Abstract

GARCIA FERNANDEZ, Francisco  and  SOVILLA, Bruno. Characteristics and Vulnerabilities of Cuban Export Sector in the Revolutionary Period (1959-2013). Am. Lat. Hist. Econ [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.1, pp.140-170. ISSN 2007-3496.  https://doi.org/10.18232/alhe.v24i1.753.

This work is aimed at examining the transformations in the Cuban exports sector through the evolution of a group of indicators chosen in the revolutionary times, from 1959 to 2013, in order to identify the main vulnerabilities it has to face in the short and middle terms. A descriptive historical approach has been taken based on the evolution of economical variables through that period (1959-2013). It was observed that the Cuban export sector has gone through important changes, keeping nonetheless structural weaknesses all along the studied period. From 1989 on Cuba had to adjust its trading relations due to the unexpected fall of the European socialist regimes with which it shared privileged relationships. In the following stage, trade has diversified, but the dependent relation with ideologically similar countries has kept on, as well as the above-mentioned weaknesses, that are far from facing an encouraging picture in the short run.

Keywords : Cuban export sector; diversification; opening rate; Cuban economy.