Starting a new friendship? The US and Cuba story
Erin Mahon ’17 reports on the opening of relations by both nations
Diplomatic talks are resuming between the US and Cuba
We have all, at some point in the historical aspect of our academic career, encountered the Cold War—a war of deterrence and hostility. Pages cover the rise of the Soviet Union as well the creations of increasingly advanced technology, and most importantly for this article, the deterioration of U.S. relations with Cuba. One Cuban Missile Crisis later and it would appear that all hopes of rendering a lost relationship are futile.
According to “The Council of Foreign Relations,” turmoil began in 1959 with the rise of the Castro regime as he, with the aid of revolutionaries, overthrew Fulgencio Batista. Fidel Castro idealized the theory of a communist country, and as trade increased between Cuba and the Soviet Union, the U.S. increasingly withdrew transactions with the island. By 1962, JFK expanded an embargo, previously set by Washington, to a full economic embargo that would include uncompromising travel restrictions.
The U.S. attempted to eradicate the Castro regime with the Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961), however this attempt was only successful in that it heightened Cuban mistrust as well as their relations with the Soviets. According to the “Council on Foreign Relations,” the failed invasion lead to a secret agreement between the two communist regimes, permitting the Soviets to build a missile base on the Cuban island. A 14-day standoff ensued once the U.S. became aware of such plans. Subsequent to this, the U.S. proceeded to surround the island via a naval quarantine, thereby ending both the Crisis and the missile-base construction, as Cuba did not wish to be invaded.
…I think that at this point, it’s not really a matter of whether the US getting involved with Cuba is a good or bad thing, it’s about how we get involved with them.
Almost 50 years later, according to “The White House,” President Barack Obama arrived hoping to improve the stale, immutable relations that had previously occurred between the U.S. and Cuba. According to the “New York Times”, since his arrival in office, President Obama has proven successful in his quest. Dec. 17, 2014 saw a final breakthrough—Obama and Raul Castro (current president) agreed to a full diplomatic restoration. Further, the U.S. pursued more flexible restrictions on travel, banking and remittances—sum of money sent in as a payment for goods and services. July 20, 2015 further indicated improved relations as both countries reopened embassies in each other’s capitals.
With the fears of the Cold War having slowly dissipated over the last few decades, improved relations with Cuba foreshadow positive influences for both countries. According to the “NYT,” the U.S. is no longer in apprehension against the country, thus at the least, eliminating one more stress point. Cuba lost a great amount of money when the embargo was enacted in the 60s, and now that it has been lifted, Cuba can improve their own economic strife. According to the “White House,” U.S. involvement in Cuba will also be vital to the improvement of human rights conditions as well as democratic reforms in the country. An overall empowerment of the Cuban people has become a main goal since Obama’s investment in the situation.
An important insight is provided by sophomore Madison Kloeber ‘17. She stated, “…I think that at this point, it’s not really a matter of whether the US getting involved with Cuba is a good or bad thing, it’s about how we get involved with them.” The mere attempt to remediate relations with Cuba is a positive initiative, however if not done properly, could result in worse damage than before. It is imperative that the U.S. finds a balance in its diplomacy overseas with the fragile state of Cuba’s affairs.
Hesitation still remains for some though; Cuba persists with its communist politics and worries surround the possibility of fallacies on behalf of the Castro regime. However, MJ Machen stated that she is in support of better relations among US and Cuba. She stated, “I definitely think this is a step in the right direction. I think people should be allowed to travel there [Cuba] no matter their government.”
Greater alliances for the U.S. are better than the converse, and hopefully the upcoming elections foreshadow a continuation of efforts with Cuba at an attempt at normalization after these many years of strained relations.
