Obama gesture leaves Cubans hopeful but wary

"An open road for travel to Cuba". Front page of the Puerto Rican-based  "El Nueva Dia" on Tuesday. Image: "juan787". 

After 50 years of strict sanctions, Barack Obama's gesture towards Cuba on Monday will allow exiled Cubans to travel and send money to their homeland. Fidel Castro however, scoffed at the plans, saying that Obama should lift the "cruel" commercial embargo rather than hand out "charity". What do our Cuban Observers make of the news?

"This could mean the start of the end to the embargo"

This could mean the start of the end to the embargo. Finally families will be able to reunite more often than once every three years.

Personally I don't have any family in the States but the fact that money will be allowed to come into Cuba could boost the economy here, which is in a sorry state. A good example - I used to be a doctor, but I was so badly paid that I accepted a job demotion and now work as a locksmith."

"Fidel Castro doesn’t want to see an end to the embargo"

I see this as a good thing. For me the measures represent some hope after 50 years of embargo. It's good for both separated families and the economic situation here.

However, this won't suit the authorities, who will surely try to stop the measures from going ahead. Fidel Castro doesn't want to see an end to the embargo; it's the embargo that allows him to justify his policies. The newspapers here reported the measure purely as a means for the US to take hold of Cuba."

"Most people here don’t want the embargo to be lifted if nothing changes in Cuba"

Before, families could only see each other every three years. If what Obama plans for goes ahead, we'll be able to see each other as much as we want. However, the law in Cuba must also change. 

We're waiting to see how much money we'll be able to send to our relatives on the island. Until now, we were only able to send 300 dollars [€225] every three months.

So it is a step forward, but still far from an end to the embargo. In any case, most people here don't want the embargo to be lifted if nothing changes in Cuba."

"I’m not all for the idea of Cuba becoming a new American colony"

Giomar, 36, is a Cuban exile living in France. He works as an IT technician in Paris.

The measures will generate some improvement for the Cuban people, who are in need of essentials like food and medicine. Exiles in Florida want to be able to help their destitute family and friends on the island. Furthermore, there are separated families who haven't seen each other for a long time and will be able to reunite.

However, I hope that the measures aren't misinterpreted by the government. If they take them badly, they'll be tempted to block the measures, and that won't lead to an end of the embargo.

On another note, we do need to stay on our guard. I'm not all for the idea of Cuba becoming a new American colony."