The Cuban Economic Embargo: Time for a New Approach?

The story of six‐​year‐​old Elian Gonzalez has thrust U.S.-Cuban relations back on the front page. For almost four decades now, the United States has imposed an embargo against trade with and travel and investment in communist‐​ruled Cuba. Advocates of the embargo argue that it has weakened the Castro regime and remains our best hope of encouraging democracy in Cuba. Critics contend that it has hurt the people of Cuba, compromised the liberty of Americans, and provided Castro with a convenient excuse for his own failures. With the Cold War receding into history, should U.S. policy toward Cuba be changed? Rep. Mark Sanford explains his bill to lift restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba, and other panelists join in discussing the economic and foreign policy impact of the current trade embargo.