Cuba Cuba is a country that for all intents and purposes should have close relations with the United States. It is a largely Catholic country with a growing Protestant religious component. However, under the leadership of Fidel Castro since 1959 it has been essentially a socialist, then Communist dictatorship. Operating under a US embargo, justifiably enacted at the time due to the expropriation of US properties Cuba aligned with the then USSR and currently has relations with Venezuela and China. Cuba's various economic and social programs that have been off again/on again over the decades have been largely ineffective in bringing any kind of success to the country.  America's relations with Cuba, tourist, business or whatever are severely constrained by the rules of embargo and more lately by the Libertad Act relating to expropriated property and a change to democratic rule. The unembellished truth is that US actions have had no effect on Cuba's stance toward the US and have imposed hardship on the Cuban people.  The sum total is that  our actions are ineffective.  Many attempts by other countries to advise them on needed economic reforms have fallen on deaf ears. The leadership of Cuba is hard lined, a bit paranoid, and not open to suggestion.  In as much as restrictions have brought about no change perhaps it is time to allow America to become a market for some of Cuba's goods and Cuba a market for some of ours. What can be the fallout from this?  With Castro's failing health there is rampant speculation in the US government about Cuban change. Our track record in nation building is rather poor. Cuba is a situation that requires the utmost in patience and a very slow progression of relations. Cubans under 60 know of no other way of life. Were trade to be resumed a slow movement of businesspeople back and forth could likely occur.  Perhaps loosening travel restrictions from the US side could allow some tourists to visit. We must do nothing to imply an attempt at change; only an attempt to buy some commodities and perhaps sell some of ours.  If we can create a believable posture of not influencing change then change will come. It will be a very slow process. To be believable, policy change such as this must come with a change of administration in the US or from a vocal movement in the American/Cuban society.  The United States' administrations must finally learn that change cannot be a matter of induction but rather seduction. One thing is certain and that is that our current policy toward Cuba is helping no one.