U.S. food sales to Cuba in steep decline

Reuters
July 27, 2010

U.S. food sales to Cuba fell by 35 percent from January through May compared with the same period in 2009, as the cash-strapped nation cut imports and bought from countries offering credit, a U.S.-based trade group said on Tuesday.

The steep decline followed a 24-percent drop in sales to the island in 2009 after record sales of $710 million in 2008.

Freedom To Travel

U.S. Travel Ban on Cuba

For more than four decades, the United States has tried to isolate Cuba, economically and diplomatically.

When we look at Cuba news, we see an increasingly public and vigorous debate about the economy. We see the nations of the region conducting ordinary and even extraordinary relations with Cuba. What we don't see is a story line involving the United States, the effectiveness of U.S. policy, or even much of a presence or a role as the possibilities of change unfold.

Top 10 List

"This top ten list is a powerful reminder to Congress and all Americans that sanctions against Cuba do nothing but violate American values, cost American jobs, stain our image overseas, and breach our basic rights," said Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas. "As Cuba enters a new era, so should America, and replace our policy of isolating Cuba with one favoring engagement, travel and trade."