According to political experts, the death of Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after an 85-day hunger strike may have dashed hopes for improved US-Cuba relations in the near future. His death, a result of protesting prison conditions, further strained tensions already heightened by the arrest of an American contractor in Cuba. This has made it more difficult for diplomatic and legislative efforts to enhance ties with the island. Marifeli Perez-Stable, a Cuba analyst at Florida International University in Miami, stated that progress in US-Cuba relations is currently uncertain. Zapata's death led to strong reactions in Washington, with opponents of communist Cuba emphasizing the need to not appease President Raul Castro's government by lifting the trade embargo, a key element of US-Cuba policy. Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida urged a renewed commitment to ensuring a future Cuba free of the ideology that led to Zapata's death. Zapata's death poses a challenge for those who support improving relations with Cuba, as they argue that getting closer to the island is the best way to bring about change. On the day of Zapata's death, new legislation was introduced that would lift the ban on US travel to Cuba and facilitate food trade between the two countries. Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts emphasized the importance of being closer to the Cuban people in order to better support them, expressing sadness and anger over Zapata's death and criticizing the Cuban government for not preventing it. Spain, currently presiding over the European Union, is encountering a similar issue. The country has been advocating for the removal of a clause from the EU's common position on Cuba, which calls for democracy and increased respect for human rights on the island. Havana views this clause as a barrier to establishing full normal relations with the 27-nation bloc. In response to pressure from Spanish media, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a socialist and long-time supporter of strong ties with Cuba, expressed sorrow over Zapata's death and called for the release of political prisoners and the protection of human rights in Cuba. He emphasized that this is a crucial demand of the international community. Perez-Stable stated that Zapata's death would likely end Spain's attempts to improve relations between the EU and Cuba. She mentioned that Havana should not expect the EU to lift the common position. Observers of Cuba stated that the death of the dissident was a setback for the Cuban government's diplomatic efforts to pressure the United States to end the embargo. The small dissident community in Cuba promised to increase their calls for democratic reform on the island, to ensure that Zapata's death was not in vain. On Friday, five dissidents, four of whom are currently imprisoned, announced hunger strikes to demand the release of political prisoners. Leading dissident Oswaldo Paya stated that the death has deeply affected everyone. He emphasized that this event marks a significant turning point, and although they will not resort to violence, the government's actions are concerning for the Cuban people.