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Between Love and Money: Sex, Tourism, and Citizenship in Cuba and the Dominican Republic

Amalia L. Cabezas defines “sexual citizenship” to the situation of many women who live in the Caribbean, specifically the women called camareras or jineteras in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. These women do not conform with heterosexual standards of behavior and monogamy, and exchange sex, romance and friendship with foreigners who give them gifts in exchange for their hospitality. Also, women do not identify themselves as prostitutes or sexual workers, in contrast, they believe that by using their bodies an providing pleasure, romance and company to visitors or “amigos” they can support their families, migrate to other countries and perhaps get married.

These women have adapted to the “sex tourism” economy because they want to escape poverty and necessity. And tourists have no legal boundaries to look for sexual services and companionship. However, these women are susceptible to get arrested, raped and extorted by the police. Women get sentenced for prostitution when they are seen alone in the streets near nightclubs and public spaces. Many of these women are sent to rehabilitation centers where they work in agriculture, and get paid low wages. “Jineteras” are seen as deviants by the law and society. Apparently, they lack morality and the social values of socialism. But prostitution is not illegal in Cuba. Dark or light skin color divide a line between who gets labeled as sexual worker or deviant in this economy.

This is ironic because males that show the same behavior and make their living by receiving meals, clothes, trips and jewelry in exchange for sex and companionship do not get stigmatized as deviants, nor get arrested or bothered by the police. In contrast, male that are sexually involved with tourists are seen as “machos.” These male are called, jinetero, pinguero and sanky pankys .

What is important to see is that women and men are immersed in the sexual economy of the tourism industry in the Caribbean imposed by capital relations of western dominant countries. Colonialism and neoliberalism create the conditions for this workforce in the sex tourism sector, which  require skills and specific look and skin color to entertain  customers at the hotel complex.  The sex economy is based in good service, hospitality, romance and love.  And the profit earned from the tourist industry is an important asset for both Cuban and the Dominican Republic governments.