John Kerry's position on

Cuba: Ever since 1959, when Fidel Castro took power in Cuba, the United States has concerned itself with ridding the island nation of Castro's communist ways. A trade embargo has been in place for over 40 years that prevents Cuba from getting most goods from and shipping any goods to its closest neighbor, the United States. There are also specific travel bans in place an restrictions on sending products to and receiving products from the tiny island.

Candidate's Position: Although Kerry does not support lifting the embargo against Cuba, he does support making strides to improve relations with Cuba and allow Americans to be one of the most positive forces in creating change in Cuba by allowing Americans to travel back and forth. Kerry has consistently voted to lift travel bans and permit food and medicine trade with Cuba. 

Quotation from the Candidate: "I want to take steps to help all of us, including Cubans and their families in Cuba, work toward a democratic solution and the ultimate end to the Castro regime in a peaceful and democratic way," said Kerry in a press release about Cuba (2004). Also stated; "We should promote the interchanges of ideas that will begin now to lay the foundations for economic prosperity and an independent civil society that I believe are so critical to peace and democracy."

Assessment of the Proposal:

Positive: U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, said the Massachusetts senator could offer an alternative to the Cuban-Americans. "I think what the president has done has motivated several individuals who gave him the benefit of the doubt. ... They're going to find other people to vote for - that other person is John Kerry," (2004)

Negative: Researcher could not find any international affairs offices, official, or otherwise involved parties to negate the senator's stance.

Comparison: George W. Bush has been the biggest proponent of increasing travel, remittance, and trade restrictions and not lifting the embargo. Bush's stipulations for the Castro regime are these: respect basic human rights, free political prisoners, hold democratic free elections and allow free speech. (2001)

Link to Bush's Cuba page