How We Discovered Cuba

During the trips we took to Cuba we gained a unique experience, best described by the words of Oscar Mario Gonzales on the double morale of the Cubans. Despite its beauty, music, and color, but most all of its extraordinary people, Cuba remains a country subjected to a dictatorial regime that impoverishes its citizens to the edge and steals them the opportunity to have at least a decent life. We met many people, besides the dissidents, and from each of them we learned that Cuban people, especially those living in Havana, have no confidence in the actual political regime. Although everybody perceives it as a castle made of cards, no one actually believes that there is something strong enough that can destroy it. They all wait for a change as the situation is desperate and Fidel Castro’s death is seen like the main obstacle for the country’s economical development. There are very few persons who think democracy could lead to this kind of development, as Cuba has no such kind of political tradition.

Most Cubans associate democracy mostly with the possibility of free traveling and better economic prospects. They deeply believe that the Revolution of 1959 was the best option at the moment, but don’t believe any more in the Government’s “revolutionary” speeches or measures. It is possible that some of the authorities stop believing it as well as the corruption level is very high and the tolerance towards “capitalist” behavior is spreading. Walking the streets of Havana, you won’t see many differences between Cuba’s young people and those of Europe. Listening to rock music and dressed in European brands, dreaming of traveling and working abroad, Cuban youngsters don’t seem interested in the official doctrine, but, unfortunately, neither in changing it.