Carlos Saladrigas, chairman of the Cuba Study Group and Regis HR Group: “Cuba is preparing for the upcoming election whereby voters will be asked to confirm or reject all 470 nominees to its National Assembly for the next five years. Given precedent and massive discontent, there is growing concern that absenteeism and null or rejected ballots might be larger than ever, as this is the only channel left for the people to express their dissatisfaction with their leaders. Whether these fears materialize remains to be seen. Yet, in the meantime, the concerns are casting a shadow of unease among the leadership. While state media is consumed with the elections, the slate of candidates (with a few exceptions) forbode continuity, while the population is desperate for change. Conditions are very different than in past elections. Hyperinflation and shortages are leading to desperate conditions. Recent massive exoduses, mostly of the young, are affecting every sector of society. Lastly,…”