McCain vows to continue Cuba's isolation, slams Obama

Sen. John McCain on Tuesday laid out his plans for strengthening democracy and U.S. influence in Latin America, Carol J. Willams writes.

Speaking in Miami, McCain vowed to extend free-trade pacts throughout the region and to continue isolating Cuba until the communist-ruled island frees political prisoners and allows multiparty elections.

"The promises to uphold a hard line against the regime of Fidel and Raul Castro earned the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee cheers from the mostly Cuban American crowd at a town hall meeting in southwest Miami."

McCain laid into Democratic rival Barack Obama, according to the Miami Herald:

''He also wants to sit down unconditionally for a presidential meeting with Raúl Castro,'' said McCain, drawing boos from the hundreds of Cuban American leaders and Republican activists in the audience.

"These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba's dictators -- there is no need to undertake fundamental reforms, they can simply wait for a unilateral change in U.S. policy. I believe we should give hope to the Cuban people, not to the Castro regime.''

The Miami Herald this morning also has an article about Fundación Rescate Juridico, which is in a busy Hialeah strip mall near Westland Mall. The Cuban government has linked the office to U.S. payments to dissidents on the island.

"Its precise location, 4225 W. 16th Ave., Second Floor, turns out to be the office of Santiago Alvarez -- a developer who is the chief South Florida benefactor of Cuban exile militant Luis Posada Carriles. Repeated knocks on the door Tuesday went unanswered.

"The same address is listed in the Florida incorporation records for Caribe Dive & Research Foundation which owned the shrimping boat Santrina that the U.S. and Cuban governments allege was used by Alvarez and other exiles to smuggle Posada into the United States in March 2005."

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[Andrew Miller]

Does McCain's rhetoric really matter, given that the old guard of Cuban refugees to the U.S. hhas been dying? I thought that census figures put the numbers of Puerto Rican i ccitizens as far higher , in terms of growth in Florida, than the Miami cuban growth.
In other words, not everyone in Florida who is latino is Cuban, and the relative power of other groups , politically, is growing. In fact, those other groups seem to resent the power of the Cuban groups, and do not have any love for the reactionist policies.

[John]

John McCain in 2000 said the same thing! This is another one to add to his long list of flip-flops.

McCain said he would be willing to sit down with Fidel (then the leader) when he was running for president in 2000. Looks like the wheels have come off the "straight talk express" and on top of that, he seems to be losing his bearings.

[David S]

Agreed, we have been isolating Cuba for over 30 years and what has it done, absolutely nothing. Time for a change!

[Robert]

Yup, this strategy has worked great over the last 50 years.

[KProctor]

What a HYPOCRITE ! I'm glad I will have Libertarians to vote for in November. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not have a multiparty elections. Most of the terrorist pilots from 9/11 were from the Kingdom. Yet politicians both Democrat and Republican embrace the Kingdom as a friend and and trading partner. McCain, looking for the Floridan/Cuban vote, wishes to continue the 50 year embargo against the people of Cuba. When reviewing most of our nations BONEHEADED foreign policies, one can't help but recall a famous DR. PHIL question..."And How's That Been Working For You?" The only "change" that will come from either the Democrats or the Republicans after November is that you will become poorer, and government will tighten it's control over your life.

[Kay]

What is the saying- Actions speak louder than words. Obama's silver tongue isn't enough !!

[Young Atheart]

"Speaking in Miami, McCain vowed to extend free-trade pacts throughout the region and to continue isolating Cuba until the communist-ruled island frees political prisoners and allows multiparty elections."

This has worked so well over 30 years, we should do it for another 30. Some of those political prisoners are long dead.

The GOP is unfortunately badly invested in failed policies and must continue them to avoid admitting failure.

[Rajah Kahn]

Then McCain should start isolating all other countries, even Saudi Arabia who financially supports terrorists organization in Palestine. This is ridiculous, I think we should have more diplomacy and talks with Cuba. It is time enough. Really ignorance reveals another Bush's policy...McCain has brain impairment!!!!!!!!