Economist Podcasts Party likes it 1959: Cuba in crisis
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Nov 26, 2025 
Zen Smiley, an Editor-at-large with firsthand experience in Cuba, dives deep into the current turmoil facing the island nation. He discusses the ongoing struggles of its people amidst a failing economy and relentless adherence to communist ideals. Smiley explores the failures of the 2021 protests and the complex role of private businesses in the economy. He also sheds light on the influence of Miami's lobby on US-Cuba relations. Tune in for a fascinating look at the intersection of politics, economics, and the resilience of the Cuban spirit.
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Cuba's Visible Decay And Mass Emigration
- Zen Smiley describes Havana as beautiful once but now decrepit, with pervasive poverty and emigration.
- He reports nearly a quarter of Cubans have left in recent years and many survive on remittances.
No Obvious Gorbachev Inside Cuba
- Zen Smiley finds no clear reformer inside the Communist Party and Raúl Castro still exerts influence while remaining wedded to Marxism-Leninism.
- The 2021 protests were crushed and many protest leaders remain imprisoned, leaving little internal pressure for change.
Private Sector Keeps Cuba Afloat
- Private businesses now employ roughly a third of Cuba's workforce and pay much higher wages than the state sector.
- The regime tolerates but hesitates to fully encourage private enterprise, creating legal uncertainty for entrepreneurs.