[Insight & Opinion] Quo Vadis, Cuba... A Land of Opportunity for Korea

[Asia Economy] In mid-August, I visited Cuba, a country with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations. It was my first visit in eight months since December last year, in my capacity as the ambassador to Mexico, which oversees Cuba. My visit last year occurred during a difficult period due to COVID-19 and the aftermath of the largest anti-government protests since the 1959 revolution, the July 11 demonstrations. This year, I witnessed Cuba being directly hit by soaring energy and food prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has shaken the entire world.

The external environment Cuba currently faces is also challenging. The cumulative effects of U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba, which have lasted for 60 years, combined with a sharp decline in foreign tourists due to COVID-19, have left Cuba’s foreign currency reserves insufficient. Inflation and shortages of imported daily necessities continue to occur. In particular, following a lightning strike on the Matanzas coastal oil storage facility on the 5th, Havana has been subjected to rolling blackouts twice a week, four hours a day. Fortunately, hotels have been using their own generators. In Cuba, even at gas stations, people have to wait an average of 3 to 4 hours to refuel their cars. This severe energy shortage is reminiscent of the “Special Period” in the 1990s.

After the 1959 revolution, Cuba briefly pursued reform and opening policies during the harsh economic crisis of the 1990s. However, in the early 2000s, with economic support from former Venezuelan President Hugo Ch?vez, who was backed by oil money, Cuba overcame its worst situation and reverted to a socialist economic system.

Since Ch?vez, no country has stepped forward to support Cuba’s economy. The death of former National Assembly Chairman Fidel Castro in 2016, economic pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, the impact of COVID-19, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been a series of setbacks that have left Cuba struggling.

Even U.S. President Joe Biden, who is more conciliatory toward Cuba, has been unable to return to the thawing mode of the Obama administration due to domestic political constraints. Russia and China also seem unlikely to become substantial patrons of Cuba. Russia is preoccupied with the Ukraine crisis, and China is focused on whether President Xi Jinping will secure a third term, leaving no room to pay attention to Cuba. Leftist Latin American countries such as Mexico also appear unlikely to provide economic assistance as Venezuela once did.

Domestically, Cuba is undergoing a transition as Ra?l Castro, Fidel Castro’s brother, steps down and post-revolution generation President Miguel D?az-Canel takes power. Even so, the people have developed resilience to deprivation, the security forces are strong, and anti-government forces are weak, making any immediate regime change unlikely.

What significance does Cuba hold for us amid these domestic and international circumstances? Cuba, a communist state located in the Caribbean on the opposite side of the globe, is often thought of simply as a nation with a difficult and hard life. However, historically, it is closer to us than expected. About 1,000 descendants of independence activists who re-immigrated through M?rida, Mexico, 101 years ago live in Cuba. Before COVID-19, as many as 15,000 Korean tourists visited annually. Culturally, a friendly image of Korea is expanding there through K-pop and other influences.

I think of Korea extending a hand of friendship through humanitarian aid in food, energy, and healthcare?areas that affect the daily lives of the Cuban people who are facing hardships. I hope this can be used as a good opportunity to make Cuba our friend.

Seo Jeong-in, Ambassador to Mexico

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.