The Cuba Lobby has long maintained an influence on Washington politics and United States policy toward Cuba. This group of Cuban exiles, their children, and others who oppose Cuba's Castro regime have been the staunchest supporters of the embargo against Cuba established in the 1960s. Further, they've taken action to ensure the embargo stays in place and that official U.S. policy continues to follow a hard-line stance against Cuba, requiring the country to improve quality of life for its citizens before lifting restrictions.
The following examples demonstrate the Cuba Lobby's influence on Washington, D.C., and its effect on Cuba and the Caribbean country.
1. Cuban Democratic and Solidarity Act
This 1996 act, also called the Libertad Act and the Helms-Burton act, required congressional approval before the
embargo could be lifted, Foreign Policy noted. Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Representative Dan Burton (R-Ind.) authored the act.
Vote Now: Should the US End the Embargo Against Cuba?
2. Opposing the Appointment of Mario Baeza
Foreign Policy magazine noted that in 1993, the Cuba Lobby did not want U.S. President Bill Clinton to appoint Mario Baeza assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, because Baeza had visited Cuba. Clinton withdrew his support of Baeza.
3. Blocking Renewed Diplomatic Relations
When U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to normalize relations with Cuba in 2014 and, in 2015, decided to remove the country from the government's list of state sponsors of terrorism, members of the Cuba Lobby quickly shot back. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) vowed to block President Obama's attempts to establish an embassy in
Cuba and appoint an ambassador, CNN reported.
4. Radio Marti
Foreign Policy also reported that the Cuba Lobby asked U.S. President Ronald Reagan to create a media outlet to broadcast propaganda to Cuba. Reagan established Radio Marti, which used Radio Free Europe as a model, and U.S. President George H.W. Bush created TV Marti.
5. Campaign Contributions
According to Foreign Policy, the Cuba Lobby has also used financial incentives to influence decisions, with the U.S. Cuba Democracy PAC contributing more than $3 million during five national elections.
Tell Us: What Do You Think About the US Trade Embargo Against Cuba?
6. Blocking Relaxation of Policies
Foreign Policy noted that Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), one of the Cuba Lobby's congressional contingent, blocked a $410 billion appropriations bill designed to keep the U.S. government running because it loosened restrictions on Cuba such as travel limitations and the requirement that Cuba pay in advance when buying from U.S. food suppliers. Menendez finally agreed to the bill, but only after U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner vowed in writing that Menendez would be consulted regarding any policy change toward Cuba.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.