February 24, 2005
Sorry, payment up front only.
I havent written much about the trading of agricultural commodities with Cuba, but my friend Paxety has. I have been a bit ambivalent on the subject as first, the Bush administration would be hardpressed to prevent the constituents of primarily red state Senators and Congresspersons from selling their crops to Cuba. Second, some of those commodities must ultimately trickle down to the Cuban people, one way or another. And finally, all goods must be paid for in cash. No credit, and the worst thing you can do to someone who is already strapped for cash is to make them pay in cash.
That said, the Bush administration has just tightened agricultural trade with Cuba:
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration announced Tuesday that it will begin requiring Cuba to pay American farmers in advance of shipment for agricultural products, a change that trade proponents say will hurt lucrative food sales to the island.
It's not much, mind you - if castro has the money to pay for goods upon arrival he certainly has the money to pay for them up front - but it's something.
Posted by Val Prieto at February 24, 2005 06:22 AM
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Comments
Why is it that everyone of the so called "proletariat" revolutions has failed on the most basic principle that is created on: to feed the people.
Cuba has about 11 million people and a privilege climate. The land was confiscated from the big corporations at the beginning of the "glorious" revolution and re-distributed among the people, right? What have the people done with all that land?
I am not even talking about being able to grow enough to export but just enough to feed themselves without needing to import primarily grain, pulses, meat, soybeans, vegetable oil, dairy products, etc.
Just the existence of a blockade cannot explain this phenomenon.
Posted by: Maria at February 24, 2005 10:03 AM
Maria,
Just keep an eye on Venezuela, you can watch the "phenomenon" happen in realtime.
Posted by: Val Prieto at February 24, 2005 10:10 AM
Unfortunately, my family is watching it from a front row seat.
Posted by: Maria at February 24, 2005 10:25 AM
Confirms my theory based on what I researched: Bush is tightening the embargo.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at February 24, 2005 11:25 AM
Well, Maria, that's something to ask the lefties who think it's a good idea.
See if they can explain it to you.
Posted by: Sandy P at February 25, 2005 02:59 AM
I vote for Maria as a guest contributor to give us 'on the ground' reporting of what is happening in Venezuela.
Posted by: Grace at February 26, 2005 02:04 PM
