Castro, Cuba, and the Future: U.S. Policy Options

Castros Cuba has and remains a thorn in the side of the United States. Our policy of total Isolation and economic embargo as left the Island nation to our south in a complete economic disaster. The demise of the Soviet empire freed Eastern Europe, and many new democracies emerged and are struggling to make democracy and free markets work. However, Castro still clings to Communist Ideology in spite of these world events. Our foreign policy toward Cuba, recently enhanced by the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 signed Into law by President Bush In October 1992, centers around trade sanctions directed at the Cuban government--an attempt to further strangle the Islands economy and effect a change to democratization. The future for Castro and Cuba can take many different paths. Will Castro follow the way of Noriega, will civil war erupt, will a velvet revolution succeed as in Eastern Europe, or will there be a coalition between the party, the army, and Raul How longer will Castro survive when the country Is under complete economic collapse After examining these key issues, I recommend a change in our policy toward Cuba, from confrontational to a policy of constructive engagement, leading to the democratization of Cuba with a free and open market driven economy. Specifically, we should re-engage with Cuba to negotiate an end to hostilities, repeal the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992. encourage Joint US-Cuban business ventures, control the ultra- conservative CANF, encourage small market initiatives In Cuba, encourage a Mexican-style government, with human rights reform and Privatization, and lastly, encourage World Bank and IMF Investment, all permitting Cuba to change from within, without a US imposed solution.