Internationalism's Remittances: The Impact of Temporary Migration on Cuban Society

Abstract

Since the implementation of post-Soviet economic reforms, remittances have had a strong influence on the Cuban economy and society. While economic and social influences of remittances from permanent migration have been examined, the same cannot be said of remittances from temporary migration. As part of an expansion of professional service exports over the past decade, tens of thousands of Cuban professionals ( internationalistas ) have worked abroad, remitting their earnings and often returning with substantial savings and a broadened global perspective. The expansion of professional service exports across more than 65 countries in the global south has extended the influence of remittances far beyond Miami and the USA. Using first-hand accounts of returned internationalistas interviewed in Havana in 2010 and 2011, this article explores the socio-economic influences of the remittances from Cuban internationalism.