Prostitution in Cuba: Solutions to a Current Reality (Part 1) / Somos+, Jose Manuel Presol

“How can we get out of school to meet foreigners?”

Somos+, Jose Manuel Presol, 3 November 2015 — I’ll never forget a comment from my father: “Jose Manuel, remember we made the Revolution, among other things, so that Cuba would no longer be the whorehouse of the United States. Years later, during a rather heated discussion with a person who said he was close to the so-called “Committee to the Support the Commander,” I repeated what my father said and his response was, “the compañeros didn’t do it for vice, but for patriotism, to bring currency to the Revolution,” and I’ll never forget that either. It was one of the rare times in my life when, faced with the cynicism, I was floored.

The truth is that now Cuba is no longer the whorehouse of the United States, but it is for Canadians, Spaniards, Italians, Mexicans and anyone landing on the island who brings enough dollars or euros in their pockets to pay a pittance for something that in their own country, if they offered that amount someone would laugh in their face. continue reading

I am not trying to do a sociological or anthropological study on the current phenomenon of prostitution in Cuba, there are people much more capable than I am than those who have done and continue to do such studies. What I want to express is the problem, trying to offer some solutions.

Prostitution in Cuba, as in almost all countries, is not a new problem. It has existed for many years. The oldest antecedents in our country are perhaps, not counting the brothels erected by landowners, in non-harvest times, to “take advantage” of the surplus labor, where free slaves prostituted themselves to earn a few pesos to buy the freedom of their children and other family members. The big difference today is how widespread it is.

This generalization is not based on the huge number of women, men, girls and boys who dedicate themselves to is, but to the chain of accomplices and abettors that come with it, which means that a high percentage of society is directly or indirectly involved in it.

The first accomplice and abettor is the State itself, I mean the current Cuban government that — despite its laws, its supposed warnings, its famous three warning letters, after which the victims can be sent to prison for 1 to 3 years — tolerates the situation.

I say victim because everyone, absolutely everyone who engages in or tolerates prostitution is a victim of the situation created. All are victims and make up a long chain.

The chain is formed, at a minimum, by:

  1. The teachers who allow the girls and boys trusted to their care leave classes with impunity to prostitute themselves, and they do it, because the remuneration they receive and the methods at their disposal are not adequate to exercise their profession in proper conditions. It is hard for me to think of a teacher who on a whim is capable of letting their students prostitute themselves. Their morality is simply “asleep,” if it is that, because of the need to solve their own problems and for the lack of an honorable alternative from the system itself after more than fifty years and the same thing happens with the rest of the links in the chain.
  2. The police who, far from preventing the offense of the offenses, in the case of minors, prefer to look the other way and take a few Cuban convertible pesos (CUC), that allow them to resolve some of their needs. I am not capable, as in the former case, of imagining any component of the People’s Revolutionary Police (PNR) acting this way for the pleasure of it. They are all aware that the person who prostitutes themselves tomorrow could be their daughter, their brother, their lifelong friend.
  3. Those in charge of control in the hotels, who are the in the same case as the previously. They know perfectly well that today someone walking through the doors of their hotel could be their sister, or that this could be happening at that precise moment in any other hotel. No one wants to see a loved one on the arm of a tourist stinking of rum.
  4. The pimps. Even these, although they personally dedicate themselves to the offense, I cannot imagine they are very comfortable in the role of suppliers of “fresh meat” if they could dedicate themselves to some other activity. Evidently, in the world as it is today, everyone, absolutely everyone deserves, at least, the benefit of the doubt.
  5. The prostitutes themselves. There is no greater victim. Here we can’t help but affirm that, absolutely everyone is the owner of their own body and can to with it what seems most opportune, but they cease to be such owners from the moment when a child is hungry, a mother needs medicine, a brother has to pay a debt, or simply they need the power to have whatever is not within their reach that could make them feel equal to those yumas (foreigners) who brazenly pass in front of them. Here we must highlight the high number of people who engage in prostitution, despite an elevated cultural level and superior training, seeing themselves brought to it because of not being remunerated in their profession and on the point of being unable to solve their basic daily problems at home.

In short, the ultimate culprit is none other than the government oppressor, which has imposed an undeclared blockage that is the origin of the problems we suffer.

El Sexto With Somos+ / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar

Danilo Maldonado, El Sexto, with members of Somos+ (We are more). (14ymedio)
Danilo Maldonado, El Sexto (the tall one in the center), with members of Somos+ (We are more). (14ymedio)

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 6 November 2015 — On Thursday a roof in Havana’s Cerro district was a suitable space for a group of young people to have a meeting with the graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado, El Sexto (The Sixth). Perhaps because neither the artist nor the members of the Somos+ Movement (We Are More) are given to extreme formalities, it is inappropriate to call what took place a tribute. But in fact, it was. continue reading

Danilo was given an anthology of messages of support from many parts of the world, sent during the almost ten months he spent in prison for attempting to stage a performance that angered the Cuban authorities and in particular the political police. The displays of affection came into his hands, the shouts of joy for his release, and the words of encouragement that filled the social networks during his imprisonment.

The coordinators of the young political movement, which is currently holding its third and expanded National Council, invited the artist to relate his experiences in prison. Numerous questions about his artistic action and about his days of confinement allowed El Sexto to demonstrate that he is something more than a “smearer of walls,” as his detractors from the official side call him, but rather someone with artistic sensibility and political will.

Asked about his hunger strike undertaken to secure his release, Maldonado drew with words the most recent of his artistic strokes, which today I want to share with you:

“As people we all occupy a physical space and I believe the most important thing is to make a scratch on this time line in the space we have occupied. I have always had the conviction that I was doing something right. I cold die, but I consoled myself knowing that if this happened I would be remembered, My jailers told they were going to let me die and I responded to them that my death would be different from theirs, because my family and friends would remember me.”

Happy on the Outside but Worried on the Inside / Somos+, Javier Martinez Delgado

Somos+, Javier Martinez Delgado, 22 October 2015 — Since 1959, when the Castro brothers hijacked a triumphant revolution that was thought to be democratic, the Cuban government has portrayed the United States as the country’s main enemy. All our economic, social and political misfortunes over the next fifty-five years would be blamed on the “restless and brutal empire,” at least until now.

Many people thought that December 17, 2014 would mark a new chapter in relations between our two countries and in some ways it has. However, the Cuban regime continues to blame its economic failures as well as its violations of civil and political rights on the same enemy: the never-ending US embargo, known in Cuba as the blockade. continue reading

One might think that 2015 would bring about improved economic and social conditions, and a gradual breakdown of repressive actions by the one-party state, but just the opposite has happened. Now who is to blame?

The US blockade? Yes, according to Esteban Morales. For those not familiar with him, Morales was director of the Center for United States Studies at the University of Havana, a Doctor of Sciences and, as a political insider, one of the people most knowledgeable about relations between the two countries.

After December 17 — or 17D as this new phase in relations between Cuba and the United States is known — Morales was present at the official opening of the US Embassy in Havana and has written several analyses explaining the positions of the two countries towards the negotiating process.

We can glean from published comments on Cubadebate and the blog The Insomniac Pupil that, in his view, the current US blockade must be completely lifted before we will see effective measures coming from the Cuban government. He writes, “…the measures taken so far by the Obama administration have not even scratched the lock. Clearly they are intended to empower those sectors of Cuban society, which — as we know — think such measures could encourage domestic political change in Cuba.”

Since December 17 the American administration has taken unilateral economic measures, largely related to the expansion of opportunities for travel to and from the island. But it has not been the only change. We are no longer on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, thus reducing the possibility military intervention, an ever-present topic of government rhetoric. Several politicians and economists have also visited the island as part of advance preparations for what are expected to be closer relations. Nothing, however, seems to be enough.

Certainly, most of the measures taken by President Obama have not affected the lives of average Cubans. The embargo remains powerful and most of the punitive measures adopted by the American government are still in place. But there are questions I ask myself.

Has the Cuban government taken any measures to relax the internal blockade? Has it reduced the price of cars rotting away in Havana dealerships? Has it raised the minimum wage for professionals? Has it taken effective measures to allow freedom of the press, of assembly, of opinion? Has it accepted calls for universal internet access? Has it granted a role to Cubans under new foreign investment laws? The answer to all these questions is NO.

17D began as a duet. Although Mr. Morales’ arguments sound too much like those overbearing speeches we have been hearing for fifty years, he could not be clearer when he says, “As long as Obama does not take measures to start seriously lifting the blockade, the sooner the better, I am sure Cuba will pay no attention or react to such limited and unilateral measures, which are directled solely at those sectors Obama wants to empower.”

The Cuban government uses the blockade as a cover to hold onto power, to justify unpopular measures, to silence the opposition, to unjustly arrest those who dare to express an opinion, to denigrate the thousands of young people — those who want to see change — by calling them mercenaries while the leaders of the Revolution live like millionaires.

By not taking steps to improve the lives of Cubans on the island, the system is choking itself. The American administration takes unilateral steps while domestically the Cuban regime maintains and strengthens its own internal blockade on society.

El Sexto Talks With Somos+ After His Release / Somos+

Photo taken from the Internet

Somos+, 20 October 2015 — They have released Danilo Maldonado, better known as El Sexto (The Sixth). We are happy for the participation of all the activists and people who continued to press for his freedom before this injustice, in spite of the long wait. A special thanks to all our members and sympathizers who collaborated with the campaign “We are for El Sexto,” and also for all the mobilization of information about this case. We want you, Danilo, to continue spreading your art, an uncensored art full of truth. Much success to all the Somos+ Movement and all those Cuban lovers of freedom. As you said so well: “Bad people exist because the good allow them to.”

Translated by Regina Anavy

El Sexto is Free! / Somos+

José Manuel Presol, 21 October 2015 — Yesterday we were thrilled to hear the news. Several media outlets have been in touch with the Cuban citizen, Danilo Maldonado Machado, and he himself confirmed it: He’s free and there are no charges!

Right now Danilo isn’t just any Cuban citizen. He’s known artistically as “El Sexto” (The Sixth), and he just spent 10 months as a prisoner. Ten months for having tried, only tried, to stage a public performance of his art, which someone considered offensive, and for which they detained and imprisoned him without charges. Ten months in a punishment cell, false promises of release and confronting injustice with the only weapon he had: a hunger strike. continue reading

Danilo, we repeat, isn’t just any Cuba citizen. He wasn’t in prison for releasing two pigs with the names Fidel and Raúl on their backs. He was in prison for defending his right of free expression. For defending my, your, our right of free expression. Everyone’s right of free expression.

But Danilo wasn’t alone. Hundreds, thousands of Cubans raised the protest inside and outside Cuba. They demanded freedom with their voices, their letters, the Internet, new technologies, with every means within reach. They got prestigious organizations like Amnesty International to join the petition for release and to name him as a prisoner of conscience.

Finally he’s free. We don’t deceive ourselves: Tomorrow he could still be detained for any reason. Also for any reason, he could be forced to leave Cuba. The tyranny continues, but there are four things we should keep in mind:

He obtained his freedom with words, formal protests, signatures by computer,  the cell phone, and he obtained it peacefully.

He obtained it through a common objective for many, very many, Cubans and, it is known, without the participation of any foreign government.

He obtained it through the strength, even though dispersed but every time more organized, of those thousands of Cubans.

For the first time we, with our struggle, have made the present Cuban Government surrender on something basic. Up to now we have obtained other surrenders: when the Mariel Boatlift crisis happened, during the Maleconazo, etc., but there always have been surrenders of the type, “Let the worms who want to leave go!” said Fidel. Now we got them to surrender, setting someone free inside Cuba, one of our brothers. They, the Marxists, know that this wasn’t a quantitative surrender; it was qualitative!

Can this be a turning point? Let’s hope so! Can this be a sign of weakness? Let’s hope so!

This won’t be the last battle, but it’s one we won. There will be many more. We’ll win some and lose some, but this shows us the path to follow: clear goals, demands through peaceful means, confrontation through words and without violence.

Let’s prepare ourselves since the battles are going to come, are coming, in days, weeks, months and decisive years. Change is nearer every time, but we must keep the words present that our companion, Joanna Columbié, reminded us of a short time ago in this same atmosphere, referring to our Proclamation of Independence on that tenth of October:

“Perhaps the blood we have to offer in this struggle isn’t physical, like that of others, but we also are ready to follow their example and obtain a triumph that, as Martí said, costs the same as all triumphs: “…blood, from the veins or from the soul.”

Translated by Regina Anavy

Building the Base for a Just Law / Somos+

Somos+, 14 October 2015 — Today the formal work began on the formulation of a Proposed Electoral Law, gathered from a political, generational, and regional diversity. The lawyers carrying out the initiative requested the presence of Somos+ at the table as part of the essential input from young people. Our national leadership accepted the collaboration immediately, as we are honored to seriously and responsibly participate in the construction of alternatives that can be presented to the people and advocated at all levels, from the activist movement to academic, legal, and intellectual spheres.

The first day focused on a thorough study of existing legislation at different levels, and an analysis of the cultural and historical context that determines its implementation and maintenance. This knowledge is key to avoid falling into superficiality, and to ultimately propose a result of a quality that is viable and that responds to the needs of the nation and the practical political modernity into which we must introduce ourselves. continue reading

Somos+ brought to the meetings a series of proposals starting with public and transparent financing of the parties from the outset, in an impoverished country where at the outset there may not be available capital, the decisive variable in a competition that looks for talent, true capability, and a commitment to the accelerated development of the country. Another point that we will advocate is the right of Cubans living in other countries to cast their votes as part of a special electoral district. This has been used with excellent results in several countries in  the region including the Dominican Republic. Other specific topics to be discussed these days are the development of campaigns, the role of the media, the institutional referee and its powers, etc.

Through our blog we will offer you updated information about the process and we welcome your views and contributions about this, which can be put on the table through our representatives.

General Council

Somos+

Translated byTomás A.

At last we met!! / Somos+

Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 11 October 2015 — Early this morning we received a very special person. Yohana Columbie, municipal education methodologist, graduate in pedagogy and theology, mid-level technician in accounting and IT, and many other things… She is a young woman who has not lost at all his time despite living in a small town in the eastern part of Cuba. A few days ago we got the news of her arrest by the State Security to prevent her traveling to Havana in order to participate in the National Council of our movement.

Today what was inevitable came true. We were able to meet and talk for hours, listen to each other, get to know each other better, exchange ideas and make sure that we share the same path and dream. Women like her confirm for me that in Cuba if you propose it to yourself, you can be free, think and speak without hypocrisy. It only depends on your convictions and emotional defenses to face the responsibility of being authentic, of not having two faces.

Welcome to the family of Somos+ Yohana!!

Translated by: Y. Rodriguez

A democracy of course! . . . But how good? / Somos+, Kaned Garrido

Somos+, Kaned Garrido, 12 October, 2015 — We Cubans know that we want a democracy, and from now on we must chart the course for it to be one that we can be proud of, because not all democracies are of the same quality.

There are countries that hold elections to decide who will govern them, yet also suffer poverty, injustice and violence in the streets. Is the ability of the people to vote enough to make a nation great?

Many believe that because democracy coexists with hunger in poor countries, democracy is insufficient to solve the problems. The 2013 survey by Latinobarómetro* found that 19.2% of Latin Americans had no preference between a democratic or an undemocratic regime. Another 14.9% believed that in some circumstances an authoritarian government can be preferable to a democratic one. continue reading

This skepticism runs throughout the Third World. But instead of renouncing democracy, it is necessary to differentiate its forms and focus on building better ones. This has worked for the most developed nations, due to their having higher quality standards.

Mikel Barreda, a professor at the University of Catalunya, conducted a study to measure the quality of democracy in 19 Latin American countries. He found Chile, Uruguay and Costa Rica are the countries with the highest quality of democracy in the region.

What defines the quality of a democracy?

Political rights and civil liberties are fundamental. According to the reports of Freedom House, Europe ranks in first place in terms of freedom, with 86%, and the Americas in second place, with 71%.

Satisfaction with the system, and electoral participation, are critical factors; democracies where most people vote are better qualified. The turnout defines how included citizens are in the decisions of their governments.

Corruption and abuse of power seriously degrade societies, so mechanisms for accountability are essential. Institutions are needed that exercise political control over governments and oversee their management.

There is also vertical accountability. The press, citizens, and NGOs can make demands regarding the responsibilities of governments. So an underlying assurance remains that if the institutions are corrupt or unresponsive, the citizens can bring about justice.

How can we achieve a democracy of high quality for Cuba?

The literature on this topic is extensive, but clearly certain factors play crucial roles in determining the democratic quality of a country.

Freedom of expression and civil rights are essential to ensure the proposal and debate of ideas. No ruler, doctrine, or thought can be shielded from discussion. It will always be possible to reform what is wrong, to improve what should be changed.

The countries that often lead the worldwide democracy indexes are Scandinavian: Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Without obstructing freedoms they have facilitated the greatest possible equality among their citizens. Without major differences in political and economic power, democracy manages to be more equitable. When the interests of the people are more connected they often find common ground. Empathy and compromise flow in the debates.

Institutions should provide spaces for the spectrum of all political and social positions, ensuring the possibility of fair participation and competition in elections.

We also need a system of solid parties, that is, parties strongly institutionalized, with a vision and a commitment to the long term. This way there can be an effective accountability of work done by civil servants, because the parties assume responsibility to the voters.

We will have to work hard to create the institutions we want, so that it is not an isolated democracy, made for the elites. It must be built with the participation and opinions of all. We cannot repeat the history of other countries that imported their democracies without having the foundation of a political culture to support them.

We have to build it ourselves, with the acceptance and commitment of everyone, with their colors and differences . . . a Cuban democracy.

*A public-opinion survey of 20,000 people in 18 Latin American countries. The survey is on-line here.

Translated by Tomás A.

Somos+ in Matanzas / Somos+

With Alexei Gamez as a provincial coordinator, leading the meeting and the presence of several members, we held the monthly reunion of the movement Somos+ in Matanzas province. The topics covered included: the introduction of new members, the analysis of current issues in the province, the need of personal self-improvement and the establishment of the provincial structure. The meeting was also attended by Osvaldo Sanabria Caso, a neighbor who as an observer could witness the sincerity and freedom that characterized the way the people present reflected their own realities and those of many others. “I imagined a bunch of people full of hatred and resentment towards the leaders of this country, but I was completely wrong. Very brave young people and committed to Cuba above all, that is what you can find in Somos+” he said after the meeting ended.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the election of Franky Rojas Torres as the person in charge of Media and Press for the province, also the appointment of Duniesky Santos Jomolca as the one in charge of the improvement of the members and Liset Sanabria Arias as responsible for the finances of the provincial headquarters.

According to the coordinator: “it was an excellent time to be repeated soon” since it was established that on a monthly basis these meetings will take place in order to organize and analyze the performance of tasks which always have one single purpose, to show everyone that Somos+ (We Are More), young people committed to work, are Cubans who have decided to stop running away and with courage face our unique and biggest goal, a Cuba for all Cubans.

Translated by: Y. Rodriguez

Annual Convention of the Political Movement Somos+ / Somos+

SOMOS+, 8 October 2015 — With Cuba and for change, Somos+ invites you to its Annual Convention and congratulates all people from Cuba and the world who participated in the contest for choosing the poster of the event. The quality of the works is impressive and reminds us that we come from a land full of talent, strength and creativity.

The selected work was created by Sandor Valdes, and it will preside over the meeting this coming November 14th. We congratulate the author and thank the effort made by all the participants.

See you all on November 14th at FIU!

Translated by: Y. Rodriguez

A Message From my Faith to the State Security Authority / Somos+

Somos+, Pedro Lago Segura, 8 October 2015 — If you believe you can change me from your position of power, you don’t know where the real power lies. And if you think that with that sabre-rattling you prevent my voice from being heard by others or me from hearing others’ voices, you are not free in spirit and confuse the weak, fully twisting a democratic exercise.

Anonymous messages do not intimidate me. And so you will never prevent me to say and express what I feel. And intending to manipulate around wherever I try to earn a living, won’t work out either. It may cause some distrust and fear of me, but the one who truly gets to know me and understand in depth my ideas, really knows who I am and what I want, which is nothing but good for my country and everyone, including them and all of you too. continue reading

They are mistaken and do not know how much. They’re not doing anything other than chopping down their main goals, giving less credibility and losing more people every day.

Instilling fear is not a way to build a model or a nation. Those who do so, end up building in themselves and internally an atmosphere of fear and despair. Because he who is afraid now -understandably- because of the one who believes he is right and doesn’t seem to fear at all, tomorrow may not forgive those who have always feared when they use force subjugate and impose themselves on the people. And let us hope this won’t be the case, if what we really want is to see our motherland feel proud to have us.

My enemies are fabricated by themselves, because I have no prejudices nor intolerance. I am among those who believe that the struggle has much more sense if done from the core rather than from the distance. I am not concerned about my fate, because I know it will be for the good what I do and I shall not cease in my doing.

That I am a bit stressed? It’s true. That I am somewhat tired? It is also true. That I have problems? Well, in one way or another everyone has them. This country is actually full of them! But my being, my ideas and principles are and will remain intact, even if a whole world and all its problems are against me. I do not have the support of my father on policy issues, but at least I have learned to demand his respect and tolerance. No matter what happens to me in the street (despite having more support than rejection), with my family I have everything and everyone, and that only God can take away.

Asking me to change my mind? Never. They have not given nor will ever give me reasons. I know Cuba and know what it is going through, without even having to leave it or know other systems and other societies. Cuba is Van Van, Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes, Los Aldeanos, Compay Segundo, Buena Fe and many others. But it is also Celia Cruz, Andy Garcia, Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, Bebo Valdes, the Estefans and many more. It’s music, singing, dancing and it is passion. It is culture, cigars, art and son. It is struggle, grief, peace and religion.

Cast out your selfishness, your bigotry and your foolish pride. The country does not just need us -you and me- it needs all of us. I have enough reasons to believe that the Cuban people are more revolutionary than socialist, although have not known how to be sufficiently so to demean some of their stolen rights.

Desist from everything that ties you and makes you a slave. Stop shielding yourself under a “patriotism,” in order to defend the despots with their ideologies, which do not need to be imposed on everyone just because it is their whim, or for nationalized doctrine or hypocritical commitment. You can be patriotic and perhaps even revolutionary, without being Marxist or Leninist, without being a communist or socialist.

Marti taught us that patriotism is a sacred duty, when one strives for bringing the homeland up to the condition in which men and women may live in happier, and it is reprehensible when invoked to prevent friendship among all people of good faith in the universe.

That’s why I say it is necessary to see and demand the state as a protector, the country as home, and the nation as a large family with room for the many and the few, the good and the bad, the poor and the rich, the unhappy and honest. With room for: state, citizenship, government, opposition, political parties, people, socialists, dissidents. That is democracy. That is independence. That’s what I want Cuba to be. That’s what I demand from you and will demand, and what many others in thousands of different ways demand from you and will demand as well. I do not try to make you think like me, but do not then try to make me think like you do. I do not believe in opportunists or dictators, I do not believe in “national socialists” as Juan Carlos Cremata expressed, nor in corrupt planners. I do believe in individual freedom, in the opportunities democracy provides and what is done with the soul and the heart.

Now I ask you. What do you believe in?

Translated by: Y. Rodriguez

Incident at the Airport Yesterday / Somos+, Eliecer Avila

Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 5 October 2015 — Everything appeared normal until I got to the immigration desk. There the official meeting me had a sign on his screen with the word “CONTROLLED” flashing in red. With more or less discrete gestures, the young official started dialing code numbers to his superiors to come to the booth to “deal” with me. In three minutes his boss appeared who indicated I should follow him and who took my passport.

After about half an hour a different official appeared who accompanied me passing through immigration and told me to collect my things… As usual, many people waited about an hour for their bags from the Madrid-Havana flight because they arrived in dribs and drabs… When my suitcase finally appeared, I’d just picked it up when two other officials, this time from Customs, indicated I should accompany them for a “routine control.”

Knowing these things and how they work, I tried to advise my wife who was desperately waiting outside but they told me I could not use my phone. Nevertheless I managed to tell her, “things are looking bad.” continue reading

First I passed the suitcase, the little hand luggage and the laptop through another special X-ray machine, and then they brought me to the tables prepared for this purpose and began to minutely search my luggage with the meticulousness of a surgeon performing brain surgery.

They noted everything, at the same time asking me questions about my trip. With special interest they set aside four books, four journals and blog notes. Also 8 flash memories I’d been given by the Spanish think tank Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies (FAES), which they gave to all the Cubans.

The titles of the books were: Digital Citizenry, European Union – Latin America, Autobiography of Gandhi, and Letters to a Young Spaniard by J.M. Aznar.

They read several fragments of all of these, and especially Aznar’s book, which had a large photo of him on the cover. The customs officer asked me, “Is he a writer?” I told him no, he’s the president of Spain.

They also spent a long time examining a magazine that talked about Australia and its great human development. The problem with the magazine is that it attributes the success to three factors: Democracy, Market, and Transparency. For those responsible for censorship in Cuba today there are certain words that will trigger an alert that something must be confiscated from a passenger, and the two most dangerous of these are “Democracy” and “Human Rights.”

This time, fortunately, after three different people pawed through my tests, they came to the conclusion that they were not “materials to spread counterrevolutionary propaganda.”

They then decided to seize the flash memories, because according to the “regulations” I only have the right to bring in two. I explained that I had two for my own personal use, and that these 8 are ones I had brought as gifts for family and friends because I promised my grandmother I would bring her some Christian music, others are for my sisters for their schools, etc… but they weren’t having it, “It’s not possible” to let me keep any of them.

At this point it’s been more than three hours and the worries of my wife, family and friends who are waiting for me are growing by the minute. However, now begins the weightiest part, the paperwork to seize the flash memories…

They bring a green bag in which they fit the suitcase, throw in the little memories, and begin to fill out forms and describe the characteristics of each object in question: color, aspect, brand, capacity, status… circumstances… what I said, what they said… my data… their data… all that while I am standing and watching passengers from two planes that arrived after mine leave the airport.

At this point, the only thing that interests me is getting it over with. When they finally tell me I can leave, I say goodbye and rush to the door.. and on leaving see that I have dozens of missed calls and messages. An army of friends inside and outside of Cuba are ready to be my voice everything if they had decided to keep me longer.

I don’t hold a grudge against the young soldiers who perform this demeaning task. the truly perverse are at a much higher level. Looking for the cameras and pulling the strings of an apparatus that if you don’t bow down, makes you stronger.

To dignify the work of a whole generation of soldiers, not only with better wages but with better training to protect our borders from the real dangers and respect everyone’s human rights, will be a priority in the future we are going to build together, them and us.

Thanks to everyone for your concern and solidarity. My best hug.

Eliecer Avila, Engineer

San Antonio de los Banos in Uncertainty / Alexander Perez Rodriguez, Somos+

SOMOS+, Alexander Perez Rodriguez, 24 September 2015 — With the new relations between the U.S. and Cuba the hopes of many went skyrocketing in an alarming manner, principally in the Diaspora, where people dream of returning to their country and prospering there in a dignified way. I already imagined my city as totally changed, with new streets, shops full of everything a human being needs and no ration book to restrict them.

Well, finally the moment arrived to go and visit my family on the island. I remember that on this occasion I exited the airport earlier than usual. I only had to enter Calzada de Boyeros to have all my illusions fall away. Everything, absolutely everything, remained the same or worse than when I was there a year ago. continue reading

I left for the outskirts of Santiago de la Vegas Carretera Rincón to go to the municipality where I was born. Those who know San Antonio de los Baños will share with me that it’s a very unusual and attractive town. At least it always was.

This municipality is known as the City of Humor, and those who live there are known as ariguanabenses.*  And we are very funny and talkative. We laugh at everything and everybody. Like, for example, that day when we went to sleep in Havana and woke up in Artemisa, ha ha ha, I’m still laughing about it, ha ha ha.**

We never knew when this change was discussed and who approved it. However, there have been many events in these last few years that have brought the town a pure disaster and wiped the smiles off our faces.

We still remember and bleed for the loss of the 14 young people who left the coast of Mariel to go to the U.S., and their precarious boat sank. This grief today is kept alongside a rage that is on the point of exploding.

However, the events of these last months have put San Antonio in a desperate situation. News like the Computer Science University’s passing into the hands of the Minister of Education has made many of the workers who were from my town believe that things are hopeless. The same thing will happen with the Eduardo Abela School of Art, since the level of deterioration in less than five years is incredible. The Iván Portuondo Hospital is also in critical condition.

When I asked why my town was so deteriorated, they sat me down and explained: Only two months ago, all or almost all of the leaders of my town had fallen victim to an investigation, presumably for embezzling funds.

But in spite of having a new municipal directorship, people don’t seem to have accepted it, at least in fact.

Because no one has given a concrete explanation of what happened. It’s not possible that this not be published by the State agencies when it’s an issue for a whole town. The result: Today San Antonio is a town where nothing works.

Everyone whispers about the problem. I remember when I arrived at the physical planning office to manage my house and they told me the paperwork wasn’t there because the Director’s signature was missing.

I asked where I could find her and, very mysteriously, they informed me that a doctor confirmed she had a psychiatric problem. It seems she was embarrassed about it, and thus all the State agencies in my town couldn’t function.

There’s a lot of sadness and indignation because that president, Tomy, was respected and admired by the town. Everyone concurred that whether or not she ripped things off, in any event this had been happening their whole lives. And everyone agreed that the only time the streets were fixed was under her leadership. When there was a lack of water, she found a solution. She paid attention to many people who were not important and helped them. That’s the Tomy the people remember.

The culprits appear to be others: the upper Government, those who have disengaged from Cuba for more than 55 years, and no one has audited them and called them out for everything the people have suffered.

It’s sad to see the condition of my town. Nothing pretty remains. It’s ugly, very deteriorated and the schools are in the worst condition; the hospital, the hotel, the Cecropia trees, the shops and the bars are very dirty. My god, how it hurts to see my town in this condition.

But I know and am certain that one day, not far in the future, my town will look different. It will return to its youth. Now, we can’t make the many who have perished at sea fleeing a lack of opportunity return. But we can guarantee a more just and equal society where young people don’t have to flee as if they were guilty.

We are more, much more, those of us who every day struggle for this dream and know that it will come true, and soon.

Translator’s notes:
*Those who live by the Ariguanabo River, which runs through San Antonio de los Baños.
**A political-administrative redistribution in Cuba created two provinces for San Antonio de los Baños, and Habana Province became Artemisa Province.

Translated by Regina Anavy

When to Die for Art is to Live / Somos+

The Somos+ Family in solidarity with Danilo Maldonado Machado “El Sexto.” A hug, amigo.

Farewell letter from El Sexto

Valle Grande Prison

From the “cell” (of punishment)

September 16, 2015…

Where I am there is little light and I am in my underwear because I do not want to wear the prison uniform. They give me a mattress for 5 or 6 hours at night. I only drink water and there will be no ability to respond (from you to this letter) because they don’t allow contacts.

Thanks to Lia, Gorki, Antonio and everyone for helping my mother manage things. Thanks to Aylín for the beautiful and encouraging letters. I read them as many times as I could, I would like to write you a thousand letters like you deserve but now I do not think I will have the light, the paper, nor the energy to do it.

The entire letter can be read here.

Spanish post
26 September 2015

What Cuban Doctors are Thinking / Somos+, Kaned Garrido

Somos+, Kaned Garrido, 21 September 2015 — Cuban doctors have sustained everybody’s health for decades. The reason Cuban medicine has such prestige is because of the incredible effort of its professionals. The same as Cuban teachers, doctors earn very little. They spend years and years at their careers, and later in service to the country.

That’s the reason we have quality education and healthcare in Cuba. Not by some magical social politics nor because we want to take money away from the rich, like Robin Hood. It’s because of dedicated professionals and the rest of the Cuban workers who finance the expenses, all with pathetic salaries.

But it’s not easy work to sustain such a good health service in a country with such an unproductive economy. This burden ends up falling on the shoulders of Cuban doctors. Some choose the path of the missions in the Exterior to earn a little more. Others prefer to leave the island. So we need to know what they think.

These are the opinions of doctors who presently work in Cuba.

Doctor R. M. earns 1100 pesos (44 CUC, or about US$50) a month. Her specialty is general medicine. She describes her work conditions like this:  continue reading