Jesse, Cuba's infant mortality rate and life expectancy are recorded and reported by the state-run media.

At the current rate of Chavez's nationalization of media, I bet Venezuela will pass Cuba for the lowest infant mortality in 18-24 months.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/05/28/venezuela.protest/index.html

Of course, even if true (a HUGE concession), it's not uncommon for a communist state to have one sparkling jewel so it can show the world how magnificent it is -- even if the rest of the country rots. Unlike The USSR and North Korea, Cuba hasn't really had to fear a military invasion since the Bay of Pigs and so it isn't suprising that it has sinked its national treasure into healthcare.

Don't get me wrong, I think the U.S. policy toward Cuba sucks. The people suffer, not the rulers. And, Cuba's medical system and disaster preparedness are very impressive. However, don't be fooled into thinking Castro has done his people any favors in the big picture.

On the eve of what soon will be fifty years of a bitter standoff between two nations, it is time to accept that Washington’s Cuba strategy is not only outdated but dysfunctional as well. There may be systematic shortcomings of socialist Cuba, but demonstrably, a lunar view of the Earth would discern some blemishes in the capitalist system as well.

true sir, but I'm talking less of capitalism and more of liberty. You can't be jailed in the U.S. for speaking out against government policy -- in Cuba, you disappear.

Economic systems aside, this is reason alone to take sides.

You're changing the subject of this thread.

And what does this thread have to do with Belize?

Not much, which is why it is appropriately in the Chat Area.

KC, thank you! Duh!

Just a stupid little question. We sell them agricultural products. They pay us cash on the barrelhead. OK, now what could we import from them? What do they have that we need? I would agree that tourism we could provide would be about the only thing to deal with, as their cash flow is probably somewhat limited. Someday, it will happen, but not while Fidel is upright. Just my opinion of course.

Flor de Cana rum, marijuana, sugar, citrus, coffee, cigars, cuban cakes and more importantly smoking hot women.