Congress could change Cuba policy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Political strategists say Congress may reconsider U.S. policy toward Cuba as more Democrats gain power and some hard-line Republicans retire.

Advocates of isolating Cuba "have been losing a lot of their mojo here," Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said of Congress.

U.S. farm and business interests want to expand into Cuba's market and are urging legislation to ease U.S. restrictions against engagement with Cuba, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday

During his campaign, President-elect Barack Obama said he would consider talks with Havana and easing restrictions on Cuban Americans who want to travel and send money to Cuba, the Times reported, noting many Cuban Americans see the economic embargo as a failure.

The embargo was imposed in 1962 after Fidel Castro's government imposed authoritarian rule following Castro's 1959 revolution.

The Bush administration tightened rules in 2004 to limit families to one visit to Cuba every three years and remittances to no more than $300 every three months, the Times reported.