HAVANA CLUB
Long before official diplomacy, market reforms brought American-style capitalism to Havana, reshaping the city’s economy and lifestyles. A small, visible bourgeoisie has emerged, exposing deep contradictions between socialist ideals and growing social inequality
America arrived in Havana long before official diplomacy did. For years, Raúl Castro’s perestroika has allowed foreign investment, small private businesses, and the buying and selling of privately owned homes—even online. As a result, along the Malecón, old Cadillacs now share the road with Audis and Mercedes, often parked outside elegant venues where, in full Miami style, bouncers select who gets in.
Those with money in Havana live in Miramar or in the exclusive El Laguito: businesspeople connected to the government or enriched by money sent from abroad, but also artists, musicians, and small entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. This is the new, narrow Cuban bourgeoisie—a “club” of the privileged that enjoys showing off, dresses fashionably, sends its children to expensive private schools, and frequents exclusive bars such as Espacio, Sarao’s, or El Cocinero, where dinner can cost as much as a teacher’s monthly salary.
Here, the dream of tropical Marxism and a classless society collapses. “But our model certainly won’t be the United States,” says a businessman seated at La Carboncita. “Rather, something like capitalism with Chinese characteristics…”.
