Crisis in Cuba : A Country Facing Many Challenges
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGMRVEc5kCg
Cuba is currently facing a serious crisis that affects daily life. This situation comes from several connected problems over time.
One main issue is the weak economy. The government controls most trade, which has provided services like healthcare but also caused low production. As a result, there is a shortage of goods.
Historically, after the 1959 revolution, Cuba depended on the Soviet Union for fuel, money, and trade. When it collapsed in 1991, Cuba entered a deep crisis. Since then, the economy has struggled.
U.S. embargo policies have also limited trade and reduced access to global markets. This affects supply and increases prices, causing inflation.
Fuel shortages are a major problem. Cuba relied on Venezuela, but reduced support has led to power cuts and long blackouts. Without electricity, infrastructure like water systems and transport cannot function properly.
Food shortages continue due to low investment and limited resources. Farmers lack tools and fuel, and imports are difficult due to low income, leading to shortages and rationing.
The healthcare system is under pressure, with a lack of medicine and staff. Many professionals leave the country, causing a brain drain that further weakens the system.
Cuba’s infrastructure is outdated and needs repair, leading to unreliable services. Transport is limited, and water supply is affected by electricity problems.
Social tensions are rising, and people have organized protests. However, political change remains slow.
Recent events like COVID-19 reduced tourism income, worsening the crisis. Economic reforms increased inflation while salaries stayed low.
During his presidency, Donald Trump increased pressure through restrictions, reducing tourism and foreign currency. He claimed a deal was imminent, but negotiations and dialogue have been difficult. His rhetoric and hardline approach increased tensions.
Cuban leaders rejected U.S. interference and opposed dismantling the system. While some tentative steps like releasing prisoners have occurred, the situation remains uncertain.
In conclusion, Cuba’s crisis is linked to its history, the U.S. embargo, loss of foreign support, and internal weaknesses. Today, shortages, blackouts, and emigration continue, leaving the future uncertain.
1. Vocabulary Match
Part 1 – Vocabulary Match
Word Definition
- Shortage | H. To make something less strong or effective
- Fuel | C. Basic systems like transport, water, and energy
- Power cut | A. Material such as oil or gas used to produce energy
- Trade | J. A serious and difficult situation
- Rationing | D. A situation where there is not enough of something important
- Infrastructure | F. A period when electricity stops
- Brain drain | G. System of limiting how much people can buy
- Weaken | I. The activity of buying and selling goods
- Crisis | B. When skilled people leave a country to live and work elsewhere
Part 2 – Vocabulary Match
Word Definition
- Inflation | H. The amount of something available
- Income | A. Public action showing disagreement
- Repair | F. A situation where prices increase quickly
- Supply | D. The act of fixing something
- Protest | B. Money earned by a person
- Tentative | I. A long power failure
- Rhetoirc | C. Money used to develop something
- Investment | G. To describe something that is uncertain.
- Blackout | E. Strategic use of language
Part 3- Vocabulary Match
Word | Definition
- Negotiations a. About to happen very soon
- Imminent b. Talks between parties to reach an agreement
- Dialogue c. A strict or uncompromising approach
- Dismantling d. Actions that disrupt
- Hardline e. An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
- Embargo f. Open communication aimed at resolving issues
- Interference g. The act of breaking down or taking apart
2. Synonym Match:
-
- crisis — A. skilled worker loss
- shortages — B. limitations
- emigration — C. power cuts
- blackouts — D. major problem
- infrastructure — E. demonstrations
- restrictions — F. facilities and systems
- dependency — G. leaving the country
- protests — H. lack
- brain drain — I. reliance
3.Global Challenge Debate: What’s the Worst Problem in Cuba?
Step 1: Explore the Problems
Below are some of the key issues Cuba faces today. Take a moment to review them:
- Food shortages and rationing
- Fuel shortages and power cuts
- Limited access to healthcare & emigration of skilled professionals
- Old and failing infrastructure
- High inflation and low income
- Young and skilled people leaving the country
- Limited transport and public services
- Political and social tensions
Below are some of the key issues Cuba faces today. Take a moment to review them:
- Food shortages and rationing
- Fuel shortages and power cuts
- Limited access to healthcare & emigration of skilled professionals
- Old and failing infrastructure
- High inflation and low income
- Young and skilled people leaving the country
- Limited transport and public services
- Political and social tensions
Step 2: Debate & Decide
- Discuss each problem in your group.
- Choose one problem you think is the worst and tell us why.
- What creative or realistic solutions could help reduce this problem?
- Discuss each problem in your group.
- Choose one problem you think is the worst and tell us why.
- What creative or realistic solutions could help reduce this problem?
4. Role-Play Activities
Role-Play A – “Family Dinner Debate: Should Cubans Stay or Leave?”
It’s dinner time. The electricity has just gone out again. The family is frustrated, and the conversation becomes emotional. You must decide: stay in Cuba or leave?
Characters:
- Parent – worried about safety and stability
- Teenager – dreams of a better life abroad
- Grandmother – believes leaving will make Cuba worse
- Grandfather - you fought alongside Castro and Che during the revolution...
Your task:
Discuss and try to agree on a decision.
Useful language:
- “We can’t continue like this because…”
- “If we leave, our life could…”
- “But what about our future here?”
Role-Play B – “Live Radio Show: Cuba in Crisis”
Situation:
You are live on a national radio show. Thousands of people are listening. You must explain what is really happening in Cuba.
Characters:
- Host – asks difficult questions
- Journalist A – believes shortages are the biggest issue
- Journalist B – blames U.S. restrictions
Your task:
Debate the main cause of the crisis and convince listeners.
Useful language:
- “The real problem is…”
- “I strongly believe that…”
- “Let me explain why…”
Role-Play C – “Emergency International Meeting”
Situation:
Cuba is in crisis. You are part of an urgent international meeting to decide how to help.
Characters:
- Government representative
- Foreign investor
- NGO worker
Your task:
Agree on one realistic solution to help the country.
Useful language:
- “We should focus on…”
- “This solution could…”
- “I agree/disagree because…”
Role-Play D – “Social Media Argument”
Situation:
You are arguing in the comments section of a viral post about life in Cuba. The discussion is intense.
Characters:
- Student A – wants Mexico , Brazil and Russia to help Cuba as they are politicial allies
- Student B – wants the U.S. to enter Cuba and change its government
Your task:
Defend your opinion and respond to the other person.
Useful language:
- “I´m fed up with this because…”
- “You are a traitor because…”
- “You don´t have a leg to stand on…”
Role-Play E – “Doctor Brain Drain”
A doctor is thinking about leaving Cuba to work abroad. The country needs doctors, but life is very difficult. The family is divided.
Characters:
- Doctor – tired of low salary and difficult conditions, wants to leave
- Family Member A – supports the doctor’s decision
- Family Member B – believes the doctor should stay and help the country
Your task:
Discuss and decide: Should the doctor stay or leave?
Useful language:
- “I feel I have no choice because…”
- “You are needed here because…”
- “If you leave, what will happen to…?”
- “I understand your point, but…”
Role-Play F – “Tourism Promotion: Convince Visitors”
Situation:
You work in the tourism industry in Cuba. Despite the crisis, you must convince tourists that Cuba is still a great place to visit.
Characters:
- Tourism Worker – tries to promote Cuba positively
- Tourist – worried about safety, shortages, and blackouts
- Travel Agent (optional) – asks questions and compares destinations
Your task:
Convince the tourist to visit Cuba.
Useful language:
- “Cuba is still a beautiful place because…”
- “Tourists usually experience…”
- “You don’t need to worry about…”
- “It’s a unique experience because…”
Role-Play G – “Selling Cuban Culture: Cigars and Rum”
Situation:
You are a street vendor or shop owner trying to sell authentic Cuban cigars and rum. The economy is difficult, and you depend on tourists.
Characters:
- Salesperson – proud of Cuban products, needs to sell
- Tourist – interested but thinks the products are very overpriced
Your task:
Sell your product and convince the tourist to buy.
Useful language:
- “This is 100% authentic because…”
- “It’s special because it comes from…”
- “By buying this, you support…”
- “I can offer you a better price…”
Role-Play H– “UN Emergency Meeting: Should We Help Cuba?”
Situation:
The United Nations is holding an emergency meeting about the crisis in Cuba. Some countries want to help immediately, but others are worried about political consequences, especially how Donald Trump might react.
Characters:
- Delegate A – strongly supports helping Cuba (humanitarian reasons)
- Delegate B – worried about political consequences and U.S. reaction
- Delegate C – wants a neutral solution (compromise)
- UN Chairperson – leads the discussion and asks questions
Your task:
Discuss and decide:
- Should the UN help Cuba?
- What kind of help should be given?
- How can countries avoid political conflict?
Try to reach a final agreement.
Useful language:
- “We must act because people are suffering…”
- “I am concerned that this could cause problems with…”
- “We need to find a balanced solution…”
- “What if we try a different approach?”
- “I agree/disagree because…”
5.Top Controversial / Divisive Actions by Donald Trump
- Family Separation at the Border – Policy of separating migrant children from parents.
- Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement – Left global climate accord.
- Trade War with China and other countries – Imposed tariffs, international economic tension.
- Travel Ban on Majority-Muslim Countries – Restricted entry from several nations.
- Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital – Shifted U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
- Attempt to Overturn 2020 Election Results – Made claims of election fraud and encouraged citizens to attack the capital
- Use of Social Media to Attack Opponents – Frequent tweets targeting politicians, media, and global leaders.
- Disrespectful comment about women - He claimed he can grab women by the p$%!"y
Student Exercise
- Choose one action from the list.
-
Discuss in pairs or small groups:
- Why was this action controversial or divisive?
- What were the short-term and long-term consequences?
- Who was most affected (domestically or internationally)?
- Would you have handled it differently if you were president?
6. For better or for worse, Cuba is a very unique country. Here is a list of things that make Cuba very unique. Choose one and discuss:
- Classic 1950s cars everywhere
- Free healthcare and education
- Unique money system, where the country has 2 different currencies.
- Advertising is almost non-existent
- Food rationing system
- Cuba frequently ranks as having the highest number of doctors per capita worldwide
7. Discussion Questions
- Why has Cuba’s economy struggled despite free education and healthcare?
- How did the collapse of the Soviet Union affect Cuba?
- Why are fuel shortages so critical for daily life?
- How do U.S. sanctions influence Cuba’s economy today?
- What are the main reasons for emigration from Cuba?
- How does infrastructure affect public services like water and transport?
- How did COVID-19 worsen the crisis in Cuba?
- Should other countries intervene to help Cuba? Why or why not?
- How do protests reflect public frustration in Cuba?
- Can Cuba solve its problems without international aid?
8. Fill-in-the-Blanks
shortages – blackouts – infrastructure – brain drain– restrictions – dependency – protests – economic reform– crisis – emigration
Complete the sentences:
- Cuba is currently facing a serious __________________ that affects daily life.
- Fuel and food __________________ make life difficult for citizens.
- Many young people leave the country in a wave of __________________.
- Power __________________ are frequent due to fuel shortages.
- Roads, hospitals, and water systems are part of the country’s __________________.
- Trade __________________ from other countries limit Cuba’s access to global markets.
- Cuba’s __________________ on foreign oil makes it vulnerable to external crises.
- People express their frustration through __________________.
- Many trained professionals leave the country, causing a __________________.
- The government has attempted __________________ to improve the economy
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