Cuba: ringing the changes

Wednesday, 2 April

In Cuba, computer hardware and mobile phones so far have been available only to official institutions, companies or other state-authorised users. However, the government has announced that they will be sold to ordinary Cubans:

• Computers will be sold in Cuban convertible pesos (CUCs) at high prices, limiting access; similarly, mobile phones will be made available in a 'gradual and orderly fashion'.
• As privately owned computers are legalised, demand will rise for computer-based communication and media services; the ban on private internet access will face increasing criticism.

The ban on the sale of video recorders also has been lifted, while Cubans -- with hard currency -- will be admitted to tourist hotels. Symbolically, this is particularly important, ending a practice of segregation -- sometimes called 'tourist apartheid' -- that has become particularly emblematic of tensions between economic realities and the revolution's landmark pledge of equality, and ending foreigner privileges.