How Relations With Cuba Can Be Good
I was doing my Sunday grocery shopping recently when I overheard a group of older men talking about President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba and the change of policy toward the island nation. One man screamed that Obama had made a “huge mess” with Cuba and proceeded to describe how awful it looked when he visited last year. I couldn’t help wondering why it was okay for this man to support the Castro regime by paying it hundreds (or probably thousands) of dollars to visit, but it was wrong when President Obama did it. Hearing that statement made it clear to me that much of the criticism President Obama receives comes from outright bias.
As a Cuban myself, I can understand the frustration that exists between exiles and the Cuban government. As a matter of fact, my first reaction to the opening of relations with Cuba was similar to that expressed by the strangers I encountered. I felt that the U.S threw in the towel and abandoned the fight for human rights on the island, but as time went by, I’ve observed the complete opposite.
Yes, human rights violations are still an enormous problem in Cuba but the majority of Cubans have experienced a much higher level of economic and social flexibility than all the previous Cuban generations, including those before the revolution. Since the opening of relations, Cubans have gained increased access to Wi-Fi, smartphones and an all-time high level of exposure to Western culture.
By opening relations with Cuba, President Obama has opened the door for foreign investment in the island nation. True, the corrupt leadership of the country will benefit, but as it has already started to do, the open policy will trickle down to the Cuban public. When asked about the opening of relations, a student who was on the fence about the issue told me he could “see how it sounds good on paper, but [he] has seen many videos depicting profound cruelty and freedom of speech violations perpetrated by the Cuban authorities.” Unintentionally, he proved my reasoning for supporting President Obama right. Although Cuba has not allowed freedom of speech since the opening of relations began, the amount of attention it has received for perpetuating the same violations has increased dramatically, exposing the once hermit regime to the entire world.
Arguing against the lifting of the embargo while supplying families and friends in Cuba with American goods is completely contradictory. It benefits only those Cubans who have families here while at the same time propping the Castro regime. What about the Cuban people who don’t have a family member in the U.S to speak on their behalf? At least President Obama has given a voice to the oppressed, yet silent majority of Cubans.
