The Wire

The United States has escalated its economic embargo on Cuba, first introduced in 1960, in George Bush’s latest attempt to topple the government of Fidel Castro. The “Commission For Assistance To Free Cuba”, headed by secretary of State Colin Powell, has placed tough new restrictions on Cuban-Americans wanting to travel and send money to families on the island. It has also increased funds to dissidents and communication facilities streaming anti-Castro messages to Cuba. But rather than intensify dissatisfaction with Castro’s regime, the policy has for the first time divided Cuban-Americans. Paulina Vidal spoke with Stephen Niblo, Associate Professor in Latin American studies at La Trobe University.