I know my posts do not reflect the Cuba that 90% of the population experiences. If I had any doubts because I speak a little Spanish, I was even told so.
It was wonderful to visit Cuba. Our trip was intense, but I loved every minute. I have a better understanding why so many of my friends and family mourned the Cuba of old. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to see your beautiful country decline like the Cuba of today.
Sarah and I live in Miami-Dade, and when we met locals and they found out we were from Miami, they seemed to light up. On the flip side, our travel group included people from other parts of the U.S,. and I was struck by how little most knew or understood about Cuba.
The government has put all its economic eggs in the tourism basket. There is no other major industry. An armed forces holding company, Gaviota, owns most of the top hotels, and the Cuban state owns the Gran Caribe and Cubanacan hotel groups. If involved, foreign partners cannot hold a majority share.
The régime seems to be making lots of money off the backs of its people. Not only have they drained the country of doctors, engineers, and other experts by farming them out to foreign countries, but they also control the hotel workers. In most cases, these workers receive 10% or less of the fees paid to the government.
The Future?
Things are bad. There are food shortages, the electrical grid teeters on total failure, and the plumbing system is woefully inadequate. Land that could be farmed lies fallow. Trash is everywhere. Havana lost a million residents since the pandemic-driven tourism slowdown. Many left the country. A crowd was at the Spanish Consulate trying to prove ancestry and get visas to leave. Many who stay are content to receive government handouts, but those are rapidly diminishing. There were lines at banks. I think it’s about to get worse.
On our last full day, we had a morning session with a former diplomat. He was very charming until he started talking about “South Florida” and our politicians. I believe all our politicians want to save Cuba. The debate is how to do it. I certainly don’t know the answer or if it is even possible.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a recent opinion piece about Cuba by the Wall Street Journal’s Mary Anastasia O’Grady. It’s worth a read.
I would love to go back someday, see more of the country, and find things better for the people of Cuba.
Kadir Lopez’s “Light House Studio” is famous for salvaging and repairing vintage neon signs. He’s known for looking into the past and future, and the political consequences on society. Lopez has traveled outside of Cuba, and his work is shown in various U.S. galleries. His home/studio was very interesting. One piece above represents Molotov cocktail ‘bombs’.
If you found this post interesting, check out the rest of my series, Reflections of Cuba: