By the 1980s, Cuba’s economy was again in trouble, following a decline in the market price of sugar and 1979’s decimated harvest. Desperate for money, Cuba’s government secretly sold off paintings from national collections and illicitly traded for U.S. electronic goods through Panama.
Increasing numbers of Cubans fled to Florida, who were labelled “scum” by Fidel Castro. In one incident, 10,000 Cubans stormed the Peruvian Embassy requesting asylum, and so the U.S. agreed that it would accept 3,500 refugees. Castro conceded that those who wanted to leave could do so from Mariel port. Hundreds of boats arrived from the U.S., leading to a mass exodus of 120,000; Castro’s government took advantage of the situation by loading criminals and the mentally ill onto the boats destined for Florida.
In 1980, Ronald Reagan became U.S. president and then pursued a hard line anti-Castro approach. These fascinating photos were taken by
Javier Gallego that show street scenes of Cuba in 1985.
 |
| Havana. Plaza de la Revolución, 1985 |
 |
| Havana Cathedral, 1985 |
 |
| Havana street scenes, 1985 |
 |
| Havana. National Capitol of Cuba (El Capitolio), 1985 |
 |
| Havana. Parque Lenin, 1985 |
 |
| Havana. The Malecón, 1985 |
 |
| Holguín children, 1985 |
 |
| Holguín street scenes, 1985 |
 |
| Holguín, 1985 |
 |
| Matanzas, 1985 |
 |
| Sancti Spíritus. Making and smoking cigars, Trinidad children, 1985 |
 |
| Sancti Spíritus. Trinidad children, 1985 |
 |
| Sancti Spíritus. Trinidad children, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba Cathedral, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba. Casa de la Trova, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba. City Hall, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba. Mausoleo a José Martí, 1985 |
 |
| Santiago de Cuba. The Moncada Barracks, 1985 |
 |
| Aldea Taína, 1985 |
 |
| Aldea Taína, 1985 |
 |
| Aldea Taína, 1985 |
0 comments:
Post a Comment