Free-market reforms in Cuba >

Under Raúl Castro's leadership, Cuba has sanctioned private business since 2010 when the state announced layoffs of half a million workers. With the objective of raising productivity and reviving the economy, the reforms have opened the path to an extensive and emerging small private business sector.

Hustling salespeople no longer need to dodge the authorities in an underground economy. Small business owners openly and proudly display and sell their skills, crafts, produce, or home-cooked meals. They drive freely as hired drivers or repair and fix broken items. The self-employed pay a monthly tax and social security and they wear laminated ID licenses clipped to their shirts. More than 357,000 Cubans now have licenses across the island.

- Hilary Duffy