In a Rare Survey, Cubans Express a Hunger for Economic Growth
Of those interviewed, 55 percent felt that better relations with the United States
would be a good thing, while only 3 percent felt it would be mostly bad.
Over half of those Cubans interviewed said they would like to leave the country if given a chance,
and 70 percent of those individuals said they would move to the United States if they could.
Eight of 10 Cubans interviewed felt tourism to the country should be increased,
and 95 percent said having a high level of economic growth was an extremely or very important goal.
For the Cuban state, led by Raúl Castro, allowing entrepreneurs to open small businesses, normalizing relations with the United States
and expanding tourism have been central to the country’s hunt for economic growth.
These are some of the predominant sentiments expressed in a rare survey of 840 Cubans conducted in the country late last
year by an independent research group, asking for opinions on topics from free speech to diplomatic ties to crime.
The interviews were conducted in person in October
and November, before the inauguration of President Trump, who has threatened to rescind President Obama’s 2014 decision to restore diplomatic ties between the nations.
