For some time now, we have told you how politicians, dictators and demagogues frequently pull a Mussolini in order to divert attention from their own failures as a leader. Dictators and those yearning to become dictators are keenly aware of this essential skill. Perhaps, no leader has practiced the art of distraction longer than the Communist leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. Castro came to power in 1959, after toppling the corrupt regime of Fulgencio Batista. For a brief period, Castro won praise and his government was quickly recognized by the United States, indeed, after assuming power in 1959, Castro even toured the US, visiting the White House and holding talks with Vice President Nixon. Before coming to power, he had raised money for his cause in the US, even appealing to US television audiences. Shortly after coming to power, however, Castro nationalized most industry in the country and aligned himself with the Soviet Union, declaring himself a Communist. In 1962, following the debacle that was the Bay of Pigs invasion and JFK's foolish decision to cut off support for the invasion, while it was under way, the US government imposed an economic embargo on Cuba.

The US effort to isolate Cuba, accomplished two things: in the first place it drew Cuba closer to the Soviet sphere as Castro became increasingly dependent upon the USSR to purchase Cuban goods, and supply Cuba with various forms of assistance. In the second place, the embargo solidified Cuba's hold on power. Demagogues like Castro, love to portray themselves as champions of the people and saviors. In this case, the US played right into Castro's hands. Any poverty, sickness or economic decay in Cuba, Castro can easily blame the United States, not his own failed policies, thus Castro champions himself as someone standing up to aggression. In all the history of the world, no one can point to a single case where an embargo successfully brought down a tyrannical government. It failed in Iraq, it has failed in Iran, it failed with Libya and in countless other examples. The only people affected by these economic embargoes are ordinary citizens, in most cases, the power and influence of tyrants is only enhanced, like Saddam Hussein. In dealing with a nation like Cuba, there are only two viable options: Invasion or Engagement.

Clearly, in the present day, Cuba is isolated and poses no real danger to the United States, thus invasion is foolish. This leaves engagement. The US should actively seek to enhance ties with Cuba through trade and cultural exchange. Such efforts proved quite successful with the Eastern Block. Why is it that the US has chosen a similar path with hard-line China and even Vietnam, but maintains the farce of this blockade with Cuba? If any country was ever a greater threat to the United States, it is China, yet, China is one of our largest trading partners, meanwhile we insist on starving Cuba into submission. In realty the only people starving are the very people the US should be trying to win over, instead we drive them into the open arms of Fidel Castro.

While the US and China, have had numerous points of contention over the years, it is unlikely we would go to war. China is far too dependent upon the US market to risk such folly, why not employ the same strategy vis-à-vis Cuba? End this ridiculous embargo. Through the free market, Cuba can be changed from within, while exposing Castro for the left wing hack we know him to be. Today, the embargo is only further tarnishing America's reputation in Latin America, up and coming demagogues like Venezuela's Hugo Chavez use it as an example of what they are standing up against. It’s no surprise, that an increasing number of Latin American nations have become hostile to US policy.
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