Fighting For Cuba!

Yanicia Miller, Amely

Depina,Jenell Copeland, Priscilla
Lago
Demographic Profile of Cuba
Population-11,061,886 (July 2013)
Political System-Communist
Leader- Raul Castro Ruz
Gross Domestic Product-agriculture 3.8%, industry 22.2%, services 74%
Major Industries-tobacco, steel, cement, sugar
Unemployment Rate- 3.8%
Life Expectancy- 78.05%
Literacy Rate-99.8%
Interesting Fact- one fact that i found interesting is that the expectancy of going to school
in only 15 years. this means that most of the population drops out in the 9th or 10th
grade.

History of Relations
" How would you characterize the USs relationship with this country?
After the treaty of paris when the united States gained control over Cuba they also gained both political and economic
power/dominance. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959 tension was formed between Cuba and The United States. An
embargo was formed that made it illegal to do business with one another.
" Has the US intervened any other time? Why/why not?
The United states intervened during the Spanish American war. They intervened to help Cuba get its independence
from Spain only to take it back and rule over Cuba.
" How do you think this country perceives America? How do you know?
I think the country likes Americans just doesnt like their political figures or views.This is simply because they enjoy their
independence and dont want it tooken away by America yet again.
The (Somewhat)Current Situation
Recently the president of the United States visited a funeral for Nelson Mandela and Raul
Castro (the cuban leader) seemed to be there as well. Obama then shaken his hand and
Everyone made a big deal about this.
FACTS ABOUT US VS CUBA
There's an Embargo still in cuba, Where americans cant go to cuba unless they have to
visit family and its only for a certain amount of time; we also could not trade or nothing
with cuba
In the 1960s cuba did have nuclear weapons and they were pointing them at us so to
avoid problems and not start a nuclear war or intervene they began an embargo
still till this day Cuba and americans treat each other bad, but what none of them notice is
they arent going to harm each other because obama and castro shaked hands and
nothing happened
a reason why americans dont want anything to do with cuba is probably because the
ways they treat their people
o such as if someone was to speak their mind they would be thrown in jail
o the way their democracy is maybe america does not agree with
Arguments FOR and AGAINST American Intervention
Pro American Intervention:
The United States should maintain Cuba embargo
because Cuba was not fit for the conditions:
Cuba didnt abide by the conditions of the
Proclamation. Which are to legalize all political
activity, release all political prisoners, commit to
free and fair elections in the transition to
representative democracy, grant freedom to the
press, respect internationally recognized human
rights, and allow labor unions. Until Cuba does
these actions, the embargo will not be lifted.
The embargo enables the United States to apply
pressure on the Cuban government to improve human
rights.
Several international organizations have written
about the long history of human rights abuses and
repression in Cuba.
The embargo should be maintained because open travel
is insufficient to promote change in Cuba
Lifting all travel restrictions to Cuba would not
lead to improved conditions or the spread of
democracy. More than 2.7 million people from
around the world visited Cuba in 2011, including
more tourists from Canada than any other country.
Con American Intervention:
The US should end the embargo with Cuba because it
was a 50 year policy that has failed to achieve anything.
Feb. 7th marked the date of when the Cuban
embargo policy was enacted. The goal has still not
been achieved. If 50 years were a lost cause then
why continue on with it.
The embargo harms the US economy
For the past 50 years, the US has annually lost 1.2
billion in trade expenses.
The embargo harms the people of Cuba
Cubans are denied access to technology, medicine,
affordable food, and other goods that could be
available to them if the United States lifted the
embargo.
The Recommendation
Yanicia miller, Amely depina
Priscilla Lago, Janell Copeland
9 peacevale rd
02124 dorchester Ma
Mrs. derstine- desai
9 peacevale rd
02124 dorchester Ma

Mrs. derstine- desai,
I am writing on behalf of cuba regarding the lifting of the Embargo with America and beginning to get along with
America. America should begin to interact and trade with cubans. Also if possible America can help cubans with their society. The
way Cubans do things are way different then how Americans do. Such as how they govern their people. If the Embargo was lifted
many Cubans can come see the way America works and Americans can see how Cuba works and maybe they will come to an
agreement. Also Americans should trade with them because it would benefit both America and Cuba economically and it can help to
create some type of friendship with them. Then when we are becoming better friends, maybe we can convince them to let loose of
their laws with our country. And maybe just maybe slowly we could convince them to let their people to be free. Due to the fact that
Obama and Castro and shake hands and move past it then maybe so can the countries. This whole situation is based on something
from the past. They should stop holding grudges and let go and move on like people are suppose to. No offense against both
countries but they are acting like little kids. IN conclusion we should Ally ourselves with them and lift the embargo. We came to this
conclusion because we realized the bigger the US is the more powerful we all are.

Work Cites
http://cuba-embargo.procon.org/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html
http://cyprus-mail.com/2013/12/22/the-perversity-of-the-cuban-embargo-
barack-obama-shaking-hands-with-the-cuban-leader-wont-end-more-than-
50-years-of-us-sanctions-but-it-should/