Foreign Policy Blogs

As expected, Summit addresses Cuba

At the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad today, President Obama dealt with the issue of Cuba tactfully and, I think, in a way that will please leaders of many Latin American countries. He said that the United States is on a path toward changing the nature of its relationship with Cuba. The implication was that further thawing of the relationship is possible, and he said that dialogue should be opened on a whole range of issues, from drugs and migration to human rights and democracy.

Raúl Castro, for his part, has issued a statement that he is willing to speak on any of these issues, which opens the door for one or the other to actually propose a sit-down talk. When will the next steps be taken?

 

Author

Melissa Lockhart Fortner

Melissa Lockhart Fortner is Senior External Affairs Officer at the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles, having served previously as Senior Programs Officer for the Council. From 2007-2009, she held a research position at the University of Southern California (USC) School of International Relations, where she closely followed economic and political developments in Mexico and in Cuba, and analyzed broader Latin American trends. Her research considered the rise and relative successes of Latin American multinationals (multilatinas); economic, social and political changes in Central America since the civil wars in the region; and Wal-Mart’s role in Latin America, among other topics. Melissa is a graduate of Pomona College, and currently resides in Pasadena, California, with her husband, Jeff Fortner.

Follow her on Twitter @LockhartFortner.