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2nd generation Cuban American here. My family has a massive anti-Cuban government sentiment and pretty much all the older Cuban people in Miami feel the same. I

by penprog 12y ago

2nd generation Cuban American here. My family has a massive anti-Cuban government sentiment and pretty much all the older Cuban people in Miami feel the same. I don't blame them considering most had their homes and belongings taken from them by the current Cuban government. As someone who is a little more removed from the actual suffering Castro caused I believe that if the embargo ended and the US and Cuba began trading again that the regime would lose a lot of strength just from the exchange of culture. Especially since the US and Cuba are such close neighbors. What could possibly happen though is that the regime clamps down completely on trade and all the money being made goes straight to the higher ups in the government. Which is why most Cubans that moved away don't want the embargo to end.

ereyes01 12y ago
Also a 2nd generation Cuban American, born/raised in Miami. I think you're right on the money with all your points. I also believe the embargo has another dimension having to do with stability of the status quo on both sides of the Florida Straits: -The Cuban government often uses the boogeyman of the United States to justify their policies (and their people's poverty) domestically. The embargo keeps the U.S. strongly in the boogeyman category. -On the other hand, I would wager that the United States wants little to do with a destabilized Cuban regime 90 miles away from Florida. While they are probably pretty old by now, there are still some Cold War era militant groups in South Florida that wouldn't mind capitalizing on a collapsing Cuban regime (i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_66 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_66). I think the fear of destabilization so close to the U.S. also figures into the government's calculus, which apparently concludes it's best to keep the embargo untouched for the moment. However, as the article says, it is true that the situation is changing as the Cuban government makes some sink-or-swim adjustments to their system...
- Chronic29 12y ago
  As a non-Cuban, which makes up most of America, I really don't care about issues like these so you're going to have to voice your concern to the government

by penprog 12y ago

ereyes01 12y ago

Also a 2nd generation Cuban American, born/raised in Miami. I think you're right on the money with all your points. I also believe the embargo has another dimension having to do with stability of the status quo on both sides of the Florida Straits: -The Cuban government often uses the boogeyman of the United States to justify their policies (and their people's poverty) domestically. The embargo keeps the U.S. strongly in the boogeyman category. -On the other hand, I would wager that the United States wants little to do with a destabilized Cuban regime 90 miles away from Florida. While they are probably pretty old by now, there are still some Cold War era militant groups in South Florida that wouldn't mind capitalizing on a collapsing Cuban regime (i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_66 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_66). I think the fear of destabilization so close to the U.S. also figures into the government's calculus, which apparently concludes it's best to keep the embargo untouched for the moment. However, as the article says, it is true that the situation is changing as the Cuban government makes some sink-or-swim adjustments to their system...

Chronic29 12y ago
As a non-Cuban, which makes up most of America, I really don't care about issues like these so you're going to have to voice your concern to the government