We understand that Cuba and the U.S. will now be tackling the issue of claims, or the millions of dollars confiscated from U.S. citizens in the early 1960s. This is from the New York Times:

The meeting is considered a major step because the United States’ trade embargo against Cuba was initially enacted after Fidel Castro, the Cuban leader at the time, expropriated land from American companies.

Nearly 6,000 people and corporations lost homes, farms, factories, sugar mills and other properties totaling $1.9 billion.

Now, for the first time, Cuba has agreed to meet to consider settling those losses.

The State Department is expected to announce the meeting on Monday. A Cuban Embassy spokeswoman declined to comment.

We want to be optimistic but don't underestimate Castro's intentions.   

In other words, the Castro regime may be looking for a trade – i.e., we settle the claims, and you compensate us for the embargo.  Under such a trade, Cuba would come out ahead and get the cash to settle the claims, now valued at $ 7 billion.   

Let's hope that the Obama administration goes into these negotiations trying to defend U.S. citizens rather than engaging in some "we apologize" mode.

The bottom line is that the Castro regime stole this property and targeted Americans, such as the man that a member of our family worked for.  He owned a small manufacturing company and was an outstanding citizen who created jobs and prosperity on the island.  He didn't deserve to have his property stolen just because Castro had to demonize the U.S. while he closed newspapers, put the opposition in jail, and refused to hold elections.   

There is something in this article that worries me:

“Obama is a very good negotiating partner for them to have as opposed to President Trump or President Bush or even President Hillary,” he added, referring to Donald J. Trump, Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton.

Yes, the Cubans will ask for the moon, hoping that a weak Obama will give it to them.  The Cuban regime wants Gitmo, the end of the embargo, compensation for the embargo, lots of U.S. cash, and an apology saying everything was America's fault.  

Let's hope that the Obama administration goes in with one message: settle the claims, and I'll get back to you about the other stuff.

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