Cuban Crisis

History has demonstrated that public protests in Cuba are quite rare. There are a variety of reasons, such as a tight government control, a history of repression, limited political freedoms, social controls, and economic hardships. Under the one-party Communist system, dissent is met with harsh measures, including arrests and censorship, creating a sense of fear and discouraging open opposition. Despite economic challenges and occasional bursts of dissent, the Cuban government’s tight grip on power has historically limited the frequency and scale of public protests. However, current protests seem to break this historic pattern.

Currently, Cuba is undergoing hours-long power cuts, an increase in food insecurity, and shortage of medicine since the pandemic. This has caused many Cubans to travel to the United States, while those that have not left are forming demonstrations across Cuba. In at least four major cities, there are a few demonstrations with chants of “Patria y Vida,” which means fatherland and life in Spanish and is a reference to the popular anti-government anthem. Santiago de Cuba, a city known as the birth of Fidel Castro’s communist revolution, is facing hundreds of people protesting the style of government.

These protests contribute to the already present crisis in Cuba, an economic crisis. Inflation is surging across Cuba, with instant devaluations in the currency. Many state salaries are now worth less than the cost of a carton of eggs. Soon, Cuban government is planning to raise the price of fuel by more than 500%.

Many of these protests have seemed to naturally decrease through heavy police presence, introducing arrests as well, and many Cubans were put on trial and convicted. However, the United States is urging Cubans to “respect the human rights of the protestors and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people” to hopefully prevent further challenges to Cuban society.

In response to the current situation, there are a few public policy approaches that could be made. First, Cuba could make actions towards Strengthening social safety nets to provide support for vulnerable populations impacted by economic challenges. This could involve expanding access to healthcare, education, and social assistance programs, as well as promoting inclusive economic growth to reduce inequality and improve living standards for all citizens. Another possible approach could be addressing underlying structural issues in the economy to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth. This might involve reforms to enhance productivity, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster innovation, as well as initiatives to promote equitable access to resources and opportunities across society.

The proposed policy approaches are in line with any style of government principles as they focus on addressing social inequalities and promoting collective well-being without requiring a complete overhaul of the political or economic system. These approaches aim to improve the well-being of all citizens and promote social equality while operating within the existing communist framework in Cuba.