The Intelligence from The Economist Hasta la victoria, hambre: rare protests rock Cuba
Jul 12, 2021
Joining the discussion are Rosanne Lake, The Economist's Cuba correspondent with a focus on Cuban economics and politics, and Oliver Morton, an expert in space exploration and the publication's Briefings editor. They delve into the recent protests in Cuba, driven by severe food shortages and calls for reform. The conversation also juxtaposes the state of Cuban discontent with breakthroughs in space tourism sparked by Richard Branson's flight. Additionally, they touch on the future prospects of England's young football team, instilling hope among fans.
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Cuban Protests
- Cuba is experiencing its largest protests in decades due to severe food shortages and economic hardship.
- Protesters blame the government, chanting "We are not afraid" and demanding an end to the dictatorship.
Dire Shortages
- Cuba's food shortages are the worst in over two decades, with empty grocery stores and long queues.
- Even farmers are hoarding food, and state bakeries are using substitutes like corn and yucca due to high import costs.
Internal Embargo
- Cuba's internal policies, not U.S. sanctions, are the primary cause of its food crisis.
- Bureaucracy, like excessive paperwork for slaughtering cows, hinders agricultural production.