I was in Baracoa when it happened: plans that the US and Cuba would reopen negotiations.

The fall of the Soviet Union and the US economic embargo left Cuba’s economy in crisis. As a result it opened its doors to tourism to drum up some business and stimulate the economy. So far it’s been a plethora of Canadian sun seekers and European tourists who have travelled here in droves. Many of them try a Cuba Libre (basically rum and Coke with some lime) when they come here but will the English translation (i.e. Free Cuba) still ring true for the locals once the Americans have come?

Consider the effects of an outside power on local culture.

Hemingway visited often, American cars are still here but are we really ready to see a Cuban sandwich served in a McDonald’s in Havana? What effect will the US/Cuba talks have on Cuba and its tourist industry?

• Give Guantanamo Bay back?
• A proliferation of Starbucks throughout the country?
• Lots of American tourists (and ‘Americanism’) flooding Cuba?
  
• More hotels and cruise ships putting pressure on local resources?
• Families reunited?
• Increased prices? Higher wages for the local people?
• Other…?

What are your thoughts/predictions?

Fort near Santiago de Cuba
Photo by Kimberley (c)2014