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The Embargo
In response to certain actions by the Cuban government, the U.S. Government on July 8,
1963 issued The Cuban Assets Control Regulations (U.S. Embargo). The goal of these
regulations were to isolate Cuba economically and deprive it of U.S. dollars. The embargo
has undergone few modifications since 1963. However, since the fall of the Soviet Union,
conservative members of the U.S. Congress led by Jesse Helms have sought a more aggressive
policy toward Cuba.
When two small planes were shot down after a series of flights over Cuban territory.
(see: Brothers Revealed and CNN 2/25/96), the embargo was
stiffened in spite of the Pope's urgings to normalize relations with Cuba. Also, the U.N.
in 1998 voted 173-2 urging that the embargo be lifted.
Even the Department of Defense stated that Cuba is no longer a threat to national
security, but change comes slow and the embargo has not been lifted. Criminal penalties
for violating the sanctions range up to 10 years in prison, $1,000,000 in corporate and
$250,000 individual fines.
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