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A few weeks ago, many Americans and Cubans turned on the news to witness the reopening of Cuba’s embassy in the United States. Because after more than 50 years of disassociation, the US and Cuba are resuming their diplomatic ties.
The US and Cuba cut ties back in 1961 after Fidel Castro took control of the island nation and started heavily taxing American goods, as well as nationalizing private firms. Castro also made moves to strengthen ties with Russia, the US’s opponent in the Cold War. The US responded to these actions with disapproval implementing strict embargoes on trade and travel. President Eisenhower invoked a trade embargo in 1960 and diplomatic ties were severed in 1961.
President Kennedy put a permanent embargo into effect in 1962 crippling Cuba, as the state had relied heavily on American imports. Cuban citizens found themselves struggling to obtain food and technology. While in the US, Americans were banned from travelling to Cuba.
Now, the US and Cuba are looking to put this complicated relationship behind them. On December 17, 2014, President Obama announced the start of the normalization process between the two nations.
According to the US Department of State, the US’s interests in Cuba center around the promotion of American ideals like freedom of speech and association. A large portion of the US’s foreign policy towards Cuba is focused on increasing travel and business opportunities.
On July 20, 2015, embassies were reopened in Cuba and the US, marking the resumption of the state’s diplomatic ties. In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary remarked on the occasion, which he credited to progressive talks between President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro.
“This is yet another demonstration that we don't have to be imprisoned by the past,” Earnest said.
Earnest stated that the US looks forward to continuing to normalize relations with Cuba, as well as working with Cuba to tackle topics of interest, like counterterrorism.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla traveled to Washington D.C. for the raising of the Cuban flag over the embassy. Around 500 guests joined him to commemorate the significant diplomatic occasion.
Of course, not all that witnessed the raising of the Cuban flag looked on in celebration, there were some that considered the event something to protest. There are those who believe reestablishing ties with the current Cuban government a mistake, because they believe the regime remains oppressive.
Moving forward, Congress will have an ongoing role in the normalization process. There are several bills now in Congress that aim to lift the embargoes on Cuba, but it is unclear if the Republican-controlled Congress will pass such legislation. Currently, members of Congress are taking a step-by-step approach towards US-Cuba relations.
The Obama administration remains hopeful that the travel ban could be lifted before the President leaves office, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While the reopening of embassies is a big improvement for the US and Cuba, many more improvements need to be made for true normal relations to be established. In coming months, we will see if gains are made towards reintroducing US telecommunications firms to Cuba and if the Congress-imposed sanctions are lifted.
Featured Image: A Cuban military honor guard salutes after the Cuban flag was raised at the nation's embassy in Washington, Monday July, 20, 2015. The opening of the Cuban Embassy was a watershed moment of transition for the two nations as they lean toward closer diplomatic ties. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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The US and Cuba: Resuming Ties
A Cuban military honor guard salutes after the Cuban flag was raised at the nation's embassy in Washington, Monday July, 20, 2015. The opening of the Cuban Embassy was a watershed moment of transition for the two nations as they lean toward closer diplomatic ties. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
August 3, 2015
A few weeks ago, many Americans and Cubans turned on the news to witness the reopening of Cuba’s embassy in the United States. Because after more than 50 years of disassociation, the US and Cuba are resuming their diplomatic ties.
The US and Cuba cut ties back in 1961 after Fidel Castro took control of the island nation and started heavily taxing American goods, as well as nationalizing private firms. Castro also made moves to strengthen ties with Russia, the US’s opponent in the Cold War. The US responded to these actions with disapproval implementing strict embargoes on trade and travel. President Eisenhower invoked a trade embargo in 1960 and diplomatic ties were severed in 1961.
President Kennedy put a permanent embargo into effect in 1962 crippling Cuba, as the state had relied heavily on American imports. Cuban citizens found themselves struggling to obtain food and technology. While in the US, Americans were banned from travelling to Cuba.
Now, the US and Cuba are looking to put this complicated relationship behind them. On December 17, 2014, President Obama announced the start of the normalization process between the two nations.
According to the US Department of State, the US’s interests in Cuba center around the promotion of American ideals like freedom of speech and association. A large portion of the US’s foreign policy towards Cuba is focused on increasing travel and business opportunities.
On July 20, 2015, embassies were reopened in Cuba and the US, marking the resumption of the state’s diplomatic ties. In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary remarked on the occasion, which he credited to progressive talks between President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro.
“This is yet another demonstration that we don't have to be imprisoned by the past,” Earnest said.
Earnest stated that the US looks forward to continuing to normalize relations with Cuba, as well as working with Cuba to tackle topics of interest, like counterterrorism.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla traveled to Washington D.C. for the raising of the Cuban flag over the embassy. Around 500 guests joined him to commemorate the significant diplomatic occasion.
Of course, not all that witnessed the raising of the Cuban flag looked on in celebration, there were some that considered the event something to protest. There are those who believe reestablishing ties with the current Cuban government a mistake, because they believe the regime remains oppressive.
Moving forward, Congress will have an ongoing role in the normalization process. There are several bills now in Congress that aim to lift the embargoes on Cuba, but it is unclear if the Republican-controlled Congress will pass such legislation. Currently, members of Congress are taking a step-by-step approach towards US-Cuba relations.
The Obama administration remains hopeful that the travel ban could be lifted before the President leaves office, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While the reopening of embassies is a big improvement for the US and Cuba, many more improvements need to be made for true normal relations to be established. In coming months, we will see if gains are made towards reintroducing US telecommunications firms to Cuba and if the Congress-imposed sanctions are lifted.
Featured Image: A Cuban military honor guard salutes after the Cuban flag was raised at the nation's embassy in Washington, Monday July, 20, 2015. The opening of the Cuban Embassy was a watershed moment of transition for the two nations as they lean toward closer diplomatic ties. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
