Frida says : sanctions on Cuba should have been lifted a long time ago . But President Barack Obama squandered a strong negotiating position , Ghitis says . The U.S. received virtually no meaningful concessions from the Cuban government , she says . 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 . '' Obama : It will be tragic if this unique chance to usher in freedom is lost .
Frida says : sanctions on Cuba should have been lifted a long time ago . But President Barack Obama squandered a strong negotiating position , Ghitis says . The U.S. received virtually no meaningful concessions from the Cuban government , she says . Obama : It will be tragic if this unique chance to usher in freedom is lost .