On September 27th, President Obama nominated Jeffrey DeLaurentis as the first U.S Ambassador to Cuba since the United States ended diplomatic relations with Cuba in the 1960’s. This, along with the reopening of the Embassy in Cuba and the lessening of restrictions on travel, remittances, and other landmark events that have happened in recent years, have helped to restore U.S. relations with Cuba. Furthermore, other restrictions that are detrimental to relations are likely to be improved or even removed. The embargo has yet to be lifted, but there are talks to have it removed hopefully in the future.
Re-opening relations with Cuba benefits the United States in a number of ways; however, the most important of which is trade and economic gain. Especially if the embargo is lifted, and even now, trade between the United States and Cuba will allow for products to be imported from one country and exported to the other. Trade such as this will do nothing but allow for the economies of either country to grow and prosper, as each one has products to offer that the other doesn’t.
As the majority of Cuba’s allies are in the Western hemisphere, the United States is the first major power that Cuba can possibly ally with. This may be a source of tension between Cuba and Western allies, as the United States is not exactly on the best terms with North Korea, Russia, or Iran, all of which are Cuban allies. This will hopefully not slow the progress that has been made to restore relations between the United Staes and Cuba.