The Slow Thaw Between the U.S. and Cuba

In Victoria Burnett's article that was published on the NY Times, Raul Castra Urges Cubans to Remain Alert to U.S. Efforts to Alter the Communist System, she notes that while the relations between the U.S. and Cuba are "thawing" Raul Castro had something to say about the U.S.'s intentions. While he is pleased with the potential economic advancement that trading with the U.S. provides he was quick to remind Cuban citizens to remain vigilante in their resistance against a non-communist government. Castro also noted that Cuba had only completed roughly 1/5 of the economic changes the congress approved in 2011 and that Cubans are still struggling to get by on their current salaries. Not only that, but Cuba's economy is only growing at a rate of three percent. However, it should be noted that Arturo Lopez Levy, a lecturer at the University of Texas that used to work for Cuban Intelligence, said "they are organizing the reforms at their own pace". Levy was referencing the economic liberalization of Cuba in this statement. Some Cubans are saying that now would be the time for a "generational change" in Cuba. I agree as well, in the article the writer cites that many Cubans are frustrated with the elderly hierarchy in the government and I believe that a younger more open-minded perspective would be beneficial to Cuba's relations as well as its economic progress.

by Tyler Linthakhanh

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/world/americas/raul-castro-urges-cubans-to-remain-alert-to-us-efforts-to-alter-communist-system.html?ref=todayspaper