A majority of Americans want to curtail the tough economic sanctions imposed on Cuba more than 50 years ago and a normalizing of relations with the communist country,
according to a poll.
The survey by the Atlantic Council Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center reveals that in large part Americans want a change in U.S.-Cuban policy, relating to travel restrictions, trade and investment opportunities, and diplomatic engagement.
Although the poll was taken earlier this year, it is far more relevant today in the light of President Barack Obama’s plans to begin
normalizing relations with the island nation controlled by President Raul Castro.
"This survey shows that the majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle are ready for a policy shift," Peter Schechter, director at the non-partisan Latin Center noted in the report.
"Most surprisingly, Floridians are even more supportive than an already supportive nation to incrementally or fully change course. This is a key change from the past. Cuba used to be intractable because Florida was intractable. This poll argues that is no longer true."
The poll showed that 56 percent of Americans across the country would like to see a softening in U.S. dealings with Cuba, which increases to 62 percent among Latinos.
Florida, which is home to the country’s largest Cuban-American population, leads the nation with 63 percent supporting normalized relations with Cuba, even though many Cuban families settled in the Sunshine State after fleeing former President Fidel Castro’s dictatorship.
A recent survey of Cuban Americans in
Miami-Dade County, Florida, revealed that they want the trade embargo and travel restrictions with Cuba lifted, and they favor full diplomatic ties with the neighboring country.
The poll by Florida International University showed that 52 percent oppose the embargo, while 48 percent favor it. Just three years ago, 56 percent supported the trade sanctions in an FIU poll, while 87 percent supported the embargo in the first such survey in 1991.
Seventy percent of the people in the FIU surveyed called for an end to the travel ban, while 71 percent approved of "people-to-people" travel by non-Cuban Americans.
In the Atlantic Council survey, the figure is even higher with 64 percent calling for normal relations with Cuba.
More than six in ten respondents across the country said U.S. companies should be able to do business with Cuba and Americans should be allowed to travel and spend money there without restrictions.
When it comes to Floridians and Latinos, two out of every three respondents want all travel restrictions removed.
The survey noted that Cuba is one of only four countries designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, alongside Iran, Syria, and Sudan, which restricts U.S. foreign aid, arms sales and business dealings with the island country.
According to the research, 61 percent of Americans believe that Cuba should not be considered a state sponsor of terrorism, while in Florida the number rises to 67 percent.
In conclusion, the poll says, "(Americans) have concerns with the Cuban government’s repression, but recognize the need for alternatives in light of the failure of the current policy to achieve its objective.
"And importantly, Florida, the state that allegedly has the greatest reluctance to re-engage with Cuba, is now more willing than an already supportive country."
The survey of 1,024 adults was conducted nationwide in English and Spanish and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Also, 617 Florida residents and 525 Latinos were surveyed.
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