The Torricelli Act, was passed in 1992. It also authorizes the penalizing of foreign companies and governments doing business with Cuba. It makes no mention of the collapse of the country's major supporter, the Soviet Union or the original US embargo. Cuba has in fact lost econmic ties to the top two world superpowers. The main issue of contention with the US seems to be free elections in Cuba and the replacement of Fidel Castro through the election process before the embargo can be lifted.
Every country has human rights abuses - even the United States.
There is famous case of Rodney King. Last week, Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant, was beaten and sodomized with a toilet plunger by numerous members of the New York City police department. We are quite robust at reporting and rating other nations as to their human rights record. Tainted It is important for thinking people to realize that each of our perspectives is tainted by the politics that we consciously or unconsciously call our own. That being said, even the least politically aware and savvy individual can see that the justifications for our treatment of Cuba is the pot calling the kettle black.