On friday, FP Passport had a very interesting post on how the Castro family has spread its tentacles throughout the Cuban government. Once you realize how many Castro's are involved, you'll see why those who used to say that the regime in Cuba would fall with the death of Fidel Castro, were sorely mistaken. They are part of the military, the security forces and the Communist party, making them a significant force in the country's political and economic life.

This post, however, will not focus on the Castro family tree, but rather will be a sort of catch-up post on what's been going on in the island since my last post on the subject.

Raul Castro officially ascended to the Presidency of Cuba on February 28 of this year, he has instituted a series of reforms that have strengthened his political standing, quashing doubts about a post Fidel Cuba. Not only has Raul lifted bans on electric appliances, such as microwaves and computers, but also has lifted the ban on people owning cell phones. To be sure, given the low wages in Cuba, around $20/month some of these luxuries, though no longer prohibited by the government, will still be out of reach of the average citizen. However, the reforms, though gradual seem to be pointing toward a new direction for Cuba.

More recently, the government has also made it easier for private farmers and cooperatives to use, though not own, uncultivated government land. It has also made it easier for farmers to purchase equipment and supplies at government stores. According to the AP article, linked to above, Raul is an admirer of the free-market reforms pursued by China and Vietnam that allowed them to move away from Communism, even as they maintained single party control.