Is Raul Castro willing to bring changes to the Cuban social, political and economic structure, stepping away from the shadow of his iconic elder brother Fidel Castro? Cuba under Raul Castro is somewhat different from Fidel Castro’s Cuba. The shelves in the stores in Havana are stashed with DVD players, computers, televisions, cell phones and household appliances. Cubans can walk in the hotels that were earlier reserved only for foreign tourists. Laws are being eased to allow Cubans to travel abroad with fewer restrictions, buy and sell their own cars and even possess their own homes. Farming reforms have granted farmers the right to manage unused land for profit. However, has the average Cuban benefited from these economic freedoms ushered in by Raul Castro?

For the average Cuban who manages his life on a paltry salary, acquiring the electronic devices is still a matter of luxury. Despite of fifty years of rigid socialist system it is nonetheless true that economic and social disparities did exist in the Castro-land. There was a class of Cubans who were definitely better off than the majority of their comrades. Cubans who received remittances from relatives abroad, Cubans who were close to the people in power and Cubans engaged in unauthorized moneymaking operations were economically better off under Fidel Castro’s regime. The new set of economic liberalization will only give official recognition to this class.

Cuba is following the China model. While allowing economic liberty the authorities in power will continue trampling democratic rights of the people of Cuba. While you can buy a rice-maker, you cannot ask for the release of political prisoners languishing in jail. In fact, the changes brought by Raul Castro would have been approved even by Fidel Castro as being imperative for the economic order of the country. Take for instance the agricultural reforms, with global food crisis and rise in food prices, food imports are costing dearer for the government. Under such circumstances to control food prices, Raul Castro had no alternative other than increasing domestic production by allowing concessions to its farmers. Cuba nonetheless remains the same even under Fidel Castro’s successor.

Via: New York Times