From that famous gladiator against Castroism, Bill Delahunt--and in the same publication that proudly publishes Ricardo Alarcon's daughter:

Ms. Sanchez wrote recently in an op-ed published by Foreign Policy that these changes involving both economic freedom and the freedom of Cubans to travel "are gradually reducing the state's influence in the daily life of Cubans" because "those who cease to receive their salaries from a state institution and come to support their families through self-employment will undoubtedly gain more political autonomy." She even went so far as to say, "every step the authorities take in the direction of greater flexibility is like pointing a loaded gun at their own temples."

That's what Yoani says; and, yet, the Cuban government keeps taking them.

Just last month, Raúl Castro announced his retirement plans. His likely successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel, a 52 year-old party leader, has taken the number two position on the Council of State. This imminent transition will check-off one of the requirements for lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba, as codified by the Helms-Burton Act. However, the Cold Warriors in Congress, less prepared to move forward than the Cubans, are turning a blind eye to all these developments.

In Ms. Sanchez's letter to legislators, she quoted Pope John Paul II's message from over two decades ago, "Let Cuba open itself to the world, and let the world open itself to Cuba."