Political Cuba

Patria or Muerte. Slogans like this are all over Havana on walls and billboards. Most are faced. But the consequences of political Cuba are a daily fact of life. Many older Cubans still revere Castro because they know what life was like for the poor and uneducated under the America backed Batista regime which Castro toppled. Younger Cubans see a new, if uncertain, Cuba emerging after the deaths of Fidel and Raul.

The recent actions by President Obama to ease restrictions of trade and travel offer the Cubans new possibilities of a better and more economically sound life. Who  knows. Cubans love Americans and can distinguish the American people from the policies of the American government. In Cuba, all health care is free, even transgender operations. It is quality care limited by economic circumstances. Cuban literacy rates are higher than in the United States. But despite the high level of education, doctors and engineers drive taxis because this pays more. They aspire to make as much a hotel maids and bartenders, whose income is the highest in Cuba.

The history of US-Cuba relations of since the explosion of the Maine at the start of the 20th century is largely one of control and bullying by the US. At one point, Cuba almost became a US state, but US policy tried to control and stabilize Cuba for its own ends and those of American business interests. Different policy decisions would have made for a different America and Cuba today.