Why the big push lately to lift the sanctions and embargo against Cuba?

Oh, I don't know, how about because they're working?

Cuba's trade deficit jumps 65 percent in 2008

HAVANA, June 30 (Reuters) - Cuba's trade deficit soared by 65 percent in 2008, driven by a doubling in the value of oil imports, higher costs of food imports and a decline in key export nickel, according to a government report released on Tuesday.

Exports totaled $4 billion, similar to 2007, while imports increased 41 percent to $15.4 billion, leaving a deficit of $11.4 billion, the National Statistics Office reported on its web page www.one.cu.

Of course, these are the "official" numbers from the Cuban government, so I'd venture to say that the deficit is probably close to double the figure given.

Hey, and guess what? The evil American hegemony remained Cuba's fifth largest trading partner:

Cuba's arch enemy, the United States, also benefited from higher prices as food exports, allowed since 2000 under its long-standing trade embargo, hit a record $860 million, compared with $608 million in 2007.

Despite trade sanctions in place since 1962, the U.S. held its ranking as the island's fifth-largest trading partner.

The Cuban government not only desperately needs American tourism dollars, but CREDIT as well. And once granted credit for all those agricultural purchases, they will most certainly default, as they have always done.

And since most agricultural commodities and goods are heavily subsidized by the US Government, guess who'll end up flipping the bill?

Correctamundo, Mr. Taxpayer.