WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Cuban-Americans strongly support retaining current U.S. trade and travel sanctions against Cuba, a Cuba Democracy Public Advocacy Corp. poll indicated.
The poll, released Wednesday, indicated 72 percent of Cuban-Americans surveyed support continuing the trade embargo and 69 percent support the prohibition of tourist travel to the Caribbean island nation, the organization said.
"The message to lawmakers and the Administration is clear: The Cuban-American community favors the continuation of U.S. sanctions towards the Cuban regime until a process of democratic reform begins," said Mauricio Claver-Carone, executive director of Cuba Democracy Public Advocacy Corp.
Eighty percent of Cuban-American voters asked do not think President Raul Castro will make democratic reforms in Cuba. Sixty-nine percent indicated U.S. tourism should not be authorized until the Castro regime releases all political prisoners, respects basic human rights and schedules free elections, and 69 percent said Cuba should remain on the U.S. government's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The poll was conducted by McLaughlin and Associates Jan. 25-26 among 500 Cuban-American registered voters throughout Florida. It has a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.
