Otter wants Cuba embargo lifted

C.L. “Butch” Otter was one of nine governors who signed a letter to congressional leaders recently asking them to lift the trade restrictions against Cuba. The governors write that American food and agriculture producers are losing market opportunities under the current restrictions, and that expanded trade and relations could help boost democratic ideals in Cuba where “an outdated strategy of isolation and sanctions” has failed.

“Ending the embargo will create jobs here at home, especially in rural America, and will create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture,” the governors wrote. “Expanding trade with Cuba will further strengthen our nation’s agriculture sector by opening a market of 11 million people just 90 miles from our shores, and continue to maintain the tremendous momentum of U.S. agricultural exports, which reached a record $152 billion in 2014.”

The letter was dated Oct. 9 and sent to House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. Out of the nine signatories, the only Republican other than Otter was Alabama governor Robert Bentley. Otter’s office provided a copy to the Times-News / Nathan Brown , Twin Falls Times News. More here .

Question: Should Congress lift the embargo against Cuba?