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Editor’s note: Caribbean Camera writer Jasminee Sahoye journeyed to Cuba immediately after the announcement that the two countries would begin to normalize relations. This is her special report from inside a country which for decades struggled under a strict embargo by the United States.

By Jasminee Sahoye

In light of talks between the presidents of Cuba and the U.S on lifting some of the restrictions between the two countries, a number of Cubans say they’re anxiously awaiting to see what “fruits will be borne.”

That anxiety follows recent separate televised announcements by the two leaders in December. “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries,” U.S. President Barack Obama said in a nationally televised statement.

The deal, he added, will “begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas” and move beyond a “rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born.”

Some Cubans tell The Camera in Havana and Varadero – two popular tourist cities on the island – that opening up relations between the two countries would enhance their quality of life. “We are happy for more tourists to bring their money to our country. We will earn more and provide our families with a better life,” said taxi driver Antonio.

The hardships the embargo has caused are visible everywhere, such as different forms of transportation including horse-drawn carts, GoCars, mopeds, buses, very old American-made cars known as a Yank Tank, and some newer models of cars from Europe.  A number in buildings in Havana are falling apart but a resident says, the government started a revitalisation project a few years ago but it appears to be moving slowly.

Gloria grew up in Havana and has seen how the embargo has changed the country adversely.

“Lots of Cubans can barely put adequate food on the table.”

As an artist, she has been allowed to travel overseas and has been going to the U.S. since the early 1990s.  She says she cannot afford to eat out at restaurants due to the cost in comparison to her earnings.

She has seen doctors panicking due to unavailability of certain drugs necessary to save a life. “They have to wait for the drugs to be shipped from overseas and that takes time. Re-establishing relations with the U.S. would certainly bring about positive changes.” She doesn’t think the Cuban government will “easily loosen its grip on certain restrictions.”

The average Cuban family lives on meagre wages that often do not adequately allow them to buy certain commodities, which are available to the few who can afford them, and to tourists.

Some believe that once American tourists are given the “green light” to travel to the Caribbean island, they “would flood the market” leaving Canadians “out in the cold.”

A tour guide taking a group of Canadians to their resorts on a bus ride from the airport said: “Cuba is famous for four things – cigars, rum, coffee and Canadians,” adding that millions of Canadians travel every year mostly “for fun in the sun and on the beach.”

Cuban Americans are allowed to send remittances to family members and visit for special purposes.  The U.S. and Cuba have had no diplomatic relations since 1961 and use Switzerland as a mediator whenever they need to talk.

On April 13, Obama announced he would lift some longstanding restrictions, allowing Cuban Americans to visit and send remittances to their families and easing – but not removing – the 54-year-old economic embargo.

Jose lived in the U.S. for a few years but decided to return to Cuba shortly after September 2001.  He runs a little souvenir shop in a small plaza in the city of Varadero.

He said life in America was hard even though some family members reside there.  “I’m my own boss and the business gives me enough to have a better life that most Cubans and I prefer here because I meet a lot of tourists, who buy my crafts.

“I’m just waiting to see what will happen with relations with the U.S.,” he said, “If more tourists come (Americans) to the country, it’s better for business and the economy.  But, I don’t think the Cuban government will allow Americans to take over.”

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) says diplomatic relations between Cuba and the States is a welcome opportunity to increase tourist arrivals to the Caribbean.

It adds, Cuba is a longstanding and active member of the CTO, having joined in 1992.

“The island is actively engaged in our trade and consumer promotions in Canada, Latin America and Europe and we look forward to including Cuba in our programs in the United States. We now anticipate the island’s broader participation in CTO-organised global and regional events in the future.”