Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1604 - Sanctions, Sovereignty, and the Future of Cuba with Mark Entwistle

For more than 60 years, the United States and Cuba have been locked in conflict — and today, that tension is rising again. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Mark Entwistle for a deeply informed look at the evolving U.S.–Cuba relationship and what it means for the region and the world. Mark explains how today’s tensions are rooted in decades of unresolved history — from the legacy of the Cuban Revolution to long-standing U.S. efforts toward isolation and regime change. In Cuba, however, nationalism and sovereignty continue to shape the response. The discussion then turns to sanctions and economic pressure, including restrictions that function as an oil blockade and their growing humanitarian consequences. Mark raises important questions about the legal and moral foundations of these policies. We then explore Cuba today — a country often misunderstood. While it remains a communist state, it also has a growing private sector and a population increasingly driven by economic frustration rather than ideology. Change, Mark suggests, is more likely to come through economics than politics. The conversation looks ahead to what comes next. Despite rising tensions, the most realistic path may be gradual engagement and negotiation — similar to the 2014 Obama–Castro thaw — focused on pragmatic compromise and limited reform. Finally, we consider Canada’s role as a potential diplomatic bridge, supporting Cuba’s private sector and working alongside other middle powers to encourage constructive engagement. At the heart of the discussion is a simple but difficult question: After decades of pressure and isolation… is it time for a different strategy?