A call for lasting peace when the President visits Cuba

For the first time since 1928, a U.S. President has visited Cuba. Following the ghost of Calvin Coolidge, President Obama is in Cuba for two days before moving to Argentina. In Cuba, he intends to build on the progress the U.S. has made towards normalizing relations and improving the wellbeing of the Cuban people by expressing support for human rights, according to a statement released by the Press Secretary on February 18.

Relations with Cuba have been dastardly since the Cold War, a conflict of economic disputes and ideological differences, which resulted in a standoff of nuclear weaponry between the two countries, thus earning the name of the “cold” war. The U.S. government has sworn to uphold the trade embargo on Cuba until the country holds democratic elections, which may occur when Raul Castro leaves office in 2018. In his speech in Havana on Tuesday, Obama asserted his beliefs in the successes of democracy while encouraging the strength and agency of the Cuban people and affirming that Cuba has nothing to fear from the U.S.

According to CNN, after the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, President Obama continued on his itinerary of speech and baseball game in Cuba. He argued that it is important to continue daily life in defiance of the distress that terrorists are trying to inflict. Our president was emphasizing his long-term strategy over a short-term crises.

Sometimes, paths like this must be taken in one’s life. Momentary crises will always occur, whether they be threats, attacks, betrayals, or more simple mistakes. In cases like this in which the President made a confusing choice to some, one must consider his entire agenda and realize that one’s life, family, and goals cannot be surmounted by short-term catastrophes. Forgiveness and empathy must be employed in order to ensure long-lasting peace and compromise.