When Castro came to power in 1959, his major American opponents, as with Guatemala, were the business interests who were losing out as a result of his polices. The major pressure for the Americans to do something came, not only from the Cuban exiles in Florida, but from those businesses. Today, the tables are turned and businesses are losing out because of the American embargo against Cuba. It is estimated that if the embargo were lifted, $1 billion of business would be generated for US companies the first year. As of now, 100 firms have talked to Cuba about doing business there after the embargo is lifted. Will American policy change toward Cuba because of pressure from business interests and growing problems with refugees from Cuba? Given the reasons why the United States got involved in Latin American politics in the first place, it is very likely their position will change if they can find a face saving way to do so. American policy at this time though is still stuck in the cold war. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jesse Helms said, ?Whether Castro leaves Cuba in a vertical or horizontal position is up to him and the Cuban people. But he must and will leave Cuba.? Misinformation and mismanagement caused the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion. The consequences were the ?egg in the face? for the Americans and an increase in tension between the superpowers at the height of the cold war. We will only have to wait and see if the Americans have really learned their lesson and will not miss another opportunity to set things right in Cuba.
?This picture was taken of President Kennedy walking with three Cuban Exiles in 1961.
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