Kelly Ramirez
The Daily Evergreen
Published: 06/07/2007 00:00:00
On Sunday night, Fidel Castro appeared for the first time on television
in four months, and the first time in public since July 31, 2006. After
suffering major health problems in July, Castro temporarily ceded power
to his brother, Raul. This latest appearance is confirming claims that
he is feeling better. But this also brings to light the fact that Fidel
Castro's time as ruler is coming to an end, and major questions arise as
to what will happen when he is gone.
Since the Cuban revolution in 1959, when Fidel Castro declared himself
"President for Life," Cuban and U.S. relations have been rocky at best.
During the time of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, the United States
issued a trade embargo, which limits American companies to trade or
conduct business with Cuba. Plus, in 2004 the Bush administration made
it illegal for U.S. citizens to even travel to Cuba.
This 45-year embargo has become the longest in modern history. However,
Cuba did not really suffer economically until the 1990s with the fall of
the Soviet Union, which had been supporting Cuba since becoming
communistic. This time is referred to as the "Special Period" as the
Cuban economy came to a crashing halt.
The fact that the embargo has been going on for 45 years and the
communist regime is still functioning makes one wonder if the U.S.
embargo is actually working. Superficially, it is not. Castro still has
power, and has created one of the best health care and education systems
in the world. Furthermore, unemployment and homelessness is almost zero
because of government-subsidized housing.
Yet, on a closer look we see that the average daily wage is 50 cents,
and the subsidized houses are in shambles. The people are being
suppressed by a communistic government that controls everything from
media to food availability.
With Castro reaching his 80s in failing health, the United States is
beginning to wonder what will happen to Cuba, its people, and the
relationship our government has with the country. There are two
possibilities officials see for the future.
One, things will continue as they are. Even after Castro's death, the
communist regime will continue because he has set people in place to
take over and keep the government running.
On the other hand, others feel that with Castro's death a major change
will occur, and the communist government will meet its demise. This
would allow for the United States to reengage trade and commerce with
Cuba, and could possibly spur a democratic society.
If the former does occur, the U.S. government will have to address
whether or not to continue the embargo. We do not have trade embargoes
with other communist countries like China or Vietnam, so it is getting
harder to defend the continued embargo with Cuba. To keep the embargo
means supporting Castro and his regime. To end the embargo gives the
United States an opportunity to influence the direction of the country's
government.
More likely, it is possible that Cuba will be able to strive with or
without the end of the trade embargo. No other country has a trade
embargo with Cuba, so it is unlikely that the United States will be able
to influence the country in the way it would like. The future for Cuba
is volatile and the United States is watching closely for a time to
assert control and sway this communist government toward democracy.
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