R40193
Cuba: Issues for the 111th Congress
February 25, 2009
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Summary
Cuba, which remains a hard-line communist state with a poor record on human rights, commemorated the 50th anniversary of its revolution on January 1, 2009. Cubas political succession from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Ral in 2006 was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. Fidel stepped down from power temporarily in July 2006 because of health reasons, and Ral assumed provisional control of the government until February 2008, when he officially became President. After Ral Castro officially assumed the presidency, his government announced a series of economic changes that included lifting restrictions on the sale of some electronic consumer products and cell phones. A major reform effort has also focused on the agriculture sector in an effort to boost food production. While additional economic changes under Ral Castro are likely, there was disappointment that further reforms were not forthcoming in the second half of 2008. The economy was hard hit by a series of hurricanes and storms from August to November 2008 that caused some $10 billion in damages, and the current global financial crisis is causing further strains on the economy. Few observers expect that there will be any change to the governments tight control over the political system, which is backed up by a strong security apparatus. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the communist nation through economic sanctions. The Bush Administration tightened sanctions significantly in 2004 through increased restrictions on travel to Cuba, especially family travel. A second U.S. policy component over the years has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations, U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba (Radio and TV Marti), and support for human rights and democracy on the island. The Bush Administration significantly increased support for Cuba democracy funding in recent years. As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 111th Congress will likely be how best to support political and economic change in Cuba. In light of Fidel Castros departure as head of government, many observers have called for a re-examination of U.S. policy toward Cuba. In this new context, two broad policy approaches have been advanced: a status-quo or a stay the course approach that would maintain the U.S. dual-track policy of isolating the Cuban government while providing support to the Cuban people; and an approach aimed at changing attitudes within the Cuban government and Cuban society through increased contact and engagement. President Barack Obama vowed during the electoral campaign to change U.S. policy by allowing unlimited family travel and remittances to Cuba, although he also pledged to maintain the embargo as a source of leverage to bring about change in Cuba. Over the past several years, various legislative initiatives have been introduced to ease U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba, but none of these have been enacted. In the 111th Congress, H.R. 1105, the FY2009 omnibus appropriations bill has three provisions that would ease U.S. sanctions on family travel, travel for the marketing of agricultural and medical goods, and payment terms for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. Other initiatives that would ease sanctions include H.R. 188 (overall embargo), H.R. 874/S. 428 (travel), and H.R. 332 (educational travel). This report tracks developments in U.S. policy toward Cuba and legislative initiatives in the 111th Congress. Also see CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances, and CRS Report R40139, Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues.
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Related Legislation:
- H.R.1105
- H.R.188
- H.R.874
- S.428
- H.R.332
