The opinion article argues that a four-day congressional visit to Havana cannot provide a full understanding of Cuba, particularly when the itinerary is shaped by the Cuban government. It contends that lawmakers who focus on the effects of US sanctions risk overlooking political repression, the lack of democratic freedoms and the experiences of dissidents. The author presents this as important because US policy towards Cuba should be informed by a broader range of Cuban voices.

The criticism follows a visit by Democratic members of Congress who met President Miguel Díaz-Canel, officials and other groups while highlighting Cuba’s economic hardship. The delegation linked the crisis partly to US restrictions on fuel and trade, whereas the article argues that the government’s policies and control also bear responsibility. Its central point is that short, official visits should not be treated as definitive evidence about conditions across the island.