Our correspondent says many Americans believe it is now time for a major reassessment of Washington's relations with Havana. Many foods are rationed in Cuba Cuban officials heaped scorn on the concessions when they were first announced last month, saying that in practice they would have no effect on bilateral relations. They pointed out that, by specifically ruling out sales from Cuba to the United States, the deal would do little to help the struggling Cuban economy. Sales of medicine to Cuba have anyway been allowed since 1992 with some restrictions. Good for business Washington imposed full economic sanctions against Cuba in 1962, three years after the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power.
Critics say the main victims have hit Cuba's poor and sick.
Sanctions were an attempt to isolate him The latest vote is also being seen as a major victory for farm, business and other groups working to ease the sanctions. Many supporters of an easing of sanctions have argued that increased contacts between the US and Cuba would help to weaken President Castro's hold on power. Many also question the logic of maintaining a total embargo on Cuba while the US is engaged in a burgeoning trade relationship with Communist China. Opposition But the eventual lifting of sanctions on Cuba is certain to face stiff opposition from Cuban-American politicians, who succeeded in defeating a similar measure last year in the House of Representatives. Anti-Castro legislators have argued that allowing Cuba to receive more US trade and tourists would help prop up his regime.