Cuba is an economic black hole thanks to Castro’s adoption of a brutal Stalinist regime that does not allow any kind of freedom, personal or economic, for 43 years he has maintained “Socialism or Death” without any room for compromises or changes. Castro brought a country that enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in Latin America down to the level of Haiti.
President Bush is a man of his word who says what he means and means what he says. We are in a worldwide war against terrorism and he is absolutely right when he affirmed that if we are going to win that war we must take it to the states that harbor and support terrorism. Cuba, at 90 miles of Florida, is the main base and haven for international terrorism in this hemisphere, and that must be the first place to start the war on terrorism in this hemisphere. Counting with biological, chemical and cyber warfare capabilities and a leader with an evil mind who has an irrational hatred towards the U.S., we must not underrate Castro’s capacity to attack us.
Furthermore, Castro never pays for whatever he purchases, he not only defaulted in all his debts but he also encourages other Third World countries to do likewise. It is not necessary to go back too far to figure out that this small country is not a good credit risk. Last year, it was reported that France canceled a grain shipment of $160 million due to Cuba's non-payment and that South Africa and Thailand stopped providing credits to the island. Eastern European governments have tried unsuccessfully to get payment on their Cuban debt. Cuba has one of the worst credit ratings in the world.
The ending of the embargo will allow Castro to raid our treasury as a result of giving Cuba access to the International Monetary Fund, and all the International Banks that are funded mainly by the U.S. taxpayers. Once the credit gates are open, then Castro’s powerful lobby in the U.S. will begin to push for riders, postponements and exclusions from the law on humanitarian bases. Do not allow to be fooled by politicians’ promises. In the end, Castro never has paid any debts and the American taxpayers would end up footing the bill.
Those businessmen, legislators, governors, and media pundits are acting as lobbyist for the Cuban government lured by promises of huge profits, although, those who tried before them, found out those dreams were mere mirages that in Cuba always end in nightmares. Those unscrupulous merchants in the slave trade are, in fact, undermining President Bush war against terrorism and endangering the security of the U.S. When you deal with the devil, you always end loosing your soul and your fortune.
I don't think this is necessarily true. The IMF will not be forced to lend them a cent. This could not possibly be a condition to the US lifting the Embargo. If a private business wants to undertake the risk in dealing with Castro, let them.