The Americas Quarterly Podcast New Unrest in Cuba: What it Means
10 snips
Oct 13, 2022 Political scientist Javier Corrales dives into the urgent issues facing Cuba, from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian to a severe migration crisis. He compares the recent protests to those in 2021, highlighting declining fear among citizens. Corrales discusses the U.S. embargo's limited role compared to domestic failures, and critiques Biden's cautious approach. He sheds light on the stalled economic reforms and the challenges of private investment in the country. With a cautious outlook, he warns that while the regime may seem stable, deep unrest could lead to unexpected changes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hurricane Ian Deepened Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis
- Hurricane Ian compounded longstanding shortages by causing nationwide blackouts and collapsing food storage systems.
- Javier Corrales says the blackout and water crisis made everyday life unbearably worse and spurred fresh street protests.
Protests Are A 'Slow Simmer', Not A Single Surge
- The post-2021 unrest changed fear dynamics: fear has declined but not vanished.
- Corrales describes protests as fewer people across many neighborhoods, a 'slow simmer' rather than a single explosion.
Repression Deters but Doesn't Erase Dissent
- Brutal repression after July 2021 pushed many into hiding or exile but didn't fully silence dissent.
- Corrales attributes renewed protests to desperation and a perception that individuals might avoid repression this time.