Kerry's Trip to Cuba Will Lead to More Trade and Investment

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Cuba is a solid step toward increased trade and investment between the United States and the communist nation, according to one analyst at IHS. But Diego Moya-Ocampos, Senior Latin American Analyst at IHS, said there are limits to how much progress can be made while the U.S. embargo against Cuba continues. He doesn't see the embargo being lifted for the next few years. 'As long as Republicans control the Congress, this is something that isn't likely to happen. And it's unlikely to happen because President Raoul Castro isn't likely to step down before 2018,' said Moya-Ocampos, who also added that more action is needed from Cuba. 'We're not seeing any clear sign from the Cuban side of moving forward toward democratization or respecting dissident human rights.' He pointed out that there would have to be significant political reform in Cuba before the U.S. lifts the embargo. The trip will mark the first U.S. secretary of state visit to Cuba since 1945.