President Barack Obama’s seismic shift in policy towards Cuba has the Caribbean island nation that’s been locked in the past for more than 50 years hoping to finally enjoy the potential sea-change of relations.
President Obama’s move earlier this month to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and eventually open an embassy in the Communist nation comes as the two countries, separated by just 90 miles, look to put behind them much of the brinksmanship that came during the decades of Cold War posturing between both countries.
In Havana, many of the people NBC 6 spoke with said they were optimistic that one day soon; the harbor will be filled with cruise ships bringing millions of dollars of tourist revenue to the impoverished nation.
Cruise ships and tourists from around the world already come to Cuba. However, it’s the unlocking of the American marketplace that has some talking of as many as 3 million Americans arriving on the island in the first year alone to buy everything from rum to cigars.
Still, many weary Cubans said they expect that while economic change will come to the island nation, political change is still far away.
“Here, the government will benefit more than we will,” a taxi driver told NBC 6. “I think the government will take control over things here so that they can profit.”
“This is going to be just like capitalism. The ones who will benefit are the ones with possibilities, and there’s going to be poor people just like in every country in the world,” a man named Wilfredo told NBC 6. “Here, they’ve tried to make everyone equal, and unfortunately, not everyone can be the same because not everyone works the same.”
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Still, after decades without any hope from Washington about the loosening of any regulations with the communist nation; any change is welcome.
“Even if it’s just the tip of the nail that reaches the people, that would be an improvement,” the taxi driver said.
