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State Dept.: Obama Could Ease Cuban Embargo Without Human Rights Demands

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Officials say the United States might take more steps to ease the embargo against Cuba.

A senior state department official said President Barack Obama could relax the U.S. trade embargo without first demanding human rights progress from Cuba.

The president has already used executive authority twice to ease the embargo as part of his opening to the island nation.

The president has eased travel restrictions on Americans and permitted trade with Cuba's small private sector.

Meantime, Cuba has been slow to embrace U.S. business, citing its inability to use dollars or receive U.S. credits under the embargo.

Click here to read more about U.S.- Cuba Relations.

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