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Background InfoSettled by the Taino (Arawak), Guanajatebey and
Ciboney peoplesBrought to European attention by Christopher
Columbus in 1492Colonization by Spain began in 1511, and was
based on the encomienda system (slavery / indentured servitude of indigenous peoples)
Indigenous labor was replaced with slave labor (largely taken from West Africa)
Spanish control of the colony, which had a large export-based economy (sugar, coffee, tobacco), lasted until 1898
Background, cont’dA revolution (Marti) began in 1895—the war saw
massive atrocities (first modern concentration camps) and tremendous numbers of civilian deaths
Remember the Maine—destruction of U.S. battleship that was used as a pretext for war against the Spanish Empire
War ended in 1898 with the U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam from Spain and Cuba gaining independence
U.S. claimed right to monitor Cuba’s foreign relations and finances
Background, cont’dFormer president Fulgencio Batista seized
control of Cuba via coup in 1952Fidel Castro led a revolution against the
Batista regime beginning in 1956; captured Havana/ gained U.S. recognition in 1959
U.S. efforts to isolate the Castro regime began soon thereafter, including sanctions, support for rebel groups, and assassination attempts
Cuba began close collaboration with the USSR and other communist states
Background, cont’dCuban Missile CrisisCuba faced serious problems after the
collapse of the USSR in 1991—loss of energy, financial, military support
Cuba adapted—reforms to the socialist economy, new alliances with China, Venezuela, other Bolivaran states
Fidel Castro stepped down in 2008, replaced by his younger brother Raul
The U.S. embargo, codified in 1993’s Cuba Democracy Act and 1996’s Helms-Burton law, remains in place
Status of U.S.-Cuba RelationsTrade, assistance, business relations, monetary
transactions, travel, financial transactions, etc. are all severely restricted
Exceptions exist for trade in particular goods/services (particularly agriculture) and travel/remittances by certain Americans (typically Cuban ex-pats and their descendants). All relations must be licensed, and those licenses are very difficult to obtain
The U.S. tries to enforce aspects of the embargo extra-territorially (outside of the U.S.)
Resumption of trade/relations is conditioned on Cuba meeting strict economic/political liberalization goals
Rationale for the EmbargoCuba’s government poses a security threat to
the U.S. and we should not do anything to enrich the regime
Cuba’s government oppresses its people, and refusing to do business with the regime demonstrates our objections to these practices
Cuba’s government stole property from American companies and citizens (old and new)
The U.S. needs to take a hardline with Cuba to signal to our enemies that are deeply resolved to defeat them
Proposals for ChangeNormalize relationsEnd particular isolation policies
Travel restrictionsAgricultural payment restrictionsRestrictions on transactions with state-owned enterprisesRestrictions on joint resource developmentRestrictions on access to financial servicesTerror listRestrictions on humanitarian items /telecomm remittancesRestrictions on public/private collaborationsPromote exchanges / dialogue
Conditioned (tit for tat) easing of restrictionsReturn Guantanamo Bay
Advantage AreasCuba EconomyCuba Political Transition / StabilityHumanitarian ConcernsImperialism is BadInternational LawRelations / Collaboration Good
Drug cooperationEnvironmental cooperationScientific Cooperation
Advantage Areas, cont’dU.S. Credibility / Influence
Allies / extraterritorial sanctionsInfluence vs. competitor states (China, Russia,
Venezuela)Latin American statesMultilateralism
U.S. Economy
Negative GripesTopicality
Ending the embargo goes above and beyond “economic engagement”
Many forms of engagement are likely not “economic”
CounterplansAdvantage counterplansAlternative mechanism of engagementDomestic actor (executive v. courts v. congress)Unconditional vs. QPQU.S. vs. alternate international actor
Neg Gripes, cont’dDisadvantages
PoliticsCuba as Security ThreatCuba as Unspoiled Socialist ParadiseU.S. hegemony / influence badReverse Cuba political transition / stability
KritiksTraditional IR K’s—identity, geopolitics, etc.Affs have to be “economic”Affs have to be “engagement”“Economic engagement” means using trade/aid to turn
other countries into “mini-me’s”