Cuba
Cuban Aid to Developing Countries Medical doctors sent to foreign countries from Revolution’s earliest days Training of doctors in Cuba Cuban technical aid – infrastructure development Comparison to US Peace Corps
Cuba in Africa Military aid to African countries and guerrilla movements - Military aid – advisors, materiel, troops Long term involvement in Angola Bring to power the MPLA Military campaign against South African occupation of southern Angola and Namibia 1992 Withdrawal of 50,000 Cuban troops under UN agreement
Soviet Union and Cuba Gorbachev visit to Cuba 1989 Gorbachev visit to Cuba 1989 Cut back in economic and military support Cut back in economic and military support Gorbachev does NOT attempt change the structure of Cuba along new Soviet lines Gorbachev does NOT attempt change the structure of Cuba along new Soviet lines
Agriculture Return to the technology of the 19 th century No chemical fertilizers, pesticides Urban agriculture “organopónicos” – vegetables, fruits
Transportation
Health and the Special Period Weight loss country- wide Weight loss country- wide Decrease in heart disease and diabetes Decrease in heart disease and diabetes Increase in malnutrition Increase in malnutrition Increase in early term abortions Increase in early term abortions Higher maternal mortality Higher maternal mortality Higher mortality for seniors Higher mortality for seniors
Cuban Food Rationing
Founded 1981 by Jorge Mas Canoso (d. 1997) Dedicated to the overthrow of Castro’s government Propoganda/information about Cuba – TV, radio Significant lobbying activity to affect US policy
Cuban American National Foundation and Influence on US Politics Candidate Obama, 2008
Violence against Cuba Long standing US policy to Long standing US policy to kill Castro kill Castro 1997 Havana hotel bombing 1997 Havana hotel bombing Indictment against bomber Indictment against bomber Indictments against CANF Indictments against CANF officials officials
New Economic Policy Changes Joint foreign-Cuban private enterprises initially Joint foreign-Cuban private enterprises initially Full foreign ownership of enterprises Full foreign ownership of enterprises Real estate, free trade zones, export zones permitted Real estate, free trade zones, export zones permitted No foreign presence in health, education, military No foreign presence in health, education, military Repatriation of profits Repatriation of profits
New Economic Policies Creation of enterprises using the US dollar Creation of enterprises using the US dollar Banking system reforms Banking system reforms Cubans may own dollar accounts in Cuban banks Cubans may own dollar accounts in Cuban banks Accumulation of private capital Accumulation of private capital Growing economic inequality Growing economic inequality
New Economic Possibilities Government allows 100 trades, crafts, services to be pursued by individual entrepreneurs Government allows 100 trades, crafts, services to be pursued by individual entrepreneurs Computer experts, taxi drivers, mechanics, cooks, carpenters Computer experts, taxi drivers, mechanics, cooks, carpenters NOT medical doctors NOT medical doctors Entrepreneurs may now employ other people, make profits Entrepreneurs may now employ other people, make profits Cuban taxi driver
Tourism Cuba’s top foreign exchange source Cuba’s top foreign exchange source European, Canadian, Latin American tourists European, Canadian, Latin American tourists Luxury hotels Luxury hotels Related industries – tourist souvenirs, prostitution Related industries – tourist souvenirs, prostitution
US Policy toward Cuban Immigrants Policy of virtually automatic refugee status in US changes Policy of virtually automatic refugee status in US changes Castro allows Cubans to leave – “balseros” Castro allows Cubans to leave – “balseros” Safety valve of migration Safety valve of migration 1993 reversal of US policy – denial of automatic refugee status 1993 reversal of US policy – denial of automatic refugee status Cubans who do not reach US shore returned Cubans who do not reach US shore returned US calls on Cuba to resume patrols to prevent Cubans from leaving by boat US calls on Cuba to resume patrols to prevent Cubans from leaving by boat
Helms – Burton Act 1996 Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) Strengthened US embargo against Cuba US companies could sue foreign enterprises that acquired properties formerly owned by US citizens
Catholic Church in Cuba 1998 papal visit 1998 papal visit Public religious activities permitted again (street processions); Christmas a national holiday Public religious activities permitted again (street processions); Christmas a national holiday Pope condemns US embargo as "oppressive, unjust and ethically unacceptable" Pope condemns US embargo as "oppressive, unjust and ethically unacceptable"
Papal Diplomacy on Cuba Pope John Paul II urges end of the ban on humanitarian aid Urges that remittances to Cuba be permitted