Should Guantanamo be given back to Cuba?

[West_Midlander]

As soon as Cuba democratizes and allows other political parties.

[2952-0-0]

If US policy towards Cuba wasn't driven by an obsession with Florida's electoral votes, the embargo would have been scrapped in the 1990s, as was the case with Vietnam. The embargo serves as a useful distraction from the Cuban government's domestic failures. Also, having Guantanamo officially under Cuban sovereignty but permanently leased out by a puppet government a century ago is an insult to the pride of any nation, and any Cuban government regardless of its ideology will demand its return.

A competent US administration that wasn't obsessed with Florida's electoral votes would publicly offer to lift the embargo and return Guantanamo without making any demands about changing the Communist system, while privately insisting that the phase-out of the embargo and the timeline on the return of Guantanamo will depend on Cuba ending its special relations with Russia and China.

[S019]

Why do all these people with avatars of American states think that America should voluntarily cede a valuable military outpost to an enemy state.  I get that anti-Americanism is popular and all these days, and everyone thinks Cuba is actually a cool place, but seriously?

The Cold War ended in 1991 my friend

That doesn’t mean Cuba isn’t still an enemy. It is and it deserves to be treated as one.

Why exactly?

Why do all these people with avatars of American states think that America should voluntarily cede a valuable military outpost to an enemy state.  I get that anti-Americanism is popular and all these days, and everyone thinks Cuba is actually a cool place, but seriously?

The Cold War ended in 1991 my friend

That doesn’t mean Cuba isn’t still an enemy. It is and it deserves to be treated as one.

Why?

Cuba is still an authoritarian country aligned with Russia and China. We have tried to reach out to them and all they did is take our help and gave nothing in return. It is not in America's interests to continue such a one-sided relationship. We will talk to Cuba again when they agree to democratize and agree to conditions aligned with American interests.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Cuba is still an authoritarian country aligned with Russia and China. We have tried to reach out to them and all they did is take our help and gave nothing in return. It is not in America's interests to continue such a one-sided relationship. We will talk to Cuba again when they agree to democratize and agree to conditions aligned with American interests.

When did America tried to talk to Cuba seriously for the last time, save for Obama's short attempt before the end of his second term? Cuba being reliant on China, and especially a weak nation like Russia, is unnatural - some political bravery and smart negotiating can easily begin to turn it away from them. Its economic interests lie in America. While its government has a bad human rights record, it's far from the worst, even among America's allies, and the way to improve it is certainly not more of the same embargo that didn't work for the past decades.

[S019]

Cuba is still an authoritarian country aligned with Russia and China. We have tried to reach out to them and all they did is take our help and gave nothing in return. It is not in America's interests to continue such a one-sided relationship. We will talk to Cuba again when they agree to democratize and agree to conditions aligned with American interests.

When did America tried to talk to Cuba seriously for the last time, save for Obama's short attempt before the end of his second term? Cuba being reliant on China, and especially a weak nation like Russia, is unnatural - some political bravery and smart negotiating can easily begin to turn it away from them. Its economic interests lie in America. While its government has a bad human rights record, it's far from the worst, even among America's allies, and the way to improve it is certainly not more of the same embargo that didn't work for the past decades.

I was referring to Obama's thaw. Cuba did not agree to our demands and they don't have much that we want. There isn't really any real benefit for America to give anything to Cuba especially when it gets nothing in return.

[2952-0-0]

I was referring to Obama's thaw. Cuba did not agree to our demands and they don't have much that we want. There isn't really any real benefit for America to give anything to Cuba especially when it gets nothing in return.

Exhibit #256 on why resentment towards US hegemony is so widespread in Latin America, even among those who otherwise agree with the ideals of liberal democracy.

[Santander]

Only if they agree to take Marco, Ted and Bob Menendez with it.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Yes. If the Cubans one day decide they want a US base in their territory as friends that's fine, but every country should have a choice in that regard. Their sovereignity and integrity as a country must be respected.

We are respecting the choice Cuba made in 1903.

[Dr. MB]

Yes. If the Cubans one day decide they want a US base in their territory as friends that's fine, but every country should have a choice in that regard. Their sovereignity and integrity as a country must be respected.

We are respecting the choice Cuba made in 1903.

There wasn't a very level playing field between the two countries in 1903.

[Ricardian1485]

Not until they kick out all of the Chinese and Russian spies, and start respecting democracy, human rights, and press freedom.

[Green Line]

No, and judging by the attitudes in here the prison needs to be expanded greatly.

[Sumner 1868]

"Should we maintain an armed torture chamber?"

"Yes, until those people become free we must!"

No, and judging by the attitudes in here the prison needs to be expanded greatly.

This is a Yellowhammer post.

[dead0man]

Yes. If the Cubans one day decide they want a US base in their territory as friends that's fine, but every country should have a choice in that regard. Their sovereignity and integrity as a country must be respected.

We are respecting the choice Cuba made in 1903.

There wasn't a very level playing field between the two countries in 1903.

indeed, they should have begged us to become a state.  Imagine how much better everyone involved would be now if they had.  Same thing with Mexico 60 years earlier.

[Mr. Smith]

Why do all these people with avatars of American states think that America should voluntarily cede a valuable military outpost to an enemy state.  I get that anti-Americanism is popular and all these days, and everyone thinks Cuba is actually a cool place, but seriously?

1. Cuba's a speed-bump at best.

2. It's money down the drain that can go to more useful things.