jfields
Where did all my money go?
There's a lot of talk about a reckoning coming in Cuba. A lot of what I hear secondhand is that it's just a matter of when and not if. With the USA cutting off Cuba from Venezuelan oil/fuel, they have really been affected heavily. I'm just wondering out loud if in the end went to a democratic government and things change, would the cigar market and production. Not that the current model hasn't proven to be very profitable for them, but more to create opportunities for the people of Cuba and jobs. I doubt prices will go down, but maybe supply will come back. I had already read about the Habanos Festival being canceled, and assumed it was fuel/electricity related. I'm sure there's much more to the story.
Commentary by cigarsanctum:
“I arrived back in Mexico City from Havana last night - via Cancun, where we refuelled. As most know, there is no aviation fuel at Jose Marti airport. Air Canada is the first in what will be a long line of airlines that will cease services to Cuba. The following is an accurate portrayal of my recent days in Havana. It will be of interest to those who love Cuba.
It's obvious that the house of cards is about to fall. It's just a matter of when the tipping point will be. Yet how the government continues to run affairs beggars belief. Here is the extremely sad - and infuriating - Alice in Wonderland dystopia that is now Havana.
- all public transport has been suspended, meaning no movement of workers (including cigar rollers who get paid $5 a month to sit at home and do nothing); Partagas has 234 benches and only 86 rollers!
- all universities have closed with classes going online ... except there is no electricity and, thus, no WiFi.
- all sports, cultural and musical events have been cancelled - and, certainly, the Habanos Festival will not go ahead.
- all independent shops (bars, restaurants) must close, unless they have solar panels or a generator.
- street corners are covered in mountains of rotting garbage - a breeding ground for disease.
- workers in cigar factories are being asked to go out - unpaid - and clean up garbage after their shifts at the factories.
- Prado is empty; the malecon is empty
- the government has asked citizens to show up on Saturdays for military practice
On the outskirts, there are protests. Fires in the streets. The banging of pots and pans.
Without gasoline - now rationed at 20 litres per person per month - society comes to a standstill. And without electricity, the entire infrastructure crumbles. Built on sand. There are hospitals with generators that can't function, because there is no fuel, so fuck you if you need dialysis. You're dead.
Yet the people remain friendly, resilient and hopeful for the future, despite the fear of what lies ahead. And Havana, the grande dame, is as beautiful as ever in her crumbling glory."
Viva Havana. Viva Cuba
Commentary by cigarsanctum:
“I arrived back in Mexico City from Havana last night - via Cancun, where we refuelled. As most know, there is no aviation fuel at Jose Marti airport. Air Canada is the first in what will be a long line of airlines that will cease services to Cuba. The following is an accurate portrayal of my recent days in Havana. It will be of interest to those who love Cuba.
It's obvious that the house of cards is about to fall. It's just a matter of when the tipping point will be. Yet how the government continues to run affairs beggars belief. Here is the extremely sad - and infuriating - Alice in Wonderland dystopia that is now Havana.
- all public transport has been suspended, meaning no movement of workers (including cigar rollers who get paid $5 a month to sit at home and do nothing); Partagas has 234 benches and only 86 rollers!
- all universities have closed with classes going online ... except there is no electricity and, thus, no WiFi.
- all sports, cultural and musical events have been cancelled - and, certainly, the Habanos Festival will not go ahead.
- all independent shops (bars, restaurants) must close, unless they have solar panels or a generator.
- street corners are covered in mountains of rotting garbage - a breeding ground for disease.
- workers in cigar factories are being asked to go out - unpaid - and clean up garbage after their shifts at the factories.
- Prado is empty; the malecon is empty
- the government has asked citizens to show up on Saturdays for military practice
On the outskirts, there are protests. Fires in the streets. The banging of pots and pans.
Without gasoline - now rationed at 20 litres per person per month - society comes to a standstill. And without electricity, the entire infrastructure crumbles. Built on sand. There are hospitals with generators that can't function, because there is no fuel, so fuck you if you need dialysis. You're dead.
Yet the people remain friendly, resilient and hopeful for the future, despite the fear of what lies ahead. And Havana, the grande dame, is as beautiful as ever in her crumbling glory."
Viva Havana. Viva Cuba