Hello, Havana? Re-Examining The Cuban Embargo

The US embargo against Cuba is 54 years old next week and there are new calls --and maybe new reasons – to end it. We’ll hear the fresh debate.

Cuba is so close.  And the US embargo on Cuba has lasted so long.  Is it time, after more than half a century, to give it up?  In the heat of the Cold War, that was never going to happen.  Things almost went nuclear.  In the 70s, 80s, 90s, angry, exiled Cuban-Americans wanted no relief for the Communists in Havana.  Now, Fidel Castro is 88.  His brother Raul, 80-plus.  Their regime is still hard on dissent.  Cubans are still leaving on rickety boats.  But is it time to let go the embargo?  To try another way?  This hour On Point:  Reconsidering Cuba.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Ernesto Londoño, member of the New York Times editorial board. (@londonoe)

Jorge Benitez, director of NATOSource and a senior fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council. (@NATOSource)

Ricardo Herrero, executive director of Cuba Now. (@ric23)

New York Times: Obama Should End the Embargo on Cuba — "Scanning a map of the world must give President Obama a sinking feeling as he contemplates the dismal state of troubled bilateral relationships his administration has sought to turn around. He would be smart to take a hard look at Cuba, where a major policy shift could yield a significant foreign policy success."

Washington Post: Will Latin American leaders give Obama an ‘earful’ on Cuba at Americas summit? — "But among Latin American leaders, even the most pro-American tend to think that the U.S. trade sanctions and efforts to isolate Havana have backfired. The summits have turned into one of the most prominent forums for Washington to hear that view, from critics and allies alike."

Miami Herald: New book unveils diplomatic exchange between Castro and Obama — "President Barack Obama tapped Spanish Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos to deliver a message to Raúl Castro in 2009 and urge him to reciprocate a decision to lift the travel restrictions for Cuban Americans, according to a recently published book."