2012 Presidential Candidates on Cuba

From the time of the Fidel Castro led coup d'etat in 1959, Cuba has been at loggerheads with the United States. Over the years, every American administration has attempted various diplomatic and economic measures to destabilize Castro's grip on power, but none have been particularly effective. However, there has been a noticeable thawing in relations between the two countries in recent years, especially after Castro resigned from his position in February 2008 and handed the presidency to his brother, Raul.

The biggest obstacle in influencing a change in existing U.S. strategy concerning Cuba is the discordant political atmosphere and the contrasting opinion on the next step in the process. All parties involved appear to be in agreement over a crucial issue concerning the Cuban situation: the trade embargo and travel ban have not accomplished the objective that they were intended for. There is a window of opportunity here, and with a proper strategy in place, there could conceivably be a solution in sight.

Support our website with Google Plus

2012 Presidential Candidates on Twitter

Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
3-Tour Combat Vet, Philosopher and Law Student

RJ Harris

Harris Position on Cuba

Peace through strength in International Waters and at home; free trade, honest friendship and the cessation of entangling alliances abroad. Cease all trade sanctions.

More on Harris

Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States

Barack Obama

Obama Position on Cuba

• President Obama has promised to loosen the restraints on Cuban-Americans wanting to visit and send money to their relatives.

• He commented that the US seeks a new beginning with Cuba at the Summit of Americas at Trinidad and Tobago. The Summit follows a thaw in relations between the two countries though Cuba did not attend it.

• Further he said that there is a longer journey to be travelled to overcome the decades of mistrust but critical steps have to be taken towards a new day.

• In a speech in Little Havana, Obama said that until there's justice in Cuba, there's no justice anywhere.

• He is also willing for talks with Raul Castro to strengthen ties he said.

• Obama supports the embargo but optimists hope that his modest moves will encourage the Democrat controlled government to do something bold.

• Obama in answer to a blogger's questions said that his administration was in the process of engagement with the Cuban government on issues relating to migration and mail service and was awaiting response from the Cuban administration.

• Obama's answers have not attained anything remarkable with Cuba but he is ready to pursue direct diplomacy. He says he isn't interested in talking for the sake of talking.

• During his election campaign he wrote in an opinion piece in Miami Herald that 'Cuban American connections to family in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms but also our best tools to foster the beginnings of grass root democracy on the island.'

More on Obama

Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
U.S. Representative from the State of Texas

Ron Paul

Paul Position on Cuba

• Ron Paul believes that travel to Cuba should not be curtailed.

• He thinks that the U.S. should end the embargo on Cuba as it has done no good and stifles competition.

More on Paul

Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of Massachusetts

Mitt Romney

Romney Position on Cuba

• In December 2007 Mitt Romney commented on Castro's decision of not coming back to power saying even if Castro does not come back Cuba's government will still remain the same brutal regime it was for the past 49 years.

• He opined that Cuba's youth are still among the constantly harassed and are subjected to violence and are under the surveillance for demanding their political freedom. They comprise the many political prisoners in Cuba today.

• According to him Cuba's future should be shaped by its freedom loving youth and not Raul Castro or any of the Castro cronies.

• He said that the US should continue with its present policy towards Cuba until the country is free from the Castro regime and all political prisoners are freed and the country becomes a democracy initiating free and fair elections.

• During a speech in Miami Mitt Romney bungled the names of Cuban-American politicians and became the object of ridicule.

• He also went further to disappoint the crowd when he associated Castro's trademark speech ending slogan - 'Patria o muerte, venceremos!' with a free Cuba. Castro had in fact closed his speeches with the phrase in English for decades 'Father Land or death we shall overcome'.

• Romney's fumble was looked upon as potential snags for state and national politicians trying to navigate the Cuban American Community in South Florida.

• Mitt Romney stresses that hundreds of Americans fought and died for Cuba's freedom during President John F Kennedy's rule and criticized Obama from shrinking from defending liberty in the America's.

More on Romney

Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate

Matt Snyder

Snyder Position on Cuba

"When the people of a nation rise up to overthrow a tyranny, they gain a far greater appreciation of the resulting freedom. Snyder believes that people like Castro and Alarcon are more likely to respond to a leader of their humble origins than diplomats with an imperialistic aura."