Cuba’s own experience when Soviet aid was suddenly lost shows that a country that relies on its people has nothing to fear from self-reliance – and everything to gain…
- Will Podmore
- CounterPunch
The withdrawal of Soviet aid in 1990 left Cuba’s economy on a knife-edge.
Cubans lost all their markets in sugar.
They ceased to receive foodstuffs, fuel, wood, soap, raw materials.
Calories and protein intake were reduced by half.
Plans for nuclear energy had to be abandoned.
The US intensified its blockade, passing the Helms-Burton Act.
It was a…