Cuban exiles, Bush admin upset at E.U. sanction move

Yesterday, E.U. officials announced that they will drop its sanctions against Cuba which had been suspended in 2005. The hope is that doing so would help promote democratic reforms on the island including creating closer relations with dissident groups.

Unlike the E.U.’s optimism the reaction by some in the U.S. was one of disappointment and criticism. “We would not be supportive of the EU or anyone else easing those restrictions at this time” said U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey who added that it was too soon to lift any sanctions against the Castro administration. Meanwhile, one Florida-based Cuban exile group disagreed with the E.U.’s decision:

The EU's action is tantamount to the EU giving the Cuban government its seal of approval, according to the Miami-based Cuban Democratic Directorate…

"We regret this decision and think this is a sad moment for us and for the opposition movement back in Cuba," said Janisset Rivero, the group's adjunct national secretary. The organization has spent years supporting and advocating for dissidents in Cuba.

One key portion of the E.U.’s move is that officials have the leverage to review the situation in one year and could possibly resume placing sanctions on Cuba.

Image- Al Jazeera English

Sources- AFP, Bloomberg, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Reuters UK, Guardian UK