U.S. Cuban Embargo No Longer Relevant

Add Joe Davidson to the list of those of us duped by Fidel Castro (“U.S. Embargo Undermines Cuban Opposition,” Commentary, July 17). As a documentary filmmaker, I too have walked the streets of Old Havana and driven freely throughout the country. I’ve talked to hundreds of Cubans, many of whom did not support their government, but never found anyone who supported the blockade. The tourists from around the world who come to this safe and beautiful country are amazed that the U.S. persists in this antiquated policy, especially the travel ban.

The Cuban people love Americans and are anxious to trade ideas and learn more about us. But a small group of politically savvy Cuban exiles, combined with some aging Cold Warriors in the U.S. Congress, have created a separate foreign policy for the island. Ironically, Cubans can travel to the U.S., while most people living here, in the land of the free, are not permitted to go to Cuba. It has been 40 years. Enough!

Jim Ryerson

Long Beach