Familyguest’s Blog

A new image represents the political future of Cuba. His arrival to the highest rank of power is part of a historical order of succession foreseen by the Cuban constitution. As in every succession two questions arise to the minds of all Cubans and public opinion worldwide: What will change? And what will remain the same?

The announcement of political continuity has prevailed ever since the very moment Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz retired from office due to health problems and gave away power to group historical revolutionary leaders headed by Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Communist Party and second in the line of command.
What will change? As in any political situation, a matter of legitimacy involves this question. The ruler must be legitimized by those he rules, the people, and in the specific Cuban case, this strategy must be consented and facilitated by the one giving away power.
However, the Cuban people speak of changes, starting the mechanism of internal legitimacy. This mechanism, though not officially summoned, flows naturally from the people to the power. Cubans express themselves about these changes with indifference, still, hoping that the new policies would solve the main problem they are facing, the possibility to access goods and services that would grant an existence not focused on daily survival and oriented to their professions, studies and progress instead.

In Cuban social life all these changes and policies show in different ways. Some are not necessarily immediate, and some others have already been put into practice. Improvement of public transportation, subsidy to fuel and food, more access to clothing, more control of public and private companies, and facilities to access products in Cuban Convertible Pesos for Cubans, are some of the measures already in practice.
Other policies with strong public opinion impact but not into practice yet are: The elimination of the travel restrictions as well as those regarding the trading of automobiles, measure that could reach the real state market allowing Cubans to sell and buy their properties freely.
Another resounding measure is the elimination of the restrictions that limited and generally forbid the access of Cuban residents to tourist areas.
Cuban social reality is still peaceful, although some anxiety is noticeable in many Cubans who find it very hard to access non basic goods with the salary they earn working for the government.

All those working in the private sector or receiving permanent remittance from relatives abroad have an easier access to non basic goods and services.