Dear Editor,
The recent overtures made by United States President, Barack Obama towards arch-enemy Cuba must be applauded. It is indeed a breath of fresh air in the midst of over half a century of a toxic relationship between the two countries that started ever since the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro which toppled the pro-US Batista regime in 1959.
Since then several unsuccessful attempts were made by the United States to topple the Castro regime, the most notable of which was the Bay of Pigs invasion engineered by the US administration with the support of a number of Cuban dissidents.
Much water has flowed under the bridge since then. Several left-wing governments in the region were overthrown, including the Jagan-led PPP of the 1960s.
The stance taken by President Obama is most commendable and hopefully could set the stage for a new and more enlightened relationship between the United States and Cuba. It is time that the United States Congress heed the call of the international community and lift that punishing embargo against the government and people of Cuba.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
