Happy New Year And Reflections On Cuba Part 2

Once we left the revolutionary square we went straight to Havana’s seaside and what is called the Malecon. This is a famous 5-mile seawall and roadway along the Havana Harbour area of Cuba. It was built in 1902. There is a mix of crumbled buildings with Spanish marble fronts left standing and shabby homes. Mixed between are inhabitable buildings that are unkempt. There are modern styled buildings built in the 1960’s with help from Russia.

It was explained that the government owns everything. Many apartment buildings are unkempt as the many owners cannot afford to care for the outside or simply are not motivated since they are government controlled. There are some homes that still are family owned and continue upkeep with earned money or outside sources. Even these homes lack painting and maintenance. Eighty-five percent of the Cuban population lives in poverty.

Ownership is controlled by proof of family deeds. They can be passed on, but the government can step in to take property over. When the revolution came many wealthy families kept their homes and commercial properties. While the U.S. placed sanctions on Cuba for over 50 years other countries continued trade. The most recent Trump sanctions are now impacting those ties.

Properties that are collapsing, people leave or kicked out with no guarantee of a replacement. The building debris has been left in place. In one area on the Malecon a building was left and a plaza with a sculpture was put in its place. While it was beautiful to me it showed the contrast and the deep propaganda that suggests all is well. We are informed some people wait for up to ten years or more for a place to live.

There are hotels mixed in along the Malecon. Tourism is one of their biggest industries. The Government is allowing the building of new hotels alongside new apartment buildings. We were told that the building has taken years and still is not complete. While United States citizens cannot freely go as tourists, other countries can and do. Still the communist government controls everything. So, what they give they can take away.

We were all amazed by the Spanish architect that was still in place. It takes you back to a time when Cuba was a major gateway to the Americas. The Spanish influence on architecture is from years of Spanish control dating back from Columbus, from 1492 until 1868. 1868-1878 the people began to rise against Spain in revolt of taxation and slavery. The first led to a truce with Spain and the abolition of slavery but fell short of the promised reforms. The second was led and inspired by Jose Marti 1895 -98.

Jose Marti, as I explained, is considered the father of the country that never supported Socialism or Communism. His ideology felt close to the Independence of America. The United States assisted and led the Spanish- American and in 1898 occupied the country until the Platt amendment in 1902.

The country was free and developed its own constitution including the right to work and healthcare. Sadly, it was never stable. The first President Machado became a dictator. There were multiple revolts and coupes of presidents. Batista was the most infamous. Even though he lost his reelection bid he became one of the most notorious cruel Dictators using his military control and remained having profound influence until Castro led the next revolution. As they say, the rest is history. In this case, a dark history of Communism.

The irony in it all was that our government supported Batista since he was opposed to Communism. They withdrew that support when the rebels led by Guevara took the upper hand in a decisive blow against Batista. Castro took over and set up a provisional government.

Rather than elections he took full control over everything. He rounded up Batista to support many who were tried and executed. He created a Communist government with ties to the Soviet Union. Many Cubans fled the country. Some went to Spain. Other refugees went to South and Central America. Many fled to Miami and others to New Jersey. You read right. New Jersey’s Union City became Havana on the Hudson. Cubans always have and will remain to have ties to the United States. Many Cubans strive for a Cuba Libre.

As we drove on our way to visit The National Hotel we passed the closed American Embassy. As I shared before the Embassy was reopened when Obama was in office. With the opening there was renewed hope in Havana and the country due to tourism. Directly across the courtyard of the Embassy of a propagandizing statue of Jose Marti holding Elian Gonzalez. Irony is that Elian’s mother, like many Cubans, died to bring him here. Jose Marti never supported communism. He is standing pointing a finger at the embassy and shielding Elian from the United States.

The National Hotel is a magnificent building overlooking the Malecon. It resembles Hotels like Biltmore and Breakers. It also has just as much if not more history. It has been visited by many dignitaries, stars, and world-renowned musical talents, over the past one hundred years. It is a World Heritage site. It is owned by the government and sadly like many other buildings not maintained. The hotel is also well known from the movie Godfather where the famous scene was shot about the Italian Mob.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.