Corruption has always found a way into politics since leadership began. Unfortunately, power has fueled corruption, especially for dictatorships. During the Cold War, countries turned to dictatorships as the Soviet Union took control, claiming them as satellite countries. After the Chinese Revolution China turned to dictatorship following the course of a bloody rebellion. The same is true in Cuba, where following a revolution, dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel has grabbed ahold of his power and uses it to diminish the Cuban people. However, despite the governmental corruption plaguing Cuba, its culture continues to express itself through its people.

(Image from https://fortune.com/2018/04/19/miguel-diaz-canel-cuba-president/)

Freedom of speech is a common issue among corrupt dictatorships, and Miguel Diaz-Canel  has recently helped in placing censorship bans over social media. The country now no longer allows people to post negatively about itself, more specifically anything that could reduce its prestige. People who do not abide by their rules face brutal punishments, often leading to misinformation about the world by the Cubans. Censorship has been an issue in many power-hungry dictatorships, and it leads to unlawful arrests and brutality among people.

Sadly common in countries with dictatorships, the people suffer the most. The United States government has consistently labelled Cuba as corrupt and having unlawful arrests. The country has been stated as having significantly low religious freedom, unjustified arrests, unlawful killings, substantial interference with peaceful assembly, gender-based violence, and many more atrocities (2022 Country Reports). Cubans must suffer under an unlawful government.

Thankfully, Cuban culture still survives despite the harsh treatment from their government. Cuba has a very celebratory people who enjoy a variety of festivals including the fire festival in Santiago de Cuba, which celebrates culture through parades, dancing, food, and exhibitions. With one search on the internet, anyone can see the many flaming dancers and structures ablaze in the streets of Cuba. Another significant festival in Villa Clara celebrates Christmas during the middle of December. Cuba celebrates this common tradition around the world with partying and dancing. What originally started as children making noise through a town to celebrate Jesus’ birth, now has turned into a massive celebration. Expected food can be candy, sandwiches, and rice with pork and yucca.

(Image from https://www.cubatreasure.com/fire-festival/)

Cuba’s celebrations are adorned by their lively music and dancing. Cuban music is its own genre of music, being very influential around the world. Cuba has housed many immigrants from Africa, Europe, and Asia alike which all blended together to form music that is specific to Cuba. Their dance accompanies their music through Salsa, Rumba, Danzon, Mambo, and many more vibrant and lively dances.

While Cuba has been plagued with a corrupt government, their people continue to celebrate and enjoy life under harsh leadership. The censorship and injustices have grabbed a hold of Cuban media and civic life, and Cuba has been reported as unlawfully arresting and killing people among many other violences and atrocities. Their culture continues to thrive, however, through festivals and celebrations, music, and dancing. Despite the corruption that has managed to seep through leadership around the world, people continue to hold to tradition and culture, leaving their impact on the world.

https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cuba/#:~:text=Significant%20human%20rights%20issues%20included,and%20life%2Dthreatening%20prison%20conditions%3B