In an effort to promote normal diplomatic relations with Cuba, Madison officials are on the forefront of a nation-wide movement to dismantle the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

One such official, Ald. Tim Bruer, District 14, often visits Madison’s Cuban sister city, Camaguey, to aid humanitarian efforts and foster American-Cuban relationships.

Three years ago, Bruer visited Camaguey for the first time.

“When I first visited Camaguey, I wanted to start a people-to-people agreement, something that would go beyond just a traditional medical-and-health humanitarian effort,” Bruer said. “I met with the mayor, or presidente of the town, and we signed an agreement in which Wisconsinites and Madisonians would restore a 30-year-old amusement park for children.”

Bruer said the park, which is about the size of Madison’s Olin Park, has 20 motorized rides. However, the city of Camaguey was unable to provide the resources to maintain its condition, Bruer said.

“My last trip to Cuba was this September, and 17 of the 20 rides were restored,” Breuer said. “We had just completed a major ride — a carousel had become so decayed that many of the horses only had two or three legs, and the framework was deteriorated. Now it looks brand-new, and it is one of the most popular rides there.”

Bruer said more than 5,000 children attend the park each week, and that it has been renamed the Camaguey-Madison Peace Park.

Madison is joining other cities in effort to dismantle the United States’ embargo against Cuba.

“This embargo alienates and isolates the Cuban people from the U.S.A. and American culture,” Bruer said. “Cuba poses no military threat to the United States — this is a domestic policy issue, as a result of a minority collective of Cuban exiles in Florida. Cubans have backed off their attacks on exiles in Florida, and are extending the olive branch to the United States.”

Though medical care is easily accessible, medicine and equipment is lacking in Cuba, Bruer said.

“Our government has made it very difficult for other countries to trade with Cuba,” he said. “The economic blockade has made medical costs to the island much more costly. Also, there is a low buying power. The average professional doctor, surgeon, or lawyer makes only $25 or $26 a month.”

Bruer also suggested Cuba’s government can, in some ways, be an example for Americans.

“I’m not saying I condone an authoritarian government — Cuba has its issues and its problems — but we can all learn from Cuba as well. Everyone there is entitled to medical care and a doctor,” he said.

Bruer says that until Fidel Castro’s takeover of the island in 1959, Cuba’s government was a corrupt regime.

“A small percentage of the population controlled the government,” he said. “The United States supported this regime — there was hunger, and education was almost nonexistent. In reality, today, Cuba is one of the most well educated countries in the world, and health care is accessible. Everyone struggles — it is clearly a one-class society.”

“It is unfortunate that the United States is being driven by Florida politics and keeping the embargo alive,” Breuer said. “I hope the day will come that the presidente of Camaguey will be enjoying a cold beer at the Terrace.”