Dictatorship has relied on Chavez oil transfers to fund government spending but death to force Cuba leaders to reform

Democracy, elections and voting

Death of Chavez could force Cuba to speed reform

Cuba could be forced to speed its economic reforms following the death of its main benefactor, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, whose oil-backed largesse has kept the country afloat for years. Venezuela’s leftist leader, who died on Tuesday, gave generously to Cuba over the years, supplying Havana with billions.