US Southern Command 2008 Posture State: Cuba

“Cuba continues as a vestigial colony of the failed communist system. It literally and figuratively stands as an island of oppression and tyranny amidst the democratic nations of the Americas. Over a year-and-a-half ago, Fidel Castro’s failing health sparked renewed hope that Cuba might soon join the community of democracies. Despite Fidel Castro’s recent comments indicating he will not serve as the President, Cuba appears to remain entrenched in its repressive past. To the detriment of its people, the Cuban regime continues to embrace totalitarian control and the subjugation of its citizens. Consequently, we saw the highest levels of migration activity from Cuba last year since the 1994 migrant crisis, and we are prepared to support interagency efforts, if necessary, to respond to a mass migration emergency.”

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From AFP:

The head of the US Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis, told lawmakers Tuesday the changes in Cuba under President Raul Castro were “interesting,” but that only time would tell if they were real or “cosmetic.”

“I think it is too early to tell as yet, but it is interesting that Raul is opening some of the economic freedoms such as cellphones, access to tourist hotels, property rights,” he told a congressional panel looking into his command’s budget.

“We need to watch to see if this is a sincere change or just cosmetic,” he added.

Stavridis was questioned on the reforms Raul Castro, 76, has introduced in Cuba since he took over as president from his ailing brother Fidel, 81, in late February.

Raul Castro recently lifted a series of bans on Cubans renting cars and hotel rooms and purchasing goods such as pressure cookers, DVD’s, electric bikes and cell phones.

He is also considering agriculture reforms that include opening up the sector to greater foreign investment and closing down farming cooperatives that have proven to be inefficient.

Cuba watchers say there is likely a short-term political benefit of allowing greater economic openness, though they also warn that too many reforms by Cuba’s centrally-controlled, one-party regime could build pressure for more change than the government is prepared to allow.

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