July 20, 2015 Samuel George

The Crossroads: Cuba

It is easy enough to steer a government when things are going well. But what happens when the path becomes less clear? What happens when countries face that fork in the road?

The Crossroads is video series from the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Global Economic Dynamics team that focuses on decisive moments in global economics.

Our new episode, The Crossroads: Cuba, focuses on a country in transition, but a transition to what? What’s the endgame here?

Pairing commentary from economists and diplomats—as well as Cuban leaders and locals—with analysis from Bertelsmann Foundation Latin America Specialist Samuel George—these videos offer new perspective on the Cuban drama.

Much has changed in Cuba since Fidel Castro arrived on the Granma yacht in 1956. More change could be on the way.

It’s decision time. Which way will Cuba go?

The Crossroads Cuba Pt. 1: Not Your Granma’s Cuba

For decades Cuba’s underperforming economy has been propped up by sugar daddies, ranging from Soviet Russia to chavista Venezuela. But the Berlin Wall fell over 25 years ago, and Caracas may be running out of sugar. So what’s next for the Cuban economy? We take a look in Part 2:

The Crossroads Cuba Pt. 2: The Cuban Economy

On July 20, 2015, Cuba and the United States reopened embassies in Washington and Havana for the first time in decades, signifying a crucial step towards normalization of relations. But does this mean Cuba will deviate from its revolutionary path? And will the US finally relax its longstanding trade embargo against the island? We take a closer look in Part 3:

The Crossroads Cuba Pt. 3: The Cuban Way & The USA