Cuba
Washington places Cuba and Venezuela on “terror” list
By Bill Van Auken, 16 May 2020
After fostering an abortive mercenary invasion aimed at overthrowing Venezuela’s government and murdering its president, the US placed Caracas on a list of governments deemed uncooperative in the “war on terrorism.”
Cuban working class facing disaster due to coronavirus-related tourism collapse
By Alexander Fangmann, 29 April 2020
While Cuba appears to have effectively slowed the spread of COVID-19, the collapse of tourism has left huge numbers of workers unemployed and threatens imports of needed goods.
A postscript on Trotsky conference in Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 12 July 2019
In an interview with a Pabloite publication, the conference’s organizer spells out its explicitly anti-Trotskyist character.
Cuba conference tailors Trotsky to the politics of bourgeois nationalism
By Bill Van Auken, 13 June 2019
A collection of pseudo-lefts and Pabloite revisionists was invited to Havana to suppress the revolutionary content of Trotskyism.
Trump administration issues new restrictions on US travel to Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 6 June 2019
The White House aims is to exacerbate an economic crisis on the island that has already produced shortages and rationing of food and energy.
Trump administration escalates threats against Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 20 April 2019
The Trump administration is imposing unilateral sanctions aimed at punishing foreign corporations, particularly European and Canadian, with investments in Cuba.
New Cuban constitution recognizes private property
By Alexander Fangmann, 27 February 2019
The new constitution signals the preparation for an all-out assault on the Cuban working class and what remains of the social welfare measures established through the Cuban Revolution.
Cuba deepens austerity in response to continued economic stagnation
By Alexander Fangmann, 3 January 2019
The Cuban government is cutting back on the consumption of energy and other goods as a result of stagnant growth, a fall in exports and the decline in oil subsidies from Venezuela.
Washington imposes new sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 3 November 2018
Bolton’s speech on the Trump administration’s policy toward Latin America amounted to a demand for regime change in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
New Cuban constitution strikes references to “communism,” recognizes private property
By Alexander Fangmann, 24 July 2018
In order to stave off economic collapse, the Cuban regime is preparing to serve up Cuban workers for direct exploitation by international capital.
Trump administration expels two-thirds of Cuban embassy staff from US
By Alexander Fangmann, 9 October 2017
The expulsion of Cuban embassy personnel, supposedly over alleged “sonic attacks,” constitutes an effective end of the rapprochement begun under the Obama administration.
Trump clamps down on US-Cuban travel and trade
By Alexander Fangmann, 19 June 2017
US imperialism’s most rapacious layers are convinced that, without Venezuelan support, the Cuban economy will collapse, allowing American corporations to reassert their dominance over the island.
United States ends “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy for Cuban migrants
By Alexander Fangmann, 18 January 2017
The immediate end of preferential immigration policies for Cubans is entirely in line with Obama’s role as deporter-in-chief and Trump’s anti-immigrant stance.
Cuba turns to austerity and foreign investment to counter economic contraction
By Alexander Fangmann, 4 January 2017
Despite an increase in American tourists, Cuba’s economy contracted 1 percent last year largely due to the economic crisis affecting Venezuela.
The political legacy of Fidel Castro
By Bill Van Auken, 28 November 2016
Castro’s legacy cannot be evaluated solely through the prism of Cuba, but must take into account the impact of his politics internationally and, above all, in Latin America.
Cuba shuffles heads of ministries in response to economic slowdown
By Alexander Fangmann, 19 July 2016
Just days after outlining austerity measures, including reductions in energy consumption and imports, the Council of State announced that several ministers would be replaced.
The business of baseball and the Cuban national pastime
By Carl Bronski, 16 April 2016
The defection in 2015 of almost 150 players, most of them to the US, has hollowed out Cuba’s winter league Serie Nacional.
Costa Rica closes its borders to Cuban migrants
By Andrea Lobo, 31 March 2016
The tensions between Central American governments have exposed the fragility of three decades of supposed economic, political and social integration.
Obama’s Cuba speech: “Democratic” veneer for US capitalist invasion
By Bill Van Auken, 23 March 2016
While the president’s speech extolled “human rights,” his aides listed the US dollar and corporate power as Washington’s principal concerns.
Obama in Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 22 March 2016
Obama’s “human rights” masquerade is aided and abetted not only by the slavish US media, but also by the Castro government itself.
Castro government welcomes Obama, US corporate heads to Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 21 March 2016
Leading a delegation of over 1,000 US politicians and business executives, Obama’s visit represents a substantial move to bring Cuba under the direct sway of US imperialism.
Cuba denounces continued US enforcement of embargo
By Alexander Fangmann, 9 March 2016
Following recent fines levied on Halliburton subsidiaries, Cuban officials pressed for an end to the embargo in order to facilitate their full re-entry into market relations.
Obama to make March trip to Cuba
By Bill Van Auken, 19 February 2016
Emphasizing Obama’s intention to meet with “dissidents” and “entrepreneurs,” the White House made clear that the trip is part of a policy aimed at restoring US control over Cuba.
Pope Francis to Cubans: “avoid ideology”…or else!
By Rafael Azul, 23 September 2015
True to his personal history, Pope Francis warns workers and youth to stay away from revolutionary socialism.
Kerry travels to Cuba to raise flag at American embassy
By Eric London, 15 August 2015
The ceremony marked a further step in “normalizing” relations, i.e., opening up Cuba for exploitation by US corporations.
US and Cuba reopen embassies after 54 years
By Bill Van Auken, 21 July 2015
The resumption in diplomatic relations is seen by Washington as a path toward reasserting semi-colonial domination of Cuba, while boosting its image in Latin America.
US and Cuba announce resumption of diplomatic relations
By Alexander Fangmann, 2 July 2015
The movement toward the reestablishment of full relations with Cuba is being driven by US corporate interests looking to exploit Cuban workers and resources.
US removes Cuba from list of sponsors of state terror
By Alexander Fangmann, 4 June 2015
The hypocritical designation is being removed in order to make way for the naming of ambassadors as part of the rapprochement between the two governments.
Obama to take Cuba off state terror list
By Bill Van Auken, 16 April 2015
The decision clears the way to normalization of US-Cuban ties as well as the penetration of the island’s economy by US finance capital.
Obama and Castro at the OAS summit
By Bill Van Auken, 14 April 2015
The Cuban leader praised Obama for his “humility” and “honesty,” while exonerating him for all the crimes of US imperialism.
Obama, Raul Castro meet at Panama summit
By Patrick Martin, 13 April 2015
The summit meeting is part of an accelerating effort by the US and Cuba to establish a new political and economic relationship between American imperialism and its former semi-colony.
First round of US-Cuba talks end as restrictions eased
By Alexander Fangmann, 26 January 2015
While deep disagreements remain between the regimes in Havana and Washington, the movement towards the resumption of relations continues at great speed.
After announcing "normalization" with Cuba, Obama slaps sanctions on Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 20 December 2014
The new sanctions shed considerable light on the real nature of Washington’s move to “normalize” ties with Cuba.
US-Cuban rapprochement: The lessons of history
By Bill Van Auken and David North, 19 December 2014
Hailed by governments and corporations as a historic turning point, the move to “normalize” US-Cuban ties raises profound historical questions for the working class and the socialist movement.
Obama, Castro move to “normalize” US-Cuba ties
By Bill Van Auken, 18 December 2014
The simultaneous speeches by the US and Cuban presidents mark a turning point in the protracted search for rapprochement between the Castro regime and US imperialism.
Cables document relations between Castro and Argentine junta
By Marc Wells, 28 November 2014
According to recently released cables, diplomatic exchanges occurred in 1977 between Cuban President Fidel Castro and the Argentine military ruler.
Head of US Chamber of Commerce visits Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 10 June 2014
The president of the US Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donahue, along with a dozen representatives of American companies, met with Cuban officials in preparation for deeper US involvement in Cuba.
Cuban government passes new law on foreign investment
By Alexander Fangmann, 8 April 2014
Desperate for foreign currency, the Castro regime passed a new law opening up the economy for direct investment while offering huge tax breaks for investors.
“Cuban twitter” affair exposes USAID as instrument of regime-change
By Bill Van Auken, 5 April 2014
Washington insisted that its role in setting up an Internet text-messaging scheme be kept secret from the Cuban people.
Scramble for Cuba begins with shifts among US ruling elite
By Alexander Fangmann, 24 February 2014
Significant sections of the US political and business establishment are seeking normalized relations with Cuba to take advantage of opportunities and undercut rivals.
Behind the Obama-Raúl Castro handshake at Mandela memorial
By Alexander Fangmann, 17 December 2013
Underlying Obama's gesture is concern among major US interests that they are losing out on opportunities opening up in Cuba.
Cuba to eliminate dual-currency system
By Alexander Fangmann, 16 November 2013
The unification of the Cuban peso and the convertible peso, which is pegged to the dollar, is part of the process of dismantling social programs and reintegrating all parts of the economy into the world market.
Cuban government announces acceleration of privatization and austerity measures
By Alexander Fangmann, 30 July 2013
Like austerity plans being carried out elsewhere in the world, the aim of these measures is to make the working class pay for the world capitalist crisis.
Observations from a visit to Cuba
18 April 2013
Wealth and poverty coexist on this island as in any other country in the region.
Pope Benedict backs market measures in Cuba
By Rafael Azul, 30 March 2012
Pope Benedict spent three days in Cuba, supporting the turn toward private property and foreign capital by the government of Raúl Castro.
CIA terrorist Posada Carriles acquitted in immigration trial
By Bill Van Auken, 12 April 2011
The travesty of a trial of Posada Carriles on immigration-related charges let the veteran terrorist and CIA agent walk free, despite being wanted for the killing of scores of civilians.
CIA terrorist Posada Carriles on trial for lying to immigration
By Bill Van Auken, 13 January 2011
Luis Posada Carriles, the Cuban-born CIA terrorist, went on trial this week in a Texas court for lying to immigration authorities.
Raul Castro sought “political channel” to Washington
By Patrick Martin, 30 December 2010
WikiLeaks cables showed that Fidel Castro believed that the Obama administration would be open to relaxing the longtime US isolation of Cuba.
Cuba’s mass layoffs: The dead-end of Castroism
By Bill Van Auken, 17 September 2010
This week’s announcement that over half a million Cuban workers are to be thrown out of their jobs in the next six months has laid bare the class character of the Castro regime.
Cuba announces firing of half a million state workers
By Bill Van Auken, 15 September 2010
With its announcement that over 500,000 state workers will be fired over the next six months, the Castro regime is carrying out its most sweeping attack on Cuban workers since it came to power more than half a century ago.
Cuba’s Raúl Castro unveils plan for massive job cuts
By Bill Van Auken, 5 August 2010
President Raúl Castro Sunday outlined plans that could eliminate the jobs of over one million Cuban state workers, while promoting the growth of private enterprise in the country’s service sector.
Cuba: more cuts in public spending announced
By Carlos del Rocío, 30 July 2009
In a message to the Cuban nation on the 56th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada Barracks, President Raúl Castro announced a second major cut in public spending.
Americas Summit ends with no agreement on economic crisis
By Bill Van Auken, 21 April 2009
While the media has focused its attention on the handshakes between Obama and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez, what dominated the Americas Summit was the absence of agreement on policies to confront the deepening capitalist crisis.
Castroite purge in Cuba as US slightly eases sanctions
By Bill Van Auken, 13 March 2009
The sweeping purge of top government officials announced last week in Cuba is symptomatic of a bourgeois nationalist regime in deep crisis, which is conspiring against the interests of the masses of Cuban working people.
Cuba marks 50th anniversary of revolution in shadow of world crisis
3 January 2009
Cuba marked the 50th anniversary of the revolution that brought Castro to power with subdued celebrations. Havana sees the deepening world capitalist crisis not as a harbinger of international revolutionary struggle, but as a threat to Cuba’s unstable economy.
On the class nature of the Castro regime
Two letters on Cuba and a reply
24 March 1998
A reply to inquiries about the SEP's analysis of the Cuban revolution and the Castro regime.
Fidel and the Pope
By Bill Vann, 27 January 1998
The extraordinary reception accorded Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cuba was a measure of Fidel Castro's desperation to reach an accommodation with Washington and an end to the 36-year-old US economic embargo against the island nation.
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