In Cuba, any whiff of reform is systematically snuffed out.

The latest example of repression was the roundup of young Cubans wearing white rubber wristbands stenciled with the world "cambio," the Spanish word for change. The young people were held for hours before they were released without being charged with any offenses. The youths had to relinquish their bracelets.

The government's reaction to the bracelet-wearing illustrates the very reasons why Cuba needs reforms. A basic liberty — expressing one's point of view — is met with arrests and detention. Unless Cuba emerges from its communist regime, personal freedoms will remain out of reach.

Just ask the Cuban independent thinkers, journalists, librarians and academics who remain imprisoned after their arrests more than four years ago. Of the 75 people arrested, the vast majority remain in prison, some facing 25-year sentences for carrying out activities people in free, democratic countries participate in daily.

It's difficult to imagine an uprising in Cuba when a seemingly benign activity — wearing a message bracelet — incites arrests and detention. The United States and other free nations must continue to exert political pressure on the Castro regime so that the Cuban people can someday "shape (their) destiny," as President Bush urged in a recent speech about the island nation.

Except for immigrants from repressive countries, most Americans have no concept of life without freedom of expression, freedom of religion and the ability to select their own leaders. People who possess such freedoms must champion people who yearn for basic liberties.

Bush's recent speech was spun by the Castro regime as a call to take the island by force. Such rhetoric makes the case that Cuba must rid itself from its communist government. If the United States honestly believed a military invasion was the best option, why hasn't that happened? Could it be that the United States has loftier goals — freedom and self-determination for the people of Cuba?

"Cambio" is long overdue.