Will Obama Ease Sanctions on Cuba
With all sorts of difficulties in the world, a failing economy, and an unpopular war on the other side of the world, President Obama may be looking for an easy and clean victory to add a little luster to a Presidency that has so far been mired in difficulty. The Guardian newspaper is reporting that Obama may use an upcoming summit meeting to announce an easing to restrictions to Cuba.
While there are plenty of implications here politically, it is actually a pretty shrewed move. If Cuba ends up a little more dependant on the US (specifically for food and for business) they might not be quite so likely to lean on Hugo Chavez for support. Chavez is having his own problems with a downturn in the oil market, and it might be the perfect time to move Cuba a little closer politically to the US. It would also be generally a popular move, allowing cuban americans to possibly see family back in Cuba or to help them out financially without having to risk prosecution. For Cuba, it would potentially open up a huge tourist market that has been barred from visiting the island nation. Potentially, oil and gas companies may want to work with Cuba to develop it’s resources.
