A UNO political scientist says the U.S. re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba will improve our standing with other nations.
President Obama announced Wednesday morning that a prisoner exchange happened between the two countries. The U.S. also plans to adjust regulations and re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. An embargo on Cuba has been in place since 1961.
Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado teaches Political Science at UNO and studies US-Cuba policy. He says the announcement is a “game-changer” for that country’s economy.
"American companies will be able to directly invest in Cuba, to open bank accounts there, lend money, letters of credit. It’s going to facilitate trade. But more importantly, it will allow for the transfer of technology and important things such as project management. It’ll take full advantage of all the human capital resources that already exist in Cuba."
Benjamin-Alvarado says the changes in U.S. policy will improve human rights in Cuba. And he says Pope Francis set himself apart from previous Catholic church leaders with his involvement in the policy changes.
The U.S. will also ease travel restrictions to Cuba, and expand sales, imports, and exports. During a news conference at the same time as President Obama's, Cuban president Raul Castro called for an end to the embargo.