From North Korea to Cuba: How to Embolden Tyrants

capitolhillcubans

Last week, it was revealed that senior U.S. administration officials traveled to North Korea in 2012 to hold secret talks with the new regime of Kim Jung Un.

Apparently, they thought young Kim was a "reformer" and wanted to engage him in negotiations.

The result?

Long-range missile launches and North Korea's third nuclear test.  Not to mention unchanged brutality and repression.

Now, we have a U.S. Congressional delegation in Cuba -- led by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) -- looking to do the same with Raul Castro.

Of course, a Congressional delegation is different from an Administration delegation, for it's not necessarily empowered with negotiation authority (per se).

But the result is the same.

It emboldens the criminal behavior of these tyrants.

Want to "pressure" the Castro regime to release American hostage Alan Gross?

Then just cut off the non-essential travel spigot.

Yes, some "people-to-people" travelers would have to miss their salsa lessons and mojito binges -- but it would be worth it.