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50 years after a national uprising, held by Fidel Castro, and the adoption of communist ideology, an island in the Caribbean - Cuba - is the only country in the Americas with the communist political system. While under government control the economy of Cuba has never been developed so that the Cubans have lived under conditions similar to conditions in the U.S. or Europe, many Cubans are middle-aged and older continue to support the regime of the Castro brothers and the idea of the Cuban Revolution. Since the 1990’s, Cuba is struggling with chronic economic crisis, and the young Cubans appeal to changes in the economy.

A young Cuban in fashionable sunglasses in front of the old staircase in a derelict house in Havana. (Jan Sochor)

Hundreds of Cubans with flags express support for the regime of Fidel Castro and his brother Raul during the annual celebration of the beginning of the Cuban Revolution in Santiago de Cuba. (Jan Sochor)

Young Cubans before Fidel Castro’s famous speech on the wall of confectionery in Havana. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban distributes bread to his countrymen on quotas Cuban rationing system in Santiago de Cuba. Most Cuban families fed on ration cards. This distribution of food products, established in 1962, covers about one-third of the cost of living of people. Product quality is questionable. (Jan Sochor)

Cubans line up on the street to trade foreign exchange earned from tourism, the Cuban peso, with which you can buy everything. (Jan Sochor)

The inscription in support of Fidel and Raul Castro on the wall in the dormitory area of Santiago de Cuba, Abel Santamaria. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban trying to see through the glass windows, brought whether they want the goods, in Santiago de Cuba. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban family in the courtyard of his home in Havana. The living conditions of the average citizen of Cuba who is not a member of the Communist Party or not earning from tourism (both legally and illegally), remain at a very low level. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban musician (trovador “in Spanish) changes the strings on his guitar during the Carnival in Santiago de Cuba. Music - one of the main components of Cuban culture. Traditional Cuban music, not for politics. Almost all Cubans love to dance and sing on weekends (sometimes weekdays). (Jan Sochor)

Young Cubans on the palm on the background of residential apartment buildings in the eastern district of Havana, Alamar. Many Cubans live in the so-called “Russian house” that had been built at a time when Cuba has actively supported the Soviet Union. From his country and took over the idea of living space. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban master printer is waiting for a new shipment of the goods in the state printing house in Santiago de Cuba. Since Cuba is not allowed to private enterprise and foreign investment virtually no Cuban industry poorly developed. (Jan Sochor)

Young Cuban on the street at sunset. On the Cuban streets is always fun and crowded, especially in the evenings when people are out walking and socializing with friends. (Jan Sochor)

Young Cuban flirting with a foreigner on the beach, Siboney, near Santiago de Cuba. The young Cuban, who know that they have a natural beauty, often offer foreigners sex in the hope that those they marry (and taken away from them), or at least, will be their lovers. These girls scorn as «jineteras». (Jan Sochor)

Classic American cars - a symbol of Cuba - on the sunny roads of Havana. In Cuba, the most classic American cars the 1950’s. Large «Chevrolet», «Plymouth» and «Buick» act as a taxi for a few people. According to UN statistics, in Cuba, 32 cars per 1000 people. For comparison, the United States for 1000 745 auto. (Jan Sochor)

Cubans who sell clothes pegs on the black market in Havana. Hard-goods, food and medicine to Cuba can be found on the black market, which is sarcastically called “sotsiolizmo. (Jan Sochor)

Cuban rum, cigars and a cake in a hurry at the fiesta in Santiago de Cuba. Although in general the Cubans is not an easy life, and the situation in the country is not very favorable, the Cubans will never forget to have fun. (Jan Sochor)