End political bullying and help the people of Cuba

Lastweek, Iwas inHavana, Cuba completingmy fifth year of leading People-to-People tours for Americans. Overmy trips, I have had many insightful conversations about politics with professors and taxi drivers, students and business owners as research formy book, “Cubicle to Cuba.” On this trip, the hot questionwas about Trump and changes in our relations. I’m deeply saddened with the announcement to tighten the travel restrictions to Cuba, which directly affects the Cuban people, their pocketbooks, and more.

Travel to Cuba by Americans has provided countless benefits to the Cuban people; financial support to private businesses, both paladares (private restaurants) and casa particulares (BnBs), needed materials that are not available because of theU.S. embargo or not affordable such as school and medical supplies, aswell as the ability to exchange ideas with their neighbors to theNorth. It is beyond ridiculous that our cultures have remained isolated fromeach other for nearly 60 years because of a political rivalry like that of theHatfields and theMcCoys.

If theU.S., its citizens, and elected officialswant to help the Cuban people and provide the hope that our flag symbolizes, get rid of theU.S. embargo. Cuban people deserve a chance to pursue the Cuban dream and succeed. This political bullying and ColdWar saga needs to end.