The "inevitable" softening, if not the outright lifting," of American sanctions on Cuba, is not much of a sure thing, especially after 53 House Democrats this week wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that they oppose any change in American policy as long as there is no change in how the Castro dictatorship oppresses and represses its own people.
"A dictatorship and state sponsor of terrorism that has no regard for civil rights, religious freedom, open media, or any of the democratic ideals that we cherish, cannot be rewarded with legislation in Congress that would remove U.S. sanctions and subsidize the Castro regime's human rights abuses," the letter states.
Some of the names on the letter are not a surprise. Several of the signatories are from South Florida, and one, Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, is running for the U.S. Senate.
But Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I., the son of Ted Kennedy?
Since President Barack Obama took office, I think fears that the United States was about to abandon the almost-50-year "embargo," and the cause of freedom in Cuba, have been unfounded.
As the letter notes, Obama has been clear that any further changes in U.S. policy will come only after Cuba moves to loosen the grip of its dictatorship.
It is good to see so many members of his own party ready to hold him, and their leader in the House, to that.
You can read the letter here.
Sign petition for release of Cuban political prisoners
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