It would be quite a shame if Cuba were to become just like every other Caribbean island nation. It certainly isn't perfect, but it's better than all the others in many ways.
Yes. What is particularly surprising is how unviolent it is, compared to neighbours like Jamaica, Mexico and even Puerto Rico to a certain extent. It's such an innocent place in some ways, I do fear a bit for its future. At the same time, people are highly educated and well-read, so I'm not sure they'll be easily duped. At least, I hope not (I have been underestimating the gullibility of electorates a lot lately)!
I admittedly know less than I should about Cuba and the controversy around Castro. What I'm gathering though is America was friendly with the previous dictator, but Castro was more friendly with the Soviet Union so America cut them off and tried to start shit all while acting like it was about human rights violations while being chummy with fucking Saudi Arabia, is that accurate ?