You're right, our government only has better surveillance capabilities, a much more compliant population, and presents itself as a straightforward, albeit imperfect, republic in order to give it an air of legitimacy. Apples and oranges, really. I'm sure Erich Honecker and the "State Security" could only dream of such a scenario.

Cuba isn't North Korea level bad, but they suppress dissent, hold political prisoners. Perhaps the best could be said is our poor are a little more well off.