How the DR has evolved compared to Cuba since 1960

[NALs]

Very interesting how they detail the developments of the Dominican Republic vs Cuba from the 1960's. This is a focus in economic development of both countries rather than the obvious political differences. Cuba was much richer than the DR in the 1960's and now is the complete opposite.

The video is in Spanish, but English subtitles are automatically produced by turning them on.

Edited to add: One aspect it doesn't focus on is the migration flow between the two countries. Traditionally there have been more Dominicans in Cuba than Cubans in Dominican Republic, but now that too is the opposite. The perception is that the Cuban presence in the DR continues to grow.

 

[william webster]

I don't understand why 'keepcoming' closed this thread earlier...... totally about the DR

 

[aarhus]

I don't understand why 'keepcoming' closed this thread earlier...... totally about the DR

I think it would be smart to close it. Watch how it will become about politics and Cuba. The DR has grown it’s tourism industry much more than Cuba. No doubt about that.

 

[NanSanPedro]

This is also a great vid to help with Spanish. It's fast but you can understand everything he says. Well, I can't but others can. I intend to watch this a few more times today.

 

[keepcoming]

I don't understand why 'keepcoming' closed this thread earlier...... totally about the DR

I closed the thread because as everyone knows topics are to be related to the DR. No other country politics, etc... allowed. So, I tell you what, I will leave this thread open, ONLY for comments/posts related to the DR, NONE about Cuba. The thread will be closed if it strays.

 

[melphis]

It's a ridiculous comparison.
It's like comparing a high end Cadillac (DR) to a lowly Chevy Spark (Cuba).

 

[johne]

I closed the thread because as everyone knows topics are to be related to the DR. No other country politics, etc... allowed. So, I tell you what, I will leave this thread open, ONLY for comments/posts related to the DR, NONE about Cuba. The thread will be closed if it strays.

Fair enuf. Since there is NO comparison of the DR to any communist controlled country, as stated in the title of this tread, the OP is invalid as a subject as it stands.
IMO the thread should be closed.

 

[drstock]

There are a lot of Cuban doctors here in the DR. They get good training in Cuba but I suppose they get paid better here.

 

[aarhus]

Cuba has the upper hand still only in one area. If you are a history buff. It’s like being in a huge museum or a theme park. You have the Spanish colonial era. The American Italian mafia era. The revolution. The Sovjet influenced era. The periodico especial after the collapse of the communist bloc. Then the era where the Canadian and European companies and tourists came in. Then the Venezuela alliance era with Chavez. Then the socalled opening of Obama that never materialized. Finally now I guess. Another collapse. They say it’s as bad or worse as the perodico especial.

 

[JD Jones]

Cuba has the upper hand still only in one area. If you are a history buff. It’s like being in a huge museum or a theme park. You have the Spanish colonial era. The American Italian mafia era. The revolution. The Sovjet influenced era. The periodico especial after the collapse of the communist bloc. Then the era where the Canadian and European companies and tourists came in. Then the Venezuela alliance era with Chavez. Then the socalled opening of Obama that never materialized. Finally now I guess. Another collapse. They say it’s as bad or worse as the perodico especial.

And there's the first non-DR comment. KC was right. SMH.

 

[MiamiDRGuy]

Want talk about Cuba? Go elsewhere, its annoying threads getting off the point. This thread should be closed/locked.

 

[aarhus]

Want talk about Cuba? Go elsewhere, its annoying threads getting off the point. This thread should be closed/locked.

Another good reason would be. Americans can’t travel there and the majority of posters are American.

 

[johne]

Cuba has the upper hand still only in one area. If you are a history buff. It’s like being in a huge museum or a theme park. You have the Spanish colonial era. The American Italian mafia era. The revolution. The Sovjet influenced era. The periodico especial after the collapse of the communist bloc. Then the era where the Canadian and European companies and tourists came in. Then the Venezuela alliance era with Chavez. Then the socalled opening of Obama that never materialized. Finally now I guess. Another collapse. They say it’s as bad or worse as the perodico especial.

WTF!!! Totally Cuba related!! Were you outof the room at post #5 time??? Or, drinking cuban rum? Try Brugal Double Reserva to sharpen your wits. LOL.

 

[aarhus]

WTF!!! Totally Cuba related!! Were you outof the room at post #5 time??? Or, drinking cuban rum? Try Brugal Double Reserva to sharpen your wits. LOL.

I don’t drink alcohol. Now over 5 years. It’s Habana Club in Cuba. I used to like it.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Another good reason would be. Americans can’t travel there and the majority of posters are American.

I think most don't share your interest in Cuba, although it has some history. I'd personally be more interested in learning more of your part of the world, however, that too is off topic.

 

[aarhus]

I think most don't share your interest in Cuba, although it has some history. I'd personally be more interested in learning more of your part of the world, however, that too is off topic.

The OP must have had a reason for mentioning Cuba. Something with Cuba being a country the DR compares itself with as it’s similar. Another is Puerto Rico. Venezuela maybe. My country Denmark does the same with Norway and Sweden.

 

[JD Jones]

The OP must have had a reason for mentioning Cuba. Something with Cuba being a country the DR compares itself with as it’s similar. Another is Puerto Rico. Venezuela maybe. My country Denmark does the same with Norway and Sweden.

You can't stop, can you?

 

[aarhus]

You can't stop, can you?

I was trying to understand and explain why the op brought up Cuba. Maybe Nals could explain then.

 

[NALs]

The OP must have had a reason for mentioning Cuba. Something with Cuba being a country the DR compares itself with as it’s similar. Another is Puerto Rico. Venezuela maybe. My country Denmark does the same with Norway and Sweden.

Cuba was wealthier and more developed than the DR, especially Havana which was often talked about in glowing terms (in a way similar how now people tend to talk about NYC though I think that has reached a peak.) Not anymore. The DR has been having some Cuban migration, but almost all were professionals and a significant amount was using the DR as a launching pad to reach Puerto Rico and then the USA. Now it seems there is a growing presence of everyday Cubans moving to the DR (at least in Santo Domingo) and they appear to be settling rather than using the country as a launching pad.

With Puerto Rico is simply a case of Puerto Rico not not doing as well economically for more than a decade while the DR has been catching up, but it's still considerably wealthier and more developed than the DR. The typical Puerto Rican that one finds living in the DR are usually in retirement age and/or with a Dominican spouse. That is not the case with Cubans. Many have a Dominican spouse and almost always they met in the DR (with Puerto Ricans there is a significant amount where they met in Puerto Rico itself or in the USA.) They appear to be younger and they specifically move to the DR for greater opportunities.

The growth of Cubans in the DR seems to be due mostly to improving conditions in the DR and, at the same time, deteriorating conditions in Cuba to the point the DR is now ahead of Cuba in most things. For Puerto Ricans improving conditions of the DR probably has made it easier to settle in the country compared to the past, especially since now there are more options. But for them the main motive isn't better job or business prospects, but a cheaper cost of living compared to Puerto Rico. Contrary to US/Canada/Europe expats which tend to have their "enclaves," Puerto Ricans tend to settle in more general Dominican neighborhoods and there isn't a single neighborhood or gated community anywhere in the DR that could be said Puerto Ricans make up a good chuck of the population. There are some gated community, especially in the north coast, where they are dominated by "gringos."

 

[bob saunders]

The DR has a thriving private business sector with willing international firms and financing. The government makes accommodations to improve tourist infrastructure. The other country mentioned here has a government that can't be trusted.