A Cuban Prostitute Talks Straight To My Crew In 1991 Havana

In 1991 my team got the job from Ted Turner Broadcasting (and from Ted Turner himself) to make a two-hour television special on Cuba. The wall in Berlin had come down and the Soviet Union, now becoming Russia, was teetering. At the time, Cuba was dependent upon the Soviet Union for most of its supplies as a embargo was (and still is) placed on it by the USA. For a variety of reasons and just plain luck, we got access to film in all kinds of locations in Havana and around the country – locations that folks outside Cuba had not seen before. The hosts of the special and voiceover narrator is actor James Earl Jones. 1991 was a particularly challenging time for Cuba, as it marked the beginning of the “Special Period,“ a severe economic crisis following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which had been a significant financial supporter of Cuba. As a result, resources were scarce, and the standard of living dropped significantly for many Cubans. This also affected aspects of daily life, including the nightlife. In the context of tourism, it’s important to note that during this period, tourism from the United States was heavily restricted due to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The tourists that did visit Cuba were primarily from Canada and Europe. The Cuban government was starting to realize the potential of tourism as a major source of income and began to encourage it more. Interaction between tourists and locals could vary. While the economic disparity could lead to some tension, Cubans are known for their hospitality and warmth, and many tourists would have been welcomed and engaged in local culture and nightlife. However, because of the economic situation, it was also common for locals to approach tourists for informal commerce or in hopes of receiving gifts or assistance. The early 1990s, particularly with the onset of the “Special Period“ in Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union, marked a time of extreme economic hardship for the Cuban population. This economic crisis led to a rise in survival strategies, including an increase in informal and black market activities. One of these activities was prostitution, which saw a significant increase during this time. While prostitution was and is illegal in Cuba, enforcement varied, and the economic conditions of the Special Period led to an increase in so-called “jineterismo.“ “Jineterismo“ is a term used in Cuba for various forms of hustling, including black marketeering, pimping, and prostitution. Many involved in jineterismo were attempting to gain access to hard currency and goods through interactions with tourists. Despite the Cuban government’s attempts to crack down on these activities, the economic circumstances made it difficult to fully control the situation. Not all interactions between Cubans and tourists were exploitative or involved jineterismo and many Cubans were seeking to make connections, share their culture, or improve their economic situation in a time of hardship. This included a hope of marriage is a way to get off the island.