Corruption In Cuba

Corruption, although not singular to Latin America, has been undoubtedly perpetuated throughout history, with or without reason. The inherent, fraudulent use of both funds and administrative power in Latin American countries has had a profoundly injurious effect on Latin American growth and activity. Comparatively, colonial and socialist Cuba have both displayed widespread acts of corruption, markedly affecting their viability as a nation and harming their chances at both development and progression on both a political and governmental scale. The winding history of corruption in Cuba can, like most Latin American countries, be traced back to its colonial origins. Cuba presented itself as a major and profitable pawn for Spanish colonizers

To make matters was, Cuba was now steadily becoming a prominent gambling location, and many officials began stealing from treasury funds to cover debts and gambling expenses. Before 1825, embezzlement from Havana royal funds was sometimes prosecuted, but following the independence of a majority of Latin American countries, Spanish officials further repressed Cubans and enlarged an already overbearing military presence, leading to a complete disregard toward corruption. Santiago Treasury Offices, for example, fell to complete disarray following 1825 and local army battalions began to become victim to neglect with wages unpaid for months at a time (Quiroz 479). When officials were prosecuted for embezzlement, they were only barred from running for office again, rather than imprisoned or arrested. Corruption in the official treasury offices led to complete distrust of any elected officials, and therefore any respect. However, when Cubans attempted to lead revolutionary forces against the corruption, they were quickly silenced by corrupt bureaucratic and private groups who could easily lobby against reformists through bribery (Quiroz 476). Corruption was not only holding back the Cuban

Outright criticism against any of the corrupt officials in Cuba was subsequently restricted to avoid “dismal loss of privilege” (Quiroz 501). Cuban independence and revolution could hardly begin with censorship against corrupt and illegal acts. While many tried for independence, a majority ultimately failed, and Cuba finally reached independence in 1902, but only at the hands of the United States, which it was annexed to. With political discussion halted in colonial Cuba, governmental reform could hardly be accomplished as well, especially with such distrust in officials. Wealthy landowners seemed to completely manage the government through lobbying and bribery. Reform was only accomplished when it was to aid those who would benefit corrupt officials the most (Quiroz 511). Those who were not officials of the government or landowners were vulnerable in a permanent political and social setback of poverty in an unfair system. Established interests in the government system both resisted and averted the efficiency of