Was Import Substitution successful in Cuba?

Answer 1

Import substitution is never successful. There is a reason for the imports to be; a country imports something either because it's not available domestically, or because imports are cheaper, or because imports are (perceived to be) better than domestically produced goods. Either way, import substitution immediately and adversely impacts either real incomes or perception of lifestyle.

In case of Cuba, import substitution often meant substituting imports from the U.S. with imports from the Eastern Bloc and, more recently, Venezuela.