In January 2011, the Obama administration announced much anticipated new rules liberalizing people-to-people exchanges with Cuba. Policymakers, stakeholders and observers are anxious to see what impact renewed contacts between the two countries will have on the overall U.S.-Cuba relationship. From human rights and migration to deep-sea drilling and economic reforms, the bilateral agenda promises to be fraught with tensions and mixed signals. Will the Obama administration use its executive authority to extend engagement to new areas like trade, telecommunications and energy? Or will political sensitivities on both sides of the Florida straits continue to limit the pace of change?

Read legal analysis prepared in conjuction with the event:
"Presidential Authority To Modify Economic Sanctions Against Cuba" by Stephen F. Propst >>

On February 15, the Latin American Initiative at Brookings hosted former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for keynote remarks on these recent developments and the outlook for U.S.-Cuba relations. The governor was joined by Stephen Propst, a partner with the law firm of Hogan Lovells U.S., LLP, and Patrick Kilbride, senior director for the Americas at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At the event, Propst released a new report, conducted at the request of the Cuba Study Group, on the scope of presidential authority to ease U.S. sanctions further.

Senior Fellow Ted Piccone, deputy director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, moderated the discussion. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.