The essential element of "State Control"

[El Presidente]

Something new dawns upon you everytime you head to Havana. Often you wonder how blind you have been. This trip it was the effectiveness of State Control over the Havana population. Not just the effectiveness....but the insidious and odious nature of its execution.

As many of you know, the average havana population earns between $10-$35 dollar equivalents a month + recieves food allocation.

Average private rent (someones top floor/back rooms etc) in Havana is between $80 - $120 per month....yes...for locals. Food allocation lasts you about 2 weeks. In reality, you need $200 - $250 CUC / dollar equivalents to Live.

So...what do you do? Well unless you have a relative or someone else sending you money....you work two or three jobs...steal...sell yourself...scam, beg or smuggle.

Now the police (no street corner without one) also need this amount to survive so they shake down, intimidate and orchestrate the general populace. Given almost everyone has at least something to hide in their closet (a necessity ot survive)...the intimidation is almost complete as is the State Control of the populace.

[Colt45]

» ...the intimidation is almost complete as is the State Control of the populace.

So, will you continue to regularly return?

Did you face any repercussions from any of your commentary this past year? :-)

[El Presidente]

I will continue to return because I love the people and thankfully have a business which alows me to do so. It is hard to explain Ross....you have a constant knot in your gut because you love something so dearly and at the same time you detest and are repulsed by the system under which it survives.

No repurcussions this time. Just a general warning form well meaning associates.

[smokum]

» I will continue to return because I love the people and thankfully have a

» business which alows me to do so. It is hard to explain Ross....you have a

» constant knot in your gut because you love something so dearly and at the

» same time you detest and are repulsed by the system under which it

» survives.

»

» No repurcussions this time. Just a general warning form well meaning

» associates.

Just watched The BuenaVista Social Club documentary while my son was taking his guitar lessons. Some of you may be familiar with Ry Cooder, the guitarist who put this together. Done in Havana...it really occured to me sitting there watching that time really must have stopped there...all the 50's US vehicles running around...what is really striking is the beauty and pride the Cuban people have...the singers and musicians there are keeping alive a very special part of Cuba..in spite of the struggle they face. :-(

[DrAlejandro]

» I will continue to return because I love the people and thankfully have a

» business which alows me to do so. It is hard to explain Ross....you have a

» constant knot in your gut because you love something so dearly and at the

» same time you detest and are repulsed by the system under which it

» survives.

»

» No repurcussions this time. Just a general warning form well meaning

» associates.

I completely understand how you feel rob... Ive been wanting to go to cuba myself to experience it but i dont know if Im even ready to experience the reality up close and personal. Lets just all hope things get better soon and Its always great to hear an outsiders honest and intelligent opinion about the situation over there.

[marco polo]

Never been to Havana, but it sure sounds depressing!

[shortsqueeze]

» I will continue to return because I love the people and thankfully have a

» business which alows me to do so. It is hard to explain Ross....you have a

» constant knot in your gut because you love something so dearly and at the

» same time you detest and are repulsed by the system under which it

» survives.

»

» No repurcussions this time. Just a general warning form well meaning

» associates.

Well said Rob. For me, when I have gone to Havana, I couldn't wait to go home, but as soon as I left I couldn't wait to return. It's just a unique, wonderful, special place that is very dear to me.

[Bernard]

Rob, you are spot on. The place gets to you. I have only been twice but they have been among the most memorable times of my life.

Someone who knows Cuba very well, says that every time you visit Cuba, you peel off a layer of the onion. You will never get to the middle, but each layer reveals a deeper beauty, a stronger resilience in the face of increasing adversity, and brings tears together with joy. It is your experiences away from the crowd, off the itinerary, that you remember with clarity and provide the moments that have the deepest meaning.

It is a hell of a place.

[habanablue]

» Never been to Havana, but it sure sounds depressing

that's what all the cigars, rum, music, dancing and sex is for. Opium for the people....by the people

[Colt45]

I sometimes feel I left what few morals and scruples I had at the door when I

ventured into the world of Habanos....

I spent YEARS, literally, debating whether or not to take the plunge - I can't

recall how many times I had an order ready to submit, only to balk at the end.

There were a number of reasons for this, but aside from self preservation, the main

reason was I always questioned whom I would be supporting - hopefully, the

general populace. Regardless, I walked through the door.

Rob's report, which sounds, at least to me, even worse than last years commentary,

has got me thinking on it again.

No real point to this post, I guess.

[kjellfrick]

It is ironic that we meet here in this forum to discuss the merits of cuban cigars fully aware of the state of affairs in Cuba. As you say, Colt45, who do we support? Did I say it was ironic?

[Freefallguy]

Rob,

I know exactly how you feel about the people.

I have a beach house in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in all of LA. Yet the people there could not be anymore endearing. Though they are dirt poor and live in ramshackle conditions they are some of the happiest I know.

I am amazed at how school kids can come out of the block wall/ dirt floor homes with immaculate white blouses and shirts. They maintain their pride despite the circumstances.

I am more than a little concerned with the rise of Ortega though, especially since he’s aligned himself with Chavez and Ahmadinejad. Both are offering cheap petro, smoke and mirrors because the vast majority of the population does not have a car and they cook over wood fires.

I go and average of 3 times a year and like you (visiting Cuba) I will continue to do so unless Ortega closes the borders to us Yanks.

[El Presidente]

Ross, you are certainly helping the people.

Cuba has already lost sugar. From over 30 mills 10 years ago there is currently three. Tourism is faltering on the back of a rediculousl CUC currency peg and an 11% Credit Card Surcharge. The tourists who do go, go out of curiosity, cuban culture, cigar culture and for some, sex.

I would estimate well over 100,000 Cuban workers directly or indirectly involved in Tobacco. They would suport 500,000.

I have a handfull of Cuban associates on my payroll. They investigate opportunites (humidores/artifacts/art/tours) and although it is a revenue neutral operation at best, nothing else that I do gives me a greater sense of personal satisfaction.

The Cubans I know are great people. They are my friends, colleagues and confidants. I know how hard they do it and to say they do it hard is an understatement of immense proportions. I know they would be saying to you right now...."don't punish us for the sins of our tormentors".

[Ginseng]

Rob,

In your time on the island, have your gotten a sense for what the people want. I mean deep down, in their hearts, want to see for themselves and their progeny.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

» Rob,

»

» In your time on the island, have your gotten a sense for what the people

» want. I mean deep down, in their hearts, want to see for themselves and

» their progeny.

»

» Wilkey

It hasn't changed Wilkey.

A system which provides freedom and opportunity for themselves and their children without forcing them to relinquish their self respect by subjugating themselves to foreigners on the basis of superior cashflow.

[Wiley]

» I will continue to return because I love the people and thankfully have a

» business which alows me to do so. It is hard to explain Ross....you have a

» constant knot in your gut because you love something so dearly and at the

» same time you detest and are repulsed by the system under which it

» survives.

»

» No repurcussions this time. Just a general warning form well meaning

» associates.

Do you prefer visting Cuba to Spain, Rob?

[El Presidente]

» Do you prefer visting Cuba to Spain, Rob?

I am blessed that I feel at home in many parts of the world. Pamplona and San Sebastian in Spain are as comfortable to me as Brisbane. Singapore and the Singapore Cricket Club is like being in my own home. The US, particularly NY and Florida I could live in a heartbeat.

However, Cuba is something special. Free of commitments I could live there tomorrow. This was a topic of discussion on a late night/ early morning in Havana as we drank some fine rum around the pool. I made the point that although I could live there without a problem, I am not sure I would like the person I would turn into after 2-3 years. Just an expat thing.

So to answer your question, I do prefer going to Cuba than Spain. There is something special about Cubans as a people, their love of life and general absence of elitism. It is not perfect (forget about the govt) as there is an underlying current of racism and you do get good and bad Cubans as you get anywhere else. However, I have never met a more gracious, educated, caring, fun loving and well mannered people anywhere in the world. Some of my closest friends are Cuban and given different personal circumstances, I could happily spend the rest of my days with them.

[Wiley]

The way you always write about Cuba strongly reminds me of the way James Michener wrote about Spain in his book Iberia.

I've never been to Spain, but from reading and talking with Spanish people it doesn't sound like that Spain exists anymore, and maybe hasn't for 50 years. Still, I hope to take my wife and kids to visit El Pais Vasco sometime.

I hate to say it, but maybe it's a blessing of poverty.

Anyway, with any luck I'll be able to legally visit Cuba someday.

[El Presidente]

» The way you always write about Cuba strongly reminds me of the way James

» Michener wrote about Spain in his book Iberia.

»

» I've never been to Spain, but from reading and talking with Spanish people

» it doesn't sound like that Spain exists anymore, and maybe hasn't for 50

» years. Still, I hope to take my wife and kids to visit El Pais Vasco

» sometime.

You hit it on the head. When I remember Spain I remember provincial Spain it as it was in the late 70's and 80's where I would spend 6 weeks a year there. The Spain I know today is still a wonderfull experience but membership of the EEC and adoption of the Euro and other EEC practices has sucked its soul.

[El Presidente]

» This is a great thread.

»

» Rob, what do you think would be the (next) best possible political

» transition for the people? And what do you think is the more probable?

» It seems to me there are two likely and unpalatable alternatives coming

» up. Continued oppression or free fall market consumption.

»

There is stifling control within Cuba. Future direction will be determined by the Starchamber of 5. The good news is that there are some shrewd operators within that 5 who know things must change...but change slowly or risk losing control, their positions and possibly their lives. Cuba has every possibility of tuning into a bloodbath. The military and police are completely in control of the populace. People are afraid to sneeze.

If I was to lay down some money I would see it panning out like this post Fidel.

1. Diplomatic approach to the US for a a lift on the embargo pertaining to food, medicines etc. Lift on restrictions for relatives visiting and transfer of money. Restrictions for general US citiczens to remain for 2-3 years. Cuba simply could not cope with the influx of tourists without first developing its tourism accomodation sector.

2. Foreign enterprises can establish commercial and industrial projects with government assistance. Serious Tax free incentives. Must use 90% Cuban labour. 15% corporate tax rate for 100% foreign owned ventures. 0% corporate tax rate for 50/50 Foreign/Cuban partnerships. Cuba needs real jobs and real enterprises.

3. No foreigner can purchase Cuban residential land or buildings until 2050. Implementation of a national housing scheme which provides each Cuban family with a property title, non saleable(to other Cubans) for 10 years. Implementation of body corporate schemes, building repair trusts both partly funded by new oil revenues. The aim of giving Cuban people property is to provide them an asset base to compete with down the track when Foreigners can purchase residential property as well (2050). It will also provide them as asset with which to raise funds for business ventures etc.

4. Implemetation of local council elections by 2010. Regional elections by 2020. Full open democracy 2050.

[greenpimp]

Very interesting Rob. Thanks.

Just how bad is the infastructure of Havana? I have heard others describe how they think much of the enire city will have to be razed, building that just fall down during wind storms, the sewer system completely decrepid, etc.

Incidentally the retightening of restrictions still angers me on a number of levels. My uncle was unable to visit his family the last two years of his life and recently died. I think the whole embargo is a ridiculous, corrupt pile of ****.

But I really hope Cuba can maintain its soul and the people have a quality of life. Freedom without the virus of those monotonous mega businesses. KFC's and Walmarts and Sandal resorts. Ugh.

[Wiley]

2050? As long to get out of this situation as it took to get into it? I mean, a child born now would be 43 before this was completely over under this timeline! Maybe quick surgery would be better for the majority than such a long, lethargic recovery.

As far as KFCs and Walmarts, I'm sorry, but that makes me laugh. KFC and Walmart can't survive without customers. If "the people" want it, who are we to deny it to them? "You can't have that! It will ruin the Cuban ambiance when I come to visit!" :-(

[smokum]

I think Rob's #3 is important. If not you would have the place swallowed up by foreigners and the real Cuban people would not be able to share in the wealth . They would be pushed off to the side by "enterprising" individuals...

[El Presidente]

» 2050? As long to get out of this situation as it took to get into it? I

» mean, a child born now would be 43 before this was completely over under

» this timeline! Maybe quick surgery would be better for the majority than

» such a long, lethargic recovery.

»

» As far as KFCs and Walmarts, I'm sorry, but that makes me laugh. KFC and

» Walmart can't survive without customers. If "the people" want it, who are

» we to deny it to them? "You can't have that! It will ruin the Cuban

» ambiance when I come to visit!" :-(

Singapore took 40 years to turn into a modern, functional economy. Still not quite an open democracy but likely to be so within the next 15 years.

Singapore undertook the transformation through an iron fist government control of very aspect of society. They had a plan and executed it and didn't care that it took 40 years.

There is no "Quick Surgery" which would not reduce a significant proportion of Cubans to dishwashers, porters, dealers, hookers and beggars. Cubans on the ground are cogniscant of this and it is the reason they are scared of rapid transformation without structured control.

I would hate the day I saw McDonalds on the Malecon. I hate more seeing 15 year olds flogging themselves there.

Regarding infrastructure....it is almost non existant. The one thing that has stood the test of time is the foundtions of the buildings in Havana. There is little subsidence to be seen.

[greenpimp]

»

» As far as KFCs and Walmarts, I'm sorry, but that makes me laugh. KFC and

» Walmart can't survive without customers. If "the people" want it, who are

» we to deny it to them? "You can't have that! It will ruin the Cuban

» ambiance when I come to visit!" :-(

Glad I could give you a "laugh." And no it does not have to do with the ambiance I desire when I go. It has to do with everything becoming the same everywhere. And not what the people want, but what is available to them. That is the paradigm of the modern global consumerism. You want it because it it has become all that is available.

But yes, El P, the other side of the coin is even worse.