Link to article – https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61473884
Summary – Sanctions on Cuba imposed by the Trump administration will be eased, says US officials. Restrictions on travel will be lifted and the processing of visas for Cubans will be sped up. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the move would allow Cuban citizens to pursue a life free from “government oppression”. This comes after Trump imposed tough sanctions in 2017, citing human rights concerns. The island is experiencing possibly the largest numbers of emigration since the Cold War.
Analysis – I do believe that because of the deteriorating living conditions in Cuba, and the mass exodus of Cubans to other countries warrants these sanctions being eased. The US still has a heavy embargo on Cuba, so I do not feel that this is a ‘friendly’ move as some people have criticized it as being. The government in Cuba is highly oppressive and the perpetuation of human rights abuses is a huge issue right now. Inflation as a result of the pandemic has devastated the island. I believe that the processing of visas especially helps Cubans escaping from the oppressive regime. Meanwhile the Cuban government has blamed the US for the increase in emigration, which is almost outlandish.
How does this relate to IR- This relates to the interstate/regional level of analysis and how countries within one region interact with one another. Also it is important to consider the geostrategy in the US and how that affects their foreign policy especially in nearby countries like Cuba. Since they are only 90 miles from Florida, US relations with the country are often at the forefront of our foreign policy since the cold war.