Dennis Francis, the president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stated after meeting with Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel that Cuba advocates for "building a better, inclusive, and equal world." The visitor described his meeting with the Cuban leader as an "honor" and lavished praise on a regime he failed to mention has driven much of the population into poverty and divided families due to repression and a loss of hope for a better future.
Francis expressed gratitude to Cuba for its "vision and leadership," while also expressing eagerness for "future collaboration toward our shared goals." In return, the Cuban leader reciprocated the United Nations official's compliments, expressing appreciation for "his recognition of Cuba's performance and commitment to finding solutions to the challenges faced by Southern nations during our presidency of the G77 and China."
However, despite the accolades from the UN representative, there are facts he seemed to overlook or chose to ignore. The Caribbean nation has a 72% poverty rate, placing it at the forefront of Latin American countries, according to the official X account of DatoWorld.
The DatoWorld Poverty Index, which considers a range of statistical parameters to measure the standard of living in nations, sources its data on Cuba from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH). The aspects evaluated include per capita current income, average educational delay in households, access to health services, social security, nutrition, housing quality and space, social cohesion, and accessibility to paved roads.
Cuba, which has had to receive food, medicine, and medical supplies donations from poorer countries in the region in recent years, increasingly struggles to meet basic standards for its population. Additionally, renowned American economist Steve Hanke ranked Cuba as the ninth most miserable country due to the disastrous economic policies adopted by the Havana dictatorship.
Hanke's annual misery index for 2022 placed Cuba below Ukraine, Yemen, Argentina, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Recently, the Center for the Study of the Rule of Law, Cuba Próxima, issued a statement addressing various events impacting what they consider "the largest systemic crisis in the history of the Cuban nation."
Francis, who concluded his visit to the island on Saturday, June 29, after arriving last Thursday, is a diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago who has served as his country's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York since 2021. He was elected to his current position as president of the United Nations General Assembly on June 1, 2023. His term began on September 5, 2023.
Understanding Cuba's Current Socio-Economic Challenges
This section provides detailed questions and answers about the pressing socio-economic issues in Cuba as highlighted in the article.
What is the current poverty rate in Cuba?
Cuba has a 72% poverty rate, which places it at the forefront of Latin American countries in terms of poverty.
Who provided the data for the DatoWorld Poverty Index regarding Cuba?
The data for the DatoWorld Poverty Index regarding Cuba is sourced from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).
Where does Cuba rank in Steve Hanke's annual misery index for 2022?
Cuba is ranked as the ninth most miserable country in Steve Hanke's annual misery index for 2022.