The U.S. Embargo on Cuba
Since 1960, the United States has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba
prohibiting U.S. citizens from open commerce and exchange. The current
stated goal of the U.S. government and the embargo is to actively promote
a "rapid and peaceful transition to democracy" on the island.
After nearly fifty years, the embargo has yet to realize this goal. A
majority of people in the United States would like to see the embargo
lifted, while a very vocal, wealthy, and politically powerful minority
would prefer to see it strengthened.
The biggest obstacle to better relations with Cuba is the ban on general
travel to the island. Despite the fact that direct contact between our
two peoples has proven invaluable in nurturing understanding between the
nations, the U.S. continues its policy of isolation. Recognizing this,
a strong majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate
has voted for several years in succession to lift this provision; but
unfortunately the threat of a Presidential veto and tenacious opposition
from House leadership have prevented the lifting of the ban.
The biggest obstacle to better relations with Cuba is the ban
on general travel to the island.
But great strides have been made in recent years to increase legal trade
with Cuba. In 2000, Congress legalized the sale of U.S. food and medicine
to Cuba in a tacit recognition that these products would directly benefit
the Cuban people, and in open recognition of the desire by U.S. farmers
for Cuban markets. The outcome far exceeded expectations: more than $250
million dollars in U.S. agricultural products have been sold to Cuba as
of mid 2003. Interest from U.S. agriculture is overwhelming; and Cuba
is reportedly very pleased with the access to cheaper, higher quality
goods.
Ending the embargo is gaining support in Congress and among the U.S.
people. Recent polls show that the overwhelming majority of U.S. citizens
support a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba. Many of these people have
come to the conclusion that the embargo is a failed policy which only
hurts the Cuban people. In fact, even a majority of the Cuban-American
community in Miami, the political factor largely responsible for the U.S.
government's hostile policy toward Cuba, now favors engagement with Cuba
in the form of trade and travel.
Impact of the Embargo on Cuban Health
The U.S. Embargo continues to exact a devastating human toll on innocent
families and children.
New Drugs Inaccessible
Cuban patients are deprived of many patented U.S. drugs as a result of deliberately
grueling licensing procedures, which, according to an American Association
for World Health (AAWH) report, "actively discourage any medical commerce."
Since the U.S. boasts the world's leading pharmaceutical research and production
capability, these procedures effectively ban Cuba from nearly half of the
new world-class drugs on the market.
Medical Equipment Blocked
The embargo virtually prohibits Cuban purchases of U.S. medical equipment,
parts and accessories. The AAWH found that U.S. firms, citing the embargo,
commonly refuse to even offer price information to Cuban importers. Since
the U.S. is a leading manufacturer of advanced medical equipment, Cuba is
systematically denied access to life-saving medical technology.
Delivery Delays
Even when vital medicines and medical supplies reach Cuba, U.S. policy has
often created deadly delays. The Cuban Democracy Act discourages both American
and foreign companies from allowing their vessels to dock in Cuba. For example,
delivery of 1,500 metric tons of tallow for hospital soap was delayed by
several months because the Argentine supplier, fearing U.S. retaliations,
refused to send its ship to a Cuban port. And during an epidemic of hemorrhagic
dengue, Cuba was unable to quickly acquire U.S. fumigation equipment to
control the disease-bearing mosquitoes. The long delay caused a significant
increase in the number of cases and resulting deaths.
Water Quality
The embargo not only prevents water treatment, it creates the conditions
for disease. The more stringent embargo restrictions of the 1990s deny Cuba
competitively priced water treatment chemicals and prevent the ready purchase
of spare parts and equipment upon which Cuba's clean water supply depends.
The embargo contributes to serious cutbacks in supplies of safe drinking
water and is a factor in the rising incidence in morbidity and mortality
rates from water-borne disease.
Nutritional Deficit
U.S. actions are creating a legacy of malnutrition among the Cuban population
– especially Cuba's children. Despite legal "cash-only" purchases
of food, embargo-imposed expenses continue to compound food shortages and
contribute to the deterioration of the Cuban population's nutritional intake.
By 1993, nutritional deficiencies began to emerge in the general population.
Cuba also began to register nutritional deficiencies in women beginning
their pregnancies, as well as an increase in the incidence of low birth-weight
babies.
Caribbean Ripple Effect
The embargo damages the quality of medical care throughout the Caribbean.
Because Cuba boasts the best medical teaching facilities in the Caribbean,
other countries in the area have long been dependent upon it for the training
of their medical personnel. Embargo-related limits on advanced training
opportunities and new equipment available to Cuban doctors and hospitals
lowers the quality of health services throughout the region.
Learn about Disarm's work in Cuba.
