For almost 50 years, the United States has imposed a trade embargo and travel restrictions against communist Cuba. But in April, the U.S. announced that it would ease some restrictions on travel and commerce between the two countries.
With Barack Obama and Raúl Castro now in charge, change is openly talked about on Cuba's street corners -- from young people testing the limits of protest to the government forging new economic partnerships around the globe.
Correspondent Peter Eisner and producer Ara Ayer traveled to Cuba in the winter of 2009 to determine where U.S.-Cuban relations might be headed and explore the impact of the change in Cuba's leadership.
""Cuba after Fidel" is a collection of signature videos, interviews, blogger perspectives, an online radio show on U.S.-Cuban relations and web original videos including hip hop video protesting politics and a poet praising the revolution.
U.S. policy toward Cuba remains largely unmodified
Prior to taking office, Barack Obama spoke of the need for a new approach to U.S.-Cuba relations and a sea change from the past. Last April, the Obama administration lifted a few restrictions on Cuban-Americans, including some on travel and on sending money back to Cuba. However, the 47-year-old embargo remain intact. Read what Cuban bloggers are saying.
Cuban trade embargo continues to impair bilateral relations
Jose Moya, a professor of Latin American history at Barnard College, joins Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the impact of the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. Moya explains what U.S. policy has meant for Cuban businesses and for American companies investing in Cuba. He also discusses the future of U.S.-Cuba economic relations.
Holding unfriendly regimes accountable for human rights
The U.S. State Department has deplored several recent assaults on bloggers who have been critical of Cuba's government. A notable case was Yoani Sanchez, who has won acclaim for her blog Generation Y. As the Obama administration begins talking to repressive countries like Cuba, is the administration doing enough to hold them accountable on human rights?
U.S. ponders normalized relations with Cuba
Though there have been some reforms in recent years, human rights activists say Cuba fundamentally remains a repressive state. Martin Savidge talks to Jose Moya of Barnard College talks about the state of press freedom and the economic embargo.
Obama sticks to the script in renewing Cuba embargo
President Barack Obama renewed the U.S. embargo with Cuba this week. As usual, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner, Latin America is an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy planning.
For Cuba’s young boxers, victory comes at any cost
PBS Wide Angle shares the story of a Cuban boy training at a boxing academy in Havana, where losing is not an option. Boxing holds a special place in Cuban society, and the country often dominates at the Olympic Games.
U.S. turns off Havana news ticker, but Cubans await more
The United States has turned off the news ticker that was running across the U.S. interests section in Havana. But though that sign is off, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner, there's no sign that the Obama administration plans to go much further than that to improve relations with Cuba.
Cuba provides free health care without the worry
Apropos of the current health care debate in the United States: What happens when a government you happen not to approve of does some good things? The case in point is Cuba, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner, where the level of health care is startling.
U.S. accuses American couple of spying for Cuba
A strange case of alleged spying on behalf of Cuba has popped up in Washington, raising fascinating questions about personality, motivation and Cuba's goals in espionage, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner.
OAS lifts ban on Cuba after compromise with U.S.
The Organization of American States has voted to rescind the ban on Cuba’s membership in the largely U.S.-financed, Washington-based assemblage, but don’t stop the presses (or click the send button) yet, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner.
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