CUBA: The Nation Shamefully Frozen In Time
In the 1950s, Cuba was a vibrant and prosperous nation known as the "Paris of the Caribbean." However, the Cuban Revolution of 1959, led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, marked a turning point. By 1961, Cuba declared itself a socialist state and aligned with the Soviet Union, leading to the nationalization of businesses and severe economic regression. Innovation was stifled, dissent was silenced, and the nation became isolated. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 plunged Cuba into a severe economic crisis, known as the "Special Period," marked by extreme shortages and hardship.
As the world advanced technologically in the 21st century, Cuba remained trapped in a time warp, with outdated infrastructure and a stagnant economy. While global innovations such as smartphones, social media, and electric cars became ubiquitous, Cuba's state-controlled economy hindered significant progress. Although some economic reforms were introduced, the benefits largely remained out of reach for ordinary Cubans, who still live amidst the relics of the 1950s. This documentary critically examines how socialism led to Cuba's stagnation, highlighting the broader consequences of excessive state control and lack of economic freedom.
OUTLINE:
00:00:00
Cuba's Golden Age
00:02:42
Hope and Upheaval
00:04:38
A Pact with the Soviet Bear
00:07:24
Cuba's Lost Decades