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The US trade embargo against Cuba is almost as old as the Cuban Revolution itself. It was imposed as an economic instrument with the aim of overthrowing the Castro regime. Nevertheless, the Castro regime has remained in power for over half a century. Motivated by political as well as economic interests, the trade embargo enhanced the Castro regime´s power, pushing it to the Soviet Union during the early years of the Revolution. In the United States, the trade embargo against Cuba has been an important political issue for both political parties. Whether the embargo is lifted before or after a political change in Cuba remains to be seen.

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Helen Osieja was born in Mexico, where she studied International Relations. In 1994, Ms. Osieja moved to Bochum, Germany after receiving an invitation by the Ruhr University to teach Spanish and Latin American studies. Ms. Osieja completed her Ph D in international relations in 2005. She is now an educational consultant in Stockholm, Sweden.

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