That is a good benefit, for us.
Have their been any other benefits for the US, or for Cubans, of the embargo and diplomatic distance?
I know this is going to sound strange, coming from me and all, but why should US policy be crafted to benefit anyone other than Americans?
Just so you understand, there is no embargo. There's been no embargo for quite some time.
We are, and have been for quite some time, one of Cuba's largest trading partners, but they must pay cash.
The "establishing relations" meme is simply a puff of smoke hiding the true intent of the people behind this move to open embassies and crap like that. Their true intent is to have sales to Cuba guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank, and ultimately, the US taxpayer as guarantors to Cuba's debt.
Cuba isn't Communist. Cuba is a plantation, and so long as there are no direct business and trade abilities between private citizens of the two countries, there will be no benefits for Cubans.
US firms however, will be able to negotiate with the Cuban government for labor for their hotels and manufacturing facilities in Cuba. The way that works is that the Cuban government will guarantee the foreign firm X number of workers for $X, with the monies going to the Cuban government who will then pay those workers 7-10% of the $X that the foreign firms contracted them for.
I think what we're going to do with this is cement in place the position of Cuban workers as chattel to be rented by the Cuban government to foreign firms.