Festival of the Ages Kyoto 2013
The image of José Julián Martí Pérez (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895), a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature, represents a cultural blend of Cuba's historic past and hopes for a brighter economic future for the Cuban people, Havana, Cuba, May 2016. With the recent ease of U.S. travel restrictions and lifting of limits on the use of American dollars in transactions with Cuba, Havana is beginning to experience a renaissance of international visitors and business development.
The Economic reality of the effects of the 56 year American Economic Blockage of Cuba is reflected in the historic building facades, antique automobiles, and the dilapidated living conditions of the Cuban people, Havana, Cuba, May 2016. The United States imposed a commercial, economic, and financial blockade against Cuba on Oct. 19,1960 (in Cuba called el bloqueo, “the blockade”). A blockade is economic warfare as defined by the Oxford Dictionary. The Cuban blockade is the most long lasting in modern history. Despite the blockade, the United States is the fifth largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba’s imports are from the US). Cuba must, however, pay cash for all imports. No credit is allowed. These images of Havana Cuba are of what remains after 56 years of that economic warfare. The ruins of the Cold War.
