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 dime

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...