Throughline Why is Cuba in crisis?
26 snips
Mar 19, 2026 
Maria De Los Angeles Torres, a UIC scholar of U.S.-Cuba relations; Lillian Guerra, a UF historian of the revolution; and Eloy Viera, a Cuban lawyer-journalist who reported from Cienfuegos. They trace shortages, blackouts, remittances and tourism, the legacy of the revolution and Soviet ties, the impact of U.S. policy shifts, and recent protests and crackdowns.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Embargo Aimed To Produce Political Change
- The U.S. economic embargo on Cuba began in 1962 to destabilize Castro by creating hardship and disenchantment among Cubans.
- The blockade aimed to cut trade and punish nationalizations that seized U.S. corporate assets, shaping Cuba's long-term economic trajectory.
Firsthand Report From Cienfuegos On Daily Hardship
- Eloy Viera described acute shortages: no electricity, water outages, and people using charcoal to cook with a big bag costing 1,500 pesos (~$62).
- He noted that charcoal alone can cost more than a quarter of a Cuban's monthly wage in Cienfuegos.
Soviet Collapse Triggered The Special Period
- The Soviet bloc subsidized Cuba with oil, food, and machinery until its collapse, creating deep dependency across healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- When the USSR fell, Cuba entered the 'special period' of severe shortages, 20-hour blackouts, and institutional crisis.