[= CUBA =]
General Info §
Exploiting the US-Soviet Cold War, Fidel Castro was for decades able to rely on strong Soviet backing, including annual subsidies worth $4-5 billion, and succeed in building reputable health and education systems. But, at least partly because of the US trade sanctions, he failed to diversify the economy.
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The disappearance of Soviet aid following the collapse of the USSR forced the government to introduce tight rationing of energy, food and consumer goods.
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AT-A-GLANCE
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Politics: Communist leader Fidel Castro led the one-party state for nearly 50 years; his brother Raul took over as leader in 2008
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Economy: US economic embargo has been in force since 1961; 1990s liberalisation has given way to greater state control; economic hardship has prompted many to leave
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International: US, EU have pressed for democratic change and criticise the state of human rights; Venezuela under Hugo Chavez is an important ally
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Timeline
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The economy has soldiered on with the help of Canadian, European and Latin American investments, especially in tourism.
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Controls were relaxed in the 1990s, with companies allowed to import and export without seeking permission and a number of free trade zones opening up.
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But some of these economic reforms were later rolled back, with Fidel Castro denouncing what he called the "new rich".
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Cuba has forged closer ties with China and with oil-producing Venezuela. The former has invested in the nickel industry; the latter supplies cheap fuel.
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But the money sent home by Cubans living abroad - many of them in the US city of Miami - is still crucial to the economy. Hardships have led to an increase in prostitution, corruption, black marketeering and desperate efforts to escape in search of a better life.
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Cuba has fallen foul of international bodies, including the UN's top human rights forum, over rights abuses. The UN's envoy has urged Havana to release imprisoned dissidents and to allow freedom of expression.
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The US leases the Guantanamo Naval Base on the eastern tip of the island.
Genral Info (cont.) § § § § § § § § § § § §
Full name: Republic of Cuba Population: 11.3 million (UN, 2008) Capital: Havana Area: 110,860 sq km (42,803 sq miles) Major language: Spanish Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Cuban peso = 100 centavos Main exports: Nickel, sugar, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, coffee GNI per capita: n/a Internet domain: .cu International dialling code: +53