Most Cubans do not support the Castro dictators. Only party members do, and they have a lot of privileges compared to the general population.
People live in very basic conditions under constant surveillance. Phone lines, Internet connections, etc. are monitored.
Most cars and electronics are still from the 50s, from the Batista era, and are repaired with homemade parts.
People can study for free, but there are no job opportunities, so you can see architects sweeping the streets and physicians driving cabs.
Disturbing a tourist is a grave offense and lead to years in jail. There are 2 currencies, one for tourists, another one for nationals, and nationals are not allowed to have tourist currency. Nationals are not allowed to enter hotels or tourist facilities.
People grow animals at home and give all scraps to them. Once they grow big enough they kill them for consumption. People rely on the black market for their basic needs. Some set up clandestine restaurants at home to make a living.
Cubans are not allowed to leave the country. They need to pay for the privilege of traveling, and all trips must include a return ticket. If multiple family members are traveling, at least one has to stay to ensure the family doesn't escape the regime. People bypass that by creating fake families through marriage.
As you can see, their life experience is BAD. The Castros are personally responsible for a lot of it. They should have stepped down for humanitarian reasons. People that supported the revolution initially would not have done so if they knew what was going to happen to them.
It will take time to erode years of brainwashing. The regime was not only authoritarian / militaristic, but also ideological... starting from an early age in schools. The ruling caste is completely brainwashed and will not let go.
People live in very basic conditions under constant surveillance. Phone lines, Internet connections, etc. are monitored.
Most cars and electronics are still from the 50s, from the Batista era, and are repaired with homemade parts.
People can study for free, but there are no job opportunities, so you can see architects sweeping the streets and physicians driving cabs.
Disturbing a tourist is a grave offense and lead to years in jail. There are 2 currencies, one for tourists, another one for nationals, and nationals are not allowed to have tourist currency. Nationals are not allowed to enter hotels or tourist facilities.
People grow animals at home and give all scraps to them. Once they grow big enough they kill them for consumption. People rely on the black market for their basic needs. Some set up clandestine restaurants at home to make a living.
Cubans are not allowed to leave the country. They need to pay for the privilege of traveling, and all trips must include a return ticket. If multiple family members are traveling, at least one has to stay to ensure the family doesn't escape the regime. People bypass that by creating fake families through marriage.
As you can see, their life experience is BAD. The Castros are personally responsible for a lot of it. They should have stepped down for humanitarian reasons. People that supported the revolution initially would not have done so if they knew what was going to happen to them.