A political sea change could see the Caribbean’s communist stronghold become a major casino destination, says Professor I Nelson Rose.
Fidel Castro is gone.
He may not be dead. But on a recent trip to Cuba, I was told by both American and Cuban experts that he is beyond retired. His image may be everywhere, but he no longer has a living influence. Fidel has become to Cuba what Mao is to China.
His younger brother, Raul, is still alive, but is 82 years old. He has called for term limits, including his own. He will not run for re-election as President in 2018.
Since taking over from Fidel in 2007, Raul started introducing reforms. He had to.
Cuba is a country where nuclear physicists drive taxis, because they can make more than their $40 per month government salaries. Under Fidel, Cubans could not buy or sell cars or homes, so they arranged phoney marriages. The property could then be transferred through a divorce.
Still today, everyone owns their own apartments, but literally nobody owns the apartment buildings; so, there is no one to fix leaking roofs.
Since there are no opportunities, young adults flee the country. Many are willing to risk their lives on Styrofoam rafts to try to get to America.
Change is coming to Cuba. The big questions are whether it will be slow or fast, peaceful or violent.
Read the full article in the October issue of InterGaming.
