English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
MIAMI, Florida, December 12, 2013, www.cubanet.org — The worst consequences of Cuban military repression were suffered on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, on the eastern part of the island. More than 130 arrests were made and about 160 peaceful demonstrators beaten according to the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), José Daniel … Continue reading “Repression Against Demonstrators Reaches Barbaric Levels”
The Calzada de Jesús del Monte (Jesus of the Mountain Roadway), now known as the Calzada de Diez de Octubre (Tenth of October Roadway), begins at Esquina de Tejas (Texas Corner) as an extension of Calzada de Infanta (Princess Roadway). It extends to Entroque de La Palma (La Palma Link), where it splits into Calzada … Continue reading “The Longest Roadway / Fernando Damaso”
Antonio Castro, son of the bearded man who governed Cuba for 47 years and nephew of the president hand chosen by his brother, told U.S. channel ESPN, “I don’t think it’s a bad thing that our baseball players leave the country to go play in the best league in the world.” Tony Castro, of course, … Continue reading “Antonio Castro, or the Diplomacy of Baseball / Ivan Garcia”
As part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the South Sea (Pacific Ocean) by Spanish explorer and conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the leaders of 22 Latin America countries plus Spain, Portugal and Andorra gathered in Panama October 18-19. They held, there, the XXIII Iberoamerican Summit, for this occasion, taking … Continue reading “The Boycott of ALBA / Juan Juan Almeida”
GUANTÁNAMO, Cuba, October, www.cubanet.org — Today there were commemorations marking the 145th anniversary of the beginning of our first war of independence. At a celebration on October 10, 1968, the centenary of this historic event, Fidel Castro gave a speech in which he suggested that — faced with the same conditions experienced by those who took up … Continue reading “Would They Have Been Like Us? / Roberto Jesus Quinones”
The signs in the photo read, “The Revolution; Thriving and Victorious. Keep Moving Forward” and “Towards the Future with Firm, Confident Steps.” Whenever the subject comes up, I remember an anecdote a friend once told me. One morning in March 1968 he and an uncle, the owner of a small fruit stand, opened their store … Continue reading “Self-Employment: A Key to Disaster / Jeovany J. Vega”
As there is no McDonald’s or Burger King, Cuban fast food is flour fritters and home-made pizza. Bread with croquettes of uncertain origin are also popular, and donuts filled with guayaba, condensed milk or chocolate. A vast number of families on the island only prepare one hot meal a day, at night. They have strong … Continue reading “Cuban Fast Food / Ivan Garcia”
From my birth in 1965 until 1977, I lived in Romay, between Monte and Zequeira streets, less than ten blocks from Latinoamericano Stadium. I was 3 years old when my grandmother Carmen, a rare woman of peasant heritage who was a baseball fan, took me to the stadium two or three times a week. Admission was … Continue reading “Havanans Sound Off About the Visit of the Industriales to Miami / Ivan Garcia”
Giving an accounting of their administration was never among the priorities of the Castro brothers. The modern caudillos are considered beyond good and evil. Indeed, Fidel Castro managed the nation like a private bodega, with outlandish economic plans, bypassing the state budget, bleeding its finances, material resources and human lives sacrificed in civil wars in … Continue reading “Raul Castro: Seven Years of Governing / Ivan Garcia”
CIENFUEGOS, Cuba, August, www.cubanet.org- As if it were serialized novel, the Public Prosecutions in the city of Cienfuegos just started what we could say is their third season, when on August 6 two citizens were processed and convicted in one of those covens — taking as its amphitheater the crowded Calzada de Dolores Avenue — … Continue reading “Public Trials, a Clear Message to Citizens / Alejandro Tur Valladares”
From World Affairs By Antonio Rodiles Five years ago, hopes were high among Cuba watchers when Raúl Castro officially succeeded Fidel. There was particularly intense speculation about who would be named the next first vice president of the Council of State. Bets focused on two candidates: Carlos Lage Dávila, a bureaucrat in his late fifties, … Continue reading “Change by Attrition: The Revolution Dies Hard / Antonio Rodiles”
Yoel Martínez, guitarist and member of the duo Buena Fe, (Good Faith) bought a house facing the sea. He and Israel Rojas hired a brigade to repair it and convert it into a bar-cafeteria-restaurant, Melesio’s Grill, which opened its doors the public on July 12. With that name, and with both musicians being from Guantanamo, … Continue reading “Melesio’s Grill / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”
Photo: LFRojas-@alambradas It’s not enough dealing with the high cost of finding products to make lunch for a family of four people. In Cuba, we have to add up the amount needed, the share of sacrifice go find all the products for decent nutrition. If it costs 15 CUC* we’re talking about a disproportionate figure … Continue reading “The Dilemma of Lunch in Cuba / Luis Felipe Rojas”
The then-president of the Cuban Book Institute could have been one of my witnesses in the trial that was set up against me, but our political differences and his official functions did not permit him to put himself on the side of justice; which I never understood, because on the day that I might be … Continue reading “Prison Diary XXVII: Iroel Sanchez, Militant in his Interests / Angel Santiesteban”
After three months moving from coast to coast of the United States like an off-balance electron, finally I receive a little from dirty faces, the smell of croquette and military comemierduría (“crap eating”). I deserved it: I already missed my homeland so much… Welcome to LASA 2013, Cubans. Indeed, also after three months meeting there … Continue reading “Fear and Loathing in LASA / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
