Free Cuba Now!
The Issue
The United States embargo against Cuba (described in Cuba as el bloqueo, Spanish for "the blockade") is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo partially imposed on Cuba in October 1960. It was enacted after Cuba nationalized the properties of United States citizens and corporations and it was strengthened to a near-total embargo since February 7, 1962.
Titled the Cuban Democracy Act, the embargo was codified into law in 1992 with the stated purpose of maintaining sanctions on Cuba so long as the Cuban government continues to refuse to move toward "democratization and greater respect for human rights". In 1996, Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act, which further restricted United States citizens from doing business in or with Cuba, and mandated restrictions on giving public or private assistance to any successor government in Havana unless and until certain claims against the Cuban government are met. In 1999, U.S. President Bill Clinton expanded the trade embargo even further by ending the practice of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies trading with Cuba. In 2000, Clinton authorized the sale of certain "humanitarian" US products to Cuba.
It has been argued that pro-embargo Cuban-American exiles, whose votes are crucial in Florida, have swayed many politicians to also adopt similar views. The Cuban-American views have been opposed by business leaders who argue that trading freely would be good for Cuba and the United States.
At present, the embargo, which limits American businesses from conducting business with Cuban interests, is still in effect and is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. Despite the existence of the embargo, the United States is the fifth largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba's imports are from the US). However, Cuba must pay cash for all imports, as credit is not allowed.
On September 2, 2010, President Obama renewed the embargo for yet another year, until September 14, 2011, with no explanation other than that the embargo "is in the national interest of the United States."
It is time for Americans and their representatives understand that this embargo only hurts Cuba and its citizens.
Let's together to tell Obama that America does not want to ruin Cuba! We will tell that America is solidary to Cuba and wants to end the blockade!
Tell Obama that we do not want to be held accountable for Cuba's misfortune!
Get these other petitions please:
http://credoaction.change.org/petitions/view/raise_awareness_on_cubas_dramatic_situation
Petition Closed
The Issue
The United States embargo against Cuba (described in Cuba as el bloqueo, Spanish for "the blockade") is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo partially imposed on Cuba in October 1960. It was enacted after Cuba nationalized the properties of United States citizens and corporations and it was strengthened to a near-total embargo since February 7, 1962.
Titled the Cuban Democracy Act, the embargo was codified into law in 1992 with the stated purpose of maintaining sanctions on Cuba so long as the Cuban government continues to refuse to move toward "democratization and greater respect for human rights". In 1996, Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act, which further restricted United States citizens from doing business in or with Cuba, and mandated restrictions on giving public or private assistance to any successor government in Havana unless and until certain claims against the Cuban government are met. In 1999, U.S. President Bill Clinton expanded the trade embargo even further by ending the practice of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies trading with Cuba. In 2000, Clinton authorized the sale of certain "humanitarian" US products to Cuba.
It has been argued that pro-embargo Cuban-American exiles, whose votes are crucial in Florida, have swayed many politicians to also adopt similar views. The Cuban-American views have been opposed by business leaders who argue that trading freely would be good for Cuba and the United States.
At present, the embargo, which limits American businesses from conducting business with Cuban interests, is still in effect and is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. Despite the existence of the embargo, the United States is the fifth largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba's imports are from the US). However, Cuba must pay cash for all imports, as credit is not allowed.
On September 2, 2010, President Obama renewed the embargo for yet another year, until September 14, 2011, with no explanation other than that the embargo "is in the national interest of the United States."
It is time for Americans and their representatives understand that this embargo only hurts Cuba and its citizens.
Let's together to tell Obama that America does not want to ruin Cuba! We will tell that America is solidary to Cuba and wants to end the blockade!
Tell Obama that we do not want to be held accountable for Cuba's misfortune!
Get these other petitions please:
http://credoaction.change.org/petitions/view/raise_awareness_on_cubas_dramatic_situation
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 19, 2010