Cuba has been a one-party communist state led by the Castro brothers since 1959. Currently, Raul Castro leads the country after Fidel Castro stepped down in 2008 due to health issues. Cuba's economy has struggled with periods of depression and reliance on aid from allies like Venezuela. In the 1990s, economic reforms like legalizing foreign investment and the U.S. dollar helped Cuba recover from loss of aid from the former Soviet Union. The U.S. established an embargo on trade with Cuba in 1960 and still aims to transform Cuba's government, causing economic and social issues, though some restrictions have lifted in recent years.

1. Contemporary Issues inCuba

2. Current Political Issues- Cuba has been a totalitarian state since 1959 and only has one political party represented: the Cuban Communist Party. This party controls all aspects of the country’s government. Fidel Castro has been the head leader of Cuba since his takeover in 1959. However, in 2008, his brother Raul Castro took over his position due to Fidel’s deteriorating health.

3. Major Economic ThemesThe Cuban government owns and controls most of its economic means of production. Currently the economy has experienced a depression which is probably due to the governments failure to provide enough goods for its workers. Venezuela has now come forth to bail out the country. Because of their help, Cuba’s economy has not yet collapsed. However, those who were previously employed in power positions (such as doctors and scientists) are now being forced to work at lower level jobs like driving taxis. This is not the first time Cuba has had to deal with economic issues. In the 1990s, the country went through a major economic crisis due to a lack of aid from the Soviet Union, who was a major source of trade at the time. The way the government chose to deal with this problem was by introducing a series of programs that would eventually be a great success towards improving economic conditions. These programs allowed tourism for the first time. They also put into motion self employment, foreign investment, and the legalization of the dollar.

4. Cuba and the U.S.The United States has long been against the communist practices of Cuba. Because of this, there was a ban on U.S. trade with Cuba in 1960. This was also known as an embargo. However, this ban has since been lifted with the U.S. allowing family travel between our country and Cuba. The U.S. is also currently Cuba’s main source of food products and charity.

5. The United States is still working towards transforming the Cuban government into a democracy whose main focus is the rights of its people.Cuba and the U.S.Modern Cuba has been shaped by the U.S.'s abhorrence for the communist government. Today there are many problems in Cuba such as its waning economy, its health care issues, even its pollution, but almost all of them stem from the U.S. unwillingness to cooperate with the Cuban government, and ultimately, the U.S.'s goal to spread "freedom and liberty" to Cuba's "oppressive communist regime"

6. Sources"Background Note: Cuba." U.S. Department of State. N.p., 25 March 2010. Web. 12 Dec 2010. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm>. "United States embargo against Cuba." Wikipedia. N.p., 01 Dec2010. Web. 12 Dec 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba>.