Normalizing relations with Cuba

Cuban-American relations have been dramatically shifting for the last few years as the United States and its Caribbean neighbor finally make steps towards diplomacy. In a grand gestures to reconcile relations, on April 14 President Obama submitted a formal request to Congress to remove Cuba from the list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism." Since 1982, Cuba has been on this list in the company of countries such as Iran, Sudan and Syria.

This move corresponds with a historic recent meeting between Obama and Cuban president Raul Castro, officially the first dialogue between the two countries in over 50 years.

Cuba supported the initiative to be removed from the "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list, as its government obviously does not consider itself to be sympathetic to terrorists. Less obvious is the fact that the Cuban government has been open in response to the United States’ motions towards dialogue.

This change in policy was brought on by several factors, firstly the State Department review of Cuba’s presence on on the list of terrorist nations as it reviews the list every so often. Secondly, the United States determined that the Cuban government has not supported or provided aid to terrorist organizations in Latin America or Africa over the last year. Also Cuba has not posed a security threat to the United States in many years.

This decision will also improve economic relations with Cuba, namely by alleviating sanctions and other possible measures such as opening trade, providing access to US banking and hopefully someday soon reopening a Cuban embassy. Polls indicate that nearly two-thirds of Americans support the reestablishment of ties. However, it will still take time to reach the point of complete normalization.

While good relations and diplomacy are reason enough to mend ties with a former enemy, let’s not forget the importance of these U.S. foreign policy decisions: the lift of travel restrictions and access to a fabulous new vacation spot. This is something many college-aged Spring Breakers will appreciate this time next year.