Year One Cuba Libre

Year One Cuba Libre

The monorail that runs through the business district is well underway and is on target to begin serving passengers next year. However, these quiet running cars that roll on rubber tires will not pass along the Malecon. The Havana city government voted the measure down, fearing that it would mar the historic view. Having been elected six months earlier, this was one of the first controversial issues that the city government had to address. The national government headed by President Marta Beatriz Roque and Vice President Guillermo Fariñas, had been given a mandate after winning by a landslide along with their supporters in the legislature. The communists also ran candidates for office but were routed on election day. The peaceful elections six months earlier lay in stark contrast to the end of the communist dictatorship of Raul Castro which collapsed one year ago. When the food riots began in the hot summer and became uncontrollable Raul had tried to escape but the mob recognized his car and set upon him with 48 years of pent up rage. They pulled him from the car, beat him to death then dragged his lifeless corpse through the cheering streets of Havana. The body was thrown on a bond fire and completely incinerated. The debate is on-going as to what to do with Fidel’s body which was discovered frozen in the morgue after the riots where Raul had been hiding him. Many of the former regime members have been apprehended and are now awaiting trial. Two of the top guys, Alarcon and Lage are still at large and are suspected to have fled to Venezuela. The world is still in shock since the records of the executions and torture were been released and the location of the mass graves unearthed. People are united in their search for these escaped murderers and all those who defended the regime through the years are now strangely quite.

Havana has become a bustling city by day and a celebrating party by night. Life is a comfortable mix of this work and play. Some are employed by the big multinational corporation while many others have started their own businesses. The streets are filled with vendors hawking everything imaginable. Electricity and water now flow 24 hours a day. Private power stations are being constructed across the island. A multitude of new banks are opening everyday to take the exploding deposits of wealth being generated by the free Cuban people. Also, automobile dealerships representing all manufactures of the world have opened to permit Cubans to buy their first car. Toyota is finalizing plans to build the first factory to turn out vehicles for the burgeoning Cuban market. But also the exiles coming to the island to visit friends and relatives are constantly requested to bring carburetors for ’56 Chevy’s, brake shoes for 1950 Pontiacs and other parts to bring these museum relics back to life. Many Cubans have converted their cars for use as jitneys and now ply their routes back and forth through the city providing reliable, affordable transportation for workers and tourists alike. More old cars are arriving everyday, many on the new hydrofoil that began operating two months ago running between Key West and Cuba.

The historic district is being restored and is looking presentable. Buildings that were salvageable were gutted only leaving the façade. Many sites were razed but are required by the city government code to be rebuilt following strict historical guidelines. The roads have been torn up in an alternating manner to allow traffic to continue to flow. At this time the sewers and water pipes are being replaced, as well as telephone, fiber optic cable, electric transmission line, etc. being laid. They are being buried before the final road surface is finished.

Private Cuban businesses are forming everyday to serve to needs of the expanding economy. Sanitation companies haul the trash away for a reasonable fee from both commercial and residential areas. Food vendors are everywhere and the cost of eating continues to decline while the quality and diversity of food improves. Some former Cuban farmers and ranchers have returned to their abandoned, squalid property to begin again. Others too old now have chosen to sell their property to young farmers and ranchers but keep a small amount of their land to build a retirement home. Likewise, many former business owners have returned to open up shop while others have decided to sell their old dilapidated business locations to others and simply retire to enjoy their last days in a free Cuba with old friends and family. But the net result is food production has soared and some is even being exported now.

Havana currently has five television stations, thirty-eight radio stations and the number keeps growing. Several independent newspapers have opened including the New Havana Times which was formed using the assets of the old Granma facilities. Don Royce Roy is the number one DJ in Havana effortlessly flowing between speaking Spanish and English as he spins the hits from the 50’s to the 21^st Century. This broadcast phenomenon is happening all across the island. Cubans homestead frequencies for a small regulatory fee and begin operating radio and TV stations. Foreign broadcasters also set up shop but must pay a higher fee to the government for a license. Internet service is now widely available via cable and satellite. PCs flood into Cuba and soon every home has at least one. Unfortunately the video games have also arrived on the island causing many Cuban parents to become concerned and causing them to set limits on their children’s gaming time.

Over 200 mom and pop family businesses spring-up to build small boats and pleasure crafts. Thousands of Cuban construction and renovation firms begin operations transforming the island from drab to dramatically different. Everywhere one hears the sounds of nails being hammered, saws buzzing and construction workers whistling at the senoras walking by. Some things never change. One thing that has changed is the medical industry. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals have setup competing HMOs to offer high quality care for a reasonable coverage price. Dengue fever has really been eliminated from Cuba this time – not just in Fidel’s imagination. Also schools have all been privatized and there is a measure to place a Constitutional Amendment banning school and state from ever being involved with one another after what Castro has done to the children of Cuba using the education system.

Tourism has exploded causing the central government to place a $20 tourist tax on all visitors generating millions in revenue for the treasury. Likewise, oil, gas and mining leases, besides providing quality employment to Cubans, have also helped fill the treasury. Sadly, many firms who were connected to the former slave regime of Raul Castro still cannot believe that they have been kicked out of Cuba and banned from returning – for any reason. Later next month the President of the United States is scheduled to make an official visit to discuss bilateral relations with President Roque. They will talk about the declining value of the dollar against the surging value of the Cuban peso and what Cuban can do to help.

But the Havana nights are what Cuba has become all about. New clubs open every week offering music, dancing and other entertainment. Art galleries and museums open and the zoo is being renovated for new animal exhibits. Of course the twin scourges of capitalism, McDonald’s and Starbucks have opened many new franchises in Cuba to the consternation of the former communists but to the delight of the Cuban people. Cuba has finally crossed the threshold of the 21^st Century. Because these atrocities must end!

Tomás Estrada-Palma

The Real Tourist Reviews

The Real Tourist Reviews

The vast majority of you naive Canadians don’t realize that the Cuban government is expert at manipulating information. First read these REAL testimonials from REAL travelers to Cuba and how things really are in Cuba:

1. A vacation we will never forget

We arrived 01-07-05, for a 7 day vacation. First there were tons of hassles at the airport. We sat in a holding cell with a guard standing outside that was holding a AK-47. We were never told why we were being held there. Finally they told us, we could leave and go to our hotel Tryp Peninsula. We get to the hotel and hotel security already knows were coming because they have been tipped off to watch us very closely. I found this out later from one of the security guards. Our room was a dump, sheets were nasty, no clean towels, hair in the tub and sinks, terrible room service. Day 2 started out good, we had a nice breakfast and were getting ready to go sightseeing and were stopped as we tried to leave the hotel by the police and were told to go back to our rooms and pack because we were being forced to leave the country. So we did and were escorted back to the airport. We boarded our plane and flew back to Mexico City. We were not given any refunds for the hotel. We were never told why we were being forced to leave the country. I rated safety as being great because we were with armed police officers and security guards almost the whole time. After arriving in Mexico City we flew on to Cancun and had a great time. Definately a vacation we will never forget.

2. so eventless and dull and drab and annoying

3. Small airport, facilities very poor, customs and immigration are a nightmare! Be prepared for lots of unnecessary questions, long delays and luggage searches! Far beyond the realms of reasonableness!

The Fake Cuban Reviews

But these review sites are also filled with disinformation obviously written by Cuban State Security Agents. Read this next 5 star review by a so-called tourist. Is this the syntax, spelling and vocabulary choice of an English speaker?

1. I love the beaches,they`re wonderful,food very tasted and healthy, the treat,very good,hotels goods,weather awsome,excelent places for fishing,beautiful nature,things to avoid: Politic comments,and be aware always like any other foreign countries with assaults and property theft,(just becarefull,nothing to worried ) my reference to others have to go and try it to believe it,once you there you don`t want to come back to your own living place...!

There are numerous posts just like this but permit me to quote: “my reference to others have to go and try it to believe it,once you there you don`t want to come back to your own living place...!”

No, no, no comrade. This agent starts right out by telling you that your food has already been very tasted... Really? By whom? Let me help you write an actual correct English thought, Boris. Besides all the spelling, punctuation and run-on sentence errors you really need native translators who are familiar with English. For example we don’t say “my reference to others have to go…” That is Spanish syntax and “my reference” would never be our word choice. Try simply using “my advice to others” the next time you are propagandizing. But this Cuban State Security knucklehead is actually telling us if you read him literally that his references have to go! Also “you don’t want to come back to your own living space” is one of the lamest attempts at penning English I have ever read without fainting from laughter. If Raul has not killed you already for your incompetence, next time just say, “you won’t want to return home” or “you’ll want to stay forever.”

The moral of the story Canadians: Don’t believe everything you read in these “Reviews” because any tom, dick or raul can comment. How could so many people have a terrible experience while others using terrible English have such a wonderful experience?

Tomás Estrada-Palma

Canadian Holiday Paradise

Canadian Holiday Paradise

Take a look at this YOUTUBE to see just some of your Canadian tourist dollars making Cuba a better place. You would not live this way. Why do you expect Cubans to do so? Bugger this stupidity about embargo! They are being paid fifty cents a day. You try to get rich making that kind of dough. Thanks to Don the man for sending me this link.

Tomás Estrada-Palma

Fly Commie Air

Fly Commie Air

Hey Canadians, if Raul Air flies this badly can you imagine how poorly he feeds his people? Actually feed is a misnomer - starves would be more correct. Of course this idiot doesn't blame 48 years of communist wisdom for this fiasco. She blames America and parrots Raul Castro's mantra it's the embargo because as everyone in the world knows there is no other place to buy an Air Plane except America. Can't buy one from Europe or China. Nope if the US bans you from the skies then you just can't get a decent plane. This idiot surely is a fool.

Tomás Estrada-Palma

Hey Capitalist Exploiters of Cuba

Hey Capitalist Exploiters of Cuba

Your partner Raul is taking a look at my blog again. I figure Raul is trying to figure the best way to grab as much of your money as possible before abdicating the throne. What do you think? Tomás Estrada-Palma

Month One Cuba Libre

Month One Cuba Libre

By now the majority of Cubans have reversed the effects of starvation and other privations of the former government and are on the mend. With full stomachs it is easier to smile and dance in the streets and clock in at work in their new jobs. Havana is filled to capacity with venture capitalists and corporate CEOs scrambling to establish a toe-hold in Cuba for their operations. As Cuba reaches its 30^th day of liberty, the transitional government is signing hundreds of contracts with private foreign corporations to mine, broadcast, provide fiber optics cable, satellite, provide power, occupy space in Havana and elsewhere and the list could go on and will when I can get around to it but you get the idea. Besides the fees generated for the Cuban government, those occupying Cuban locations will immediately have to begin paying their site-value tax unless they are under the Economic Victims Compensation Act which grants them a number of years of site-value tax relief.

Probably within one year every inch of business Real Estate in Havana will be GONE! For the most part the people have just stayed in their dilapidated housing but many places on the island are at least presentable now with paint, nails, wood and other supplies flooding into Cuba. Many Cubans begin renting rooms to tourists, offering taxi service, guided tours complete with English/Spanish interpretation and other services that cater to the burgeoning tourist and business demand. In addition, the construction industry is desperate for more man power and has taken to luring the workers from other construction sites with bribes like free worker housing, free meals and healthcare as well as the standard 401K/vacation benefits available at any decent company found in the west. Because Cubans are living on land location worth $0 they pay no tax and therefore begin to accumulate more and more wealth over and above that required to maintain themselves like food, drink, etc. Now corporations are looking for new places to operate since the traditional business district is occupied to capacity. The residential areas on the periphery will be the first Real Estate sold from a Cuban family to business investors. At this point a 1/8 acre plot could range from between ½ and 1 million dollars instantly making the family very wealthy. They will of course relocate to new development farther outlying that, though not as convenient as closer in, again puts their residence’s site-value tax at or near zero. But the business that just purchased the previous property obviously has a valuable site since they pay big so their site-value tax would be very high. Note that the new Cuban residence itself may be a grand hacienda but because the tax in based on the value of the location site and not the improvements the owners pay little tax. Likewise, the business is free to improve his new site to accommodate the most efficient use of the land but is not taxed for the building – just the location. So that usually means building up and down if geologically possible to create as much business space as possible.

Here is where the Cuban people through their government will have to make decisions regarding revenue versus historic architectural preservation. Sites zoned for sky-scrapers will have by far the highest site-value taxation revenue generated but could never be considered “historical architecture.” But many areas of Havana, where possible, should be zoned to strictly adhere to architectural controls for history preservation since this generates billions in tourism. Of course it will generate less site-value tax revenue so Cubans will need to strike a balance but not cut their nose off despite their face.

Because Cuba has full employment, every Cuban can keep every penny he earns and has free company health care, a new social condition emerges never before seen on the earth in recorded history. There is virtually no crime. Because all Cubans are being paid so well and there are so many good opportunities, crime literally doesn’t pay. You can earn far more per hour doing legally available work than in any criminal endeavor. Cubans are too busy earning wealth, investing some where they see fit and ferreting away the rest free from the greedy hands of government. Cuba will work so well under this system that you will not recognize the place in one year. In 5 years Cubans will be the wealthiest people on the planet. After ten years hopefully the rest of the world will be asking how they can continue to be so stupid and not adopt the Cuban model. Clearly anyone who reads these economic outlines can see that this is the only sensible approach to creating a peaceful and prosperous Cuba. First you have to dream about what a perfect place would be like, which is everybody working in high paying jobs with low personal overhead. Then you have to devise a plan to get from where you are now to where you want to be. Then you have to make it happen. Cuba is a blank slate filled with desperate people wanting a better way. Let’s show them how to make it happen.

Tomás Estrada-Palma