• Mike Huckabee previously supported lifting the embargo
but later on changed his stance.

• He was accused of changing his stance for Cuba in an
attempt to appeal to a particular group of people before an
election.

• In December of 2007 he commented that he would veto any
efforts to end trade restrictions on the Caribbean country.

• In 2002 while in office as Governor of Arkansas he had
commented that the embargo was harmful to American business.

• He vowed to outdo even President Bush in bringing down
the rule of Fidel Castro and also punish those who do business
there.

• Following Castro's decision to step down, Mike Huckabee
called for 'free and fair elections' in Cuba but also commented
that until Castro dies there can be no significant movement
towards reform in Cuba.

• He said that Raul Castro seems to be as much of a tyrant
and dictator as Fidel.

• In January 2008 Fox news reported Mike Huckabee to have
said to propose halting immigration from such countries that are
listed as state sponsors of terrorism which includes Cuba.

• Governor Huckabee then back tracked saying that he
wanted a review of immigration procedures with regard to people
coming from countries in the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
He recommended a more diligent approach to back ground checks of
immigrants coming into the country from places like Cuba.
		

• President Obama has promised to loosen the restraints on
Cuban-Americans wanting to visit and send money to their
relatives.

• He commented that the US seeks a new beginning with Cuba
at the Summit of Americas at Trinidad and Tobago. The Summit
follows a thaw in relations between the two countries though Cuba
did not attend it.

• Further he said that there is a longer journey to be
travelled to overcome the decades of mistrust but critical steps
have to be taken towards a new day.

• In a speech in Little Havana, Obama said that until
there's justice in Cuba, there's no justice anywhere.

• He is also willing for talks with Raul Castro to
strengthen ties he said.

• Obama supports the embargo but optimists hope that his
modest moves will encourage the Democrat controlled government to
do something bold.

• Obama in answer to a blogger's questions said that his
administration was in the process of engagement with the Cuban
government on issues relating to migration and mail service and
was awaiting response from the Cuban administration.

• Obama's answers have not attained anything remarkable
with Cuba but he is ready to pursue direct diplomacy. He says he
isn't interested in talking for the sake of talking.

• During his election campaign he wrote in an opinion
piece in Miami Herald that 'Cuban American connections to family
in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms but also
our best tools to foster the beginnings of grass root democracy
on the island.'