FRDE, I have no idea why you believe that Cuba is more similar to the United States than the Bahamas or Jamaica or other Carribean countries. It just makes no sense. Sure, at one point…a long time ago…Cuba had a lot of economic ties to the US. Those have been completely severed since Castro became dictator. And even when Castro dies, why in the world would we expect Cuba to more of a candidate for 51st state than Puerto Rico, or the Bahamas, or Haiti, or whatever? There is no possibility for this to happen, it is a fantasy, and I have no idea why you keep talking about it.
Sure, eventually we’ll have closer economic ties with Cuba once Castro is dead and the embargo is lifted. That doesn’t even come close to 51st statehood, even if we were to fantasize that all Cubans loved us. I suppose the theory you’re operating under is that since the dictator tells them that the US is evil, Cubans must figure we must have some good qualities if that bastard hates us so much. Other than that…I don’t get it.
I use the term 51st state figuratively, not politically.
Perhaps I should say: have the same relationship as Canada has with the USA
I would not like seeing Cuba turning into a gambling den, brothel and drug distribution centre, and reckon that could be averted if the USA subsidized infrastructure and encouraged industries that are suitable for both domestic consumption and export.
How did Germany sort out the DDR property problems?
As it happens, after the USSR fell, the Cubans (out of necessity) developed a highly successful organic farming system – not for export, just to feed themselves. See here. Still, the idea has potential.
Sorry but no. According this article published in Granma, Cuba’s official newspaper, Cuba imports 84% of the food destined for daily consumption. And that’s the official story, I can tell you that anything published in the Cuban press that paints Cuban in less than favorable light is probably underestimated by a lot.
The bit about organic farming and how succesful it has been is yet another of the myths about the ‘triumphs’ of the revolution.
I know what has been going on for some time, probably since 1995 (well that was when I realized why my airline clients were flying charters from Spain to Cuba).
However, there are many like you, who have learnt the language and the strange customs of the North Americans. Perhaps you can prevent the place being turned into a zoo.
