The United States has had its knee on the neck of Cuba for almost 60 years. Despite being a resilient and creative people, the economic sanctions and blockade have wrought a terrible toll on the Cuban people.

Cuba suffers because of the reactionary conservative elements within both parties.

There is no rhyme or reason or constructive idea behind U.S. policy to Cuba. The idea is simply to punish Cuba for not falling in with U.S. wishes.

Trump, before his presidency, had applied for permits to build hotels and casinos in Cuba.

But, as president, he banned all travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens, and tightened the economic screws in every possible way, including threats of secondary boycotts for any company or country that has economic relations with Cuba.

U.S. sanctions ended Venezuela’s shipments of oil to Cuba. Venezuela had been sending oil to Cuba, and in exchange Cuba sent medical teams to Venezuela to serve the people.

Meanwhile, Cuban people continue to suffer — insufficient food and lack of necessary medicines, shortages of parts for repair of everything mechanical, even prohibiting the importation of solar panels which would help Cuba transition to clean energy and combat global warming.

If the U.S. were able to sell solar panels to Cuba, a whole new market would open up and benefit the U.S. with added jobs in the solar industry.

Of course Cuba would need money to buy from and create jobs in the U.S., which is an excellent reason to allow tourist travel from the U.S. to Cuba.

Sanctions and embargoes on Cuba for almost 60 years have done nothing except make life extremely difficult for the Cuban people. Sanctions hurt people. Sanctions should be lifted on Cuba and Venezuela immediately.

Gail Chatfield
PORT HADLOCK