It’s time for Obama to become an anti-Castro dissident

Obama must take Reaganesque action

Since being elected, President Obama has told Latin American leaders that he was seeking a “new beginning” with Cuba. His secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has called the past U.S. policy toward Cuba a failure. The Interests Section’s attitude regarding the opposition is just the latest in a line of horrible messages this administration has sent to Cuba in the name of “libertad.”

This White House should know that appeasement will not have a positive benefit to the common people of Cuba. The Obama team opposes trickle-down economics in a market economy. Surely they do not believe benefits will trickle down in a corrupt, brutal, totalitarian dictatorship?

Ronald Reagan had his defining moment in history when he stood at the Brandenburg Gate and called on Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. It is time for Obama to take a similar “line in the sand” stance with the Castro brothers.

President Obama needs to dust off that tough guy campaign speech and give it at the Southernmost Point in Key West. He should point to the island 90 miles away and demand freedom for political prisoners. Call for free and fair elections. Let Castro know that nothing will change in relations with the United States until people under his grip are free to simply assemble and speak openly.

And then President Obama needs to follow up his words with action. Putting the welcome mat back out on the front steps of the Interests Section would be a good start.

Andres Solares is correct. If by action of age alone, the reign of the Castro boys is near an end. American policy now will set the stage for Cuba’s transition to freedom and liberty. When Castro is gone, America must stand ready to assist the freedom loving people of Cuba.

“Libertad”

Rick Robinson is the author of political thrillers which can be purchased on Amazon and at book stores everywhere. His latest novel, Manifest Destiny has won seven writing awards, including Best Fiction at the Paris Book Festival.