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Cuba vs. Puerto Rico

Introduction

CubaPuerto Rico
Background

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898 and, following three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez, hand-picked by Raul CASTRO to succeed him, was approved as president by the National Assembly and took office on 19 April 2018. DIAZ-CANEL was appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party on 19 April 2021 following the resignation of Raul CASTRO.

The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4-6 billion annually. Cuba traditionally and consistently portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its difficulties. As a result of efforts begun in December 2014 to re-establish diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government, which were severed in January 1961, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries in July 2015. The embargo remains in place, and the relationship between the US and Cuba remains tense. 

Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. On 12 January 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy - by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay. Illicit Cuban migration by sea has since dropped significantly, but land border crossings continue. In FY 2018, the US Coast Guard interdicted 312 Cuban nationals at sea. Also in FY 2018, 7,249 Cuban migrants presented themselves at various land border ports of entry throughout the US.

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood. Economic recession on the island has led to a net population loss since about 2005, as large numbers of residents moved to the US mainland. The trend has accelerated since 2010; in 2014, Puerto Rico experienced a net population loss to the mainland of 64,000, more than double the net loss of 26,000 in 2010. Hurricane Maria struck the island on 20 September 2017 causing catastrophic damage, including destruction of the electrical grid that had been cripled by Hurricane Irma just two weeks before. It was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades, and damage is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. A referendum held in late 2020 showed a narrow preference for American statehood.

Geography

CubaPuerto Rico
LocationCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, FloridaCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates21 30 N, 80 00 W18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map referencesCentral America and the CaribbeanCentral America and the Caribbean
Areatotal: 110,860 sq km

land: 109,820 sq km

water: 1,040 sq km
total: 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Pennsylvaniaslightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundariestotal: 28.5 km

border countries (1): US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km

note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba
total: 0 km
Coastline3,735 km501 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatetropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrainmostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeastmostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation extremeshighest point: Pico Turquino 1,974 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 108 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 261 m
Natural resourcescobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable landsome copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land useagricultural land: 60.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 33.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 22.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 27.3% (2018 est.)

other: 12.4% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 22% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 5.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 63.2% (2018 est.)

other: 14.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land8,700 sq km (2012)220 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsthe east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are commonperiodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issuessoil degradation and desertification (brought on by poor farming techniques and natural disasters) are the main environmental problems; biodiversity loss; deforestation; air and water pollutionsoil erosion; occasional droughts cause water shortages; industrial pollution
Geography - notelargest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antillesimportant location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Total renewable water resources38.12 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)7.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionlarge population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havanapopulation clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low

Demographics

CubaPuerto Rico
Population11,032,343 (July 2021 est.)3,142,779 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 16.34% (male 929,927/female 877,035)

15-24 years: 11.81% (male 678,253/female 627,384)

25-54 years: 41.95% (male 2,335,680/female 2,303,793)

55-64 years: 14.11% (male 760,165/female 799,734)

65 years and over: 15.8% (male 794,743/female 952,348) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 14.22% (male 231,406/female 222,061)

15-24 years: 12.78% (male 207,169/female 200,373)

25-54 years: 37.73% (male 573,114/female 630,276)

55-64 years: 13.5% (male 197,438/female 232,931)

65 years and over: 21.77% (male 297,749/female 396,551) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 42.1 years

male: 40.2 years

female: 43.8 years (2020 est.)
total: 43.6 years

male: 41.6 years

female: 45.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate-0.23% (2021 est.)-1.46% (2021 est.)
Birth rate10.25 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)7.9 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate9.22 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)9.53 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-3.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.72 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 79.41 years

male: 77.04 years

female: 81.92 years (2021 est.)
total population: 81.47 years

male: 78.23 years

female: 84.89 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.71 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.23 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.4% (2020 est.)NA
Nationalitynoun: Cuban(s)

adjective: Cuban
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groupsWhite 64.1%, Mulatto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3% (2012 est.)

note: data represent racial self-identification from Cuba's 2012 national census
White 75.8%, Black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3% (2010 est.)

note: 99% of the population is Latino
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS33,000 (2020 est.)NA
ReligionsChristian 58.9%, folk religion 17.6%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, Muslim <1%, other <1%, none 23.2% (2020 est.)

note: folk religions include religions of African origin, spiritualism, and others intermingled with Catholicism or Protestantism; data is estimative because no authoritative source on religious affiliation exists in Cuba
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)NA
LanguagesSpanish (official)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish, English

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.9%

female: 99.8% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.4%

male: 92.4%

female: 92.4% (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2018)
total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 18 years (2018)
Education expenditures12.8% of GDP (2010)6.1% of GDP (2014)
Urbanizationurban population: 77.3% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 93.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 98.2% of population

rural: 94.5% of population

total: 97.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population

rural: 5.5% of population

total: 2.6% of population (2017 est.)
improved: total: 97% of population

unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 96.1% of population

rural: 94.8% of population

total: 95.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 3.9% of population

rural: 5.2% of population

total: 4.2% of population (2017 est.)
improved: total: 97.2% of population

unimproved: total: 2.8% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population2.143 million HAVANA (capital) (2021)2.445 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)21 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Physicians density8.42 physicians/1,000 population (2018)3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 46.7

youth dependency ratio: 23.3

elderly dependency ratio: 23.3

potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 57.7

youth dependency ratio: 24.8

elderly dependency ratio: 32.8

potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)

Government

CubaPuerto Rico
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Cuba

conventional short form: Cuba

local long form: Republica de Cuba

local short form: Cuba

etymology: name derives from the Taino Indian designation for the island "coabana" meaning "great place"
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

abbreviation: PR

etymology: Christopher COLUMBUS named the island San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) and the capital city and main port Cuidad de Puerto Rico (Rich Port City); over time, however, the names were shortened and transposed and the island came to be called Puerto Rico and its capital San Juan
Government typecommunist staterepublican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government

Note: reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950
Capitalname: Havana

geographic coordinates: 23 07 N, 82 21 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November; note - Cuba has been known to alter the schedule of DST on short notice in an attempt to conserve electricity for lighting

etymology: the sites of Spanish colonial cities often retained their original Taino names; Habana, the Spanish name for the city, may be based on the name of a local Taino chief, HABAGUANEX
name: San Juan

geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name dates to 1521 and the founding of the city under the name "Ciudad de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico" (City of Saint John the Baptist of Puerto Rico)
Administrative divisions15 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Artemisa, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Claranone (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
Independence20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independencenone (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
National holidayTriumph of the Revolution (Liberation Day), 1 January (1959)US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest drafted 14 July 2018, approved by the National Assembly 22 December 2018, approved by referendum 24 February 2019

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly of People's Power; passage requires approval of at least two-thirds majority of the National Assembly membership; amendments to constitutional articles on the authorities of the National Assembly, Council of State, or any rights and duties in the constitution also require approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on the Cuban political, social, and economic system cannot be amended
history: previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified by referendum 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952

amendments: proposed by a concurrent resolution of at least two-thirds majority by the total Legislative Assembly membership; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and approval by a majority of voters in a special referendum; if passed by at least three-fourths Assembly vote, the referendum can be held concurrently with the next general election; constitutional articles such as the republican form of government or the bill of rights cannot be amended; amended 1952
Legal systemcivil law system based on Spanish civil codecivil law system based on the Spanish civil code and within the framework of the US federal system
Suffrage16 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branchchief of state: President Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 10 October 2019); Vice President Salvador Antonio VALDES Mesa (since 10 October 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: Prime Minister Manuel MARRERO Cruz (since 21 December 2019); Deputy Prime Ministers Ramiro VALDES Menendez, Roberto MORALES Ojeda, Ines Maria CHAPMAN Waugh, Jorge Luis TAPIA Fonseca, Alejandro GIL Fernandez, Ricardo CABRISAS Ruiz (since 21 December 2019)

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president and appointed by the National Assembly; it is subordinate to the 21-member Council of State, which is elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (may be reelected for another 5-year term); election last held on 10 October 2019 (next to be held in 2024)

election results: Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (PCC) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.8%; Salvador Antonio VALDES Mesa (PCC) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.1%

note - on 19 April 2018, DIAZ-CANEL succeeded Raul CASTRO as president of the Council of State; on 10 October 2019 he was elected to the newly created position of President of the Republic, which replaced the position of President of the Council of State
chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Pedro PIERLUISI (since 2 January 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of Puerto Rico do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on  November 2024)

election results: Pedro PIERLUISI elected governor; percent of vote - Pedro PIERLUISI (PNP) 32.9%, Carlos DELGADO (PPD) 31.6%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 14.2%, Juan DALMAU (PIP) 13.7%

note: on 24 July 2019, Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO announced his resignation effective 2 August 2019; as Secretary of State, Pedro PIERLUISI succeeded Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO; on 7 August 2019 the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled Pedro PIERLUISI accession was unconstitutional and Wanda VAZQUEZ is sworn in as governor
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular (605 seats; (586 seats filled in 2021); members directly elected by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note 1 - the National Candidature Commission submits a slate of approved candidates; to be elected, candidates must receive more than 50% of valid votes otherwise the seat remains vacant or the Council of State can declare another election; note 2 - in July 2019, the National Assembly passed a law which reduces the number of members from 605 to 474, effective with the 2023 general election

elections: last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in early 2023)

election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed; composition (as of June 2021) - men 273, women 313, percent of women 53.4%
description: bicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa consists of:
Senate or Senado (30 seats; 16 members directly elected in 8 2-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 14 at-large members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (51 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 3 November 2020)
House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 3 November 2020)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 21, PPD 7, PIP 1, Independent 1; composition - men 23, women 7, percent of women 23.3%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 34, PPD 16, PIP 1; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7%; total Legislative Assembly percent of women 16%
note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a 'full floor' House vote; election of commissioner last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)
Judicial branchhighest courts: People's Supreme Court (consists of court president, vice president, 41 professional justices, and NA lay judges); organization includes the State Council, criminal, civil, administrative, labor, crimes against the state, and military courts)

judge selection and term of office: professional judges elected by the National Assembly are not subject to a specific term; lay judges nominated by workplace collectives and neighborhood associations and elected by municipal or provincial assemblies; lay judges appointed for 5-year terms and serve up to 30 days per year

subordinate courts: People's Provincial Courts; People's Regional Courts; People's Courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 8 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority Senate vote; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts
Political parties and leadersCuban Communist Party or PCC [Raul CASTRO Ruz]National Democratic Party [Charlie RODRIGUEZ]
National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ]
New Progressive Party or PNP [Ricardo ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood)
Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Alejandro GARCIA Padillo] (pro-commonwealth)
Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
International organization participationACP, ALBA, AOSIS, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOAOSIS (observer), Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lianys TORRES RIVERA (since 14 January 2021)

chancery: 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-8515 through 8518

FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521

email address and website:
recepcion@usadc.embacuba.cu

http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/usa
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Timothy ZUNIGA-BROWN (since 31 July 2020)

embassy: Calzada between L & M Streets, Vedado, Havana

mailing address: 3200 Havana Place, Washington DC  20521-3200

telephone: [53] (7) 839-4100

FAX: [53] (7) 839-4247

email address and website:
acshavana@state.gov

https://cu.usembassy.gov/
embassy: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Flag descriptionfive equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; the blue bands refer to the three old divisions of the island: central, occidental, and oriental; the white bands describe the purity of the independence ideal; the triangle symbolizes liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the red color stands for the blood shed in the independence struggle; the white star, called La Estrella Solitaria (the Lone Star) lights the way to freedom and was taken from the flag of Texas

note: design similar to the Puerto Rican flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
five equal horizontal bands of red (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace

note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
National anthemname: "La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song)

lyrics/music: Pedro FIGUEREDO

note: adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem
name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)

lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES

note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
National symbol(s)royal palm; national colors: red, white, bluePuerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog); national colors: red, white, blue
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
see United States

Economy

CubaPuerto Rico
Economy - overview

The government continues to balance the need for loosening its socialist economic system against a desire for firm political control. In April 2011, the government held the first Cuban Communist Party Congress in almost 13 years, during which leaders approved a plan for wide-ranging economic changes. Since then, the government has slowly and incrementally implemented limited economic reforms, including allowing Cubans to buy electronic appliances and cell phones, stay in hotels, and buy and sell used cars. The government has cut state sector jobs as part of the reform process, and it has opened up some retail services to "self-employment," leading to the rise of so-called "cuentapropistas" or entrepreneurs. More than 500,000 Cuban workers are currently registered as self-employed.

The Cuban regime has updated its economic model to include permitting the private ownership and sale of real estate and new vehicles, allowing private farmers to sell agricultural goods directly to hotels, allowing the creation of non-agricultural cooperatives, adopting a new foreign investment law, and launching a "Special Development Zone" around the Mariel port.

Since 2016, Cuba has attributed slowed economic growth in part to problems with petroleum product deliveries from Venezuela. Since late 2000, Venezuela provided petroleum products to Cuba on preferential terms, supplying at times nearly 100,000 barrels per day. Cuba paid for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela, including some 30,000 medical professionals.

Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity.

Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.

The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.

Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$137 billion (2017 est.)

$134.8 billion (2016 est.)

$134.2 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2016 US dollars
$110.238 billion (2019 est.)

$108.944 billion (2018 est.)

$114.269 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate1.6% (2017 est.)

0.5% (2016 est.)

4.4% (2015 est.)
-2.4% (2017 est.)

-1.3% (2016 est.)

-1% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$12,300 (2016 est.)

$12,200 (2015 est.)

$12,100 (2014 est.)

note: data are in 2016 US dollars
$34,518 (2019 est.)

$34,116 (2018 est.)

$34,364 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 4% (2017 est.)

industry: 22.7% (2017 est.)

services: 73.4% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 0.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 50.1% (2017 est.)

services: 49.1% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty lineNANA
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)5.5% (2017 est.)

4.5% (2016 est.)
1.8% (2017 est.)

-0.3% (2016 est.)
Labor force4.691 million (2017 est.)

note: state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7%
1.139 million (December 2014 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 18%

industry: 10%

services: 72% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 2.1%

industry: 19%

services: 79% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate2.6% (2017 est.)

2.4% (2016 est.)

note: data are official rates; unofficial estimates are about double
10.8% (2017 est.)

11.8% (2016 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 54.52 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 64.64 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 9.268 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 9.974 billion (2017 est.)
Industriespetroleum, nickel, cobalt, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, construction, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, sugarpharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
Industrial production growth rate-1.2% (2017 est.)-2.1% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssugar cane, cassava, vegetables, plantains, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, milk, pumpkins, mangoes/guavas, ricemilk, plantains, bananas, poultry, tomatoes, mangoes/guavas, eggs, oranges, gourds, papayas
Exports$2.63 billion (2017 est.)

$2.546 billion (2016 est.)
$73.17 billion (2017 est.)

$73.2 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiescigars, raw sugar, nickel products, rum, zinc (2019)packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, hormones, orthopedic and medical appliances, sulfur compounds (2019)
Exports - partnersChina 38%, Spain 11%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5% (2019)Italy 15%, Netherlands 15%, Belgium 9%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, Austria 8%, Spain 7%, China 5% (2019)
Imports$11.06 billion (2017 est.)

$10.28 billion (2016 est.)
$49.01 billion (2017 est.)

$48.86 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiespoultry meat, wheat, soybean products, corn, concentrated milk (2019)nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines, cars (2019)
Imports - partnersSpain 19%, China 15%, Italy 6%, Canada 5%, Russia 5%, United States 5%, Brazil 5% (2019)Ireland 38%, Singapore 9%, Switzerland 8%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Debt - external$30.06 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$29.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange ratesCuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar -

1 (2017 est.)

1 (2016 est.)

1 (2015 est.)

1 (2014 est.)

22.7 (2013 est.)

the US dollar is used

Fiscal yearcalendar year1 July - 30 June
Public debt47.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

42.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
51.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Current Account Balance$985.4 million (2017 est.)

$2.008 billion (2016 est.)
$0 (2017 est.)

$0 (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$93.79 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in Cuban Pesos at 1 CUP = 1 US$; official exchange rate
$104.2 billion (2017 est.)
Credit ratingsMoody's rating: Caa2 (2014)Standard & Poors rating: D (2015)
Taxes and other revenues58.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-0.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 6.1%

male: 6.4%

female: 5.6% (2010 est.)
total: 26.6%

male: 28.9%

female: 23.1% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 57% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 31.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 9.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 14.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -12.7% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 87.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 117.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -129.8% (2017 est.)

Energy

CubaPuerto Rico
Electricity - production19.28 billion kWh (2016 est.)20.95 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption16.16 billion kWh (2016 est.)19.48 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production50,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports112,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves124 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Natural gas - production1.189 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption1.189 billion cu m (2017 est.)1.303 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)1.303 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity6.998 million kW (2016 est.)6.294 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels91% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)4% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production104,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption175,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)98,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports24,190 bbl/day (2015 est.)18,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports52,750 bbl/day (2015 est.)127,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

CubaPuerto Rico
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 1,447,134

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.05 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 686,901

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21.19 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 6,042,629

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54.5 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 3,371,969

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 104.03 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.cu.pr
Internet userstotal: 6,353,020

percent of population: 57.15% (July 2018 est.)

note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet"
total: 2,326,006

percent of population: 70.6% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

state control of the telecom sector hinders development; Cuba has the lowest mobile phone and Internet penetration rates in the region; fixed-line density is also very low; thaw of US-Cuba relations encouraged access to services, such as Wi-Fi hotspots; access to sites is controlled and censored; DSL and Internet available in Havana, though costs are too high for most Cubans;  international investment and agreement to improve Internet access through cost-free and direct connection between networks (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line density remains low at about 13 per 100 inhabitants; mobile-cellular service is expanding to about 53 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 53; the ALBA-1, GTMO-1, and GTMO-PR fiber-optic submarine cables link Cuba, Jamaica, and Venezuela; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

small telecom market affected by mismanagement and natural disasters; hurricanes in 2017 and earthquake in 2020 caused destruction of telecom infrastructure, leading to market decline; US provided funds to rebuild after some delay; lags behind US in fixed and broadband penetration due to high unemployment and lack of operator investment; multi-national telcoms enable LTE and launch of 5G; growing number of submarine cables helps to reduce costs and supports streaming of international content and cloud services; operator launched connectivity for school children during pandemic (2021)

(2020)

domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services; fixed-line 23 per 100 and mobile-cellular 115 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 1-787, 939; landing points for the GTMO-PR, AMX-1, BRUSA, GCN, PCCS, SAm-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas-II, Antillas, ARCOS, SMPR-1, and Taino-Carib submarine cables providing connectivity to the mainland US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 182,732

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.65 less than 1 (2019 est.)
total: 609,943

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18.82 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media

Government owns and controls all broadcast media: five national TV channels (Cubavision, Tele Rebelde, Multivision, Educational Channel 1 and 2,) 2 international channels (Cubavision Internacional and Caribe,) 16 regional TV stations, 6 national radio networks and multiple regional stations; the Cuban government beams over the Radio-TV Marti signal; although private ownership of electronic media is prohibited, several online independent news sites exist; those that are not openly critical of the government are often tolerated; the others are blocked by the government; there are no independent TV channels, but several outlets have created strong audiovisual content (El Toque, for example); a community of young Youtubers is also growing, mostly with channels about sports, technology and fashion; Christian denominations are creating original video content to distribute via social media

(2019)

more than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations

Transportation

CubaPuerto Rico
Roadwaystotal: 60,000 km (2015)

paved: 20,000 km (2001)

unpaved: 40,000 km (2001)
total: 26,862 km (includes 454 km of expressways) (2012)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Antilla, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, Havana, Matanzas, Mariel, Nuevitas Bay, Santiago de Cubamajor seaport(s): Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

container port(s) (TEUs): San Juan (2,142,662) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Guayanilla Bay
Airportstotal: 133 (2017)total: 29 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 64 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 7 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2017)

under 914 m: 27 (2017)
total: 17 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2017)

under 914 m: 5 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 69 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 11 (2013)

under 914 m: 58 (2013)
total: 12 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

under 914 m: 10 (2013)

Military

CubaPuerto Rico
Military branchesRevolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Revolucionario, ER), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR, includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Forces (Defensas Anti-Aereas y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria, DAAFAR); Paramilitary forces: Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT), Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT), Civil Defense Force; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards, State Security (2020)no regular indigenous military forces; National Guard, State Guard, Police Force
Military - notethe FAR has a large role in the Cuban economy through several military owned and operated conglomerates, including such sectors as banking, hotels, industry, retail, and tourismdefense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

CubaPuerto Rico
Disputes - international

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease

increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work

Environment

CubaPuerto Rico
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 1.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 740 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 4.519 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 796 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 2.365 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 113.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,692,692 tons (2007 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 255,536 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9.5% (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,170,953 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 583,933 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 14% (2013 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook