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Cuba: A New Era
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by Rhonda J Mangus | August 12, 2008 at 06:35 am
496 views | 39 Recommendations | 29 comments
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Political change may not be on the agenda for this one party state, but improving Socialism seems to be a top priority for Cuban president, Raul Castro.
Restrictions on the purchase of electrical goods, such as mobile phones, microwaves, and DVD players have been lifted. Housing reforms will make it easier for state workers to own their own homes, even though buying and selling real estate is still prohibited. Wage limits have been removed, and Cuban's can now stay in hotels formerly reserved for foreigners. State land is also being lent to farmers, who now have more say in how to cultivate the land, including what to plant. The Cuban government is also paying higher prices to farmers for some agricultural products, such as potatoes.
There is a down-side however in that even though Cuba has signed on to the United Nations Human Rights Convention, Cuba continues to take a strong stance against "dissidents", even though they are jailing fewer of them.
There are an estimated 219 political prisoners currently held in Cuban jails, 15 fewer than in January this year.
But according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCHRNR) this does not represent a fundamental change in the treatment of dissidents under Raul Castro.
Instead, the latest half yearly report by this illegal but tolerated organisation points to a change in tactics, with a marked increase in what it calls arbitrary systematic detentions.
Instead of high profile arrests and imprisonment, opponents are picked up by police, often prior to planned meetings or rallies.
They are then released without charge, usually within 24 hours.
"The Cuban authorities deny that there are any political prisoners. Instead, they are referred to as mercenaries, paid by the United States to undermine the revolution."
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (29)
at 07:01 on August 12th, 2008
Even though all prisoners are most likely not Mercenaries some could very well be!
Nice Post!
at 13:21 on August 12th, 2008
Hi Paschen, thank you for your comments and the Flag!
at 07:20 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. Its a really useful summary of where they stand now, although you don't say what the state of play is regarding that dirty, dirty word: profit! I read somewhere that previously carpenters for example were not permitted to buy the wood for making items for custyomers: the customer had to buy it so that carpenters did maker any profit, but merely charged for the time of construction!! There is a really interesting novel published last year which really describes how tyhe flotsam and jetsam of Havanna lives and all the scams they have to get up to, in order to make a living. Sorry cant remember the names but I found it fascinating!!
at 14:10 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you for your comments and the Flag, gerrypopplestone! Cuba's private sector (self-employment) is tightly controlled. Perhaps this article will answer some of your questions: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/bizfocus/archives/2008/02/24/2003402664 It could be the case that Cuba has its fair share of scams. If you remember the name of the book (or its author), please let me know. Thanks again!
at 02:39 on August 19th, 2008
Thanks for the reference, Rhonda. The book - Dirty Havanna Trilogy, by P J Gutierrez 1998, Faber & Faber. Sorry to take so long to reply but I desperately need to outsource some of my work to a good secretary! Any offers? Chaotic Gerry.
at 06:01 on August 19th, 2008
gerrypopplestone, I can't say that I have heard of the book. No need to apologize either; I certainly understand "overload":) and thank you for getting back with the title and author.
at 07:25 on August 12th, 2008
But we need to congratgulate Raul for having the courage to bring Cuba into the 21st century!
at 14:13 on August 12th, 2008
gerrypopplestone, I should have addressed this in my previous comment:) Nonetheless, it does seem appropriate to congratulate President Castro. Thank you!
at 09:17 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:24 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, tiha!
at 09:19 on August 12th, 2008
at 14:25 on August 12th, 2008
Vinny, thank you!
at 10:37 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I think it will take Cuba a while to develop any kind of a plan, but I like to see that they are at least walking that path.
Good post!
at 14:28 on August 12th, 2008
Hi Amy! Thank you for your comments and the Flag! "...I like to see [too] that they are at least walking that path." Thanks again!
at 10:51 on August 12th, 2008
All the citizens of Cuba are imprisoned. Raul has released them from solitary confinement to regular cell blocks. Kudos.....
at 10:54 on August 12th, 2008
What a wonderful place. Maybe you ought to move and live amongst the people for awhile and report back.
at 20:34 on August 12th, 2008
To Bill Hicks! I did live there and worked there for 8 month, and trust me I did like it! Nice people great country and rather pleasant to live there!
at 11:27 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:29 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, Emilio!
at 14:42 on August 12th, 2008
Hi hotelcal and bill hicks. Thank you for your comments. Here is a link that might interest both of you: http://www.ibike.org/cuba/ofac/cuba-travelto.htm#Restrictions
at 14:55 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Any 'progress' has so be a positive thing. I'm not expecting change to happen overnight, but at least this suggests a move in the right direction.
Also, it has to help the economy.
at 15:21 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, mchawk! Your comments and Flag are very much appreciated!
at 15:00 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this article. It's good stuff.
at 15:22 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, danesller0127!
at 15:24 on August 12th, 2008
Gh0s7, thank you!
at 15:37 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:52 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, PlanMyGreen!
at 22:36 on August 16th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Cuba is better off without Fidel, Raul is no Fidel and it's encouraging to see reforms like these being made. I visited Cuba once and have heard lots about it from my ex-wife and her family. The poverty is shocking, the people mock and despise the communist govt but are fearful of doing so openly (as we can in the US- currently). The crony non merit-based system of communism is as unjust as the crony non merit-based capitalist/class system we have in the US. I love my country and have no interest in leaving; i'm interested in making it better, just as most Cubans want to make their country better.
They don't have elections in Cuba, but in the US elections are essentially a "choice" between 2 big-money backed Republocrats in every Federal and state, and most local elections- and too many elections are conducted on easily hackable, proven unreliable, non-transparent evoting or op scan machines- do we really have elections, or just an appearance of it? Kucinich and Ron Paul were frequently the most popular in online polls, and among people who get their news online, but they were shut out of the corporate-controlled debates about flag lapel pins.
There's got to be a third way. Human beings are worth more than money, imho.
PS thanks for the political prisoner link
at 14:59 on August 17th, 2008
Thank you for your comments and the Flag, Erik. You are also very welcome for the US political prisoner link.
Good question, "...-do we really have elections, or just an appearance of it?"
It would be interesting to know what NowPublic readers think about this! Thanks again!