Cuba

Anybody have any theories or articles that explain the current hardships people are facing in Cuba? I’m interested in understanding how the revolution ended up devolving into what it is now, from a leftist perspective. My theory is that most governments at constant existential threat from imperialism, and any leader constantly facing assassination attempts, will eventually develop paranoid authoritarianism. But I have no actual info to back up this claim. Overall I still think people in Cuba are better off, on average, than any US allied country in South America. Cuba doesn’t have any paramilitary death squads at least. That alone tips the balance in quality of life towards Cuba.