Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and other Lincoln, Pontiac or Mercury: here come the forever young-looking Americans, two-colored and completely refurbished by the mechanics having the hang of car pimping. They proudly dash away along the bumpy roads of “Crocodile Island” while the paunchy stomachs of overweight tourists display the portrait of the “Che” on their T-shirts as they walk by the long, wind-swept Varadero beach. Tonight, the resort’s all-inclusive buffet will serve an unlimited supply of Daiquiri, so everyone can pay an alcohol-filled tribute to Hemingway: “There’s nothing like Vitamin R for high spirits!”. R as in Rum.

So much for the common clichés.

For the last 50 years, Cuba has been under a never-ending economic, financial and commercial embargo and now the country wishes to keep its identity and its social benefits (healthcare, education…) while it is ready to start afresh too.

The signs that the country is changing, timidly initiated a decade ago, are many even though they still haven’t disrupted the inhabitants’ daily life:
− Owning a mobile phone is allowed since 2008.
− Travelling anywhere overseas is allowed since 2013.
− Liberalisation of car sales (at exorbitant prices) since 2014.
− Reconciliation rendered official between Havana and Washington in the same year and reopening of respective embassies on July 20, 2015.
− Barack Obama’s official visit in March 2016.

Today, more than ever since the 1959 Revolution, Cuba is shifting towards modernity.

Hence the importance to gather information on this turning point.