Ending the US embargo of Cuba: international law in dispute

White, Nigel D.

Abstract

The announcement by Presidents Obama and Castro in December 2014 of a major step towards normalisation of inter-state relations was part of what is primarily a political process, but normalisation implies a return to peaceful inter-state relations based on respect for fundamental principles of international law. This commentary explores the role that those principles have played in helping shape the confrontation between the United States and Cuba since the revolution of 1959, which has been underpinned by an economic, commercial and financial embargo of Cuba by the United States. From being an integral part of the bilateral dispute, this commentary argues that at key moments international law can shift to form part of a solution. The changing political landscape raises the prospects of the parties turning to international law as a means of restoring normal relations between the two countries resulting, amongst other changes, in the demise of the embargo.

Citation

White, N. D. (2018). Ending the US embargo of Cuba: international law in dispute. Journal of Latin American Studies, 51(1), 163-186. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022216X18000718

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 18, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 13, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 13, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 22, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 13, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Latin American Studies
• Print ISSN: 0022-216X
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-767X
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 163-186
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022216X18000718
• Keywords: Cuba, embargo, international law, derecho internacional, direito internacional
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/895631
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-latin-american-studies/article/ending-the-us-embargo-of-cuba-international-law-in-dispute/5DF4D4D5573333AD40AAC57B6F1F4FA0
• Additional Information: This article has been published in a revised form in Journal of Latin American Studies https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022216X18000718. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press 2018.
• Contract Date: Nov 22, 2017