If the US government's quarrel with its neighbour was actually about freedom and democracy, Cuba would be a long way down the list of priority states, well behind many of America's favourite allies.

Imagine that there was a genuinely free election in Cuba tomorrow (which would be a very good idea) - and Castro and his colleagues was overwhelmingly confirmed in power (which is the most likely outcome).   Does anyone seriously think that this would change the attitude of the Bushites?