The Americas

Getting to Yes: Cuba’s Slow Path to Reform

Getting to Yes: Cuba’s Slow Path to Reform
Construction workers speculate what Cuba’s President Raul Castro will announce in an upcoming live, nationally broadcast speech in Havana, Cuba, Dec. 17, 2014 (AP photo by Ramon Espinosa).

The announcement that the U.S. will normalize relations with Cuba came as a surprise, but Cuba’s opening has been years in the making. This report includes WPR’s coverage of the island nation going back to 2007, tracing the post-Fidel transition and Raul Castro’s slow but steady reforms.

From Fidel to Raul

After Fidel, Cuba Poised to Capitalize on Economic, Energy Opportunities
By Carmen Gentile
Feb. 22, 2008

Cuba: A Cult of Personality Without the Personality
By Jonas Clark
March 6, 2008

Cuba Poised Between Past and Future: Part I
By Marcelo Ballvé
Feb. 20, 2009

Cuba Poised Between Past and Future: Part II
By Marcelo Ballvé
Feb. 27, 2009

Cuba Poised Between Past and Future: Part III
By Marcelo Ballvé
March 6, 2009

Cuba’s Old Guard Hangs On, Leaving Leadership Transition in Doubt
By Guy Taylor
April 21, 2011

Reforms Under Raul

Cuban Import Restrictions Highlight Dilemma of Economic Reform
Interview with William M. LeoGrande
Sept. 8, 2014

Cuba’s New Foreign Investment Law Is a Bet on the Future
By William M. LeoGrande
April 2, 2014

Socialism With Cuban Characteristics: Part I
By William LeoGrande
April 18, 2013

Socialism With Cuban Characteristics: Part II
By William M. LeoGrande
April 19, 2013

Cuba Takes a Measured First Step Toward Political Reform
By Catherine Cheney
Oct. 19, 2013

The Party and the Army: Civil-Military Relations in Cuba
By William M. LeoGrande
June 26, 2014

Reconciling With the U.S.

Cuba and U.S. Politics: My Evening With Castro
By Frida Ghitis
Sept. 1, 2007

Engaging Cuba, One Step at a Time
By Patrick Burns
Nov. 13, 2009

Under the Influence: Tangled Up in Cuba
By Andrew Bast
Oct. 9, 2009

Despite Improved U.S. Relations With Cuba, Barriers to Progress Remain
By Catherine Cheney
Feb. 29, 2012

Regional Player

The Danger of Dependence: Cuba’s Foreign Policy After Chavez
By William M. LeoGrande
April 2, 2013

Cuba-Venezuela Ties Resilient, For Now
Interview with H. Michael Erisman
March 26, 2012

Ideology No Obstacle to Greater Cuba-Caribbean Economic Ties
Interview with Gerardo González Núñez
Sept. 3, 2013

Cuba Sends Doctors to Brazil as Bilateral Ties Grow
Interview with John M. Kirk
May 16, 2013

Brazil’s Rousseff is Positioned to Push for Change in Cuba
Interview with David Herrero
Feb. 15, 2012