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Why did Cuba become a hub for organized crime in the 20th century?

Manning Tetlow

Cuba became a hub for organized crime in the 20th century for various reasons. Firstly, due to its strategic location, situated in close proximity to the United States, it was an ideal location for smuggling illegal goods into the US. The US government had imposed strict restrictions on the import of alcohol and other narcotics. Therefore, Cuba, being so close, became a convenient location to smuggle such goods as alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics into the US.

During the Prohibition era, the US government made it illegal to produce, sell, and consume alcohol, to curb alcoholism and other related issues. However, this led to the creation of a black market for alcohol and opened up avenues for organized crime to thrive. Cuban syndicates, such as the Mafia, capitalized on this opportunity and began to smuggle alcohol on a large scale from Cuba into the US.

Furthermore, Cuba's political instability during the 20th century played a significant role in making it a hub for organized crime. With the Batista regime in power, the government was corrupt and there was rampant police brutality. Organized crime syndicates were then able to smoothly blend themselves in with the political establishment, making it easier for them to operate with impunity. Organized crime flourished under Batista, with casinos, prostitution, and drug trafficking becoming the norm.

The rise of Fidel Castro's socialist revolutionary government in 1959 only added to the political turmoil in Cuba. After coming to power, Fidel Castro quickly seized control of all industries and firms in Cuba, including the gambling and entertainment industries. He declared gambling and prostitution illegal, thereby shutting down the lucrative organized crime markets that had emerged during Batista’s tenure.

Consequently, the Mafia and other organized crime groups shifted their focus from gambling and prostitution to drugs and other criminal enterprises. This led to a sharp increase in drug trafficking and other criminal activities in Cuba. During the 1980s, Cuban-American drug cartels, known as the "Cocaine Cowboys," operated with near impunity in Miami, where they smuggled vast amounts of cocaine from South America into the US via Cuba.

In conclusion, Cuba's geographical location, political instability, and government corruption were the primary reasons it became a hub for organized crime in the 20th century. The US government's prohibition policy also played a significant role in creating a ripe black market environment for organized crime to thrive. While these industries are now illegal in Cuba, the country still struggles with a high level of organized crime activity.