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Several years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba to study their criminal justice system. I went because Cuba was the last bastion of Communism in the western world and I wanted to see first hand how the police and court systems actually worked under that type of government.
While there, I visited a restaurant called the Blue Huron. The Blue Huron is what's called a Paladar, which is a restaurant that is run out of someone's home. The Cuban government allows people do this in order to increase their meager income, which right now averages around $22 US per month. Paladars are heavily taxed and the owners must pay the government a $200 per month fee, no matter how much or how little their profits.
Recently my attention was called to an internet website documenting the criminal prosecution of the Blue Huron's owners. Apparently, their little paladar was so successful that with the profits. they were able to buy 7 homes, half interest in a restaurant in Italy and they had enough money left over to become patrons of the arts, making large donations to museums and schools throughout Havana. They also helped local artists by displaying their paintings for sale in the restaurants and accepted paintings in trade for meals when the artists were broke. Apparently such entrepreneurial success and generosity is a major felony in a Communist country where everyone is supposed to remain poor, starving and dependent on the government for meager handouts.
Someone has obtained a summary of the Cuban police report, translated it to English and posted it on the internet as a slide show, along with "evidence photos" of the restaurant, which simply document a well stocked restaurant (which again, seems to be a crime). Reading it would be hilarious if it weren't for the fact that they are dead serious about prosecuting this guy simply for being a successful businessman.
For your amusement, take a look at: http://www.slideshare.net/pomairino/...ype=powerpoint
While there, I visited a restaurant called the Blue Huron. The Blue Huron is what's called a Paladar, which is a restaurant that is run out of someone's home. The Cuban government allows people do this in order to increase their meager income, which right now averages around $22 US per month. Paladars are heavily taxed and the owners must pay the government a $200 per month fee, no matter how much or how little their profits.
Recently my attention was called to an internet website documenting the criminal prosecution of the Blue Huron's owners. Apparently, their little paladar was so successful that with the profits. they were able to buy 7 homes, half interest in a restaurant in Italy and they had enough money left over to become patrons of the arts, making large donations to museums and schools throughout Havana. They also helped local artists by displaying their paintings for sale in the restaurants and accepted paintings in trade for meals when the artists were broke. Apparently such entrepreneurial success and generosity is a major felony in a Communist country where everyone is supposed to remain poor, starving and dependent on the government for meager handouts.
Someone has obtained a summary of the Cuban police report, translated it to English and posted it on the internet as a slide show, along with "evidence photos" of the restaurant, which simply document a well stocked restaurant (which again, seems to be a crime). Reading it would be hilarious if it weren't for the fact that they are dead serious about prosecuting this guy simply for being a successful businessman.
For your amusement, take a look at: http://www.slideshare.net/pomairino/...ype=powerpoint
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