There isn’t a Cuban around less than fifty-years of age who hasn’t heard one of their parents say/utter that famous Cuban phrase/quote: “Cuando Cuba reia” (When Cuba laughed).  This famous quote amongst Cubans is usually made/said in reference to Cuba in pre-Castro times, vs. the Cuba of today.  Although during Batista’s regime; the Guantanamera would be played on the radio at around 12:00 noon; this was done to advise Cuban’s that prisoners were being beaten to a pulp.  So to imply that Cuba was always laughing before Castro may not be an exactly statement.  If you don’t agree, just ask one of those prisoners who were getting beaten during Batista’s regime if they were laughing then.

Before 1959, Cuba was the pearl of the Caribbean.  Expensive new automobiles would parade down Cuba’s streets.  Havana had some of the most luxurious hotels/Cabarets around.  People from all over the world  visited Varadero as their prime vacation spot.  Cuba was one of the most famous most extravagant of all the islands in the Caribbean.

In February of 1959, Castro ousted Batista and his government and became prime minister of Cuba.  Castro’s government expropriated private property from Cuban landowners.  Castro’s government also closed down Cuba’s then famous gambling industry.  Fidel Castro also evicted many US citizens from Cuba whom he felt had been in collaboration with Batista’s government.  Castro’s dislike toward Batista’s government was very eminent. 

Problems between Cuba and the USA back then only helped to seal Cuba’s relationship with the then Soviet Union.  After the Cuban missile crises; the Soviet Union made Cuba a military force to be reckoned with.  Cuba become one of the military powers in Latin America. Cuba was such a military might; the USA had no choice but to keep a close eye on Cuba.

Today Cuba is a disaster.  Since the collapse of the Soviet Union; Cuba has had to make the best out of a bad situation.  In 2008, two hurricanes passed through Cuba and devastated the island.  Castro is very much disliked by the Cuban’s living in Florida.  They say that if they send aid to Cuba; Castro’s  government will take advantage of the goods, and not share it amongst Cuba’s starving population.   The Cuban’s in Miami are very skeptical about Raul Castro.  They think he’ll just be a replica of his brother Fidel.  Fidel Castro himself is a very controversial figure; he’s loved by many around the world; while hated by many around the world at the same time…