Cuba at the Crossroads of Change: A First-hand Account of Cubans’ Expectations in a Period of Transition.
Subject Area
Hispanic Caribbean Studies
Abstract
The recently announced easing of sanctions on Cuba by the United States government, as well as the re-establishing of official diplomatic ties between the two nations, promise to mark the beginning of a new era for Cubans.
Even though the Cuban government has lessened the grip of the State on the economic environment over the last few years, the re-opening of the American embassy in Havana and the consequent relaxing of the rules regarding travel to the island by American citizens has further raised the expectations of a more swift transition towards a market-driven economy.
A visit to Cuba during this period of change is indispensable to take the pulse of the aspirations, anxieties, and expectations of the common folk within its society. After doing so, I propose to do just that – offer a fist-hand account of the mindset of ordinary Cubans in face of the most recent political developments, whether perceived or openly stated.
Brief Bio Note
After completing his undergraduate studies in Portugal and obtaining his graduate degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, he has taught in different regions in the United States. He is currently an Associate Professor of Foreign Languages at Lander University in South Carolina.
Keywords
Cuba, Transition
Location
Coastal Georgia Center
Presentation Year
2016
Start Date
4-8-2016 2:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 2:20 PM
Embargo
11-8-2015
Recommended Citation
Lopes, Pedro J., "Cuba at the Crossroads of Change: A First-hand Account of Cubans’ Expectations in a Period of Transition." (2016). South East Coastal Conference on Languages & Literatures (SECCLL). 81.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/seccll/2016/2016/81
Cuba at the Crossroads of Change: A First-hand Account of Cubans’ Expectations in a Period of Transition.
Coastal Georgia Center
The recently announced easing of sanctions on Cuba by the United States government, as well as the re-establishing of official diplomatic ties between the two nations, promise to mark the beginning of a new era for Cubans.
Even though the Cuban government has lessened the grip of the State on the economic environment over the last few years, the re-opening of the American embassy in Havana and the consequent relaxing of the rules regarding travel to the island by American citizens has further raised the expectations of a more swift transition towards a market-driven economy.
A visit to Cuba during this period of change is indispensable to take the pulse of the aspirations, anxieties, and expectations of the common folk within its society. After doing so, I propose to do just that – offer a fist-hand account of the mindset of ordinary Cubans in face of the most recent political developments, whether perceived or openly stated.
