The year 2011 has been said by some to be one of great reform on the island country of Cuba. Others disagree, however, stating that many of the so-called reforms have been greatly over-hyped by media and government propoganda.
The early months of 2011 witnessed the release of the remaining prisoners of the Black Spring. While much of the credit for this action is given to the Catholic Church and the Spanish Foreign Minister, others accredit the peaceful efforts of Las Damas de Blancas as well as other Cuban activists whose peaceful protests first brought attention to the matter.
Another major event for Cubans during 2011 was the organizing of the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba and the adoption of an economic model update policy, which according to one report “aims to bring the country out of difficulties and continue the path to socialism”. Cubans were allowed new economic freedoms such as ownership of private properties which they could buy and sell at will including homes, cars, and businesses. Privately owned restaurants sprung up in neighborhoods throughout Cuba, although some new business owners expressed unease about just how long these freedoms would be permitted.
Last but not least of some major news events of 2011 was Raul Castro’s announcement to release some 2,900 political prisoners with full pardon. According to the BBC, Castro stopped just short of declaring a loosening of migration policy, citing the following excerpt:
”Many believe that this migration policy must be immediately revised, but they forget about the exceptional conditions that Cuba is surrounded by, which is a demolishing United States policy of intervention, aimed to achieve ‘well-known aims’ at any cost.”
On January 1st of 2012, some Cubans celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Fidel Castro’s successful revolt against the Batista regime, beginning the reign of Socialism on the tiny island country which is such a large political hotspot. Who is to say what the next year will bring?
