The sudden and dramatic announcement on Wednesday of normalized diplomatic relations with Cuba is a policy giveaway by the Obama administration to a repressive and unrepentant regime that counts U.S. antagonists among its closest allies, a Miami-based Cuba scholar tells
Newsmax TV.
"Cuba hasn't changed its policy, hasn't moved an inch. So, we've gotten very little out of this," Jaime Suchlicki, director of the Cuban Institute at the University of Miami, told "MidPoint" host Ed Berliner, minutes after President Barack
Obama declared an end to decades of diplomatic isolation.
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The longtime U.S. economic embargo against the communist island remains in place, but Obama said in televised remarks that he hopes to see Congress begin talks to lift it, and he said that in the meantime travel restrictions and some financial and commercial transactions will be eased.
The countries will also reopen their respective embassies — closed since not long after the communists led by Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba's U.S. backed-government in 1959 and allied themselves with the Soviet Union in the Cold War.
"Today we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do," Obama said in arguing that an economic and diplomatic blockade lasting more than 50 years has not brought about desired changes in Cuba's conduct toward the U.S. or toward its own people.
As part of the agreement, Cuba has freed a U.S. contractor, Alan Gross, who spent five years in a Cuban prison, in exchange for a group of convicted spies in U.S. custody.
But Suchlicki said that the deal, overall, appears tilted toward Cuba as it seeks to shore up an ailing economy with an infusion of U.S. cash and commerce.
"Number one, no country gives away its own policy without a quid pro quo," said Suchlicki. "In order for the U.S. to change its policy, there's got to be something that Cuba provides to the United States. The United States wants [from] Cuba a change of regime, wants freedom for the Cuban people, respect for human rights.
"Point number two, Cuba remains an ally of Iran, Venezuela, Hamas … So, I am concerned that we're moving in one direction" while Cuba continues "in the same direction they've been [going] for 50 years," he said.
Suchlicki said that Cuba under Raul Castro, younger brother of Fidel Castro, gives no reason to expect any political liberalization at home or genuine cooperation with the United States.
"Raul is a general that was trained by the Soviet military," said Suchlicki, describing the younger Castro as an ardent Leninist and "an enemy of the United States."
"So, this administration has tried to extend a hand of friendship to regimes throughout the world — the Iranians, you name it — and they've been slapped in the face," said Suchlicki.
"So, now the administration thinks that by doing a few things, all of a sudden Raul Castro is going to change? I don't think so.
For my money, it would be better to wait until there is a transition government in Cuba," he said. "Raul is 84, his brother is 88."
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