by Mark Silva
The decades-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba stands.
So says Vice President Joe Biden, attending a summit of progressive leaders from Latin America and Europe in Chile.
Bden, asked by reporters in Vina Del Mar if the Obama administration plans to scrap the trade embargo against its island neighbor, said: "No.''
The "Cuban people should determine their own fate and they should be able to live in freedom," Biden said after taking part in the Progressive Governance Summit.
Biden said a "transition" is needed in the Washington policy toward the communist-ruled island, but that he was in Chile "to talk about the economy, not Cuba."
Several of the leftist governments in Latin America have urged Washington to lift the embargo of Cuba as a means of mending U.S. relations in the region. Chile, for one, proudly sells the products of Cuba in its stores -- among them the world's finest cigars.
But without signs of budging on the embargo, Biden still attempted to drive home the idea that the White House is committed to region.
"President Obama and I are absolutely committed to working closely with our neighbors in the hemisphere," he told reporters at Chile's La Moneda presidential palace after meeting with President Michelle Bachelet.
The Associated Press congtributed.
Comments
Embargos are what bullies do. NOT why I worked so hard and gave so much money to elect Obama and Biden.
When will we learn? You tell Europeans, who have a MADLY better life than we do about how much our politicos spend--and they are incredulous.
Yes, they may wait a LITTLE longer but EVERYONE gets the health care they need. And no one loses their homes for it. And they're freer than we are, too.
Posted by: Must be all the money in campaigns that turns it all to crap, eh? | March 29, 2009 8:56 AM
Sorry that Biden (and thus Obama) will continue this longstanding self-defeating policy, one that in effect props up the Castro regime. Open trade and borders will do more to promote freedom in Cuba than an embargo which is a proven failure. Even some hardcore anti-Castro Cuban Americans are starting to realize this.
We traded with the Soviets and their satellites, we trade with China and Vietnam. Why not Cuba?
Posted by: KAG | March 29, 2009 9:23 AM
We need to reconsider our possition regarding Cuba and its people. Five decades is enough! When we impossed embargo on them we had every right and it was the right move five decaeds ago, but now is time to change policy towards Cuba, for the sake of Cuban people, not the Castro brothers.
Cuban government is not giving them "freedom of press" perhaps, but let us give them more access to food and other supplies.
Posted by: Ismet | March 29, 2009 9:36 AM
Biden said a "transition" is needed in the Washington policy toward the communist-ruled island, but that he was in Chile "to talk about the economy, not Cuba."
Oh for Pete's sake people!!! I think this is a subject that they were not prepared to discuss at this time. Do I think the embargo is a good thing? NO. If the new administration added this to their plate, how many more would say they are trying to do too much? What do you people want?
As far as the Cuban government is concerned, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar...
Posted by: lochnessmonster | March 29, 2009 9:57 AM
In these economic bad times, why wouldn't we want a new close to home trading country to sell some of our products?
Posted by: bje | March 29, 2009 11:22 AM
It's time for one of the stupidest policies of the last 50 years to end.
Posted by: C.Morrisā | March 29, 2009 5:40 PM