José Azel: Investing in Cuba Is “Absolutely Nuts”
Fergus Hodgson, 1 December 2016 
José Azel is an old friend and my mentor on Cuba. We first met years ago in Miami, and then he was the chief instructor when I completed the certificate program at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies. He was an Operation Pedro Pan political refugee in the 1960s and went on to become an accomplished author and columnist. He joins me to explain what, if anything, can be made of Fidel Castro’s death. Further, he addresses the current trajectory and probable options for businessmen interested in the island.
In particular, he underlines that Fidel Castro has been out of power for a decade, so celebrations over his passing are more symbolism than anything else. Further, given the “anthropological damage” to the population, from half a century of communism, and a firm grip on power with Raúl Castro, he is pessimistic about liberalization any time soon.
Author of Mañana in Cuba, José Azel says business engagement with the island is limited to exports to the regime or trade with foreigners who travel there. Those seeking foreign direct investment give over majority control of any venture to the Cuban military. (ICCAS)
Recommended Links
- Mañana in Cuba by José Azel (212 pages, AuthorHouse, 2010).
- PanAm Post columns by José Azel.
- “Mr. Castro You Are Involved in the Deaths of Many Salvadorans,” by Bernardo Toar, Perth Herald Tribune.
- “Cubans Out! Venezuelans Denounce Regime-Wide Infiltration,” by Ariana Guevara, PanAm Post.
Fergus Hodgson (@FergHodgson) is an economic consultant and Gold Newsletter‘s roving editor.