New York Daily News, October 7, 2020

Sound sanctions

Falls Church, Va.: Your editorial “The Cuba time machine” (Sept. 27) leaves out some important facts. The economic embargo has served to contain the Castro regime’s ambitions in the Americas. Each time that the embargo has been loosened (1977-1981, 1993-2000 and 2009-2015) the human rights situation worsened and governments in Latin America came under greater influence from Havana to the detriment of their peoples.

On the Obama administration’s watch, the situation in Venezuela grew into a regional crisis in no small part due to the presence of Cuban intelligence agents and military officials operating in the South American country. It was during President Obama’s détente with Havana that the European Union delinked human rights considerations from improved relations with Cuba.

Returning to a policy based on sanctions that recognize the brutality of this dictatorship and its hostility to U.S. interests is a sound approach.

John Suarez, executive director, Center for a Free Cuba

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-letter-oct-7-20201007-7dialzmnojcj7e22iczv3252d4-story.html