Cuba in talks with USA

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MrPants said:
Cuba was in pretty desperate shape before the US invaded Venezuela; Cuba's primary souce for oil.
The US immediately cut Cuba off from receiving not only that source of oil but also stated that any country supplying oil to Cuba would face economic repercussions from the US.

It would seem this was done to bring Cuba to it's knees economically and it's worked well. The USA is now in a much better position to enter talks with Cuba about improving the current situation (largely created by the US) but, the US will be making big demands in exchange for improving their economic conditions. Exacty what those demands will be has yet to be revealed - likely annexation of some sort and of course a regime change. Will Trump send Marco in? He's got Cuban roots.

The only benefit I can see for the US taking control of Cuba would be to get rid of the current government therefore cutting all ties to Russia and other communist regimes. I do believe it would be of huge benefit to the general populartion of Cuba to have the US take control of the country.

The US could also really improve Cuba's main industry which is tourism. It's got fabulous beaches but many resorts there are dated and run down; in need of updating/repair/replacement and the current food supply system needs major improvement. Tourism revenue could be pretty significant with proper management of the industry and the US could look to that to offset expenses it might incur in getting Cuba back up and running properly.

I don't agree with the way the US has created this economic mess for Cuba; both previous embargo issues & now the availability of oil but, as I mentioned previously the US is now in a position to alleiviate past suffering by the Cuban population by getting the country back up on it's feet and running properly and that would be of huge benefit for the general population.
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You're really close to the reality of the situation.

First, just to get it out of the way, it was Cuba's president who requested talks with the US president. You're right, that's because Venezuela isn't their source of oil right now. If these talks go well, it's likely that will be worked out.

I doubt the US wants to annex Cuba, but the US wants Cuba to adopt capitalism and allow the US and other non-communist countries to invest in Cuba, benefiting the US and Cuba financially, while also weakening communist countries, primarily China and Russia.

Cuba has a lot of great resources that it's failed to exploit specifically because it is a communist country and has always relied on other communist countries, like China and Russia. Capitalism and open trade will solve that.

There's Cuban fruit and sugar cane, and nickle, cobalt, iron, and copper, and it's got fantastic beaches, fishing, boating, as well as wet and dry forests...resort and vacation possibilities to exploit, dotted with restaurants serving traditional Cuban cuisine.

And if new industries move in, such as auto-making, technology, construction, even mountain-top super telescope hubs, Cuba has the potential to bring in trillions a year for itself...and its people be eatin' steaks.

So, I hope the talk goes well and leads to more talks. Cuba doesn't have to give up a thing; it just has to be friendly. I've listened to the Cuban president speak and I think the Cuban people are looking at a great future.
 
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Murrmurr said:
There's Cuban fruit and sugar cane, and nickle, cobalt, iron, and copper, and it's got fantastic beaches, fishing, boating, as well as wet and dry forests...resort and vacation possibilities to exploit, dotted with restaurants serving traditional Cuban cuisine.
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The vacationing has been going on well for years - Europeans, Canadians, Americans, etc. They needed more supplies which they couldn’t buy from the US. With the supply of Venezuelan oil cut off, they have little electricity for any of their resources, including food for themselves.

I know I‘m not the only tourist that wasn’t too keen on their traditional Cuban cuisine. We ate it and didn’t complain, though sure didn’t rave about it. The seafood was wonderful!

Canada imports their sugar cane and definitely their rum. I believe we have enough minerals of our own.

It’s been years since I’ve been there and can only guess based on friends that have been there lately. I won’t venture a guess of what they want now. They obviously loved their country and also wanted some of the American luxuries.
 
Although I've never visited Cuba because it is much more difficult for Americans than for Canadians or Europeans, I feel pretty close to the Cuban culture. My first partner of 6 years was Cuban and came to the States when he was 3 years old due to the Castro regime. He and his family were some of the nicest, most hospitable people I've ever met.

I lived in South Florida for 18 years, and the Cuban Americans add a lot of joy and warmth to the atmosphere there. I have a close friend there who is a City Commissioner and she lived with us for a while. My current BIL is Cuban and also came to the States during the Castro regime. I've known him for over 30 years and he is a delight to be around.

It is sad for me to hear about what is happening in Cuba at the present time. They've been an oppressed population for as long as I can remember, but they've always pushed through. I'm sure anyone who has visited there were met with open arms and a zest for life that belied their plight. To think that they don't even have the necessities to live their lives right now due to the US's actions saddens me. Although I'm skeptical, I hope there is some good that comes from these talks.
 
Jules said:
The vacationing has been going on well for years - Europeans, Canadians, Americans, etc. They needed more supplies which they couldn’t buy from the US. With the supply of Venezuelan oil cut off, they have little electricity for any of their resources, including food for themselves.

I know I‘m not the only tourist that wasn’t too keen on their traditional Cuban cuisine. We ate it and didn’t complain, though sure didn’t rave about it. The seafood was wonderful!

Canada imports their sugar cane and definitely their rum. I believe we have enough minerals of our own.

It’s been years since I’ve been there and can only guess based on friends that have been there lately. I won’t venture a guess of what they want now. They obviously loved their country and also wanted some of the American luxuries.
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Cuban industry belongs to Cuba, not Cubans. That's my main point.
 
seadoug said:
Although I've never visited Cuba because it is much more difficult for Americans than for Canadians or Europeans, I feel pretty close to the Cuban culture. My first partner of 6 years was Cuban and came to the States when he was 3 years old due to the Castro regime. He and his family were some of the nicest, most hospitable people I've ever met.

I lived in South Florida for 18 years, and the Cuban Americans add a lot of joy and warmth to the atmosphere there. I have a close friend there who is a City Commissioner and she lived with us for a while. My current BIL is Cuban and also came to the States during the Castro regime. I've known him for over 30 years and he is a delight to be around.

It is sad for me to hear about what is happening in Cuba at the present time. They've been an oppressed population for as long as I can remember, but they've always pushed through. I'm sure anyone who has visited there were met with open arms and a zest for life that belied their plight. To think that they don't even have the necessities to live their lives right now due to the US's actions saddens me. Although I'm skeptical, I hope there is some good that comes from these talks.
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I would argue that the reason Cubans don't have the necessities of life, even the basics, is the fault of their socialist government. Most Cubans would say the same.

There's a YT channel called Yoel and Mari. They're Cuban refugees living in the US. Their videos are very touching, but I recommend the one titled Debunking the Cuban Embargo - The Failure of Socialism in Cuba. It's informative.
 
Murrmurr said:
I would argue that the reason Cubans don't have the necessities of life, even the basics, is the fault of their socialist government. Most Cubans would say the same.

There's a YT channel called Yoel and Mari. They're Cuban refugees living in the US. Their videos are very touching, but I recommend the one titled Debunking the Cuban Embargo - The Failure of Socialism in Cuba. It's informative.
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As usual I could not agree with you less.
 
Murrmurr said:
I would argue that the reason Cubans don't have the necessities of life, even the basics, is the fault of their socialist government. Most Cubans would say the same.

There's a YT channel called Yoel and Mari. They're Cuban refugees living in the US. Their videos are very touching, but I recommend the one titled Debunking the Cuban Embargo - The Failure of Socialism in Cuba. It's informative.
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As usual I completely agree with you.

I'm even going further. Socialism is a pre-cancerous state and communism is cancer. It must be cut out, before it kills.
 
IMO we don’t need to agree with Cuba’s or any other country’s form of government to get along and have a civil mutually beneficial relationship.

Let the people of each country decide their own destiny and accept their choices as long as they accept ours.

“Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far.” If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power. In private life there are few things more obnoxious than the man who is always loudly boasting; and if the boaster is not prepared to back up his words his position becomes absolutely contemptible. So it is with the nation. It is both foolish and undignified to indulge in undue self-glorification, and above all, in loose-tongued denunciation of other peoples.
-Theodore Roosevelt, September 2, 1901
 
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