Castro Insists U.S. Lift "Cruel" Embargo

Former Cuban Leader Says Obama Didn't Go Far Enough In Easing Sanctions

(AP)  Fidel Castro says the Obama administration did not go far enough in softening sanctions, and criticized it for leaving in place the embargo that bars most trade and travel between the two countries.

The White House said Monday that Americans will now be able to make unlimited transfers of money and visits to relatives in Cuba. Under Bush administration rules, Cuban-Americans were eligible to travel here only every three years and send up to $300 to relatives every three months.

Monday's action eliminated those limits in the hope that less dependence on their government will lead Cubans to demand progress on political freedoms.

Castro responded in an online column Monday night. The ailing former president wrote that the U.S. had announced the repeal of "several hateful restrictions," but had stopped short of real change.

"Of the blockade, which is the cruelest of measures, not a word was uttered," he wrote.

Castro noted that several U.S. senators favor lifting the trade embargo and urged Obama to seize the opportunity.

"The conditions are in place for Obama to use his talent in a constructive policy that ends something that has failed for nearly half a century," he wrote.

While analysts say the U.S. policy change could usher in a new era of openness between the two countries, few here think it will mean the end of the trade embargo, which has choked off nearly all U.S. trade with the island for 47 years and counting.

"I'm not hoping for much more from Obama," said 43-year-old office worker Layna Rodriguez. "I don't know that he can do much more since to him, the important thing is what the Americans in his country do."

But many Cubans are happy that relatives in America will now be able to come whenever they want, stay as long as they want and send as much cash home as they can. About 1.5 million Americans have relatives in Cuba, which turned to communist rule after Fidel Castro seized control in 1959.

For Olguita Sierra, the shift in U.S. policy allowing Cuban-Americans to make unlimited trips and money transfers to the island came a month too late.

The 72-year-old's son Sergio lives in Miami and had not been eligible for a trip to Cuba until next year. His request for an emergency visa was pending in March when his father passed away.

"What hurts me most is that my husband died just a little while ago without seeing him," Sierra stammered, tears welling in her eyes. "If only Obama had made this decision sooner."

Jose Pilar Ramos, a 20-something looking for work in the Old Havana tourist district, said his cousin in Miami does not have enough money to visit Cuba - regardless of what U.S. law now allows.

"Obama can do what he wants, but the problem is here. People don't want to work for $4 a week, even if they get more money from family members over there," he said, nodding toward the waters of the Florida Straits, which lap at the Havana coastline.

Nearly all Cubans work for the government, earning an average of 414 pesos - just $19.70 - a month. Ramos said he lost his state job after trying to flee Cuba three times by small boat, most recently in February when he was picked up on the high seas by the U.S. Coast Guard and sent home.

As he spoke, a police officer approached, demanded his identification card and detained him for venturing outside of his neighborhood in East Havana. Police keep close watch on tourist areas, ensuring that foreigners and Cubans don't mix more than necessary. Nobody had bothered Ramos until he began speaking to a foreign journalist.

Other steps taken Monday by the White House include expanding items allowed in gift parcels sent to Cuba. The administration also will begin issuing licenses for companies to provide cellular and television services to Cubans, and letting family members pay for relatives on the island to get those services.

But for many, the moves are only a beginning. Alberto Sal, a 68-year-old retiree, said he had high hopes when Obama was elected but is still waiting for significant action.

For instance, the president said nothing Monday about bipartisan measures in both houses of Congress that would effectively allow all Americans to travel to Cuba.

"He should do more and lift travel restrictions for all Americans," Sal said. "Until he does that, I don't think he's doing much."

[toldyouso29]

Let's see... a real short guy gets in a fight with a huge hulking giant because the little guy threatens the giant and calls him a dummy.. as expected, the hulk kicks the little guy's patoot and for good measure, puts his foot on the little fella's neck....FOR DECADES.

finally, one day the giant thinks the little guy has had enough and lifts his foot off his neck...just a little--so the guy can breathe a bit better. First thing the beaten for decades little guy does is threaten the big guy and tell him: " you better your foot all the way up--ya big dummy, before kick your......"

And so it goes.

[happyass3]

The fact is, this embargo does nothing to harm the Castro's but it is cruel to the people of Cuba. I think 50 years is more than long enough for that embargo to be lifted. And this would not be an open invitation to all Cubans to move to America, just a way to make their lives a little easier than they have had it the past 50 years.

[dhutch88]

Die already

[saturn05]

Why would Catro even begin to believe he can insist on anything? The man is a dictator of his own country, not the world.

[document7]

Rep. Connie Mack, R-Florida, was right when she said in a written statement. -- - - - -

The Castro "dictatorship is one of the most brutal in the world. The U.S. economic embargo must remain in place until tyranny gives way to freedom and democracy,"


How's that working out Connie?

[inketolstoy]

The US should lift its "cruel" embargo when the Castros remove their cruel dictatorship.

[geminispyder-2009]

-"Fidel Castro says the Obama administration did not go far enough in softening sanctions, and criticized it for leaving in place the embargo that bars most trade and travel between the two countries."

Considering the state of the economy, Fidel should, instead, be more thankful that the Obama Administration actually gave Cuba half-a-thought to ease some sanctions.

-"He should do more and lift travel restrictions for all Americans," Sal said. "Until he does that, I don't think he's doing much."

Obama doesn't need to; dealing with Cuba wasn't exactly a top priority when he was elected.

[Rubeem]

Give 'em an inch and they want a mile !! Now Cuba is demanding more - - surprise, surprise ! ! Obama was wrong in lifting restrictrictions the way he did. The Cubans want to come here to escape the socialistic dictatorial ruler - - and now Obama says "sure, come on down!!" with open arms - - he thinks "that creating independence, creating space for the Cuban people to operate freely from the regime is the kind of space they need to start the process toward a more democratic Cuba," . Castro does not want that ! ! ! ! ! And he won't ALLOW it.

Rep. Connie Mack, R-Florida, was right when she said in a written statement. -- - - - -

The Castro "dictatorship is one of the most brutal in the world. The U.S. economic embargo must remain in place until tyranny gives way to freedom and democracy,"

[1notrub11]

"The conditions are in place for Obama to use his talent in a constructive policy that ends something that has failed for nearly half a century," he (Fidel Castro) wrote.

Interesting - perhaps Fidel should be clearer in what he means. Why would you be worried about a policy that is a "failure"?

[drputt45]

Havana, the next outsourcing mecca.