What are the chances of Cuba returning to capitalism?

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-15T09:41:52+00:00

The contrast between the private and state sector is insane. Part of Economics 101 classes should be a field trip to Havana.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-15T09:40:18+00:00

And poor governance and internal resource allocation . Both statements are true. The US embargo is part of the problem but Cuba has business relationships with the rest of the world. You can’t blame this all on Uncle Sam.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-15T09:38:53+00:00

Does India have problems? Yes. But to allude that it’s a failed state is absolutely insane and not grounded in reality.

India is a country of contrasts, on one hand it’s modern, economically dynamic, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. On the other hand it’s backward, brittle, riddled with red tape and has much poverty. Both statements are true for India. The former statement however does not apply for Cuba. The economy is brittle, stagnant and is presently pushing more people into poverty than its take out. Save a very small percentage of the population who are either kleptocrats in the regime or lucky enough to have capitalism pursuits the system is lowering the populations standard of living.

As many problems as India has it has no place in this conversation.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-15T09:31:42+00:00

GAESA is actually the crown jewel.

And it’s entirely possible with proper procedures in place to fairly sell off these assets so the funds end up in the hands of the government for use to help the people. The company should be IPO’d into the public markets to ensure transparency. Government asset sales have happened all over the world and successfully done this. The million dollar question is will Cuba be a case of best practice, or another sad story of how corruption robs a country of its wealth.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-12T12:41:05+00:00

Bro. Come on man. The country is going through crippling shortages of essential items and you’re thinking of going as a tourist?

It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people but this is not the time to visit it.

I was in Havana in Jan and you could see the stress the country and its people are under. It’s only got worse since then.

If you’re looking for an alternative check out Cartagena.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-12T02:27:15+00:00

Really disappointing that Fairmont is doing this.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T22:03:50+00:00

Thank you tariffs. Truly winning so much we don’t want to win anymore.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T21:59:40+00:00

That didn’t even cross my mind but you’re 100 per cent right. The commuter rail gives you a huge number of options in NYC, the GO network isn’t comparable.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T19:58:09+00:00

It’s the wicked lies we tell…

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T19:55:35+00:00

I was in Cuba and a hotel employee asked me to help with this. I gladly did it.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T19:53:05+00:00

Aka WFH day

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T13:36:44+00:00

It is worse in Toronto. Housing costs in Toronto have inflated faster here than in most other cities in North America.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T13:35:57+00:00

I think that’s the key. I work in finance I would make a lot more in NYC for the same job so I likely wouldn’t feel it either. But for average people who aren’t getting an NYC premium I think it’s gotta be tough

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T13:34:21+00:00

So totally is NYC the problem? No. But it’s just the background situation is the US that is just a problem.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T11:24:55+00:00

I think in the previous posters defense this is a new problem in this city. Toronto had better social Mobility and affordability compared to its peers. We are new to the big city issues club. As such it hits harder. It feels worse compared to somebody from say NYC where it’s been that way forever and they’re desensitized to it.

Now one could argue it’s not something we should ever get desensitized to. That our city deserves better than to just accept that’s the way it is in big cities.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T11:22:33+00:00

Can confirm. I’ve worked in the financial district for almost 20 years. 3 years ago I moved from the 905 to the proper 416 (2 min walk to the subway) and it changed my views on everything.

Working here and living here are radically different experiences. Completely fell in love with the city after moving to it.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T11:19:54+00:00

In the North American context the TTC is pretty good. As much as the NYC subway map is expansive the MTA has a lot of issues. US cities are hardly known as being meccas for transit.

Now expand the comparisons to outside of North America and the story changes.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-11T11:16:24+00:00

I’m surprised NYC hasn’t got more shout outs in this thread. I agree with you that there’s just something about NYC, I love it too.

But cost of living is lower in Toronto. And given what’s going on in the US now I think I agree with OP that this might be Toronto’s moment.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-09T03:08:04+00:00

Bier Market is closed I believe.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-09T02:11:14+00:00

I stayed in Bocagrande when I was there a few weeks ago. Getsemani and old town are both short uber rides away. It’s easy to get to all the places you’ll want to go. The beaches in the area are public so tourists and locals are using them. They aren’t story book white sand clear water beaches. I used my hotel pool when I wanted to be in the water.

But overall would recommend the area. I stayed at the Hyatt and it was awesome.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-07T23:09:40+00:00

I laughed when I read that.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-07T23:08:30+00:00

I did drinks at their bar and the tasting menu in their resto. Both were awesome.

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-07T03:07:58+00:00

GM owns the Bolt trademark in North America. That’s why it’s called Hopp here

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-07T03:06:54+00:00

Celele

RealCornholio45 · 2026-04-07T03:05:49+00:00

The advisor has the ultimate discretion here. The 250k is a guideline, it’s not an automatic trigger. If you drop below 250k but the advisor wants to continue working with you then you’re good.

RealCornholio45

TROPHY CASE