ASSESSMENTS

Why Cuba's Half-Century Embargo Won't Be Lifted Overnight

Sep 7, 2016 | 09:30 GMT

Why Cuba's Half-Century Embargo Won't Be Lifted Overnight
If oil prices rise, it may force Havana to seek some economic relief by negotiating a quicker end to the U.S. embargo.

(CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images)

Whether Cuba will soon undergo an economic revolution depends more on politics in Washington than in Havana. After all, the only thing standing in the way of unrestricted trade between the world's largest economy and the island nation just 90 miles south of it is an embargo that rests on U.S. law. But after U.S. voters choose a new president, and perhaps change the makeup of the Senate and House of Representatives, in November elections, the U.S. Congress could begin discussing the embargo's end. Lifting the long-standing sanctions against Cuba will be easier said than done, though, especially given the lingering controversy over Havana's thawing relations with Washington. Even if the next U.S. president were willing to begin restoring trade ties between the two countries, there is little to suggest that a post-embargo Cuban government would look much different from the one in power today -- a problem that will no...

Keep Reading

Register to read three free articles

Proceed to sign up

Register Now

Already have an account?

Sign In