Cuban Culture Influence

Cuban Cultural Influence on Foreign Military Considerations The Republic of Cuba, an island country in the Caribbean, is located just beyond the southern-most tip of the state of Florida. Due to its closeness, this country is of active interest to the United States and its military, and has been for many years. This interest makes it adamant that an understanding of the culture be established to ensure communications and tactical decisions best suit the ties between these two countries. In parallel, understanding the history between these two countries plays a vital role in capturing this relationship. Looking at aspects of the culture to include geography, population, government and economy, and the military provide a snap shot of expectations …show more content…
Cuba is a Communist state with five-year presidencies ("CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN :: CUBA"). Under this style of government reign, the government tightly regulates almost all aspects of Cuban life. This makes it very difficult for Cubans to improve their standard of living and makes it so that a progression above their current state is nearly impossible. This control makes it difficult to progress in career, in stature, in real estate, in goods and can even affect ones ability to care for a family thus leading some never to begin them. Those that do have large families are often the poorest and live in the worst conditions. For those that do enjoy a higher stature in life, they still feel many of these restrictions as the government owns and controls all broadcast media. And although the government legalized the selling and buying of real estate it is requires that all transactions occur through the Cuban banking system so that they can be closely regulated (CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN :: CUBA"). Cuba is highly condemned internationally for its treatment of its citizens. The improvement of this treatment is part of the requirements of the United States for the embargo that has been in place since 1962 to be lifted. Although Raul Castro is making progressive movements towards better treatment, the oppressive regime of a communist style government is likely to hinder the country until they …show more content…
In Cuba the military plays a major role in culture as the communist government model controls the militia. Formerly most of the military support both economically and logistically came from Soviet Union but it’s disbandment in the early 90s left Cuba aloof ("CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN :: CUBA"). Reporting from 2002 shows estimates of militia sizes to be at 46,000 active duty and 39,000 reserves making up the total armed strength. Paramilitary forces are sectioned into 20,000 states security troops, 6,500 border guards, 50,000 civil defense forces, 70,000 member youth labor army, and a million-member territorial militia ("Cuba - Armed forces"). The numbers appear to show a very large force if needed. Should that be the case, the country’s forces are still well trained and professional in nature, however the lack of replacement parts for existing equipment, most of which is Cold War era, ever more affects operational capacity ("CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN :: CUBA"). The lack of equipment severely hinders the country’s ability to be an effective defensive force. The country does not have the money to replace the old worn out equipment nor does it have the repair facilities to fix what needs so badly to be mended. With Russia formerly as their key ally and supporter, Cuba is left as a loner in a western world of democracy. They have no support to repair their equipment without going against the