Cuban Democracy Act
Encyclopedia
The Cuban Democracy Act was a bill presented by U.S. Congressman Robert Torricelli
and passed in 1992 which prohibited foreign-based subsidiaries of U.S. companies from trading with Cuba
, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, and family remittances to Cuba
. The act was passed as “A bill to promote a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba through the application of sanctions
directed at the Castro government and support for the Cuban people.” The act stated that “[t]he government of Fidel Castro
has demonstrated consistent disregard for internationally accepted standards of human rights and for democratic values” adding “[t]here is no sign that the Castro regime is prepared to make any significant concessions to democracy or to undertake any form of democratic opening.”
The Cuban regime under Fidel Castro violates the standard and internationally accepted freedom of speech, assembly, and press.
The military dominated country provides financial aid to narcotic traffickers at the expense of its own people.
The fall of the Soviet Union has led to food and oil shortages showing the Communist system as a failure.
Castro shows no signs of reforming the political system in a democratic direction as any political opposition is silenced through exile and imprisonment.
U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
The U.S. desires to see a transition towards democracy following the passing of Fidel Castro so that economic growth can occur in a manner that is helpful for the Cuban people.
To make sure that no military or technical aid comes from countries from the former Soviet Union
To be prepared to reduce sanctions in Cuba in order to help create positive change that would help the country's citizens
Regarding International Trade with Cuba
All countries trading with Cuba should discontinue doing so as well as cancel any economic activity with the country
Any country trading with Cuba risks not being eligible for aid from the U.S.
Supporting the Cuban People
The donation of food will not be restricted to individuals or organizations not associated with the government
Medical supplies and medicine will also be freely traded as long as the intention of the supplies is to help the Cuban people
Sanctions Imposed
Any vessel which has traded goods or services with Cuba cannot within 180 days dock at a U.S. port
Currency traded from the U.S. to Cuba will be limited in order to prevent the Cuban government from obtaining access to U.S. currency
Conditions for Restriction Cancellation
Once a democratic election is held under the watchful eye of the international community sanctions may be canceled
Opposition parties must be given a chance to organize and prepare for elections prior to the voting
Cuba must make the effort to move towards a free market economy
U.S. support following changes
The U.S. promises to allow international financial companies admittance into the country
Financial aid will be provided as the country changes to a more accepted economic system
Robert Torricelli
Robert Guy Torricelli , nicknamed "the Torch," is an American politician from the U.S. state of New Jersey. Torricelli, a Democrat, served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the U.S. Senate...
and passed in 1992 which prohibited foreign-based subsidiaries of U.S. companies from trading with Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, and family remittances to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The act was passed as “A bill to promote a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba through the application of sanctions
Economic sanctions
Economic sanctions are domestic penalties applied by one country on another for a variety of reasons. Economic sanctions include, but are not limited to, tariffs, trade barriers, import duties, and import or export quotas...
directed at the Castro government and support for the Cuban people.” The act stated that “[t]he government of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
has demonstrated consistent disregard for internationally accepted standards of human rights and for democratic values” adding “[t]here is no sign that the Castro regime is prepared to make any significant concessions to democracy or to undertake any form of democratic opening.”
Key Points of the Act
FindingsThe Cuban regime under Fidel Castro violates the standard and internationally accepted freedom of speech, assembly, and press.
The military dominated country provides financial aid to narcotic traffickers at the expense of its own people.
The fall of the Soviet Union has led to food and oil shortages showing the Communist system as a failure.
Castro shows no signs of reforming the political system in a democratic direction as any political opposition is silenced through exile and imprisonment.
U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
The U.S. desires to see a transition towards democracy following the passing of Fidel Castro so that economic growth can occur in a manner that is helpful for the Cuban people.
To make sure that no military or technical aid comes from countries from the former Soviet Union
To be prepared to reduce sanctions in Cuba in order to help create positive change that would help the country's citizens
Regarding International Trade with Cuba
All countries trading with Cuba should discontinue doing so as well as cancel any economic activity with the country
Any country trading with Cuba risks not being eligible for aid from the U.S.
Supporting the Cuban People
The donation of food will not be restricted to individuals or organizations not associated with the government
Medical supplies and medicine will also be freely traded as long as the intention of the supplies is to help the Cuban people
Sanctions Imposed
Any vessel which has traded goods or services with Cuba cannot within 180 days dock at a U.S. port
Currency traded from the U.S. to Cuba will be limited in order to prevent the Cuban government from obtaining access to U.S. currency
Conditions for Restriction Cancellation
Once a democratic election is held under the watchful eye of the international community sanctions may be canceled
Opposition parties must be given a chance to organize and prepare for elections prior to the voting
Cuba must make the effort to move towards a free market economy
U.S. support following changes
The U.S. promises to allow international financial companies admittance into the country
Financial aid will be provided as the country changes to a more accepted economic system
See also
- Godfrey-Milliken BillGodfrey-Milliken BillThe Godfrey-Milliken Bill, officially Bill C-339: The American Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act was a Private Member's Bill introduced in the Canadian parliament by Liberal MPs Peter Milliken and John Godfrey...
- Cuba – United States relations
- Helms-Burton ActHelms-Burton ActThe Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 is a United States federal law which strengthens and continues the United States embargo against Cuba...
- Cuba and democracy