I strongly agree with your conclusion that change in U.S. policy toward Cuba was long overdue ("Turning a page on Cuba," Dec. 17).
The U.S. effort to support democracy and freedom by damaging Cuba's economy has succeeded only in damaging Cuba's economy.
Whatever other changes we hoped were going to occur there have had more than 50 years to happen. It's time to alleviate the economic hardships our sanctions have imposed on the Cuban people by resuming diplomatic relations and mutually beneficial trade.
It's my hope that Congress will not get mired in politics but instead will work with President Barack Obama to end the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.
Matthew Coile, Gaithersburg