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Roberto Leon / NBC News
Alejandro Blas, a TV repairman in Havana, dreams of finally getting the chance to leave Cuba and see the rest of the world.
By Mary Murray, NBC News Producer
HAVANA, Cuba – Imagine having the right to get a passport, but not having the right to get it stamped.
That’s been the de facto policy in Cuba for half a century where people are basically barred from packing their bags to take a trip abroad just for fun.
Under the current policy, any Cuban wanting to travel abroad needs permission to leave the country, a process that many find not only demeaning, but expensive. Any request can be turned down, often without the applicant learning the reason why, but always after paying $150 to process the paperwork requesting the exit permit.
Between the cost of the passport and other documents, Cuban travelers abroad pay close to $400 – not counting airfare. Those costs make travel out of reach for most Cubans who, on average, bring home about $20 a month. (Cubans get by on such paltry incomes thanks to subsidized rent and groceries, free education and health care, as well as remittances from relatives living abroad)
But, like other restrictions that have defined Cuban society for far too long, this seems destined for the island’s dustbin as reform-minded President Raul Castro streamlines his government’s invasive bureaucracy. On Monday, Cuba’s congress agreed to “study a policy” that would ease the bureaucratic obstacles that keep Cubans from traveling. Castro’s aim is to limit government meddling, while cutting costs to salvage the bankrupt national treasury.
Most people on the island seem to think along the same lines as 25-year-old Nuvia Centeno, who runs a telephone switchboard in the Cuban capital. She’s delighted by the proposed change, and doesn’t care much why the government is dumping the travel ban.
The right to travel “seems like something basic, something people in other countries take for granted,” she said.
Havana TV repairman Alejandro Blas, 58, agreed. “For 50 years, we’ve had this myth – the whole world can come here, but we can’t go there…What are we afraid of? What is the government afraid of? That people stay abroad and don’t come back? Who cares!”
Rodney Martinez, 35, earns a good living driving tourists around Havana in a three-wheeled bright yellow taxi-scooter called a “Coco-Taxi” because it resembles a big coconut. “I see kids from all over the world coming here on vacation, so why shouldn’t I be able to go to wherever my money can take me? I’d love to visit Europe, Italy, Spain.”
Desmond Boylan / Reuters
People walk on a street adorned with a national flag in Havana July 29, 2010, three days after the 57th anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution. Click on the photo above to see a slideshow of photos from Cuba.
It’s not clear when the rules will be altered. A document on some 300 proposed reforms released this week by Cuba’s ruling Communist Party states: “Study a policy that allows Cubans living in the country to travel abroad as tourists.”
That vague statement though was enough to get the TV repairman Blas envisioning what foreign destination he would fly to. “I’ve been to Africa twice as a soldier, but I never really wanted to go there. I want to go to Mexico to see the Aztec ruins and to the Sahara Desert and to the United States and to all the countries in Latin America. That’s to say, that’s where I’d go if I had the money.”
While that remains the big “if” for most Cubans, long-time Cuba expert Phil Peters argues it’s important just to be able to dream.
“Some can afford it, many cannot, and many would have airfare paid by relatives abroad. What would matter most is that the government would no longer be restricting the exercise of a basic human right,” said Peters from the Lexington Institute, a Virginia-based think-tank. “That would be a big step forward.”
Msnbc.com recently ran a series of stories about Cuba's changing economy:
Cuba takes baby steps to reform - and hope they don't trip up
Young Cubans deal with the unimaginable: pink slips
Cuban restaurateur learns about capitalism the hard way
Cubans begin to enjoy making money
Leave a Comment:
It is unfortunate that even today there are still a few countries that do not allow the freedom of movement.
Is there a way I can find a list? I only know of North Korea and Cuba not allowing their citizens to travel normally.
So the Mexican people aren't welcomed, but the Republicans will gladly give these jokers free passage and benefits. Sen. Marco Rubio (R) of Florida won't knock this mass exodus that will make the last boat lift-flood gate opening will be the worst ever. The freedom of movement means go to America if can get a ride there.
Castro has left the building so, do not open the Southern borders due to communism which can't afford to exist anymore. We (Americans) have had ENOUGH of all that crap Man!
Pith: I don't know what our policy is now; But, for decades Americans were not allowed to visit Cuba and China and i am not sure but There may have been other places closed from our people.
I remember well a German working in America telling me he had decided against citizenship here becaus with his German passport he could go where he pleased. and we were too unfree. For example, if you wanted ro have a solicialist discussion group you imediately got fbi members. Most Americans have never stood up for anything and think they have real freedom. There were good Americans, black balled by industry and run out of this country for protesting the war against Vietnam.
We talk much about freedom but we have far less of it than many think. In any discussion with French, Brits, Swedes, Australians, Canadians or Germans you can't help but notice how much freer they are about discussing many subjects. I once asked a Russian who had degrees in Russia and America about differences. He said: In Russia there is much propaganda; But, the difference is most Russians know it, while many Americans believe their own propaganda.
I cant believe how confused you are, why don't you try living in Cuba for a while, maybe when you come back you might feel a little more appreciative of this country!
I'd like to visit Cuba and like many commenting here I can't understand the problem since we are allowed to travel in every other country except North Korea which doesn't interest me in the least. My complaint is against Mexico.....I worked in Mexico for two years and it is almost impossible for an American to get a work permit, very expensive and super restricted. Obama needs to deal with the Mexican government to open their borders as they expect us to do for them.
There are a still too many American interests at stake to allow the U.S. to recognize Lybian new leadership. It will come in due time.
Wait a minute, the United States of America does not allow me to go to Cuba. If they find out
I would be given a heftly find or jailed. Only clergy and reporters are allowed to go.
I can probably sneak in from a another country. not sure. but if they find out again Jail or fine.
Yeah, the whole embargo is one of the most impotent and stupid foreign policy moves the United States has ever made, and yet everyone's afraid to do away with it.
Oh Oh, Get ready here they come. Once they get here does anyone in their right mind expect them to go back to Cuba? It is going to open the flood gates of Cubans just like when Carter was in office. Of course we will have to feed them, cloth them, health coverage, housing, food stamps, SSI, all the things that people that were born and raised here can't get. And who is to say that Cuba won't open the jails and put those people on boats and send them here. Bad idea.
What gives you the idea that immigrants get all that government assistance? Legal immigrants must show that they can support themselves through employment, family, etc. and not become a burden on society. Illegals are not entitled to any of those benefits you mention, and NO ONE gets SSI unless they have paid into the system, and the benefits they receive at retirement are proportional to how much they put in while working. What give you the idea that there are special benefit programs for immigrants "that people that were born and raised here can't get"?
Tarzan 7...that's insulting to those of us who came to this country from Cuba. My parents brought us here to have a better life and a better chance at freedom. Freedoms many Americans take for granted but that has allowed me a voice and many choices that I would of never had there. It's unfortunate to see how you perceive Cubans because like Americans, we are not all the same. My parents made a difficult choice to leave their families and everything they knew for us. However, I am glad they loved us(my brother and me) enough to make that sacrifice.
What makes you think they're just coming to the U.S. d!psh!t?
Take your FOX News views out of here bro.
Yes Tarzan, I know Glen Beck told you so, and whatever he says is the truth.
He's made millions addressing people like you, ignorants who believe anything they are told by the merchants of fear:FOX.
@ Tarzan -
I do agree with you 1000%. They (Cubans) always heads North for gravy because Spain doesn't have the 'lamb pie of these shores. ENOUGH ALREADY!
.
Cubans are allowed to come here if they survive the trip and set foot on our shores. It's called wet foot, dry foot policy and they get political asylum and refugee status. If I was Mexican, I would feel this was rather unfair, almost like a double standard.
We are not allowed to go there and if we buy Cuban cigars or rum abroad, it is confiscated from us if we try to bring it here. When is this antiquated policy of not allowing Americans to go to Cuba going to end. If they get support from a tourist industry, they stand a chance at becoming self sufficient.
What is SOOOOO hypocritical is that we have been able to buy plenty of stuff imported from China for YEARS over here.
I've known many people who left Cuba for a better life and they would go back in an instant if Castro was out of there "because he ruined my beautiful country". They have gorgeous beaches from what I hear from Europeans who are allowed to go there.
Tarzan7 Get off the tree branches and grab a book.
Sounds like another way of opening the floodgates to send Cubans to the US and get rid of people for the government to feed and house. I lived in Miami during the Marial Boatlift and it was not pretty. The US Govt forced Miami to accept all of the refugees, criminals included, and refused to assist in paying for them. Just like Washington! Shoving something else down the throats of States, against the rights of the State. It will be great for the Cuban people, but not so great for South Florida who will have to absorb the costs.
Yup, I am sure they will want to go back. Get ready embassies, HERE THEY COME.
If they are aload to go on vacation they will be the next wave of illegals arriving in this country. Obamacare will swell the government debt beyond belief. We will need more printing presses to make more money
No they should make all the money by hand, create a lot of jobs that way
Seriously, WHAT does Obamacare as you so derisively call it have to do with any of this? If you thought Obama or the government was going to give you "some free s---t", you would be first in line, so shut your pie hole.
Most of the Cubans who came here were grateful to be here, and worked their backsides off to make a good life for themselves. Every community has their bad apples. What about all the white lazy inbred rednecks who get their govmint check?
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" By Emma Lazarus, 1883
Welcome to America, not! This is the land of racists and hypocrites.
Here in America, people are free to travel and not come back if they choose to do so. It offers people the choice to stay or live in another place where they can be happier. Why do people like you who are so unhappy not move?
Thanks for proving my point :-)
So you agree with me. For your own happiness, you should seek another home. It has nothing to do with racism and hypocrisy. Anyone with any initiative would travel and find the ideal place to live. It is not healthy to live somewhere that you hate. I heard France is nice.
Road Warrior; Anyone can mouth platitudes and conform to bs. There are people who care enough for their country to seek change when needed. People like you who feel everyone that thinks should leave the country is one of our biggest problems. America is headed for big problems. If those who want change leave you will sink into the mire of conformity, pride and one sided greed that is destroying our potential.
Wow, first chance to travel out of the country in 40 years. Why do the liberals worship Castro like they do Obama?
If you were able to understand, I would explain to you that liberals, or anybody else for that matter, don't worship Castro.
But I hate to talk to somebody with your dismal level of knowledge and intelligence.
You should let the Black caucus know that, because they praise Cuba's government and the way of life in Cuba, I guess maybe they would like U.S. citizens to be barred from travel too!
Nelson-537300 Actually, we Americans, have been barred to travel to Cuba for the last 50 years. Maybe you didn't know, but is true.
Man, whoever said we Americans have been barred to travel to Cuba for the last 50 years obviously has never been in Miami International Airport. There are American Airline flights to Havana. Chartered flights. Also with special permission, you can go there too. Not to mention in the era of airplane hijacking (around the 60s or 70s), hijackers usually prefer to land in Cuba and eventually the American hostages actually got a nice vacation package in Havana from Fidel Castro. Maybe you didn't know, but it's true.
The only way they would get here is if a family member would send them the money to come here. Which by the way they can just like the article says but they only allow the older Cubans to come because just like here in the states the older you are the less valuable you are. So please do not tell me that we would have to pay for their food , clothes, food stamps etc etc etc. Damn ignorant fools you do that already for the countless of lazy B******ds that were born and raised here. Whether they are white, black, latino, native american, european rtc etc etc . They live off the sweat of the rest of us that work for a living and buy crack and build meth labs with welfare money .Always bashing the immigrants , when it was the immigrants that built this nation. Now that everyone should come here legally now that is a different story all together. Come here legally work for a living , and learn the ways of this country.
Robert757A - I work in an area that has large Somali and Mexican population. I am guessing they are here legally, because when ever I go to the local Kroger, Sam's Club and Walmart, they are paying with a food stamp debit card. In most cases, I have never observed English spoken. Why am I supporting them and their multiple children?
Cuba is a dictatorship, so they cannot travel abroad.
The United States is a democracy, so we cannot travel to Cuba. Long live freedom!
Actually you can go there. You just can't go directly there. You can get a flight to Mexico and then a non-U.S. carrier flight to Cuba. While you are there, remember that we have no diplomats there, so no Embassy, not that they would help you all that much anyway.
Let's not get too crazy everyone, we have some very successful people in the USA, Cuban refugees from 30 years ago or more, that contribute to society with taxes and have completed higher education as a foundation to make sure future generations do the same. We have people ripping off the system for free handouts in all shapes, sizes, colors and backgrounds, and have to look at the nonsense of all the years with restrictions on Cuba. They can do nothing for the Soviets, that threat is gone. Time to move on. We have lazy people that are "takers" from the system and it is much more of a problem here now than with added population from Cuba.
Bay View: Yes and let's not forget the giant welfare we have for banks, wall street and big corporations.
Well perhaps some day when American foreign policy catches up with Cuban foreign policy, then Americans will be able to legally go to Cuba. Until that time we just have to be content with providing billions of dollars of foreign aid to the likes of Pakistan, and reward them for hiding Osama Bin Laden and his band of terrorists for a number of years. What was it that Cuba did wrong, oh yeah, they were Communists of all things. Well better a Communist country that won't blow you up, than a terrorist supporting country which pretends to be on your side.
Have you been south of Jacksonville, Florida lately? The American flag is already being flown upside down for reasons which are real. Its gone y'all....
With all our sanctions and efforts to destroy Cuba; They still live better than many latin countries.
Another stupid statement from a guy whos never left Kansas,I have been there, your wrong again!
Nelson, I agree with you.
You don't know what you are talking about. Believe me !!! I was there (in Cuba) back in 1996 and it was a strange experience. And imagine, somebody born in another comunist country is telling you that. For years I never had a passport, until we escape (me and my husband) and we did start a new, wonderful life in Canada. I am so grateful for everything !!! We have good education and were lucky to get good jobs, well paid, and we were both hard working people, but still, Canada is a wonderful country. Some people don't have this oportunity.
Nelson-537300 Have you been in all Latin America poor ghettos? Have you compared UN and CIA Facts Book social and economic indicators amongst them? Cuba does better than many, if you could just read facts, instead of listening to your old Cuban relatives bitter rhetoric, you would find out that things are not in black and white; but you probably already made up your mind.
it has been discovered that half of all immigrants who came to this country a century ago would have considered illegal by todays standards. lucky you were born 100 years later.
it has been discovered that half of all immigrants who came to this country a century ago would have considered illegal by todays standards lucky you were born 100 years later.
for those who are talking about cubans with such of disrespect and ignorance..... I will like to let you know something, before cubans came to south florida that area was no more than an extension of the everglades, full of mud an cows, the only thing that was there was a little town called Miami Beach...now, 30 years later Miami is the most important city in Florida, thanks to who?....cubans...(jokers)... as the racist of "DICK" Wardon says, Miami Beach is not any more, now is North and South Miami Beach, thanks to who.....cubans....Miami became one of the hottest spot in the south for artist, politicians, celebrities, and whoever have some money and want to be seen. The cubans are the ones who make that possible. I know that in 1980 Castro send to this wonderfull country of us, not only the good people that left Cuba because they were aware how the communist ghost were ending any hope of a good life, but prisoners, criminals and a lot of bad people that were running from justice. That did not stop the good and now they are business owners, doctors.....and many of them became very wealthy. Any way, I just want to say that letting the Cubans travel don't mean any danger for you DICK, sadly they have to rely on some family member that live here to run with the expenses. So do not be afraid. Ohh....one more thing, WE, THE CUBANS, really appreciate how welcome we are in this country, the land of opportunities. All you have to do is look for it.
To pepeeloco
Estoy de acuerdo con ud. cubans come here to have a better life, to raice their children with dignity and get ahead in life, they are not terrorists, and Mr. Wardon sounds like he is very racist person, perhaps he may want to go to live in Cuba and see how unhappy he is going to be as soon he has someone watching over his shoulder 24/7 or have his children if he has any, marching 6 blocks holding a big sign with an empty stomach because a child does not have a plate of cereal, I am sure that if he ever live this kind of life he will immigrate in any country, so I just leave it as what it is, "DICK" or Richard Wardon is not so smart, he will never understand, by the way I am cuban, I was born in Cuba, and I am very proud of been a cuban/american and been able to speak more than one language makes me feel even better, don't you feel that way Pepe? Dick could only speak english.
You Cubans have no intention of buying roundtrip ticket's to anywhere. You intend to infiltrate Florida like you started in the sixties. Our leaders have no intention of letting us go to Cuba to find out what you are up to...
Dicks dick was an American Dick. You cant beet that. Put it where the sun don't shine, like cuba
To those Cubans who say they built Miami: Bull@!$%#. My family is from Miami from waaaayyy back. Miami was a popular hotspot and big city before the Cubans stepped foot in Miami. South Beach had already come and gone before the Mariel boatlift. So Cubans stop making false statements about how you built Miami. I grew up there, and it is a @!$%#hole anyway. Cubans love it because it's just like a little Cuba. Except now with all the Hatians it's really a dismal place to live.
What I find amusing is how many people have nothing but stupid statements to make about Cubans that at best are pure racist comments!
Unless you are a native American Indian, you were all immigrants from somewhere, you bash these people for one one reason and one reason only, they happen to be Hispanic.
All of a sudden some of you mix them all up with everyone that came here during the Mariel boat lift in the eighties, which I agree was a total disaster due to an inept president in office(Jimmy Carter), Castro would allow you to take one family member only if you would take five other people on a boat which were nothing but criminals, we allowed that to happen!
Cubans are a relatively small group in this country compared to other Hispanics in this country, sure there are many in Miami, but if it weren't for many ignorant people that don't know any better you would know that there are much larger numbers of Hispanics from other countries in Miami other then Cubans.
As for the decent ones that have had to fight off the bad names given to them because of the ones that have been raised in that communist cesspool, Cubans are a proud race that fight to educate their kids in this country and strive to do the right thing, if you do any search you would see how many Cubans have become Billionaires,Millionaires, Actors,Singers,Politicians,Military leaders and CEO's of great American companies like Coca Cola to name one.
One thing is for sure from all the Cuban people I have come across, they alway's tell me that the only reason they left their country is because of Fidel Castro, and the day that changes many would go back to rebuild their country, I am sure that would make many of you happy, no matter I will be one of many Americans that will be happy to visit this new frontier that I know this proud people will make someday.
Nelson, I don't know you, but you are well informed about cubans, and I am sure that if you ever have the chance to visit there is a beautiful island without the communism, cubans are very nice people, well educated, even they live in a communist government, they get their education, a lot of them come to USA just looking for a better life, freedom of speach, and they appreciate this country of opportunity, it is too bad that few americans are not aware of how hard is to live under a communist country, and they are so afraid that cubans come to this country to take over, I am cuban, and came to this country when I was a child, and I know how hard was for my parents to separate us from our love ones, but they were looking for a future for us, that we will never had in Cuba.
Jackal, I have lived in Miami for many years, so I have been around many Cubans long enough to get to know how they are, how they raise their children, of course as in every other race their are some who choose to take the wrong path in life, but for the most part I have yet to meet a Cuban father or mother who wouldn't give everything they have to see their children succeed in life.
It really bothers me to hear people make these negative statements about people I myself have taken the time to get to know for so many years and can really say how loving,friendly, and hard working these people are, many that make these negative statements only do it with racial motivation, there is no other reason, there are people back home(Chicago) that have made stupid statements in the past to me about Cubans in Miami without ever being in Miami or never knowing one, if that's not racist I don't know what is, people will bring up political corruption in Miami, or a recent crime, as if there is no corruption in local politics all over America including the White house, and crime, please lets not go there.
The only reason Miami became a pridominently Hispanic City is because the majority of whites that lived here did what they do best when someone moves next door they dont see the same as them, leave! The Cubans did pretty well for them selves, and again I am sure the day they get a chance they will rebiuld there country back to the way it was pre- Castro.
I would like to say about peoples perception, I have heard people make comments in the past about how dangerous it is in Miami, and of course that implies that Cubans are a dangerous people, because most think Miami is only Cuban, I have lived here since the early nineties and have yet to find a predominantly Cuban neighborhood that I felt threatened in, just not then case, no gangs, no nothing, which is much more than I can say about my hometown in Chicago where there are places I would never dare to roam, so please people before you talk smack get to know the people your talking about.
I truly hope that Cuba moves toward being a freer nation now that Fidel is out of the picture.I think that it will bring a more prosperous outlook to their country and also help to improve our relations. Go Cuba!!
If you want prosperous, let the mob back into Cuba. That will bring the bucks in. Otherwise they just have some sugar cane and the ability to repair 50's Chevys.
My parents left cuba legally through the visa lottery in 1969 with no money and 4 kids. My dad had a cousin here in the us who took us in until we got on our feet. My mom and dad both found work in factories and worked 50 to 60 hours just to get ahead and buy a home. within 2 years we had a house and cars and were moving ahead in life and 41 years later my sisters and I are college graduates with good paying jobs and a great life. I love the united states more than anything. there are people who choose to want to do well for themselves and those who want to live off of the government. I was given the gift of freedom thanks to my parents wanting to leave cuba and a little bit of luck so why wouldnt i want to succeed in life.
Mario. that was 40 years ago, when the American dream was alive and well and anyone who came here and worked hard got what they wanted.
Fast forward to the last 10 years or so, people born here who work hard, lived within their means, never asked for a handout, cant' find a job that pays a living wage, and are on the verge of losing everything. We were all taught this (my parents came here over 40 years ago as well) that education was the way up. When I went to university, I could go anywhere I wanted to go, if you applied you got in, and it was affordable.
Now with admissions policies that shut most kids out of where they want to go no matter how well they did in school, and incurring nearly 100K in debt for a job (if they are lucky enough to find one) that only pays a fraction of that to start with.
40 years ago, you had a job for LIFE, unless you committed an egregious crime against the company, not so anymore (they just decide they don't like you or they can outsource your job to India), and you didn't have to have a college education to live the good life. You just had to work hard. Even my engineering degree doesn't guarantee that I will have a job or keep a job no matter how well I do my job or how professional I am.
The American dream has been reduced to a zero sum game between the working class and banks and corporations, unfortunately.
Ms. Lemur -- I think your last statement is very, very accurate.
Special interests party politics are the "underlying" reason for the complete financial and social disaster which has enveloped our country. The "hunt for Osama" was able to rip 2.2 trillion from the taxpayer coffers and divert it to special interests. What do we have to show for it. One dead guy -- nothing more. There are hundreds of Osama's ready to take his place if given an opportunity. The Wall Street bank bailout was another 1 trillion. The average American has nothing to show for that 1 trillion - but the very wealthy certainly do as it saved their bacon. We have a difficult enough time dealing with the costs of natural disasters alone -- why do our leaders continue to lead us down self destructive paths. Simple enough - both major parties are absolutely nothing more than the pawns of the very wealthy and powerful special interests throughout the world. The American political system is "managed" by special interest groups (both domestic and foreign) to maintain the fine balance between ripping the American taxpayer for as much as possible while avoiding out and out revolution with violence in the streets. The special interest managed two party system must absolutely go. The whole of the system including Senate and House, right on up to the president must be replaced by names that are new and do not come from the within the current political collection. The current system is completely tainted and cannot be saved !!!
This story's headline would have been much more accurate if they had left the word "tourist" out.
What a shame that BOTH the Cuban AND American governments trample on basic rights. Cubans cannot travel here to the USA and Americans cannot travel to Cuba..... "legally". It's a shame because I, and my friend, did go to Havana, Cuba by way of Canada. And I will tell you this, the Cuban people are the finest and friendliest people I have ever met. Havana is also the safest I have ever felt in a foreign city. And I have been to many foreign countries in my lifetime. Havana is an old and culturally rich city. We are denied an opportunity to really enjoy a beautiful place just 90 miles off our shore.
I don't agree with Cuba's government anymore than I agree with the policies of China's..... our #1 trade partner. But maintaining a ineffective embargo is not the answer too. I suggest a closer relationship between the citizenship of both countries would serve both countries well.
Cuba is a beautiful place with beautiful people. It is about time that the embargo ends. For the past 20 years, the UN has voted against the embargo against Cuba and yet the US will not comply. My hope is that Obama's administration will end it, after his next election...I believe he needs the votes of Florida to win and for that reason he doesn't want to rock the boat. Some of you seem to forget that before Castro, Cuba was totally repressed and corrupted by Batista's regime. It was an island corrupted by the american mafia who owned so much of the island, got ridiculously rich while Cubans were no better than slaves. The revolution was necessary back then and Fidel did more for Cuba than most leaders. Today things have changed and Cubans need more freedom but while the embargo still prevails, it is very tough for that small country to have economic progress and for its citizens to make a decent living. Meanwhile, Cubans are one of the most educated people in the world and the island is probably the safest place to live amongst the latin american countries. It wasn't that way before the revolution but since most of the mafia flew back to Miami after Fidel Castro took over, Cuba got rid of very bad elements and lots of corruption.
For those interested, there are plenty of books out there, get educated about the history of Cuba before passing erroneous judgments.