ABSTRACT

United States (US)-Cuban relations frame the contours of Cuban-American politics. The ideological and practical aspects of these changes are beginning to have a profound impact on Cuban society. Nevertheless, at least two important facts differentiate the Cuban situation. First, Cuba's government came to power through a popular revolution, a factor not present at least in the case of the nations of Eastern Europe. Second, since the first US incursion into Cuban politics in 1898, Cubans have perceived the United States as an intruder and viewed Castro, like Walesa, as the person who unshackled his people from their oppressor. Hard-line organizations, such as the Cuban-American National Foundation, accuse those who support better relations with Cuba of being agents of the Castro government. Meaningful political and economic openings in relations with Cuba occurred during the Carter administration, when policies were aimed at negotiating with the Cuban government rather than at attacking the regime.