Democrat Bill Richardson may be the most experienced presidential candidate when it comes to Cuba, having traveled to the island in 1996 to negotiate the release of three political prisoners.
Columnist Andreas Oppenheimer recently interviewed Richardson — the only Hispanic candidate so far in the race — and got his views on various topics, including the future of relations with Cuba.
On Cuba, Richardson said he supports relaxing restrictions on travel and remittances, but not lifting the U.S. embargo on the island unless there is a political opening on the island."There has to be reciprocal action by the Cuban government," he said. "Raul Castro has been making noises about improving the relationship. The first thing he should do is release political prisoners. If he does that, you enter into a negotiation."
Richardson has it right — the rules on travel and remittances should be changed, but as for anything else, Cuban jails must first be emptied of political prisoners. On that, there cannot be any negotiation.
Read all of Oppenheimer's column here.
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