After Fidel Castro ceased power in Cuba, the country quickly became reliant upon Soviet subsidies, totaling over $65 billion from 1960-1990. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, those subsidies dried up, crippling the economy reliant almost exclusively on the sugar industry and the grossly exaggerated prices the Soviet Bloc would pay for this commodity.
Following the collapse, sugar prices crashed, further crippling the economy. In an attempt to diversify, the Cuban government has encouraged worker cooperatives, self-employment, and in 2019, initiated some modernization of the economy, including private property and free markets. A trade arrangement with Venezuela eventually replaced much of the Soviet contribution, giving a boost to the economy and government coffers.
But that has since waned with Cuba’s benefactor experiencing its own problems, again crippling their economy, and leaving the treasury desperate for cash. With few countries friendly to their cause, such as China and a resurgent Russia, they have few sources to help them.
Therefore, if an opportunity arose where something of value fell into Cuban hands, something America’s enemies might pay dearly for, the benefit to the Cuban people could be tremendous.
And the price for America, unfathomable.