Editorial Board

It’s Congress’s Turn to Act on Cuba

President Obama is reaching the limits of his authority on easing the embargo.

October 17, 2016 at 12:00 PM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

Waiting for Marco.
Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg

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The latest U.S. easing of regulations on commerce with Cuba is good news, not least for fans of rum and cigars. But it’s also a sign that President Barack Obama’s drive to normalize relations is approaching the limits of his authority.

With this new initiative, Obama has done about as much as he can to lighten the burden of a pointless and outdated embargo. Moving policy on Cuba any further in the right direction will require action by Congress.