I recently got back from my 4th mission trip to Cuba. Just as you leave the airport, so all the tourist can see it, there is a huge propaganda billboard about the embargo.
As our team discussed it our translator (A Cuban we have worked with many times and a good friend) said that the real embargo was ON the Island. He then explain how lack of freedom and the government's red tape was the real oppression.
Of COURSE that is the real reason, but that never prevents Lefties from blaming the US.