News from Havana

[El Presidente]

Two telephone calls to friends on Havana and a half dozen e-mails from there overnight paints a very nervous picture.

The partying in Miami at the news of Castro's hospitalisation is being showed widely and it has certainly scared the hell out of the general population.

As the propoganda goes, in an open economy they are facing a future of no assets and no money being thrown out of their homes and fields by returning Cuban exiles seeking compensation and retribution. Govt propoganda at it's best.

Tough times for our friends in Cuba however things are seldom as bleak as they appear.

[Tampa1257]

I always thought that the Pride of the Cuban people would prevent any of the expatriate Miami Cubans from ever returning. They left, and should never be allowed to return other than for a visit. Hey, thats just my opinion.

[Well Armed]

» I always thought that the Pride of the Cuban people would prevent any of

» the expatriate Miami Cubans from ever returning. They left, and should

» never be allowed to return other than for a visit. Hey, thats just my

» opinion.

I agree. The land belongs to the people there. With Eminent Domain being as it is in the US I doubt exiles could get any help from the government. They'd be like, "Oh, the gov't took your land? Sounds like a good idea. Write that one down Mortenson."

[sekoudog]

» » I always thought that the Pride of the Cuban people would prevent any of

» » the expatriate Miami Cubans from ever returning. They left, and should

» » never be allowed to return other than for a visit. Hey, thats just my

» » opinion.

»

» I agree. The land belongs to the people there. With Eminent Domain being

» as it is in the US I doubt exiles could get any help from the government.

» They'd be like, "Oh, the gov't took your land? Sounds like a good idea.

» Write that one down Mortenson."

This could turn in to an "Israeli-Palestinian" style conflict repatriation is a bitchaaa.

[GoatLocker]

I really don't think the Cuban Government will give up it's ownership of capital/land regardless of what happens. An open economy will do wonders for the standard of living, but that doesn't necessarily mean full blown capitalism. While I can't agree with Tampa about exiles not having any right to return, I don't think they should expect to reclaim the property they once owned.

As for the impact of a free Cuba and the end of the embargo on the price and quality of my favorite cigars, I would gladly make that sacrifice to see a free Cuba.

[El Presidente]

An open economy will do wonders for the standard of living,

For the standard of living of foreigners and "connected" Cubans no doubt.

The only way forward I can see is the Singapore model. 40 year plan with the economy slowly opened up, limited democracy (initially) and very strong central control with zero tolerance of crime.

Open up the economy for commercial and industrial investment. Foreigners not to be able to own property. All property leased for 50-99 years.

No foreigner able to purchase residential property of any kind for the next 20 years. Allow Cubans a chance to buy and repair their own properties through a nationally funded housing scheme.

As for democracy, start with regional elections over the next 10 years, then direct elect members to parliament etc etc. Slowly.

[GoatLocker]

» An open economy will do wonders for the standard of living,

»

»

» For the standard of living of foreigners and "connected" Cubans no doubt.

»

I hear rumors the generals are already demanding more from Raul for their support. Funny you should mention the Singapore model, I almost mentioned Singapore in my post. I get to visit every few years and they seem to have a very well run system.

[Colt45]

I guess in the end it's up to the people of Cuba to decide - I'm pretty sure it's

none of my business.

I also wonder, board-wise, taking cigars out of the equation, how many would

give a rat's ass.

[El Presidente]

» I guess in the end it's up to the people of Cuba to decide - I'm pretty

» sure it's

» none of my business.

» I also wonder, board-wise, taking cigars out of the equation, how many

» would

» give a rat's ass.

I never thought i would give a rat's arse outside the supply of cigars. Then, you meet some locals, make lifelong friends, hear their fears and hopes over copious bottles of rum etc etc.

Cuba is one of those places which tends to hook the soul.

[Colt45]

» Cuba is one of those places which tends to hook the soul.

Totally understood, and kind of my point. There are many Caribbean

nations that this could apply to. Take Jamaica for instance - some of

the most beautiful people you could hope to meet.

But try going to Kingston during elections - no thanks!

Again, I just sometimes wonder how many of us, who have not been to

Cuba, would care so much were it not for the cigar aspect.

[stevejb]

» » Cuba is one of those places which tends to hook the soul.

» Totally understood, and kind of my point. There are many Caribbean

» nations that this could apply to. Take Jamaica for instance - some of

» the most beautiful people you could hope to meet.

» But try going to Kingston during elections - no thanks!

» Again, I just sometimes wonder how many of us, who have not been to

» Cuba, would care so much were it not for the cigar aspect.

Kingston by far is the worst ghetto I've ever been through. Makes Bronx River, Castlegate, and QB seem like Malibu.

[Ken Gargett]

» An open economy will do wonders for the standard of living,

»

»

» For the standard of living of foreigners and "connected" Cubans no doubt.

»

»

» The only way forward I can see is the Singapore model. 40 year plan with

» the economy slowly opened up, limited democracy (initially) and very

» strong central control with zero tolerance of crime.

fat chance of there being any such sensible move. expect utter chaos at best.

[Black Plague]

Castro dying is NOT the prerequisite for the US embargo ending. The end of communism in Cuba is the prerequisite. And as far now, Raul is next in line. Rumors flying around are that Castro is already dead and Raul is just taking his time to secure his power against any rivals before he announces Fidel's death. Nothing short of a new revolution in Cuba is going to end the embargo.

[anacostiakat]

Pot stirring aritlcle in the Washington Times this morning:

[link=http://www.washtimes.com/business/20060809-122700-4724r.htm]WashTimes[/link]

[Black Plague]

» Pot stirring aritlcle in the Washington Times this morning:

»

» [link=http://www.washtimes.com/business/20060809-122700-4724r.htm]WashTimes[/link]

That picture accompanying the article is Fidel shedding a tear for poor widdle United Fruit :-D :-P

That company was about as bad as any communist cabal back in the 50's and 60's. We can thank them for the term "banana republic," which was a snide term for their practice of going to Central or South American countries and helping prop up corrupt governments and/or dictators friendly to their business ventures. Hell, they even talked the CIA into sponsoring a coup in Guatemela in the 50's when Guzman tried nationalizing agriculture there.

True, they deserve the earnings they made that Castro took, but I still don't have too much pity in my heart for such a ruthless, soul-less company as United Fruit.