The Times Are Changin'
Filed under: Politik > Cubismo
The European Union has lifted sanctions against Cuba.
The E.U. took action against the island back in 2003, in protest of the Cuban government's imprisonment of more than 70 dissidents.
EU External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, stated that the member states wanted to promote change in Cuba after Raul Casto took over.
She adds, "There will be very clear language also on what the Cubans still have to do… releasing prisoners, really working on human rights questions. There will be a sort of review to see whether indeed something will have happened."
Ferrero-Waldner adds that the EU would continue to monitor human rights conditions.
However, several top Cuban dissidents have criticized the decision.
During a recent BBC interview, one of the founding members of the dissident group Ladies in White, Miriam Leiva, expressed her thoughts about the move being unwarranted as Raul had not made any significant moves towards creating a more democratic society.
And unlike the US embargo that's been in place for over 45 years, the EU sanctions are largely symbolic as they don't really restrict on any investments or trades.
What do U think?
Should the EU have removed its sanctions?
Should the US remove it's embargo????
[Image via WENN.]
first?
first?
First? Or not. The USA should try to normalize relations with Cuba just a bit, despite what Floridians may think. We have a relationship with China, a repressive regime as far as human rights are concerned…and with other countries, too, who don't exactly emulate us. So why not Cuba?
!'st !st" ?????????????? pwety pleasde
first?!
Yes!
I would say that it is too soon and EU should demand more improvements in human rights. HOWEVER, it is difficult to say that while China is about to host the Olypics…Just because Cuba is smaller, they get sanctions. How about taking a stand for human rights in CHINA? Nope, ’cause we need them to make our cheap shit…also the U.S. owes them so much money…
Yea and we should also give them awards for torturing prisoners…dissidents etc.COME OFF IT…….If we dont stand up for those in Cuba that cant stand for themselves….what kind of nation are WE??
CASTRO ES UN COME MIERDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, but only for Cuban rum. Havana Club 7 year in the hizzee!
fascinating!
first!
Should the US remove "ITS" (no apostrophe) embargo?
Why not?
I would love to go to Cuba someday so I vote for lifting the embargo…not just for visiting of course.
Who gives a rat fuck about Cuba? Perez I swear between your underage boy fetishes and your lousy taste in music this site is going to hell.
Re: karen – EXCELLENT POINT!
I agree with Karen. Why not ease up on the US embargo? It doesn't make sense to have an economic war of sorts with a country that's 90 miles from our own. I think easing the embargo would open up a lot of opportunities for both countries.
Viva Castro! I don't know why Malario has such a thing against Communist cock?
Largely symbolic means nothing. The embargo is there because the US doesn't want to support a communist society that denies it's people fundamental human rights. Raul Castro is mentaly ill like his brother Fidel and the people of Cuba are sufferring as a result of it. So sad. Maybe when they(the Castro brothers)die there will be a real change on that island.
We are miles from even considering removing the embargo. They have only made babysteps regarding what is needed before we would even think about the notion. Perez your Cuban or whatever… we get it… but Cuba still is a piece of Communist Garbage and until that changes nothing else will.
Raul is making huge changes to inprove the lives of Cubans.
LIFT THE US EMBARGO, REMOVE THE SANCTIONS
LIFT THE US EMBARGO, REMOVE THE SANCTIONS
LIFT THE US EMBARGO, REMOVE THE SANCTIONS
LIFT THE US EMBARGO, REMOVE THE SANCTIONS
LIFT THE US EMBARGO, REMOVE THE SANCTIONS
Yes, the EU and the US should remove the embargo and lift sanctions-
provided CUBA can get its act together on human rights.
i think that america should lift ITS (your grammar is shite, perez) embargo…
As a Canadian who has traveled to Cuba 3x, I definately think the US should lift its embargo! Cuba is such a beautiful country, the people are amazing! Havana is one of the coolest citiest I have ever been to. Of course it has its issues, it is after all a communist country but its time for the US to get over it! I hope your new president can change your country!
Heard there's LOADS of hot gay boys in Cuba. Would LOVE to be able to go there and taste them… yummm
I think you should stick to celebrity gossip.
Perez is a dirty mexican I thought?
i think us should leave cuba alone finally. we go there and enjoy their beautiful beaches, their sun and their hospitality!!!
these ppl have been conditioned into poverty yet they have best surgeons and they have zero illiteracy, compared to US that harbours idiots and really incompetent people, can we say BUSH!!!!
live and let live
long live cuba!!!
yes move the embargo and EU should lay off cuba
and i agree with c
They need to lift all these embargoes and sanctions but the LAST THING I want is for Cuba to become an American Wasteland. IF Cuba just becomes one of those countries where American companies rape the land of all its natural resources, buy up all the land and make all the locals work as tourist guides then Cuba might as well be destroyed or go back to communism.
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There is a difference between progress and Americanization and unfortunately SHITez, you seem to want the latter.
They need to lift all these embargoes and sanctions but the LAST THING I want is for Cuba to become an American Wasteland. IF Cuba just becomes one of those countries where American companies rape the land of all its natural resources, buy up all the land and make all the locals work as tourist guides then Cuba might as well be destroyed or go back to communism.
.
.
.
.
.
There is a difference between progress and Americanization and unfortunately SHITez, you seem to want the latter.
They need to lift all these embargoes and sanctions but the LAST THING I want is for Cuba to become an American Wasteland. IF Cuba just becomes one of those countries where American companies rape the land of all its natural resources, buy up all the land and make all the locals work as tourist guides then Cuba might as well be destroyed or go back to communism.
.
.
.
.
.
.
There is a difference between progress and Americanization and unfortunately SHITez, you seem to want the latter.
They need to lift all these embargoes and sanctions but the LAST THING I want is for Cuba to become an American Wasteland. IF Cuba just becomes one of those countries where American companies rape the land of all its natural resources, buy up all the land and make all the locals work as tourist guides then Cuba might as well be destroyed or go back to communism.
.
.
There is a difference between progress and Americanization and unfortunately SHITez, you seem to want the latter.
never been on this list
Yes, and YES. I'm always amazed by the ignorant, and uneducated responses to these political posts. Lifitng embargos is not rewarding Human Rights violations. It is more appropriate to say it is giving back some rights. Lifing the US embargo would have significant economic impact for Cuban peoples…and it is serving what purpose for the US government to maintain this archaic piece of legislation? Chinese communists are better than Cuban communists because… Perhaps Americans should ask their government this question??? I don't here anhyone bitching about the rampant and numerous human rights violations the Chinese people face everyday…why is this ok? Why is business and relations with China better vs. those with Cuba. The point is, every country around the world purports to varying degrees of HR violations against its people, and we're allowed to judge the rest of the world against our standards because…? North Americans are better because..?
Viva Cuba! Cuba Libre!
FUCK America. Castro had a point and a vision. He wanted an America-free Cuba. America just wants to take over Cuba
Yes! Changes on BOTH sides (US & Cuba) need to begin. Unfortunately they just happen overnight.
Ah yes, thuggish cold war foreign policy. Oh America when will you learn?
This is the reason you have the problems in Iraq and Afghanistan. You supported the Ba'ath party coupe against Qassim because he lifted the ban on the Iraqi communist party in order to keep pan arab elements in check. As to Afghanistan, you supported the Mujhadien factions against the Soviets. Of course the Mujhadien later fought amongst themselves with the taliban emerging as victors and taking control of Afghanistan.
Foreign policy based on the simplistic belief "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is laughable. It always comes back to bite you in the ass, as history clearly shows.
Cuban dictators blame everything is wrong with the country to international sanctions and the embargo….If these are removed…who are they going to blame?????????????????????
EU are communist sympathizers. There has been no steps taken in Cuba by that HP Raul Castro to better conditions for its citizens and their 'freedoms'…Cell phones? whoopee. How will they pay for the service? Internet? whoopee. How will they pay for the service? Please this is all just a smoke screen. All the Europeans and other tourists head over there and stuff their faces but the citizens on land aren't even allowed to set foot in those hotels and on their beaches still. WTF? I WAS ROBBED BY THE FUCKING CASTROS of memories and birthdays and family events. I'm glad my parents decided to leave and I was born on this soil. I would have been killed had my parents had me there.
I say, let's move on. Yes, he's a jerk. Yes, his brother was a tyrant. Now let's focus on what we want for Cuba, as opposed to what wrongs have occurred and are still occurring. I believe we will get much further that way. At least something is moving along. The only way we get to where we want to is steps, not leaps.
GAWD, most of you are some of the dumbest people on the planet! "Let's remove the sanctions because Cuba has pretty beaches!" You fuckwits. It's a scumbag little country that got into bed with Mother Russia and has continued to thumb its nose at the noble positions of the US…i.e. human rights and capitalism.
Oh, and Stan, Fuck YOU, too. You retard. Castro's "vision" was command and control government. You fucking wanna-be slave.
And another thing… people, read up on your history…wearing Che Guevarra shirts, touting him as a father of the revolution is bullshit. He was a facist pig that was kicked out of his own country and went to shoot the shit in another. He wanted what all communists want: for the lazy to reap the benefits the hard-working people sow. Tourists: Cuba is beautiful but all those things you enjoy, the Cuban people CAN NOT enjoy. It is their land but can not own a piece of it - did you know? And you know what would happen if we lift the embargo? We'd send goods over there and NEVER GET PAID. Who would pay for it then? Us, the U.S. taxpayers.
Perhaps Raul Castro is a Conservative? Incremental change so as not to disrupt the social fabric of Cuba. Europe seems to be recognizing this.
The United States is practically now owned by China. We are building them a middle-class system while our middle-class crumbles. And yet our government continues to listen to those rabid idiotic Cubans in Miami who fled the island during the 1960's, allowing them to direct out foreign policies towards Cuba. It is the fault of the Cubans in Miami that the embargo hasn't been lifted, so blame them!
Please lift the embargo so all these fuckin CUBES will go back home. NO MORE FUCKING CUBES IN AMERICA!!! I HATE THE FUCKING DRUG RUNNING CUBES!!! THE CUBES HAVE DESTROYED MIAMI AND DESTROYED FLORIDA"S AMERICAN CULTURE!!!!! DOWN WITH THE FUCKING CUBES!!!!! CUBES ARE ANIMALS!!!!
All the US embargo has done is to turn the Cubans on the island into thieves and prostitutes to survive. For 50 YEARS the US has tried to starve the island, and President Castro still laughs at us. It's time to give up the aggression and negotiate. The Chinese are communists and they practically own America. Why are we scared of a tiny communist island?
Fidel chased the Mafia out of Cuba and he refused to carry on with business as usual, you know letting rich gringo Americans control his country. Fidel has balls he is not a puppet to anybody. Only the brain-washed Cubans in Miami hate Fidel.
Re to KAREN…. It is good to know, that there are still some people in this
world that get it. Kudos to you.. ARTOFWAR
Re: karen – KAREN…. It is good to know, that there are still some people in this world that get it.
Kudos to you.. ARTOFWAR
The Miami Cubans want to maintain the status quo because they long for the days when Cuba was controlled by vice and American organized crime. The Cubans in Miami are the cause of Cuban's suffering. Stop listening to them because they haven't had a bright idea (Bay of pigs?) in over 60 years.
Yes on both counts. China is communist and their record is much worse so why are they not being sanctioned the way Cuba still is? It's just a case of a big bully still wants to pick on the little upstart. There is no way the US could do the same to a country like China.
As a natural cuban born female I would like to go back to a free Cuba and fuck this american trash!!!!!
As a Cuban American living in Miami I fully support the removal of the US embargo on Cuba. The changes Raul Castro is making are a charade. He does not intend to make Cuba a Democracy. He will continue to jail dissidents and the Cuban people will not have the right to voice personal views. Cubans lead lives of second class citizens while tourists are treated like VIP's. Since 1963 the US has had an embargo towards Cuba. Over the years the embargo was made more stringent by the 1992 Cuban Democracy Act (Torricelli) and the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act (Helms-Burton) All of these actions by US citizens and Cuban Exiles were put in place as good faith efforts to remove the Communists from power. None of these efforts have succedded in accomplishing the task of removing the communists from power. All these efforts have done, is worsen the lives of Cuban civilians. It has been 45 years, the embargo does not work. The embargo must be removed in order to help the people on the island of Cuba. The majority of first generation Cuban exiles support the embargo no matter the consequences on the Cuban people. As the child of a Cuban exile I strongly believe the second generation must look in our souls and determine what is the best choice for the island of Cuba…we must make this determination with our minds not with our emotions.
The US embargo should stay in place and the US should continue its stance of only talking WITH preconditions put in place. It's up to the US to be the bigger person and stand up against this communist government since Cuba's citizens are unable to do so because they are forced to live under a blanket of fear and depression.
Bigger countries that are blessed with wealth and freedom are obligated to set an example and stand up for those who cannot do it themselves. Talking with the Cuban government without enforcing them to treat their OWN people better is irresponsible and a slap in the face to those citizens who are already treated poorly on a daily basis.
Why does everyone question the US on their policy? Why not question the Cuban government to treat it's people with equality, freedom and higher economic opportunities. If the Cuban leaders took these steps to enrich its OWN people, Pres. Bush and many other US leaders before him have stated that the US will open up talks to drop the embargo. But the Cuban government has done NOTHING to help its people, so why should the US help that corrupt government get away with their crimes against its citizens?
yea…the flag in the picture is PR's flag not Cuba's…
An embargo that is not supported by the rest of the world is absolutely pointless. Why continue with something that has not worked in 45 years ? What do you intend to achieve ? Something right ? Poverty amongst the people of Cuba perhaps ? What do you try to achieve ?! (Yes second time I ask it..)
China is not the only country that violate(s/d) rights. You had relations with Vietnam: a country you had been in war with. Russia, your enemy during the cold war. Lots of Latin American countries in the 80's: they killed 100.000nds in each country. The Apartheids regime in South Africa, the Military Junta in Argentina, Pinochet in Chile… oh Bin Laden.. Sadam Hussein, the Shah and so on..
but ofcourse.. Castro is the biggest criminal of them all.. and Cuba is totally different than other country… RIGHT ? I mean.. RIGHT ?
I don't care about Cuba..sorry, but I'm sick of worrying about other countries while mine is rotting right from under me.
"Shepards will change, but sheep remain sheep"
Is the U.S. still afraid of Communism?? Cuba can't be any worse than China, yet we have relations with them. Get over it, America, some people don't want DEMOCRACY (ie., Iraq), stop forcing it down their gullets!
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
it is too soon, real change takes time, they need to prove they are ready to liberate their people
the us embargo has nothing to do with human rights violations but rather it's about sour grapes. through an effective soviet spy program, the cuban gov't was forewarned about the bay of pigs invasion and other covert activities in the region. the united states never cared about the human rights violations occuring under the dictator before castro. the united states didn't care about rampent prostitution and gov't corruption. that's all smokescreen. look at china. look at the history of iran and iraq. look at chile under pinochet. this country has no problem dealing with dictatorial regimes or regimes with massive human rights violations. i've been to the island and have seen first hand what this retarded embargo means for average cubans and its not pretty. the united states will eventually relax relations with cuban because it's a market ripe for exploitation. again, look at the former soviet bloc (think tacky and newly "wealthy" russians) does anyone think there is democracy in the soviet union? perhaps only the misinformed.
THE CHINESE REGIME IS A LOT MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE CUBAN REGIME, PLUS THEY SELL US ALL THAT CRAP AND THEY TAKE OVER NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES LIKE TIBET AND BURMA.
SO WHY NOT BOYCOTT AND SANCTION THEM?
really, why not bring back jobs to the U.S. ecomony instead of using Chinese expolited labor. why not bring jobs to Cuba instead of China? maybe they would be interested if they got a fair deal.
The U.S. embargo is a FAILURE! Lift the embargo now. If you want democracy in Cuba, get everyone in the U.S. to go and visit and bring things to Cuba. The government will crumble in weeks.
The Cold War is over, Cubans of Miami. Let it go. Lift the Embargo NOW!
Check out this weird video on youtube about the World Food Summit and how it fails to deal with World Hunger.
It's short and has a sick ending
Part 10 - Olympic Games China Burma Tibet Darfur…in Chains
what's wrong fat ass, taco bell dog got your toungue?
all of the sudden you have no opinion on some banana island of communists who brutalized any dissent?
do with your finger what you do with your ass…stick it up in the air and see what other beaners think.
castro's brother raoul is a fucking communist-coward and until the people of cuba have freedom, complete freedom and autonomy, the embargo stays.
but, i guess unless some celebufag makes the case…wait, can gays get married in cuba?