Visiting Assistant Professor of Government Shelley McConnell spoke on U.S.-Cuba relations and the prospects for reform under the Obama administration at Utica College on March 4. Participating in the discussion will be members of the Utica Great Decisions group, a body of citizens who meet monthly to discuss issues of importance to the country.
The shake-up of Raul Castro's cabinet, in which he fired eight ministers closely associated with Fidel Castro and replaced them with former military officers who are personally loyal to Raul, consolidates the change in Cuba's presidency and places the Cuban government in a better position to pursue reform. By comparison, President Obama's hands are largely tied by domestic political considerations and legislation that places U.S. policy on Cuba in the hands of the Congress.
The shake-up of Raul Castro's cabinet, in which he fired eight ministers closely associated with Fidel Castro and replaced them with former military officers who are personally loyal to Raul, consolidates the change in Cuba's presidency and places the Cuban government in a better position to pursue reform. By comparison, President Obama's hands are largely tied by domestic political considerations and legislation that places U.S. policy on Cuba in the hands of the Congress.
