A small island with limited natural resources, Cuba depends heavily on goods, services, technology and capital from abroad for its economy to grow and improve the standard of living of its citizens. The adverse impact that severe changes in external economic relations can have on the Cuban economy and on the well being of citizens […]

In 2002, Cuba launched a comprehensive plan to restructure its sugar agroindustry. For several years, sugar industry experts had been discussing the need to downsize the industry, which had expanded significantly in the 1980s. While some reduction in agricultural and industrial capacity was anticipated, the draconian reduction in land devoted to sugarcane (reduction by over […]

Notes[ref]An earlier version was presented at the conference “Reforming Communism: Cuba in Comparative Perspective,” Center for Latin American Studies, University of Pittsburgh, November 6–8, 2014.[/ref] Since Raúl Castro assumed Cuba’s top leadership position — on a temporary basis in 2006 and permanently in 2008 — Cuba has experienced numerous economic policy changes aimed at ending […]

On September 19, 2013, Cuban Council of State President Raúl Castro signed Law-Decree No. 313, establishing the Mariel Special Development Zone (Zona Especial de Desarrollo del Mariel, ZEDM). A few days later, on September 23, 2013, Cuba’s Gaceta Oficial published the text of the Law-Decree together with implementing regulations issued by the Council of State, […]