Before the Cuban Revolution, Cuba was a republic with a mixed economy, a growing middle class, and a strong private sector. Havana was one of the largest and most modern cities in the Caribbean, with a thriving tourism industry, businesses, theaters, casinos, hotels, and a large entertainment scene.
But it was far from perfect. Cuba had serious inequality, poverty in rural areas, political corruption, and the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, who came to power through a coup in 1952.
People weren't happy with this...
Then came the Revolution. The government nationalized most private businesses, centralized the economy, restricted political freedoms, and turned Cuba into a communist dictatorship. And, more than six decades later, Cuba is dealing with severe shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, low wages, emigration, and one of the weakest economies in the region.
Who could have possibly seen that coming?!