Should US citizens be allowed to travel to Cuba?

Yes

5 of 23

by Joseph Whalen

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It is difficult to comprehend that tomorrow I could be sitting on a beach in scenic Iraq on vacation in the middle of a war zone, but I can't even have a stopover in Cuba on a flight to Aruba or some other Caribbean nation. The idiocy of the United States' stance against Cuba is staggering. While the United States and Cuba certainly have an interesting history since the 1953 revolution that brought now retired President Castro to power, you would think that over fifty years of going out of our way to depress that countries economy would have come to an end.

While Cuba is still the only scar of communism in existence in the Western hemisphere today, truly a black mark in the ambitious political careers of several U.S. presidents, it's people are no less worthy of our aid than any other third world country that sees millions of US dollars poured into their economy. Yet for some reason we seem to insist on punishing Cuba for transgressions of past generations, a policy that is likely to continue even with the expected absence of Castro. It's certainly understandable that the United States may not agree with the policies of the Cuban government either in the past or presently, but that does not justify the hardships our policies impose on the residents of the country.

Many of those remaining in country are there against their will. Financially unable to leave, politically restricted and most of the pre-revolutionary population are simply too old or infirmed to take up the struggle any more, they are forced to live in deplorable conditions. Granted these conditions are generally the result of the oppressive dictatorship they are forced to live under. However, this situation is made worse by the total abandonment of any United States aid and an embargo that is bordering on cruel and unusual punishment.

Strategic ally the small island is insignificant in the world of military strategy. The embargo that has gone on for decades now has clearly done nothing to alter or change the regime in power and has been a failure of our country on so many fronts. There is no reason to keep up this ridiculous policy of restricting travel to Cuba or maintaining the embargo on trade goods. It serves only to restrict both countries unfairly and provides no benefit to either country. The political posturing that has fueled this petty squabble needs to come to an abrupt end.

Cuba has a uniquely rich history that deserves to be shared with the rest of the world freely. Their culture, both historical and modern is something that can enrich any visitor. It is almost criminal to restrict anyone from their serene beaches and beautiful landscapes. Instead of practicing an outdated and failed policy of isolation towards the country, we need to open up travel to the small and oppressed island. Introducing freedom to an oppressed society is the fastest way to spark the population into action against their unlawful government. The United States continues to do a great disservice to both the Cuban people and its own citizens through its oppressive and aggressive policies towards a people who have offered us no harm in return.

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