With the Biden Administration there is the growing prospect of a potential reversal of sanctions and regulations imposed by the Trump Administration that resulted in restricting travel, investment and remittances. At the same time, President Biden faces a challenging political landscape with Cuba as human rights abuses continue to be a serious problem in the country, its intelligence service continues to support Venezuela's autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro, and unanswered questions about the strange brain trauma injuries experienced by U.S. diplomats and their families in Cuba linger. Additionally, pressure from the American Cuban community against a possible détente between Washington and Havana remains, adding a domestic political dimension. The recent San Isidro Movement led by Cuba's artistic community provides hope that a new re-set in U.S-Cuba relations could lead to social and political changes on the island that would otherwise not be possible if current sanctions remain.

Panelists: Richard Feinberg, UC San Diego; Michael Bustamante, Florida International University; Javier Corrales, Amherst College; Ted Henken, Baruch College, CUNY; William LeoGrande, American University. Moderator: Margaret Crahan, Colombia University. Recorded on 03/25/2021. (#36855)