| International conflict is inescapable. Aside from | | | | country by prohibiting the import of all products |
| declaring war, one move a country could take against | | | | containing material from Cuba even if it's made from |
| another country is to impose a trade embargo. An | | | | another country. On a side note, this is the reason |
| embargo prohibits trades and commerce with another | | | | why it is illegal to smoke the world-famous Cuban |
| country. Embargos are declared to make a country's | | | | cigars in the US. On February 8, 1963 Kennedy took |
| government suffer by restricting the import and | | | | the trade restriction to another level by prohibiting |
| export thereby crippling its economy. Its purpose is | | | | American citizen to step on Cuban soil. On March 19, |
| usually for political punishment because of some past | | | | 1977 the relationship between Cuba and the US |
| disagreement. However, some observers are | | | | seemingly improved as President Carter dropped the |
| doubtful if a country that has imposed an embargo | | | | Cuban travel ban. |
| has some other motive aside from delivering a slap | | | | Whenever the public is asked about the trade |
| on the wrist. Trade embargos have also been used | | | | embargo imposed by the US to Cuba, a vast |
| as a war strategy in the past. | | | | majority always reply that they are the embargo |
| Perhaps the most talked about and enduring trade | | | | should be abolished and they are greatly in favor to |
| embargo is the one declared by the US to Cuba. | | | | resume a trading relationship with Cuba. It seems |
| Former President Dwight Eisenhower declared to | | | | though that the voices of these people fall on deaf |
| restrict the trade of the US and Cuba in an attempt | | | | ears. In fact, 2 years ago President George W. Bush |
| to overthrow Fidel Castro on October 19, 1960. At | | | | signed a Presidential Proclamation that bans the travel |
| first medicine and food was excluded but on | | | | of all sea vessels from US ports to ports in Cuba. In |
| September 4, 1961, the United State Congressed | | | | the 2005 UN General Assembly meeting, majority of |
| passed a bill which prohibited products to be traded | | | | world leaders condemned the embargo on Cuba for |
| to Cuba, including food and medical assistance. | | | | the 14th time with only 3 countries voted against the |
| When John Kennedy ascended into power, he | | | | motion to end it. Though many are against the trade |
| expanded the imposed embargo against Fidel Castro's | | | | embargo, it is still in full effect as of 2006. |