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Politics

Hillary Clinton on Lifting Cuba Trade Embargo: 'Get Onboard or Get Out of the Way'

July 31, 2015 - 1:45pm
Hillary Clinton,   Credit: Sunshine State News
Hillary Clinton, Credit: Sunshine State News

Standing next to American flags and beneath bright stage lights, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton took the stage at Florida International University in Miami Friday to call for the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.

Friday marked Clinton's first major public appearance in the Sunshine State while on the campaign trail. The event was held at FIU’s Wertheim Performing Arts Center, a building which stands hundreds of feet away from the university’s Cuban Memorial Monument.

 

Clinton spoke to around 300 people, clarifying exactly why she wants to normalize trade relations with Cuba, which has been ruled by the Castro regime since the 1950s. Many exiles fled to Miami, a city Cubans have helped shape in terms of culture, economy and everyday life.

 

"I wish every Cuban back in Cuba could spend a day walking around in Miami and see what you have built here," she told the audience.

 

For half a century, the trade embargo has remained firm between the two countries, but politicians’ stances on the issue have softened in recent months. President Barack Obama announced plans last year to normalize relations with Cuba, much to the chagrin of Republicans who believe lifting the embargo will only strengthen a dangerous regime.

 

Clinton acknowledged the fears some may have with patching relations with Cuba.

 

"I understand the skepticism in this community about any policy of engagement toward Cuba," she explained, admitting she, too, was skeptical. "But you've been promised progress for 50 years, and we can't wait any longer for a failed policy to bear fruit. We have to seize this moment."

 

Clinton vowed to press forward, and her message to Republicans wary of the deal was clear:

 

"Get on board or get out of the way,” she said.

 

Despite previously supporting the Cuban embargo, Clinton now says she will do whatever it takes to normalize relations with the country, even if it means issuing an executive order to allow Americans to travel and visit the country. Americans are currently not allowed to travel to Cuba except in special circumstances.

 

Clinton praised companies like AirBnB, Twitter and Google for trying to work with Cuban businesses.

 

Although she received several standing ovations during her speech, those waiting a few hundred feet away from the building were less than happy with Clinton’s position on the trade embargo.

 

Protesters waved signs and shouted loudly, demanding freedom for the Cuban people.

 

“Give democracy and freedom to the Cuban people!” they yelled.

 

Ana Carbonell, a Cuban-American human rights activist from Miami, told Sunshine State News she didn’t agree with lifting the embargo.  

 

“The sovereignty of the Cuban people has been held hostage by the dictatorship,” said Carbonell, whose parents fled Cuba in the 1960s. “Seeking to normalize and do American business with that dictatorship will only guarantee their further repression and slavery.”

 

Protesters shouted at Clinton supporters, telling them they should be ashamed of themselves for promoting the lifting of the embargo.

 

Ray Anthony, a 19-year old student at FIU and third-generation Cuban, said the issue resonates with all generations of Cubans, not just those who immigrated to the U.S. during the 1960s.

 

“The Cuban people are repressed,” he told SSN. “They do not have freedom of speech ... for us, Cuba is not just another tourist destination. They killed, murdered, beat and stole from us and so many in our community.”

 

When asked what the alternative would be in terms of candidates, Anthony said he would stand by a candidate promoting the best values for the Cuban people.

 

“I would support any candidate who supports freedom and equality for Cuba,” he explained.

 

 

Reach Tampa-bsed reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen




 

Comments

The major oil company affiliate I retired from 24 years ago was based in Havana until Castro took over Cuba. Many years before that I had helped design their refinery at Belot. That property among others were stolen from the company by Castro. Many of my fellow workers were Cuban citizens who left their homeland to continue working with us in other parts of the Caribbean area. They lost valuable personal property to the Castro regime as well. Any resumption of relations with the Cuban government should be contingent upon acceptable reimbursement for all such losses.

...born in Coral Gables, know many of the Cuban families that came here the early '60's....Castro and his ilk killed, imprisoned, stole, and confiscated everything from those families.....U.S. companies and U.S. citizens, too.....little did we know they were/are a precursor of the Hugo Obama regime and his "fundamental change of America"......Hilary, the redistribution queen, is yet another socialist pig ...and a wannabe part of the new "ruling class". Just say "No" to her phoniness!

No, the wicked witch sees the issue as just another far-left issue she thinks she can ride to the White House. Principle? Human Rights? Nah, no need to worry Cubans about that. The fact that the repression of dissidents has grown fiercer since Obama's announcement that he was going to normalize relations (otherwise known as a bid to remain relevant in the face of a Midterm electors spanking). That must be why the mainstream media has not been covering it. The copy it makes is probably not as sexy as those 1950's vintage cars. I am just waiting for her own party to ditch (or it is "diss?) her at their Convention next year just like they did in 2007. My only question is: What are they going to foist upon us this time? Somebody should ask Hillary what she thinks. Send her an e-mail.

I wouldn't care whom the "foist' upon us, so long as whomever it is agrees NOT to bail out Puerto Rico unless some serious attachments are included, such as ALL members of the PR Congress AND their Governor resigns and agree to never run for office again. It's they who screwed it up, so they should pay!

This wicked witch Clinton see's her 90 mile bridge from the U.S.to Cuba in her glass ball as new jobs for Americans.

What "failed policy" after 50 years, does she mean the LBJ legacy? The U.S. doesn't need Cuba, unless the medical tourism competition will finally make us cut healthcare costs here. Obamacare sure hasn't done that. But other Caribbean islands' tourism will tank if Cuba opens up to new investment too fast. That'll create many more collapsed island economies like Puerto Ricos and millions more economic refugees floating our way. And worsen the Central American economic refugee crisis crossing our border even more. Typical of a progressive not to consider the consequences of their regressive policies.

Since 70% of the US and even the majority of Miami, Tampa Cubans, want open relations with Cuba, deal.-------------------------------- Vs repub leaders that show just how out of touch, backward they are.---------------------------- It's interesting the fiscal conservative I learn in the 60's from repubs is done by democrats!!!! Not repubs that have become corporatist draining the country of it's economy from a $250B surplus to a $1.1T deficit!!! What by now would have paid off the national debt Clinton economics but instead lead to a $17T national debt!!! Which is more fiscally conservative?

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