Government Corruption in Cuba
By Gabriela Iglesias
Over the last few years, the Cuban Government has implemented numerous reforms and changes that have greatly improved living standards in Cuba. But progress has not come without its problems. According to a recent survey of Cubans by the Organization of American States (OAS), 83% of respondents reported government corruption as a problem. Due to a lack of funds, eight out of ten Cubans also say they have difficulty accessing medical care and food. The Cuban Government is known for its heavy hand in controlling all aspects of life, including political and economic activities. Personal freedoms are virtually unknown, the government controls all information and speech, including deliberate suppression of the media, Internet, academic institutions, and social groups. The economic problems in Cuba are severe and grow more stringent every year. For instance, many food and staple items are out of stock. The medical system is inoperable mainly due to shortages of supplies, including medicines and equipment. The Government has resorted to essential rationing of items such as food, medical supplies, and clothing. Therefore, Cuban citizens must understand the problems they are facing daily and the drive to respond positively.
There is an excellent history of the roots of corruption in the Cuban Government. The corruption started several years back and has been a great challenge to Cuba in handling its activities (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 26). Based on other research, several factors have enhanced corruption in Cuba, with their roots traced back to the past three decades. However, the Cubans must understand the root cause of corruption and its related problems before calling for corruption control. For instance, the cause of government corruption in Cuba combines the Cuban Revolution and the island’s isolation related to the embargo from the United States.
After a failed rebellion in 1952, Fidel Castro redistributed power from landowning landowners to small farmers and factory workers (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 34). This was done in an attempt to give more equality amongst all Cubans, however this also contributed to the ease in which he became a dictator in 1959. During this time, there were few opportunities outside of Cuba for entrepreneurs to make money; therefore, many businesses adopted less than legal practices just in order to survive.
The causes of government corruption in Cuba are myriad, but increasing wealth inequality is often a significant factor, if not the leading cause. The Government’s primary goal is to provide as much wealth redistribution to its people as possible (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 36). While this system does have its benefits for the average Cuban, it also creates for many individuals an opportunity to abuse their power. As for the causes of government corruption in Cuba, many also consider it’s caused by the lack of transparency and accountability. Corruption has become a way of life within Cuban society (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 24). Therefore, the citizens are responsible for identifying these causes of corruption within the Government. Having a clear overview of several causes of corruption within the Government enables the citizens and other relevant bodies to adopt effective strategies which will enhance corruption control among government officials (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 21). For instance, people need to push sectors responsible for government accountability to implement effective policies which will improve the credibility and reliability of the activities conducted by the Government.
Similarly, the causes of government corruption in Cuba are related to the social and economic structure of the country. There are several sources of corruption, and all have one thing in common: a lack of accountability from government officials to the populations they serve (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 29). Generally, corruption in Cuba has been long-standing, with numerous reports of corruption and mismanagement since the 1980s.
The Castro government has long tried to minimize the amount that can be traced back to its policies. Cuba has strong laws against embezzlement and theft but lacks sufficient resources to implement them (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 21). Fidel Castro wanted a lawless society in which he maintained control over his people for fear that the economy would collapse if someone took power away from him. However, the review of policies implemented by Castro has been a significant challenge to the Cuban Government, which still makes it prone to corruption (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 21). The public, therefore, needs to call for the full implementation of laws that protect public funds. Including the implementation of Decree-Law №149 that gives the Government the authority to seize funds and items of individuals acquired through embezzlement of public funds (Díaz-Briquets, Sergio and Jorge 23). Additionally, knowing the causes of corruption is essential since it gives us a guideline on how the public can respond to extreme corruption activities in Cuba.
Corrupt practices are reportedly widespread in Cuba. According to a report issued by an organization called the International Center for Public Opinion, it was noted that most prevalent corrupt practices took place in relation to crimes with drugs and alcohol (Alonso, José and Pavel 11). Kickbacks on real estate purchases and other luxury goods and services, kickbacks from purchasing food imports, land rights violations, money laundering, and prostitution also enhance the culture of corruption. Generally, corruption is a severe issue in Cuba (Gegelova 118). Various groups have been trying to bring attention to the problems and fight against it. Cuba’s Government has had many changes over the years, but its stance on corruption is far from advanced (Alonso, José and Pavel 13). Corruption has made it difficult for public services to function correctly and create an environment where citizens can easily access those services. Corruption is a widespread problem in Cuba, with government officials and a few private businesses frequently accused of bribery and embezzlement. Corruption is considered a significant factor in the national economic decline, as it has prevented the development of Cuba’s resources and hindered investments by private firms.
Additionally, Cuba has always been one of the top countries with corruption issues. It is tricky for any company or individual to compete with others because reporting an infraction to a supervisor does not guarantee punishment, nor does it end the potential problem (Alonso, José and Pavel 14). This environment makes it extremely difficult for anyone, especially foreign companies, to do business in Cuba. The public needs to understand these impacts to enable them to have different approaches to curbing the ever-increasing corruption cases.
The role of the citizens in controlling corruption in Cuba is essential. Cuban citizens must work on finding their participation in the appropriate control structure that has been created. The Government’s enforcement mechanism must be used to control corruption at all levels. The citizens should directly exercise their power through various organizations, such as the Partido Comunista de Cuba (Communist Party of Cuba). These organizations play a significant role in monitoring and controlling corruption. Most Cubans belong to a passive and conservative social class, which keeps them silent regarding political opposition. However, good governance and public accountability are essential measures to ensure transparency and good governance, but they must be accompanied by the capacity of citizens to challenge corrupt practices.
Works Cited:
Alonso, José Antonio, and Pavel Vidal. “Why is Cuba’s economic reform progressing so slowly?.” Third World Quarterly (2022): 1–19.
Díaz-Briquets, Sergio, and Jorge Pérez-López. Corruption in Cuba: Castro and beyond. University of Texas Press, 2006.
Gegelova, N. S. “An Approach of the Current Cuban-Russian Relations in the Content on the Online News of the Russian Information Agency” RIA Novosti”.” Медиаобразование 1 (2021): 111–124.
