The tiny country of Cuba can only export about one third of the amount of imports it takes for people to survive there. In the 1960s, the communist political model seemed like a great idea, but the country became deeply dependent on the Soviet Union. Trade was essentially a one way deal. Once the Soviet Union fell, and Eastern European markets opened up, no one really needed anything from Cuba that they couldn’t get elsewhere. Today, the U.S. could be the savior of the Cuban people, so it’s time for international trade with Cuba.
At this point, the Castro Regime is so wobbly that it simply cannot last forever. Of course Castro is reluctant to let the world into his tiny country. If technology and marketing know how was updated there, the people would definitely overthrow him. These poverty stricken, oppressed people deserve the chance to do that, and the simple gesture of opening up international trade streams with the United States would get things moving in the right direction.
The most natural transition would be through the tourism industry. In this way, the people could open their local shops, markets and restaurants to Americans who would get a more realistic insight into the Cuban people and visa versa. Sugar and nickel are about the only commodities that Cuba can export, so tourism is likely the financial savior of this tiny country. Most of the brain trust left when Castro took over power. That means that the market know how will have to be imported, and until Americans can get a good sense of the country, the brain trust will stay bankrupt.
Fortunately, Cuba does have the other Americas to trade with, but the US needs to become its top investment partner again in order to improve the future of Cubans and the rest of the area. By financially stabilizing one country, the free world will be one step closer to improving the way of life in neighboring nations.