Cuba-USA - Enthusiasm Has Been Waning

Cuba-USA: Enthusiasm Has Been Waning / Ivan Garcia
Posted on April 12, 2015

Ivan Garcia, 28 March 2015 – It feels like a lot of time has gone by
since noon on December 17 when Rogelio Horta's family sat dumbfounded in
front of the television listening to Raul Castro announce that Cuba and
the United States would reestablish diplomatic relations.

Everything seemed perfect. There would be improved telecommunications
and internet. Self-employed workers and cooperatives would have access
to credit. If differences between the two countries were patched up, the
economic situation would improve. But as time passed, people's
expectations changed," admits Rogelio, the owner of a cafe southwest of
Havana.

Three months after the newsflash, the feeling among average Cubans is
that the new developments will not significantly change their lives.

The government of Raul Castro has not formulated a policy that would
allow the private or cooperative economic sectors to sign business or
financial deals with U.S. institutions.

"It's all just propaganda. Americans tour cooperative farms and sugar
plantations, celebrities film TV shows in Havana and take selfies with
Fidel Castro's children. But there are no actual results. Direct
telephone calls are the same as before," notes Armando, a scriptwriter
for radio soap operas.

People have been edging from optimism to anger. Such is the mood of
Josuan, an independent taxi driver who was excited by Obama's words.
Perhaps a bit too much.

On Christmas Eve, three months ago, Josuan envisioned a dream-like
future: "I thought the Cuban economy would open up and self-employed
workers would have more opportunities. The topic of conversation was how
we could take advantage of the new situation. But the government has
brought us down from the clouds. Now with the soap opera that is
Venezuela, the press doesn't even mention the third round of (US-Cuban)
talks being held in Havana," he says.

The official media barely even noticed Roberta Jacobson's second visit
to Cuba. Nor were a swarm of foreign journalists seen in the streets of
Havana and nothing has emerged on the meetings between Jacobsen and her
counterpart, Josefina Vidal.
The media hoopla has morphed into a mysterious silence, which is
probably the perfect setting to achieve agreements that will satisfy
both parties.

For better informed Cubans such as Ortelio, a former government
official, the concern is that any shift in U.S. foreign policy could
derail the process.

"Negotiating with the Castros is very complex," says Ortelio. "They're
like spoiled children. Any action by American policy makers that
displeases them could endanger the negotiations. The official line is
that Obama's sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials will not interfere
with the process. I hope that's the case and that our government shows
intelligence and responsibility. For twenty-five years Cuba has
experienced an ongoing economic crisis with no end in sight. If we don't
develop our economy and improve our standard of living, the exodus from
the island will continue. There is a limit to how much people will
tolerate."

Danilo, an architect, believes it is all stage-managed. "The speeches by
Cuban officials are meant to please the Latin American and European
left," he believes. "Raul Castro will not miss this chance with the U.S.
to pass by, but he needs Venezuelan oil. If Venezuela were to steal the
show at the next Summit of the Americas, it would be a good smokescreen
to continue negotiating behind the scenes. Maduro has an expiration
date. He'll lose power before too long. He is a useful idiot."

While strategies are drawn up in the corridors of power in Havana and
Washington, the initial enthusiasm among Cubans over the surprising
diplomatic shift has been eclipsed.

Since December 17 owners of private lodgings and restaurants, taxi
drivers, the poor, prostitutes and hustlers have benefitted from the
presence of affluent Americans with fat wallets, especially in the
oldest part of the city, which is the section most visited by tourists.

Havana residents hope that within two years broadband internet and U.S.
dollars will extend across every neighborhood in the capital. Maduro is
not welcome here. Long speeches and a litany of grievances are all he
has to offer. People have been listening to this narrative more many
years now. And they are tired of it.

Photo: In spite of American tourists, U.S. flags and movie stars turning
up in Havana, Cubans' enthusiasm for the reestablishment of diplomatic
relations with the United States has been waning. Source: Prensa de
Nicaragua.

Source: Cuba-USA: Enthusiasm Has Been Waning / Ivan Garcia | Translating
Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-usa-enthusiasm-has-been-waning-ivan-garcia/