# U.S. and Cuba -- has the reset button been pressed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 17, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498 "2014-12-17T15:39:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/1 "2014-12-17T15:39:55Z")
Great news today: Alan Gross, a contracted aid worker who had been unjustly imprisoned in Cuba, is being released today. But early indications are that this is part of a broader initiative that could involve normalizing relations with Cuba, and even opening up a U.S. Embassy in Havana. Senator Marco Rubio is already complaining that “This is going to do absolutely nothing to further human rights and democracy in Cuba. But it potentially goes a long way in providing the economic lift that the Castro regime needs to become permanent fixtures in Cuba for generations to come.” I think Senator Rubio is wrong, wrong, wrong. Our policy toward Cuba has been a total failure for a half century, and it is time to do something different. And with Obama being effectively a lame duck and Congress too divided to decide whether it actually supports or opposes anything at all, I think it’s the perfect timing for opening to Cuba. But is this policy going to survive as the presidential election starts to gear up and folks start pandering for votes in Florida? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/2 "2014-12-17T15:42:56Z")
The death of Castro is the reset button. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/3 "2014-12-17T15:43:35Z")
How much can Obama do without explicit authorization from Congress? Are there any laws on the books that have to be repealed? ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/4 "2014-12-17T15:57:59Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Senator Marco Rubio is already complaining that “This is going to do absolutely nothing to further human rights and democracy in Cuba. But it potentially goes a long way in providing the economic lift that the Castro regime needs to become permanent fixtures in Cuba for generations to come.” Can we dig a channel across the Florida Panhandle and let them be their own country? Please? I know it might crimp the vacation plans of the spring-breakers crowd, but it would be worth it to get the anti-Castro lobby out of American politics. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/5 "2014-12-17T15:58:04Z")
This seems like enormously consequential news – is this as big a deal as it feels to me? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/6 "2014-12-17T16:01:35Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > The death of Castro is the reset button. Of both Fidel and Raul, I’d say. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/7 "2014-12-17T16:05:02Z")
When can I place my order for a box of Cohibas? 🙂 The news stories are now saying that talks are underway for full diplomatic recognition. It’s about time, but I wonder how long that is going to take… ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/8 "2014-12-17T16:19:48Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Of both Fidel and Raul, I’d say. Sure, but that’ll be like 5 minutes apart. Dealing directly with governments that suppress democracy and human rights in their own lands has never been a problem before, no, we’re waiting for the Castro Boys to bite it. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/9 "2014-12-17T16:26:05Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This seems like enormously consequential news – is this as big a deal as it feels to me? No. It looks like there is only a very limited amount which is within the control of the President. The vast bulk of actions would have to be approved by the Republican Congress–and they are going to kill any proposals: > [@](#): > > The United States embargo against Cuba ( in Cuba el bloqueo) is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo imposed on Cuba . It began on 19 October 1960 (almost two years after the Batista regime was deposed by the Cuban Revolution) when the US placed an embargo on exports to Cuba (except for food and medicine). On 7 February 1962 this was extended to include almost all imports. > > Currently, the Cuban embargo is enforced mainly with six statutes: the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Cuba Assets Control Regulations of 1963, the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, the Helms–Burton Act of 1996, and the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. The Cuban Democracy Act was signed into law in 1992 with the stated purpose of maintaining sanctions on Cuba so long as the Cuban government refuses to move toward “democratization and greater respect for human rights”. In 1996, Congress passed the Helms–Burton Act, which further restricted United States citizens from doing business in or with Cuba, and mandated restrictions on giving public or private assistance to any successor government in Havana unless and until certain claims against the Cuban government are met. In 1999, U.S. President Bill Clinton expanded the trade embargo even further by also disallowing foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies to trade with Cuba. In 2000, Clinton authorized the sale of “humanitarian” U.S. products to Cuba. > **[United States embargo against Cuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba_embargo)** > > The United States embargo against Cuba has prevented U.S. businesses from conducting trade or commerce with Cuban interests since 1958. Modern diplomatic relations are cold, stemming from historic conflict and divergent political ideologies. U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba are comprehensive and impact all sectors of the Cuban economy. It is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. .mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0; ---
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/10 "2014-12-17T16:31:36Z")
Most of these trade restriction laws allow for some type of Presidential waiver or have some mechanism for Presidential certification to Congress. I’d be surprised if the Cuban embargo laws didn’t have similar mechanisms, but I’m too lazy to look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/11 "2014-12-17T16:32:13Z")
Wait, didn’t Fidel die a few years ago? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/12 "2014-12-17T16:36:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wait, didn’t Fidel die a few years ago? No. You’re thinking of Franco, who is still dead. Castro retired a few years ago, but still living. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/13 "2014-12-17T16:58:24Z")
Besides the trade issues the massive issue for Cuba is the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. I see no possibility of movement on that at all. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/14 "2014-12-17T17:05:39Z")
As I see it, the only “reset” will be the death of enough members of the older members of the Cuban “refugee” community. Who as far as I can tell won’t be happy until the Castros are dead and America has moved in and forcibly installed them into a position of power and privilege in Cuba; the latter of which won’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/15 "2014-12-17T17:36:29Z")
Marco Rubio has steam coming out his ears during his speech. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/16 "2014-12-17T17:42:57Z")
I’ll bet. Dudes gotta protect his base whether it’s a good idea or not. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/17 "2014-12-17T17:49:27Z")
It was probably both inevitable and overdue. There are so many American companies dying to do business with Cuba that I’m astonished this was doesn’t done ages ago. Yes, yes, I know the embargo hasn’t been lifted, but that’s got to be coming. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/18 "2014-12-17T18:01:46Z")
As much as I dislike Obama and his policies this is a welcome move by him. I have been reading that this change of policy on both sides is probably the result of the recent collapse in oil prices. Venezuela is running into difficulties, it can no longer afford to subsidize cheap oil to Cuba. This angle, if true, will be downplayed by Govt officials in both Havana and Washington. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/19 "2014-12-17T18:02:35Z")
This is long overdue. Kudos to Obama for finally standing up to the Cuban refugees in Florida who have held this hostage for years. For so long we’ve heard “you can’t end the embargo! That means you won’t carry Florida for your party!” We have to realize that everybody in the world aren’t boy scouts. We trade with Russia, who invaded a neighboring nation. We trade with China and turn a blind eye to their human rights abuses. We’re friendly with Vietnam a generation removed from the war. For over 50 years we’ve had the embargo and it hasn’t done shit politically and has been an albatross economically. I say let’s press on for full relations, free travel between the nations, and let’s get the hell out of Gitmo. If we need a base in the region, build one in Puerto Rico and help their economy in the process. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498/20 "2014-12-17T18:09:03Z")
[The president](http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/obama-us-re-establishing-relations-with-cuba/ar-BBgUJV0) can change some aspects of our relations with Cuba, but the embargo itself was passed by Congress and will need Congress to act to have it removed. Among the highlights: - US will soon reopen an embassy in Cuba to further high-level interactions - Travel bans for families, official government business, and education will be eased. Tourism bans still in effect - Licensed travelers will now be able to return to the US with up to $400 in Cuban goods, with under $100 in tobacco and alcohol combined, effectively ending the Cuban cigar ban but there’s some limits - Earlier in his presidency, Obama allowed unlimited family visits by Cuban-Americans and removed a $1200 cap on remittances. Now he will increase the money Americans can send to Cubans from $500 to $2000 every 3 months - Kerry is also revisiting Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terror [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-and-cuba-has-the-reset-button-been-pressed/707498.md?page=2)