Cuba: One-Quarter of Americans Now Believe Cuba is an Enemy of the U.S

One-Quarter of Americans Now Believe Cuba is an Enemy of the U.S.

Public divided on policy towards Cuba, but many say President Obama
should visit Cuba

Press Release Source: Harris Interactive On Tuesday March 2, 2010, 5:00
am EST

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Almost fifty years ago the eyes of the world
were on the interplay between the United States and Cuba during the Bay
of Pigs and then the Cuban Missile Crisis. Luckily, those thirteen days
passed with no major escalation, but the stage was set for ice-cold
relations between the two countries for most of the next five decades.

Now, almost one-quarter of Americans (23%) still say that the government
of Cuba is unfriendly and an enemy of the United States while almost
two-thirds (63%) say Cuba's government is not friendly, but not an
enemy. Just one in ten (12%) say Cuba is a friend but not a close ally
while 2% believe Cuba is a close ally. There is an age difference in
attitude towards Cuba. Over one-third (35%) of those 55 and older say
that Cuba is unfriendly and an enemy while just one in ten (10%) of
those 18-34 say the same.

These are some of the results of BBC World News America/Harris Poll of
2,050 adults surveyed online between January 13 and 15, 2010 by Harris
Interactive.

While Cuba may no longer be considered an enemy by a majority of
Americans, it does not mean people are ready to embrace the government
completely. More than two in five U.S. adults (44%) believe it is too
soon for normal relations to be restored with Cuba while 38% disagree
with that idea. One issue that is also splitting Americans is the
embargo as two in five (40%) say the embargo towards Cuba should remain
in effect and 36% say it should not remain in effect any longer. With
Fidel Castro no longer in power, two in five U.S. adults (39%) agree
that Cuba has changed for the better while 29% disagree and one-third
(32%) are not at all sure.

Looking at who would like to visit Cuba confirms that most people are
not ready to embrace the country yet. While two in five (38%) say they
would like to visit Cuba if possible almost half of Americans (49%) say
they would not. And, again, there is an age difference here as three in
ten of those 55 and older (30%) say they would want to visit Cuba if
possible compared to 43% of those 18-34 and 46% of those 35-44. There is
also a gender difference on visiting Cuba. Almost half of men (47%)
would like to visit Cuba if possible compared to just 30% of women.

Relationship with Cuba

Three-quarters of Americans (75%) say the relationship with Cuba is
important while 25% say it is not important. And one reason for this
importance could be the possible business possibilities. Some have
argued that there is a large business potential for American
corporations in Cuba that is lacking because of the trade embargo. Over
half of U.S. adults (57%) say there are missed opportunities for U.S.
businesses and 17% say there are not. One quarter of Americans (25%) are
not at all sure.

When he took office, President Obama said he was going to make overtures
to Cuba and attempt to better relations between the two countries. So
far he has lifted some travel restrictions for Cuban Americans to visit
the island. Three in ten Americans (29%) say this is not enough of an
overture while 35% believe it is enough of one and 10% say it is too much.

While almost half of Americans do not want to visit Cuba, the same
number (49%) believe President Obama should visit Cuba at some point
during his presidency while one-quarter (25%) say maybe he should visit
when Fidel Castro dies and 26% say no, he should not ever visit Cuba.
Again, age matters as 35% of those 55 and older say President Obama
should not visit Cuba while 54% of those 18-34 say he should visit Cuba
during his presidency.

So what?

Fifty years is a long time but these findings suggest that, at least for
older people, memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis last. Attitudes on
many issues on Cuba are very different depending on if one is over or
under 55 years old. And, even though he isn't in power any longer, Fidel
Castro is still a presence. Once he is no longer there, attitudes may
change further.

TABLE 1
CUBA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE US
"Thinking of the government of Cuba, do you believe it is a close ally
of the United States, a friend but not a close ally, is not friendly but
not an enemy, or is unfriendly and an enemy of the United States?"
Base: All Adults
Total Age
18-34 35-44 45-54 55+
% % % % %
A close ally 2 3 1 1 1
A friend, but not a close ally 12 19 13 12 6
Not friendly, but not an enemy 63 68 66 59 58
Unfriendly and an enemy 23 10 20 28 35