U.S.-Cuba Relations
Cuban Economy and Communism Having relied on its relationship with its ally – the Soviet Union –
for economic trade and support, Cuba experienced a severe economic depression
following the collapse of the Soviet system. In response, it eased many economic
practices. In 1991, all references to Marxism and Leninism were removed from the
Cuban constitution. In 1993, new laws were passed that allowed Cubans to own U.S.
dollars, be self-employed, and open farmer's markets. In 1996, foreign companies
were allowed to operate and own businesses and purchase real estate in Cuba.
U.S. Embargo
Since 1962, the United States has had an embargo against Cuba, preventing food
and medicine (among other goods) to be traded between the two nations. The intent
of the embargo has been to make life economically difficult on Cubans,
compelling them to rise up against Castro and demand democracy. In 1996, the
Helms-Burton Act was signed into law, permitting lawsuits against foreign companies
that invest in Cuba. The effect has been to hamper growth and investment in
Cuba. The United Nations, along with American allies such as Canada and Mexico,
have called for repeal of Helms-Burton.
Cuban Human Rights
Amnesty International, a leading human rights watchdog group, often cites in
its annual report of worldwide human rights violations Cuba's practice of holding
prisoners of conscience. There are approximately 500 such prisoners being held
for opposition to Cuba's present leadership or for attempting to organize political
opposition. When Pope John Paul II visited the island in January 1998, he condemned
the Cuban government's human rights record, but he also criticized the U.S.
government's embargo.
Immigration Issues
In 1987, Cuba and the U.S. signed an agreement allowing for the emigration
of 20,000 Cubans annually to the United States.
Illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island
and enter the U.S. using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, or falsified visas.
Some 3,800 Cubans took to the Florida Straits in 1999; the US Coast Guard interdicted
about 40 percent of these migrants.
Other Resources
U.S. State
Department Page on U.S.-Cuba Relations
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/policy.html
Lonely
Planet: Destination Cuba
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/caribbean/cuba/
Global
Exchange: History of the U.S. Blockade of Cuba
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/cuba/background/history.html
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