Cuban Embargo Research Paper

In February of 1962, President John F. Kennedy enacted an economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba. This blockade, or el bloqueo in Cuba, encompasses commercial economic, and financial relations between the United States and the Republic. There are a number of precursors that occurred in the Cuban Government that resulted in such all-encompassing blockade such as Cuba’s declaration of Marxism, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. There is a key component in all three of these precursors, Fidel Castro, the Cuban leader had strong beliefs and ruling styles that strongly clashed with the ideals of the United States, which resulted in a strong sense of distrust that would eventually lead to ‘shutting out’ Cuba by the use of an …show more content…
Documentaries, pictures, and articles all back the claim that they are still to some degree frozen in the early 70’s. The automotive industry is one of the most tell-tale signs of just how the blockage of trade can affect what seems to be such a growing industry for all, but Cuba. Most of the cars that drives the streets are rusting or falling apart, with vast amounts of miles on them because they are from “pre-1959 or considered American Classics” (). The cars that don’t hail from the states are from Russia, Chinese, or Korean, “reflecting their checkered political ties throughout the years” (). Cubans are unable to purchase new cars, or parts for their older cars because the cost of importing them into their country are so high, impart because of the Helms-Burton law. A huge, if not the most important, effect of the embargo is its impact on the health field. “The restrictions imposed by the embargo help to deprive Cuba of vital access to medicines, new scientific and medical technology, food, chemical water treatment and electricity” (Personal Representative of the High Commissioner of Human Rights). Almost all basic rights to life are outlined in that single quote, meaning that almost all basic facets of life are hindered by the embargo. In a 300 page report by the American Association for World Health (AAWH) identified that the embargo contributed to malnutrition- primarily in women and children, poor water quality, and lack of medical supplies. This result is because of export of medicine was allowed for ‘humanitarian’ reasons only, but every export require “the President of the USA certify, through on-site inspections approved by the President, that all components of shipment of medical products to Cuba were used for the purpose they were intended for”(AI). This step, making it a long, drawn out process for Cubans to get the medical equipment they need in order to thrive in health

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