Questions on Cuba

The US embargo seems to reinforce the hostility of Cubans to the United States and the lifting of it would remove the excuses used by the Cuban leadership to justify poor economic performance and human rights abuses. After nearly half a century it is time to try a different approach. If the US open up to Cuba, the Cubans would need to open up to the rest of the world in terms of creating property rights, a market economy and economic freedoms. It would pose a greater challenge to the Communist leaders of Cuba than leaving it in force.

Better relations with Cuba would be a good thing, but we equally want to see an improvement in Cuba’s approach to human rights, the rule of law, free speech and free and fair elections, which points will remain central to the dialogue between Britain and Cuba.