by Anson Bentley

Created on: June 20, 2007

To set the background for my reasoning behind one aspect of the answer in the affirmative would be to use the sanction/embargo policy setup in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's period of rule as a parallel. Many media outlets have of late, been promoting the idea that the USA should rescind their policy of embargo on Cuba for the good of the Cuban people. I will show in this paper, that whether there is an embargo or not, the unfortunate situation of Cuba's people will only change, when Castro and his minions are out of power or they change their policies.

For example, BEFORE the sanctions were imposed on Iraq, millions of Iraqi citizens were paying a massive economic and humanitarian price under Saddam's brutal dictatorship, not to mention all the while, he was building billion dollar palaces throughout Iraq.

Furthermore, AFTER the sanctions were imposed, millions of Iraqi citizens were paying a massive economic and humanitarian cost under his brutal dictatorship, not to mention all the while, he continued building billion dollar palaces throughout Iraq. However this time, instead of continued international outrage toward Saddam and his domestic policies, the outrage was pointed at the coalition of states supporting the sanctions, especially the USA. The sanctions in the short term did not change Saddam Hussein's lifestyle very much, but in the long run, weakened his ability to rule domestically and for the most part allowed the coalition to easily achieve their initial goals in both wars because of his lack of support at home.

OK, now on to Cuba. Many people are presently blaming the USA, and its Cuban embargo policies, for all of the social ills and economic hardships that the Cuban people are experiencing. In a similar situation as mentioned above with Iraq, when Castro was receiving his annual welfare cheque from the motherland (the former USSR), in the amount of $4.5 billion per year, his people continued to suffer as before, all the while, he continued to live a life of extreme luxury. Fast forward to the present, the Soviet Union no longer exists and Fidel's dole cheque is non-existent, BUT Fidel still lives a life of luxury, all the while his people go without.

The embargo is slowly working, it shows the Cuban people that the USA will stand behind its threats (ie. embargo) toward their dictator and gives them the assurance that we will at least stand firm this time, no matter what it takes.

Until the Cuban government allows the people the economic and political reforms they deserve, the embargo should stand.

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