Photos show Cuba before and after the Castros, from 1950s tourism to today's blackouts

Before dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Havana and revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro transformed the country into the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere, Cuba's social and economic fabric had already begun fraying.

The glamour of Havana hospitality and nightlife masked political repression, corruption, and sharp divides between the capital and vulnerable rural communities.

Historic buildings dot the island, vintage cars preserve a distinctive streetscape, and tourists still come for its beaches, hospitality, and nightlife.

Decades of economic animosity and restricted access to US markets have deterred foreign trade and investment in the country, contributing to the island's economic isolation.

On January 29, 2026 — shortly after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and blocked Venezuela's oil shipments to Cuba — US President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a process to impose additional tariffs on imports from countries that directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba.

See how life on the island has changed since the 1950s, from flashy tourism centers to vulnerable rural communities.

In the 1950s, Cuba was a cosmopolitan tourist destination for foreign travelers.

Old Havana drew visitors in the 1950s with its historic architecture, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.

Deteriorated historic buildings and vintage American cars remain part of the daily landscape in Havana, though they reflect decades of repair, scarcity, and preservation efforts.

Batista took control in a 1952 military coup and led a government widely associated with corruption, censorship, and violence against opponents.

Cuba remains a one-party state led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who is also the top official of the Communist Party.

The Malecón and nearby Vedado neighborhood became focal points for midcentury hotel, apartment, and entertainment development as the government pursued tourism revenue.