No Market Wimpiness Allowed

Fidel Castro's most recent plans to move into full state centralization were propelled, in part, by the economic hopes that the discovery of oil offshore brought him. Ironically, Castro's plans are about to be helped by another valuable liquid, water. In this instance, however, it may be the lack of water that speeds Castro's designs. Cuba is experiencing one of its worst droughts in years. It is reported that already nearly 10% of the population is receiving water from delivery trucks, and things are expected to get worse.

Nature appears to be helping Castro's plans from two different ends. The magnitude of the drought will prompt greater and greater state intervention, and the process of centralization will be accelerated.

The Miami Herald (Registration required but not subscription) speculates that the rapid pace in resuming the economic and political control of the Cuban state is linked to preparations for the eventual death of Fidel Castro. Castro was recently quoted saying that the Revolution will no longer allow [market?] "wimpiness."

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Crossposted to The Politic.