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Undoubtedly the US embargo and its extension of potential sanctions to foreign entities which violate are in part causes of a weak economy. However, this is an
by _2d30 2y ago
Undoubtedly the US embargo and its extension of potential sanctions to foreign entities which violate are in part causes of a weak economy.
However, this is an incomplete picture. Cuba has essentially no market economy whatsoever. All evidence throughout history shows this is economic suicide and is undoubtedly an even larger cause of their issues. It's so bad that in the FT this week (https://www.ft.com/content/9ca0a495-d5d9-4cc5-acf5-43f42a9128b4 https://www.ft.com/content/9ca0a495-d5d9-4cc5-acf5-43f42a912...) this incredible line is written:
"Chinese officials have been perplexed and frustrated at the Cuban leadership’s unwillingness to decisively implement a market-oriented reform programme despite the glaring dysfunction of the status quo, the people said."
That's the CHINESE (Marxist at least in name) government lamenting the lack of Cuban adoption of market principles.
Further, the article makes quite clear that the US Embargo, for whatever it is worth, doesn't extend to the entire world (which should be obvious) noting very specific relations with multiple major Chinese companies. So even though Cuba is clearly able to trade with the second largest economy in the world (with giant enterpries like Huawei and ZTE), with a population of greater than 1B, they are still somehow completely incapable of operating a function al economy.
What's more, a cursory understanding of Cuban history should show that they are avowedly enemies of the US having once attempted to host nuclear missiles aimed at the US. What is the US to do? Actively support a regime which has threatened tens of millions of its people?
- christianqchung 2y agoIf Cuba is our ally, they're not going to be China's ally. See Vietnam, which we also had some rocky relations with. It's too late to change things with Cuba now though, Obama tried and failed, so Cuba will be in eternal decline until another revolution.
- _2d30 2y agoCuba wouldn't ally with the US in its current form. It's openly hostile to the US. It's like suggesting Venezuela allying with the US.
- portaouflop 2y agoThe Cuban gov would trade with the US if there was some way to end the sanctions and save face. But I don’t see that happening. Openly hostile lmao it’s such a tiny insignificant island nation- I never understood why the US should be afraid of Cuba - they are just vengeful after losing assets in the revolution. They managed to stamp every single one out in Latin America but viva was defiant. It’s all about ideology not an actual threat that Cuba would pose
- _2d30 2y ago> lmao it’s such a tiny insignificant island nation- I never understood why the US should be afraid of Cuba lmao wait until you find out how much damage a nuclear warhead can do and how small they are. They can even fit on a tiny insignificant island nation! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis https://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/ https://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/
- portaouflop 2y agoYou can fire nukes from anywhere on the globe nowadays… Cold War was over before I was born, yet you’re still salty
- _2d30 2y ago> You can fire nukes from anywhere on the globe nowadays ICBMs existed back then as well. If the nuke comes from too close, there is no ability to react with early warning systems. That was the core problem with Cuban Missile Crisis. > Cold War was over before I was born, yet you’re still salty Good point. Probably shouldn't be concerned about Russia either then! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine
- portaouflop 2y agoWhy should I be concerned about Russia? They tried invading my country many times in the last centuries and it always failed - what is significantly different in this iteration?
- seanmcdirmid 2y agoIf the Florida based right wing Cubans ever die out or become less interested in politics, then there is a chance to hem relations, but as it is this is deeply tied with America political divisions ATM.
- adamc 2y agoThe correct answer.