Cuban Embargo

For nearly five decades, the U.S. government has continued a failed and inhumane policy toward our island neighbor of Cuba.  WFP's partnerships with the Cuban people have taught us that the U.S. embargo and travel ban toward Cuba is:

• An Unnecessary Policy. The Cold War is over and Cuba is not a threat to the international community. The embargo against Cuba only hurts people in Cuba and the United States.
• A Hypocritical Policy. We have recently opened or expanded economic
  relations with the People’s Republic of China, Iran, North Korea, Vietnam, Libya, and Sudan. Many of these states have been much more hostile toward the US, and/or more aggressive to their own citizens than Cuba is. Why do we continue to isolate Cuba?
• An Unpopular Policy. Public opinion polls indicate that the overwhelming majority of Americans disagree with the embargo and with the undue influence afforded the hardliners in the Cuban-American community. Furthermore, the United Nations has consistently condemned the US embargo.
• An Immoral Policy. The embargo causes innocent people to suffer in both countries. In Cuba, millions of people are denied access to food, medicines, and other critical goods. US citizens are denied access to cutting edge medicines produced in Cuba and the constitutional right to travel. The embargo is considered immoral and unethical by most countries, by religious leaders, and people of conscience around the world.
• An Unfair Policy. The embargo penalizes U.S. family farmers unable to trade with Cuba while giant corporate farmers can. U.S. farmers are not allowed to engage in fair trade to meet Cuba's agricultural needs.
• An Unconstitutional Policy. The embargo prohibits U.S. citizens the legal right to travel to Cuba -- a ban most scholars feel is unconstitutional.