True Summary
The author of this Huffington Post article describes first-hand experience in Cuba as well as interacting and discussing topics with individuals. Food imports to Cuba are very expensive and 60% of all food is imported to Cuba. Rations are being handed out for the past 50 years, which has only gotten smaller as the years have gone on. It is given out at 12% of its original cost, negatively affecting the economy. The Cuban economy is becoming more and more two-tiered, especially when it comes to obtaining food. There is a growing wealth gap between individuals who have access to hard currency (whether it from a high paying job or through family connections in the United States) and individuals who are on the basic meal plan because they are so poor. The highest quality food is served for tourists, who pay huge amounts of money to eat. Children are not allowed to bring homemade lunches to school as they won’t see that some kids have more opportunities than others do. This new change in relations between the United States and Cuba due to the opening of the embargo makes everyone wonder how this will affect Cuba’s economy and whether it will make the wealth gap better or worse.
I thought this type of summary would be helpful to the work I am doing because it’s broad focus is on the economy and how it is affecting citizens of Cuba, and it ties in the broader theme of Cuba’s international relations, specifically with the United States. This provides one small area of discussion on how opening relations with Cuba will affect citizens and governments of both governments. This is an ongoing problem and will aid in our group discussions in class about the future of Cuba.
Coral Ng