Finally, the Truth: There Are No Private Businesses in Cuba

For years, we've been hearing about thriving "private businesses" in Cuba.

It's a key part of the media narrative regarding General Raul Castro's "reforms."

Thus, imagine the surprise this afternoon when the AP reported that the Castro regime was going to "legalize" small- and medium-sized businesses in Cuba.

In other words, all this time there have been no (and continue to be no) private businesses in Cuba.

It was all a lie.

But don't expect those who have been lying about "private businesses" in Cuba to apologize or correct their deception.

According to Castro's 1976 Constitution, all property in Cuba is "the Socialist state property of all the people."

Moreover, it only contains one exception -- "small farmers and cooperatives composed of them." And we have seen how even they enjoy no functional rights.

The fact remains Cuba's "self-employed" sector are state licensees with no legal property or contractual rights. Moreover, there's no indication that will change.

As usual, no details or time-frame have been released regarding today's announcement. Just a splashy headline for foreign consumption.

But let's hope it indeed becomes true -- for it's all the more reason to prohibit business with Castro's military monopolies (in favor of Cuba's "new" private businesses).