US relations with Cuba could become a bargaining chip in the healthcare debate

pulse

March 22, 2017 8:31 PM

At least one Florida Republican is trying to wring concessions on Cuba from Trump over the GOP healthcare bill.

US Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 14, 2017.

President Donald Trump took a hardline on thawing US relations with Cuba during the final weeks of his campaign, likely in a move to shore up his support with some segments of the electorate.

In the two months since he took office, though, Trump's Cuba policy — to the extent that it exists — has been far from clear, especially because of Trump's past vacillations on the issue.

A New York Times report about wrangling on Capitol Hill over the Republican healthcare bill indicates that at least one Florida Republican sees the debate as a way to gauge Trump's stance on Cuba.

According to The Times:

still reviewing the recent changes to the bill and continues to negotiate with House Leadership about multiple aspects of the bill, including how the legislation handles older, low income constituents."

While Trump's feelings on Cuba remain unclear, the people who ushered his administration into office are decidedly against the island nation and its isolated Communist regime.

Trump's transition team reportedly ceded the staffing of government positions dealing with Latin America to Cuban-American legislators.

According to Chris Sabatini, a professor at Columbia and editor of Latin America Goes Global, the people appointed to those posts may push for a return to a strict embargo and a more aggressive stance toward Cuba.

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