The embargo still stands and is thoroughly imposed, there are no diplomatic relations and no direct flights between the two countries. There are no signs so far that the United States is willing to warm up to Cuba and allow it to come out of its isolation. In other words, there are really no elements to help us determine that the isolators would be willing to allow the isolated to be released.
Drawing again on the parallel, we should point out that this was the same in Philoctetes's case, at least for most of the play. The reason he is able to come out of his isolation is not necessarily because the isolators have realized they have made a mistake or because they are willing to commit to a change, but rather because they were in need of Philoctetes. Can Cuba develop enough assets to become important for the United States and the international community to the degree to which these will be willing to accept it as a full member and to allow its coming out of the isolation...
Cuba has not really chosen by itself to enter an isolation, like North Korea has, for example. Further more, it would probably be most willing to rejoin the international community, if it will accept it on reasonable terms. One think that cannot be disputed is the thoroughly negative effect that isolation has on Cuba and on the everyday existence of Cuban people.
Bibliography
1. Sophocles (translated by Carl Philips). Philoctetes. Oxford University Press U.S., 2003
