Cuba rings changes while trying to stay the same 18 Apr 2018 Raul Castro's coming handover of Cuba's presidency is an effort to prolong beyond his own life span the communist revolution he built with late brother Fidel. Trying to modernize could also destroy it, though. And with neighbor Venezuela getting less able to provide cheap oil, economic reform can't wait.
Review: The next fight for Latin America’s soul 17 Nov 2017 Dictators and demagogues have come and gone; progress in the region has been impressive. Still, rule of law and effective institutions still lack, Michael Reid writes in "Forgotten Continent." That makes the next steps toward prosperity harder.
Latin America’s rightward turn faces serious tests 22 Dec 2016 Several countries in the region have shunned leftist populism of late. But the pain from economic reforms in Argentina and Brazil could make voters reconsider, if it's not accompanied by growth. And Chile's consensus on fiscal prudence may unravel.
Hadas: Castro’s mourners show distress of the left 29 Nov 2016 The Cuban strongman's death would have passed almost unnoticed, if he had not been the last communist revolutionary idealist standing. He is unlikely to have successors on the left, which has been ideologically exhausted by success. The nationalist right is another matter.
Castro embodied the weakness of strongmen 26 Nov 2016 The charismatic Cuban leader resembled other paternalistic caudillos of right and left in his outsized ego, which ultimately stymied his people. Cubans, like other Latin Americans, need institutions more than saviors like Fidel. Venezuela's leaders are another example.
Cuba’s coming boom: A cautionary Caribbean tale 2 Jul 2015 As the communist nation’s emergence takes another step with U.S. diplomatic ties restored, its neighbor Puerto Rico is descending into a debt crisis. Breakingviews imagines a future conversation between former Presidents Castro and Obama if Cuba fails to heed the warning.
Uncle Sam closer to nixing one of dumbest policies 17 Dec 2014 President Obama intends to relax the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The egregious restrictions failed in their intent, won little support abroad and served only domestic political purposes. Removing trade barriers will bring a mini economic windfall and, ultimately perhaps, freedom.
Cuba’s policies worse for GDP than U.S. embargo 11 Sep 2014 The island reckons Washington’s disfavor has cost it $117 bln since 1959. Reinstate last year’s $3.9 bln in lost exports over 25 years and Cuba’s economy might be twice as big. But it would still pale beside, say, Puerto Rico’s. That suggests more of the damage is self-inflicted.
China grows faster but most Cubans are better off 6 Jul 2012 Raul Castro could use his visit to Beijing to pick up some tips on making Cuba’s markets work better. True, Cuba hasn’t done so badly - it’s richer than China, less unequal and less corrupt. But tentative reforms could produce a boost to growth and prosperity.
Cuba unveils a Hugo Chavez hedge: economic reform 24 Apr 2012 With the island’s last rich patron battling cancer, Raul Castro may finally see the writing on the wall. If he can reduce the state’s role in the economy and relax restrictions on capitalist activities, Cuba’s future won’t be North Korea or even Vietnam - but rather Turkey.