Caring in Crisis: Another Special Period?
Four community organizers outside of the Pogolotti Community Center in Havana, which has its roots in the expansion of Neighborhood Transformation Workshops in the 1990s.
April 29, 2020
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
In the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba entered into a time of economic crisis and scarcity known as the “Special Period.” These years brought significant hardship and myriad challenges. They also gave birth to new ideas and positive transformations.
Following last week’s reflection on resources of the revolution that continue to serve the Cuban people during the COVID-19 pandemic, we turn this week to look at Cuba’s deepening economic crisis, its relation to the Special Period, and resources developed during that period that the island continues to draw on.
First, we want to acknowledge that for many of our readers in the U.S. this has not been an easy week. Just as we are beginning to see a loosening of shelter in place restrictions and to begin contemplating a “new normal,” we have been confronted with painful loss that reminds us of the ongoing threat of structural violence and racism. On top of that, the erosion of federal support for public education and other resources we need to make change. Sending extra love to everyone today.
Cuba and COVID-19
The government of Cuba will maintain measures adopted to slow the spread of COVID-19 and vows “not to lower our guard” even though new cases are continuing to decline each day. As of Thursday May 28, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) reports 2005 confirmed cases (since the beginning of the epidemic), 1760 recovered patients, 569 hospitalized and 1815 at home under epidemiological surveillance, and 82 lives lost.
International Affairs
The Andorran government carried out a farewell ceremony last Sunday for the Cuban health professionals who are returning to their country. “Everyone should learn from the example given by Cubans”, said the Minister of Health. In Lombardy, Italy a medical brigade left the city of Crema amid a wave of applause. Meanwhile, the U.S. has imposed a cap on charter flights to Cuba in order to “restrict the Cuban regime’s ability to obtain revenue” and the Russian chancellery announces a re-entrance into Cuban media through Spanish-language broadcasts of the Russia Today channel.
Economic Challenge - Another Special Period?
As sociologist Marta Nuñéz describes it, contemporary Cuba’s spirit of resistance and resilience has been shaped by three periods of crisis – the revolution and overthrow of the Batista regime beginning in 1959; the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s; and now, the global coronavirus pandemic. The United Nations Economic Commission for the region (ECLAC) predicts that the COVID-19 will bring a 3.7% drop in Cuba’s economy on top of already existing strain resulting from a variety of factors including intensification of U.S. sanctions and instability in Venezuela. The director of the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy has reportedly predicted a crisis worse than the 1990s and Miami-based Havana Consulting Group forecasts an even starker scenario due to decrease in remittances from the U.S. to Cuba.
And yet, as an article in Truth Out points out, “being prepared for (and even accustomed to) crisis means that the country is able to galvanize itself to take action quickly.” And, as many analysts are noting, crisis itself can bring about surprising possibility for solidarity.
In her reflection published on the Cuba Platform website, Cary Cruz of Cuba’s Antonio Nuñez Jiménez Foundation writes: “Almost 30 years ago… we experienced a 35% drop in GDP.. Those were tough years, but they also represented an opportunity to learn and to promote personal, community, and institutional transformations.”
Amongst these transformations was a movement for localized, sustainable agriculture systems; which today offers the potential to serve vulenerable populations during crisis. As Catherine Murphy, a documentary filmmaker who has spent many years on the island tells us, “The greatest thing I learned living in Cuba during the Special Period is that very scarce resources can reach many people when distribution is more equitable and there is a culture of collectivism and sharing. I also saw that many traditional and low-impact ecological methods can be used in the fields of food production, energy generations, construction and transportation.”
The Special Period also saw a new landscape of cultural and civic organizations that have expanded Cuba’s environmental, LGBTQ, and women’s movements. Under Miguel Coyula’s direction, Neighborhood Transformation Workshops really took off during these years as sites for sustainable local development and participatory community planning. They remain key sites for mutual aid today. Arts projects like the Lizt Alfonso dance school emerged to give young girls and women a space for creative self-expression and growth. The self-employment (cuentapropismo) sector was formally legalized for the first time during these years as well, laying the groundwork for a small-business sector that supports various public efforts today. Continue scrolling for more examples of innovative projects that emerged during the Special Period
Thanks to all of you who continue to accompany us in your readership of this weekly letter. Stay tuned next week when we look at the new innovations coming out of Cuba during the coronavirus crisis.
Take care,
Sarah, Justine, Mariakarla
About this newsletter: We initiated the weekly Caring in Crisis newsletter on March 20. It goes out in both English, to an international audience, and Spanish, to a mostly Cuban audience. Please drop us a note anytime to let us know what you’d like to see more of and to share updates related to crisis-response, creativity and resilience from your corner of the world. We would love to hear from you.
Choreographer and dancer Lizt Alfonso (who was named a UNICEF Goodwill for her work to empower girls through dance) founded her dance school in 1991. Watch her company perform here. (Photo by Somporn Pengkam, Cuba convening participant May 2018)
Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate), released in 1994 based on a book published in 1990, played a pivotal role in moving forward the dialogue on LGBTQ rights in Cuba.
Cuban musician Carlos Varela's music is emblematic of 1990s Cuba.