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Articles

Vol. 43 No. 2 (2023)

Cuba Emerging from COVID

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-090x2023005000110
Submitted
July 31, 2023
Published
2023-09-12 — Updated on 2024-04-23
Versions

Abstract

Cuba experienced continuing economic and political crises throughout 2022, pro­longing a slump that resulted from COVID’s impact, the effects of US sanctions, and muddled economic policies. The popular anger and frustration that erupted in nationwide protests on July 11, 2021, deepened into a crisis of legitimacy for the government: the foundational social compact of the Revolution—to provide social equity and economic security for all—was not being kept. While ever greater access to communication technologies enabled the citizenry to impact some pu­blic policies, questioning of the political system remained off limits. Despite facing political and economic challenges that are frequently the prelude to instability, the Cuban system continued to enjoy sources of resilience characteristic of authorita­rian durability. The prospect of a fundamental challenge to regime persistence was therefore unlikely in the near-term, but the corrosive effects of its problems posed significant risks for the future.

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