Page 59 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

THE HIST OR Y OF CUBA  57

promoting the zafra (sugar cane supply of electricity and water
harvest) campaign. A target was became part of everyday life,
set of ten million tons, but in food rations were reduced
the end only 8,500,000 and wages were lowered.
were harvested. In the In 1991 the Soviet Union
same period some Latin also with drew its troops
American countries and technicians. The eco-
resumed diplomatic Pope John Paul II meets Castro during his visit to Cuba nomic crisis continued
relations with Cuba. While to worsen until 1994.
the Revolution had achieved a great deal
in social terms, the country’s economic Into the 21st Century
problems had by no means been resolved. To counter the Período Especial the
1980 saw the emigration of 125,000 government began to encourage foreign
Cubans, the so-called marielitos – named investment, limited private enterprise was
after the small harbour of Mariel, near allowed and the US dollar became legal
Havana, where they set off for Miami. tender. A significant sign of change was
Pope John Paul II’s visit to Cuba in 1998.
The Período Especial The 2000s saw a massive influx of tourism
The dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and but still the economy remained precarious;
the subsequent collapse of Communism in the US dollar was later withdrawn. Raúl
Eastern Europe deprived Cuba of economic Castro replaced his ailing brother Fidel as
partners. The suspension of Soviet aid was president in early 2008 and introduced social
a crippling blow for the Cuban economy, and economic reforms, but the economy
and triggered a crisis that the government remained strained. In 2010 Raúl Castro began
faced by imposing a programme of releasing political prisoners incarcer ated
austerity. In 1990 the island went through since 2003, and Fidel reapp eared after a
one of the most difficult phases in its history, four-year absence from the public stage.
the Período Especial. Many sectors of indus try As the economy continued to sink, Raúl
came to a standstill due to a lack of fuel, Castro announced that 500,000 workers
imports were reduced, inte rruptions in the would be laid off by the state, ameliorating
their predicament with new self-employment
rules allowing many more Cubans to work for
them selves and start their own businesses –
a sea change in state-run Cuba. At the end
of 2014, a push towards normalizing trade
relations with the US began and restrictions
against US citizens travelling to Cuba were
suddenly eased. The country is bracing
Empty shelves in a shop during the crisis period itself for enormous change.

1996 In 2000 1,774,000 tourists 2014 President Raúl Castro and President Barack
November, visit Cuba in one year Obama announce plans to ease travel and trade
Castro visits Pope restrictions between Cuba and the US
John Paul II in 2008 Raúl Castro becomes Presi-
the Vatican dent of the Cuban Council of State Seaside tourism
2000 2010 2020
1998 Pope John Paul II’s visit 2008 Hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit Cuba and
to Cuba (21–25 January), a are the costliest storms in recent history
significant turning point
1996 The Helms-Burton law 2006 July: Castro is taken seriously ill and
tightens economic embargo his brother, Raúl, becomes Acting President

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