Lugar: Cuba sanctions have failed the purpose of "bringing democracy to the Cuban people"

Update: On March 30, 2009, Senator Lugar sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to lift U.S. opposition to Cuba's joining the Organization of American States (OAS) at the Summit of the Americas on April 17, 2009. Senator Lugar also suggested appointing a Special Envoy for Cuba.

In March 2009, Senator Lugar released a report prepared by the minority staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In a letter to Senate colleagues accompanying the report, Senator Lugar suggests "a realistic and carefully phased approach [to Cuba] will benefit our long-term economic and security interests in the Straits of Florida."

In his letter accompanying the official report, Senator Lugar wrote:

"The debate [over U.S. sanctions on Cuba] is important because it has implications for security interests in the Straits of Florida, broader U.S.- Latin American relations, and global perceptions of U.S. foreign policy. Despite uncertainty about Cuba's mid-term political future, it is clear that the recent leadership changes have created an opportunity for the United States to reevaluate a complex relationship marked by misunderstanding, suspicion, and open hostility.

"Economic sanctions are a legitimate tool of U.S. foreign policy and they have sometimes achieved their aims, as in the case of apartheid in South Africa. After 47 years, however, the unilateral embargo on Cuba has failed to achieve its stated purpose of 'bringing democracy to the Cuban people,' while it may have been used as a foil by the regime to demand further sacrifices from Cuba's impoverished population. The current U.S. policy has many passionate defenders, and their criticism of the Castro regime is justified. Nevertheless, we must recognize the ineffectiveness of our current policy and deal with the Cuban regime in a way that enhances U.S. interests."