(I) For almost 40 years, relations have been frozen between the United States and Cuba. (II) This is mainly due to the glaring differences between the regimes of the two countries. (III) Many, on both sides, have ceased to hope for an improvement in the relations. (IV) More surprisingly, the recent papal trip to the island has had an effect in Washington, too. (V) Mr Castro will not ease his grip until he dies; nor will the policy makers in Washington be ready to lift the American embargo against trade with Cuba.