Cuba’s Current Situation
Watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGMRVEc5kCg
Cuba is having a serious crisis. Many people have problems with food, electricity, transport, and healthcare.
One main problem is the weak economy. For many years, the government controlled most businesses. This gives free education and healthcare, but production is low. The country does not make enough goods for its people.
History is important to understand this. After the 1959 revolution, the government created a socialist system and controlled many industries. Cuba received support from the Soviet Union for oil, money, and trade. When the Soviet Union ended in 1991, Cuba lost this support and had a big economic crisis.
Trade restrictions from the United States make the situation worse. Cuba cannot easily buy fuel, medicine, or technology. This causes shortages and high prices.
Fuel shortages are serious. Cuba imports oil, mostly from Venezuela. But Venezuela cannot send much oil. This causes power cuts. Without electricity, people cannot keep food, use water, or travel easily.
Food shortages are also common. Farmers lack fuel, tools, and money. People often wait in long lines for limited food.
Healthcare has problems too. Hospitals do not always have enough medicine or workers. Many doctors leave the country.
Transport and water supply are limited. Roads, electricity, and water systems are old and sometimes do not work.
Many young people leave Cuba to find better lives. People are frustrated and there have been protests.
The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse. Tourism decreased, so the country has less money. Prices are rising, but salaries stay low.
In conclusion, Cuba has many problems: weak economy, shortages, power cuts, and emigration. Life is difficult, and the future is uncertain.
1. Vocabulary Match
- Crisis — A. Leaving your country to live in another
- Economy — B. Gas, oil, or energy for cars, machines, or electricity
- Shortage — C. When electricity stops working
- Fuel — D. Hospitals, doctors, and medical care
- Power cut — E. Making goods or products
- Healthcare — F. How money, trade, and business work in a country
- Emigration — G. A very difficult situation
- Transport — H. Limited or controlled by rules
- Protest — I. Public demonstration against something people do not like
- Production — J. When there is not enough of something
- Support — K. Buses, trains, or other ways to travel
- Restricted — L. Help from someone or another country
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?
Comments
Post a Comment