Open up to Cuba

I visited Cuba a few weeks ago, and was surprised to find not only a wonderful island, but warm-hearted, happy, resilient, and, most important, just-plain folks working hard to maintain a sense of dignity.

One of our lecturers told us "changes are slow, but they are relentless." You can see those changes everywhere: houses for sale by individual owners; artisans markets (budding entrepreneurs); rooms for rent to tourists (using the Internet to advertise); and so much more.

For Cuban-Americans in Congress to say that Mariela Castro Espin "will spread communist propaganda to promote her father's regime" is absurd ("Castro daughter's U.S. visit stirs backlash," Orlando Sentinel, Friday).

I feel it is time to lift the embargo and let the Cuban people show the world what they can do, if given half a chance.

Danielle T. Abbott, Cocoa, Florida

Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel