Ricardo Gonzalez
April 1, 2009
There has been great expectation about changes in U.S.-Cuba policy under the new administration of President Barack Obama.

Indeed, the President has encouraged congressional leaders to begin a process of liberalization of the draconian restrictions on travel to Cuba imposed by former President Bush in 2004, by signing the Appropriations Bill last month which included an amendment that permits Cuban Americans to travel once a year instead of once every three years, without time and money restrictions. Furthermore, the amendment makes easier the licensing process for Americans traveling to the Island to promote trade, even if such trade is only a one way street, as the 47-year-old embargo still prohibits Cuban goods from entering the U.S.

This week, the Senate and House versions of a bill to allow all Americans to travel to Cuba were publicly unveiled. And during his recent visit to Chile and Costa Rica, Vice President Joe Biden indicated a willingness on the part of the Administration to “begin a transition” in U.S. policy toward Cuba.

While Obama has said that he would maintain the overall embargo in place, there is no question that travel restrictions will be greatly reduced and possibly eliminated this year. In addition, the Administration has promised a review of current Cuba policy.

President Obama is a keen student of history and he surely knows that the history of U.S. Cuba relations is a long and complicated one. And he must understand that to improve relations with Latin America, a matter of utmost importance to the U.S., he must resolve the impasse with Cuba. In fact, the leaders of Latin America are not only advising and expecting him to change course with regard to Cuba, they are demanding that he do so.

On April 17-19, the Summit of the Americas will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, with Cuba being the only nation in the Hemisphere not invited to attend. By the time of this meeting, most of the 34 heads of state attending will have been to Havana in recognition of Cuba and to further their own relationship with the Island.

It is to be hoped that President Obama will use this historic opportunity to announce a new U.S. policy toward Cuba. It would be quite fitting for Obama to mark the 48th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion by ushering a new era of dialogue and reconciliation with the Cuban people.