The Miami Herald has a story about Cuban American lawmakers beating back efforts to ease sanctions against Cuba. Further, they are embarking on a world tour to browbeat other countries to isolate Cuba. This includes a trip to Latin America.
This is yet another great example of how U.S. policy toward Latin America is shortsighted and self-centered. Effective policy would mean addressing issues of mutual concern, which Cuba is not. Instead, you can easily envision the scene—Mario Díaz-Balart and others find the few countries in the region that will accept their anti-Castro delegation, probably Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador, while everyone else shakes their heads in disbelief and Hugo Chávez serves up some choice insults. Subsequently, there will be much plaintive wondering why Latin Americans don’t appreciate U.S. policy.
2 comments:
I once saw "irrationality" defined as "doing the same thing and expecting different results." We've been trying to isolate Cuba for decades, and it hasn't worked. Perhaps we should try something different? I've never understood why switching tactics isn't something the Senate (or the rest of the US government!) knows how to do.
The rationale is always that sanctions will work, but other countries undermine them. The solution is therefore to force them to follow it.
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