( CNN ) -- Let 's be clear about this : The embargo on Cuba should have been lifted a long time ago . And yet it 's hard to avoid the impression that although President Barack Obama had an overwhelmingly strong hand in negotiations , he played it badly . Badly , that is , for the sake of the Cuban people . What occurred on Wednesday , and the Obama administration 's announcement of a momentous change in U.S. policy toward Cuba , is certainly important to the United States . But it means even more to Cuba -- it is a major landmark in the country 's history , one of the most pivotal events since the takeover of the government by Fidel Castro and his band of revolutionary brothers in 1959 . For decades the Castro regime -- first under Fidel and now under his brother Raul -- have made the lifting of the U.S. embargo , `` the blockade '' as they call it , a centerpiece of their rhetorical arsenal and their principal demand in domestic and international forums . Now , United States has agreed to work toward lifting the embargo and normalizing diplomatic relations . Yet despite Washington having significant leverage as the Cuban economy teeters and low oil prices threaten to sever its Venezuelan lifeline , the United States secured virtually no meaningful concessions . Cuba remains one of the world 's most politically oppressive countries . At the very least , therefore , the agreement to restore relations should have included substantial commitments on Havana 's part to relax the state 's grip . But it did not . Of course , the release of the unjustly incarcerated Alan Gross is welcome . But his release should have been viewed not as a bargaining chip , but as a prerequisite to any deal at all . Instead , there was a separate exchange of spies , which Cuba treated as a major victory . The only concession that has been reported upon is Havana 's agreement to release about 50 imprisoned dissidents . This leaves millions of Cubans still under the thumb of a repressive state . With that in mind , the main goal of U.S. policy toward Havana should be helping the Cuban people live in prosperity and freedom , able to enjoy the benefits of modernity , complete with the right to free expression and participation in the global economy . By beginning to lift the embargo , material conditions in Cuba are likely to improve -- and that is most welcome -- but the process of introducing political freedoms may or may not advance . It 's not surprising that the agreement was judged with skepticism by many pro-democracy activists in Cuba . The dean of Cuban dissidents , Elizardo Sanchez , reportedly declared , `` Castrismo has won . '' He welcomed the renewal of dialogue but told Radio France Internationale he foresees no improvement in human rights as the result of the deal . The leader of the opposition group Ladies in White , Berta Soler , called Obama 's decision a mistake , adding that `` democracy and freedom for the Cuban people are n't going to be achieved by what Obama has given to the Cuban government . '' Barely a week ago that repression was in full view of the Cuban people and a smattering of foreign journalists in Havana . On December 10 , Human Rights Day , a familiar scene unfolded in Havana as authorities took away would-be peaceful demonstrators before they had a chance to assemble even in small numbers . At least 240 people were arrested , according to one dissident group . Human Rights Watch , for its part , says the government continues to use beatings , public shaming and intimidation against regime critics , adding that arbitrary arrests have `` increased dramatically in recent years . '' Indeed , I 've witnessed such incidents myself over the course of at least a dozen trips to Cuba over the years , watching plainclothes agents and regime thugs beat up anyone even daring to utter the word `` democracy . '' True , not everyone in Cuba is pessimistic . Many of those who have struggled under grinding economic difficulties understandably just want to see their standard of living improve , and there is excitement on the island and hope that major economic changes could be around the corner . Yet welcome as improving economic well-being is , it would be tragic if this unique chance to usher in freedom is lost . The sight of Raul Castro -- the aging , unelected Cuban leader -- wearing his military uniform as he announced on television that Washington and Havana will restore ties `` without renouncing any of our principles '' reminded me of a conversation I had with a Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs official back when communist regimes were collapsing around the world . He told me that he thought Cuba would seek to follow a Chinese model , meaning that like China 's Communist Party , the Cuban regime would try to keep its grip on power , even if its socialist economic model is conclusively proven to have failed . Will Cuba choose that path ? Certainly , Obama had the opportunity to nudge the country off this course , and instead toward freedom . In fact , it is not too late for his administration to do so . So , as the United States moves to dismantle the old , failed embargo , let 's hope it plays its hand with greater skill on behalf of the Cuban people moving forward , and extracts from the government verifiable progress on human rights and individual freedoms . It is time to help Cuba and its people rejoin the modern world .
Frida Ghitis : Embargo on Cuba should have been lifted a long time ago . But President Barack Obama squandered a strong negotiating hand , Ghitis says . The U.S. secured virtually no meaningful concessions from the Cuban regime , she says . Ghitis : It would be tragic if this unique chance to usher in freedom is lost .