Question

The United States has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba since February 1962 in response to actions taken by the Cuban government. The primary idea behind an embargo of this nature is to punish to Cuban government by restricting trade with a large economy such as that of the United States, but embargos tend to have other repercussions as well. What I'd like you to do, in 400-600 words, is explain what some of these repercussions have been, who they have impacted, and briefly explain whether or not you feel that the embargo is beneficial in the year 2020.

Answer 1

In 1962, during the government of J.F. Kennedy, the United States imposed a trade embargo against Cuba, by means of which American companies and individuals were prohibited from trading or investing (even traveling) to Cuba, in retaliation for the actions carried out by the government of Fidel Castro, that he had expropriated assets of American companies and individuals on the island, in addition to aligning himself politically with the Soviet Union and threatening the national security of the United States.

This embargo has prevented Cuba from accessing a large series of goods and services that were provided directly by American companies, or with American components by companies from other nations. This has led to a serious shortage of the Cuban domestic market, causing an economic and social crisis in the Caribbean nation.

However, on the political level, this embargo has not achieved its objective of weakening the Cuban dictatorial government, but rather allows it an excuse to justify the failure to fulfill its objectives.