerpt from the Book
Correction Policies and Improvements
The various US administrations have made attempts to correct the Cuba embargo for instance, the Clinton Administration (1998) to enhance direct flights to Cuba, streamlining of commercial sale of medicine, equipment, and medical supplies to Cuba and resumption of cash remittances by the US nationals in order to support their relatives in Cuba. In 1999, Bush administration further implemented policies intended to help Cuba people. An example is the broadening of cash remittances to Cuba residents to ensure that all the US residents can send cash remittances to Cuba and loosening travel bans to Cuba for a number of travelers categories such as sports activities, religious, and professional researchers (Daniel & Andrew, 2008).
The Bush administration, on the other hand, tightened the sanctions by isolating Cuba through a number of economic sanctions. Bush administration further tightened the travel restrictions, cash remittances, and economic sanctions to Cuba. In 2003, Bush administration formed an interagency commission to end Cuba dictatorship and achieve US assistance to a post-dictatorship Cuba. Bush administration tightened Cuba sanctions in order to achieve political changes in Cuba for instance, the release of political prisoners in Cuba in order to achieve a free and fair election in the country. Bush administration maintained that in order to enhance US-Cuba relations, Cuba needs to change its political position by releasing the political prisoner’s on human rights grounds. That said, Bush administration did little to correct the Cuba embargo imposed by the United States in the 1960s (Mark, 2014).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the historical context of the U.S. embargo against Cuba initiated in the 1960s, noting the resulting economic isolation and widespread international condemnation.
2. Correction Policies and Improvements: This section details the varying approaches of multiple U.S. administrations, documenting both liberalization efforts and tightening measures, as well as the ongoing political and human rights-related disputes.
3. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the discourse regarding the necessity of ending the embargo, highlighting the diverse policy instruments utilized to eventually transition toward diplomatic and economic normalization.
Keywords
U.S. Embargo, Cuba, Economic Sanctions, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Human Rights, Trade Embargo, Normalization, Political Prisoners, Terrorism List, USAID, Remittances, International Relations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the long-term economic, financial, and commercial embargo placed by the United States on Cuba, analyzing the history and the various political attempts to rectify or lift these sanctions.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The central themes include the evolution of U.S.-Cuba relations, the impact of administrative policies on humanitarian aid and trade, and the persistent diplomatic hurdles concerning human rights and governance.
What is the overarching research goal?
The goal is to explore how different U.S. administrations have approached the embargo and to assess the effectiveness and limitations of various policy measures intended to improve bilateral relations.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The paper utilizes a descriptive and historical analysis, drawing upon existing policy records, international legal perspectives, and reports from various governmental and non-governmental institutions.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the initial imposition of sanctions, the specific shifts in policy under the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations, and the complex factors such as migration accords and terrorism designations that influence policy decisions.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include U.S. Embargo, Cuba, Economic Sanctions, Diplomacy, Normalization, Human Rights, and Trade Policy.
How did the Bush administration's approach differ from others?
The Bush administration generally focused on tightening sanctions and isolating the Cuban government, utilizing an interagency commission to push for political changes and the release of political prisoners.
What role did the Obama administration play in this context?
The Obama administration initiated significant moves toward normalization, including the establishment of diplomatic relations, easing of travel restrictions, and allowing for increased economic transactions between the two nations.
Why does Cuba remain on the U.S. terrorism list?
Cuba has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism partly due to its alleged support for revolutionary movements in other regions, which critics argue is used as a tool for domestic political leverage.
- Quote paper
- Caroline Mutuku (Author), 2018, Attempts to Correct the US Embargo Against Cuba, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/430698
