No one should be surprised that Raul Castro’s July 2006 assumption of power from his ill brother has yet to free the Cuban people from heinous repression by their island nation’s Communist regime.

Thus, the U.S. must not use this regime “change” — a distinction without a difference — as a reason to further “engage” Cuba.

The unchanged plight of the Cuban people is made clear by the new Human Rights Watch report, “New Castro, Same Cuba.” Raul Castro has shown he cares as little for human rights and civil liberties as his brother Fidel always has, making unwise any additional Obama administration moves toward more normal relations with Cuba.

Under Raul, the Castro regime continues to use vague “dangerousness” charges to persecute Cubans whose advocacy of fundamental freedoms threatens the government’s power. The 132-page report documents more than 40 cases of the Cuban police state suppressing dissent through imprisonment imposed by kangaroo courts, denial of work and brutality toward political prisoners.

Raul Castro can have better relations with America — but only if he ends his tyranny. Not until Cuba proves it respects fundamental freedoms should the U.S. stance ease further. Otherwise, the U.S. will only strengthen the Castros’ iron hand.

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