The American House of Representatives has voted in favour of measures which would help ease the 38-year-old trade embargo against Cuba. The Republican-led House passed amendments aimed at easing restrictions on Americans travelling to the communist-ruled island. They will also exempt food and medicine from a unilateral embargo meant to weaken President Castro's hold on power.
The amendments will have no practical effect in the short term, but commentators said that they should reinforce efforts to change the underlying laws. Congressman Mark Sandford said that the House felt it was time for the US to pursue a policy of engagement with Cuba.
