Fox News anchor Shepard Smith reacted to news that the U.S. was restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba by asking if American capitalism would “ruin” the nation with fast-food restaurants and home improvement businesses.
“You know, the fear that among anybody who’s ever been there or cares at all about the Cuban people as so many of us do — the last thing they need is a Taco Bell and a Lowe’s. You know, it’s one big idea, and it all comes together and you wonder: Are we about to get up in there and ruin that place?” the Fox personality said Wednesday.
Gerri Willis of the Fox Business Network replied: “Well, I think they’ve been held back for a long time.”
Earlier in the day, while talking with Judge Andrew Napolitano, Mr. Smith did suggest that Cubans would benefit from more freedom, Mediaite reported.
While speaking at the White House after the decision was made, President Obama said, “Fifty years have shown that isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.”
The new rules mean that American travelers to Cuba will be able to return to the U.S. with $400 in Cuban goods, including tobacco and alcohol products worth less than $100 combined, The Associated Press reported.
SEE ALSO: Marco Rubio slams Cuba agreement, says Obama is ‘willfully ignorant’
Critics of Mr. Obama’s move, such as Cuban-American Sen. Marco Rubio from Florida, said that Cuban President Raul Castro would use the eased restrictions as an opportunity to secure power for his regime.
“I’m committed to doing everything I can to unravel as many of these changes as I can,” Mr. Rubio said. “I intend to use every tool at our disposal in the majority [in the Senate] to unravel as many of these changes as possible.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.