BY CHIEF EDITOR
Breaking Barriers: Why Lifting the Cuban Trade Embargo Could Transform U.S.-Latin American Relations
Could Trump’s America and its closest neighbours benefit from an economically liberated Cuba and is Trump the man to make it happen?
The long-standing trade embargo on Cuba has been a contentious issue for decades. As the world evolves, so too must our approach to international relations. If President Donald Trump seeks to forge better relations with America's Caribbean and Latin American partners, lifting the trade embargo on Cuba would be a significant and impactful step. This move would not only alleviate the burden on the Cuban people but also foster trade and harmony with America's closest neighbours.
America’s exhaustive embargo on the Cuban people remains a relic of a more uncertain time – a Cold War era which has long past its ‘sell-by date’. The 21st-century reality is that both America and the Caribbean nations need to advance and scale their economies through the fog of economic uncertainty. While Cuba remains no stranger to these challenges, there remains a golden opportunity for all parties. Access to essential goods, medical supplies, and a vast array of economic opportunities could help to spur growth in the region.
Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, eloquently addressed this issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a few years ago stating, "The blockade of Cuba for six decades is wrong." Her words resonate with the broader international community's call for an end to this outdated policy.
Lifting the embargo would open new avenues for trade and investment, benefiting both Cuba and the United States and the wider Caribbean region. American businesses would gain access to a market of over 11 million people, while Cuba could import much-needed goods, services, and technology. This mutual economic benefit would strengthen ties and create a more stable and prosperous region.
Improving relations with Cuba would send a powerful message to other Caribbean and Latin American nations. It would demonstrate America's commitment to fostering positive and cooperative relationships in the region. As Mia Mottley highlighted, "We must decide whether we want to stand for peace and whether we want to stand for love and whether we want to stand for prosperity." By lifting the trade blockade, the United States would be taking a definitive stand for these values.
A Cuba free to trade would have far-reaching implications. It could become a hub for tourism, attracting visitors from around the world and boosting the local economy. Additionally, increased trade could lead to advancements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, improving the quality of life for the Cuban people.
Lifting the trade embargo on Cuba is not just a humanitarian imperative but also a strategic move that could enhance America's standing in the Caribbean and Latin America. By taking this bold step, both President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio could pave the way for a new era of cooperation, prosperity, and peace in the region. As Prime Minister Mia Mottley so aptly put it, "It is within our power to make that difference and that definable change." The time to act is now.