Team USA returns to Havana

James Roberson, Cookeville, TN — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:43:36 GMT

This is great. I can only hope that all restrictions against Cuba will soon be lifted. The embargo is a stale leftover from the cold war era and long past its time. We should help our neighbors to the south in every way we can. The Cuban people are a good people and deserve our help. Also I would like to point out that it was the US who left Cuba, not the other way around. So it is up to us to put the first foot forward in normalizing relations with them. We must go to Cuba and say, "We are your neighbors who want to work with you and you with us. We want to trade with you and normalize our relations with you." When we come around they will also. Maybe Cube has a bad human rights record. Well, so do we ie. Gitmo. We are trying to clean up our black eye, maybe with our example and normalization of relations Cuba would have an incentive to do the same.

Team USA returns to Havana

Dathias, Newport News — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:38:31 GMT

This is the way to re-establish relations.

Team USA returns to Havana

samey noori Dunedin Florida — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:23:46 GMT

any problems in the world would be & can be solved by communication efferts from both sides . Competetion an even [sprot] by its self way of communicateing and competing at the same time . We all witness when its come to compete in a event One piont we are focuse and that is to give our best effert . Thank you poor English

Team USA returns to Havana

Tommy M — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:17:49 GMT

A point of contention: "this warming trend helped a group of American athletes to travel to the island this past weekend for the first time in 12 years."

This is untrue. Unless you're specifically talking about Track and Field Athletes (which, in this statement, isn't clear), I feel compelled to tell your readers that the US Men's National Team (Soccer) traveled to Havana several months ago for the first time in nearly five decades to compete in regional World Cup qualifying.

Team USA returns to Havana

timothy james, Dover Foxcroft, Me. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:56:04 GMT

It is good to see our relations with Cuba improving. It is unfortunate that innocent human beings suffer due to political posturing. I believe that more light needs to be shed on the history of Castro's Cuba. I have met many Cuban's and my take is that they want what we all want, a decent standard of living. They have incredible athletes. They have much to offer the world if we can get by the political nonsense going on for over 50 years. As far as the U.S. is concerned, our position is on human rights, etc., same old rhetoric, is truly lame. If any American could witness the true damage done by our country to the Cubans over the past 50 years, it would be our human rights position in question. Let's hope a resolve can be accomplished in the near future so Cuba's beautiful people and country can be shared with America.

Team USA returns to Havana

El Chino,Tampa,Florida — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:07:55 GMT

Excellent. Roll back all the US restrictions and let the people of the US show the politicians how to negotiate peace. This is just another example of why the Obama administration should continue to move forward in US-Cuba policy and abandon all the cold war rhetoric which has done nothing for either Country.

Team USA returns to Havana

Coach Ken, Roxbury NJ — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:55:39 GMT

This “warming trend” started well before any suggestion of the Obama White House. It is not true to say that “this warming trend helped a group of American athletes to travel to the island this past weekend for the first time in 12 years.” The US Men’s National Soccer Team played in Havana in September 2008 against the national team of Cuba, clearly before the Obama Administration had any involvement.
From the US Soccer website:
HAVANA, Cuba (September 6, 2008) - In their first trip to Havana in 61 years, the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Cuba, 1-0, to move into first place in Group 1 in the Semifinal Round of FIFA World Cup qualifying. Clint Dempsey provided the game-winner with an opportunistic strike in the 40th minute to give the U.S. the three valuable points.

Team USA returns to Havana

El Pingu, Chicago, IL — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:04:29 GMT

I have to disagree with the the following comments left by previous readers. I believe, as a Cuban-American, that you need to take account the violations of the Cuban government today like the violations of human rights and the many freedoms that billions of people in this world have. If you ask many in the Cuban-American community, they don't support the embargo because of "Cold War" problems but because the of the wrongdoings of the Cuban government today. We just want our family in the island to have the same opportunities that we have and I don't believe that will happen if we legitimize the Cuban regime by opening relations with them without anything in return. All we want is the release of all political prisoners and basic freedoms promised to the Cuban people!

Team USA returns to Havana

Eric Vormelker — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:59:41 GMT

This is a good sign. Hopefully one day soon it can work the other direction as well. The Cuban soccer team pulled out of this summer's Gold Cup because they've lost so many players to defection. I hope it can one day extend to Cuban defectees. The Cuban team would be so much better with all those players that defected to the US. A good Cuban soccer team would be a great boost to soccer in CONCACAF.

Team USA returns to Havana

A Good Egg Round Rock, Texas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:01:08 GMT

Several years back National Georgraphic did a marvelous article on CUBA. I was in a small restaurant in Pacific Grove, CA. I started up a conversations with a gentleman who told me his story. His dad was the Chief of Police in CUBA. The times were so tough that they left everything to come to the USA. They arrived in the 50's and left behind a life of wealth and beauty. Today everything they have they earned. We met several more times as I have always had a fascintation of going to CUBA. He spoke of how I could get their but it sounded wasy to risky. I pray that God Blesses us with the opportunity to as least travel there. I thought this was a democracy. Some how I cannot believe we can go to Jerusalem but not CUBA. (Because of KENNEDY.) I am so tired of the "GOOD OLE BOY NETWORK" that I am glad to see it all crashing. I think things may begin to change for the better. All Aboard for CUBA by 9-09 I think. smile...To all good yolks from A Good Egg.smile

Team USA returns to Havana

joe lunchbox, Pittsburgh , Pa. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:53:11 GMT

The embargo was not placed against the cuban people . Unfortunately , the government of cuba caused this action . now the people suffer . Of course the people want the embargo lifted . When the cuban government complies with U.S. demands , it will be lifted . But for some reason U.S. demands seem too harsh ? Liberalism is "standing on your head and telling the rest of trhe world they are upside down".

Team USA returns to Havana

Freedom Man — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:33:49 GMT

This is to Tommy M. and Coach Ken:
The point is that things are changing and being followed up by the Obama Administration. Who gives a flying hoot about who was there before, soccer and worthless scores. Go watch ESPN.

Team USA returns to Havana

Peter Martori — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:12:57 GMT

I disagree with those who claim the Embargo was the fault of the uSA.
The real Embargo is within Cuba itself and it is not imposed, implemented bye the USA but rather by Kastro's regime itself.
Or let's put it this way:
WHO PROHIBIT THE CUBANS TO FISH in their own coastal lines or shores ? ANSWER : KASTRO'S REGIME.
WHO HAS CONFISCATED 90% OF IT AND LET THE FARM LAND COVERED BY MARABU AND OTHER WEEDS ?
tHAT GANGSTER ,kASTRO, NEVER WAS SINCERE OR HONEST WHEN HE CAME TO THE usa AFTER TAKING OVER IN CUBA.
He even ordered to his accompaning team not to aks for any asssitance to any of the representatives of the USA, his agenda or plan was already well thought from way before that day. he was palanning the rupture of the Relations between both nations.!
The way or tactic to get to that point was to nationalize , confiscate or steal all private properties in Cuba, BOTH FOREIGNERS AND CUBANA companies and properties or business!
No mater what type or size the private business were
he ordered to nationalize everyting. By this the dictator meant to criple any possible reaction or resistance in the future to his power.All of thi was an orientation or guided by the Communist party of Cuba.
So the blame for the rupture lies in kastro camp...not in the USA, which prior to that offered three times ,in three consecutive Diplomatic Notes, sent to kastro, the willingness to assist Economically the island of Cuba.

Team USA returns to Havana

eagle1776 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:15:38 GMT

The cold war is over. Cuba doesn't have the Soviet Union to back them up any more. The Castros are getting old and will shortly be replaced by someone else. If we can get good relations going with Cuba that new government may be less hostile toward us and may actually be able to be brought to our way of thinking rather than the Communism they have had since the revolution way back before most Americans were born.

Few people remember that it was the US who, in a small way, helped Castro get into power over Bautista who was a dictator we didn't like. Castro wanted certain things besides support and he got those things not from us but from the USSR. So we had an enemy 90 miles off our coast. Times have, however, changed and so has the world. It is now time for Cuba and the US to make nice and look for common ground where both countries can benefit from a good relationship between them.

Team USA returns to Havana

Mario Rios Pinot NYC — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:42:54 GMT

I love Fidel and I love Communist Cuba...please don't say the abvious. Lets celebrate being inclusive and our diversity. Lets relax. Thank you.

Team USA returns to Havana

lance - Outsourcing services — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:46:25 GMT

So the Obama administration means reconciliation and friendship. This could lead better economy and trust.

Team USA returns to Havana

Kevin Corcoran, Kingston, On. CANADA. — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:16:06 GMT

Dont ever forget that Fidel Castro wanted to push the button and start a nuclear war that would have resulted in the destruction of the entire world!! He also made arraingments to have President Kennedy assasinated! Kennedy saved the world and gave his life to the people of the world! After the Cuban missile crisis, Fidel Castro and his henchmen had him killed! The Mafia is better than these idiots and we will get our properties back come hell or high water! The embargo continues until the seized properties are returned to the rightful owners and thats it thats all folks! Kevin Corcoran.

Team USA returns to Havana

Edwin Gonzalez, San Juan, Puerto Rico — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:44:19 GMT

The best thing that can happen now for the US interests in the region is to lift the useless embargo that only kept Castro in power for 50 plus years. Why the past US administrations did not treat China, North Korea, Chile and many others with worst human rigths failure, the same way?

Team USA returns to Havana

Concerned, El Paso, TX — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:59:03 GMT

Sports should have never been part of the embargo or sanctions to Cuba but we need to be careful on how to help the cuban people and not approve the way the cuban goverment has acted during all these years.
The lack of democracy for 50 years is a shame!!!

Team USA returns to Havana

rc — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:01:34 GMT

As a Cuban-American who suffered in Castro's political prisoner camp for three years in complete darkness with food only given 3 times per week, please do not dare to compare Gitmo to Castro's human rights treatment. Please get informed prior to making such ridiculous accusations/statements. There is absolutely no comparison.
The embargo must continue until the regime realizes what they have created. The state of Cuba is due to Cuban policies, and NOT the embargo.
Respectfully submitted.
An aging Cuban American who knows and truely appreciates all that America has given me.

Team USA returns to Havana

Enrique, Miami Fl — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:44:10 GMT

Ok Pingu .I'm Cuban, Born there and Just because You live well off in Chicago doesnt mean the Regular people (which at one point I was) Have to suffer. I'm tired of all this Cuban that are against Opening Relations based on "Human Rights"

Yes tue but at the same time the people of Cuba dont have to live in poverty because of the Embargo. We all know the the Castros are not going to starve but the people will.

Team USA returns to Havana

Dimitri — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:15:47 GMT

Funny how none of the Cuban mafia down in Miami ever talks about what Cuba was like under Batista.Health care?Education?HAHAHAHA.Yea,right.Most of the population was starving while the few owned and controlled everything just like most of Latin America.Maybe Castro isn't perfect,but he sure cares more about his people than that murderous mafioso Batista.

Team USA returns to Havana

sonny galang, highlands, new jersey — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:49:34 GMT

cuban are good people and neighbor in a simple way. we shares a lot of their cultures and heritages, please let forget and forgive the time frame brought by a different ideology which is like any other country basically believing to protect the interest of their own people. they did not do any physical damage to our country confared to the two nations germany and japan who brought destructions to the world. after the war we help and rebuild their country. 50 years is a long time that made the people sufferd and isolated becuase of what they believe and struggles , it is about time to think what we can do for them now as humans, let's think as a human rule by god's will, because i know we pray the same way.....

Team USA returns to Havana

t,montgomery — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:52:13 GMT

God Bless the U. S. and Cuba!

Team USA returns to Havana

Casual Observer — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:23:39 GMT

Cuba stole property owned by Americans. This is why we stopped talking to them in the first place. So, apparently, other countries can start nationalizing the property of Americans, and steal from us at gunpoint? You know, just as long as they wait 50 years for us to forget about it?

Team USA returns to Havana

gdscks, tampa, FL — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:06:02 GMT

el pingu (june 03) is completely out of tone in this conversation and out of touch in the reality of cuba-usa relations history...
shut the f.... off...

Team USA returns to Havana

Ric, Miami, FL — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:05:13 GMT

It looks like the embargo it is not working at least vs the cuban goverment, unfortunately the people in the isle is suffering but not the regimen. It seems there is a time for a change. In South Africa most countries support to finish the apartheid unfortunately in Cuba there has been a similar kind of system for almost 50 years and many countries do not support the ending of that system. I hope this step is to help the Cuban people and stablish democracy and not for business people in america go to get cheaper labor or cheaper prostitutes. Cuban people needs desesperately the support of the international community