English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
EFE/14ymedio, Havana, 23 April 2023 — Five universities in Cuba announced this Saturday that next week they will teach classes virtually due to the fuel crisis that has been affecting the country for almost three weeks. The Agrarian University of Havana, as well as schools in the provinces of Sancti Spíritus, Holguín and the “Marta … Continue reading “The Fuel Crisis Affects In-Person Classes at Cuban Universities”
14ymedio, Havana, April 22, 2023 — The fuel shortage that overwhelms thousands of Cuban families will not stop the Government, which has already announced that there will be a parade on May 1. “We will find a way to celebrate it,” Miguel Díaz-Canel promised this Friday on a visit to the province of Villa Clara. … Continue reading “The Cuban Government Insists on ‘Celebrating’ on May 1, Despite the Fuel Crisis”
14ymedio, Havana, 6 March 2023 — Sales of gasoline are being limited to thirty liters per automobile at service centers in Villa Clara according to Yudit Hernandez Carrazanathe, coordinator of Governmental Programs and Objectives, in an interview with local broadcaster CMHW. The measure takes effect immediately and applies to all gas stations in the province. … Continue reading “Gas Rationed in Villa Clara to Deal with Cuba’s Fuel Crisis”
Many Cubans look to the orishas for answers to their problems or ask them to help them emigrate 14ymedio, Laura Bécquer/EFE, 15 June 2024 — When a Cuban woman, Elvira García, knocked on the door of the babalao (Ifá priest) she did so looking for answers to her despair in the Afro-Cuban religion. The retired … Continue reading “The Crisis Fuels a Fervor for Afro-Cuban Religions on the Island”
So far, the company has received only 528 gallons of fuel per month, 50% of what it needs 14ymedio, Havana, 7 May 2024 — The government of Las Tunas developed a “strategy” to mitigate the crisis of garbage dumps that have been out of control for months in the city. The plan is to deliver … Continue reading “The Garbage Crisis in Las Tunas Forces the Authorities To Deliver More Fuel to Communal Services”
14ymedio, Havana, November 3, 2021 — Though Venezuelan shipments of petroleum have been increasing, their impact is not being felt on the island as long lines at gas stations are becoming ever more common. According to the news agency Reuters, Caracas shipped 66,000 barrels of crude oil and petroleum products to Havana in October compared … Continue reading “In the Midst of Cuba’s Energy Crisis, Venezuela Increases Fuel Shipments”
The loss of almost two million inhabitants since 2022 places the Island in “refugee crisis” figures 14ymedio, Juan Palop, Havana, July 22, 2024 — The prestigious Cuban economist and demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos warns in an interview with EFE that statistics about his country show it to be an “unreformable” system in the midst of … Continue reading “Cuba Is Experiencing a ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ and Is Approaching ‘Implosion’ According to Demographer Albizu-Campos”
The province’s fishing company was only able to catch half of the fish it had planned for the semester 14ymedio, Havana, 20 June 2024 — The Fishing Company of Las Tunas, Pescatun, is back in the news this Thursday for its disastrous production. In addition to the deficient capture, with a debt of 501 tons … Continue reading “With Damaged Boats, Little Fuel and Blackouts in Cuba, Las Tunas Runs Out of Fish”
The tricycle served as a police “patrol car,” with its luminous turret and its white and blue colors. 14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 23 May 2024 — “Just one kick and you can knock them over” observe two handsome young men at a bus stop on Thursday. They are talking about a Rali brand tricycle … Continue reading “Cuba’s Economic Crisis Leads to Fewer Police Patrols”
Not even the “blues,” the inspectors in charge of intercepting vehicles and boarding passengers in Matanzas, “impose respect” 14ymedio, Julio César Contreras, Matanzas, April 27, 2024 — A Transmetro bus passes by and does not stop. A few minutes later, one from Transtur follows it. Travelers on any road in Matanzas look in desperation at … Continue reading “In the Cuban Athens ‘Everything Is Done on Foot’ Due to the Transport Crisis”
14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 11 February 2024 — Cuba postponed this Saturday the national sports events in development and those planned for the coming days in disciplines such as baseball in the face of the “complex situation with fuel.” A press release from the state National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation indicates that the decision … Continue reading “Cuba Postpones Several Sporting Events Due to the ‘Complex Situation With Fuel’”
14ymedio, Havana, February 11, 2024 — A group of Russian visitors were victims of the poor service provided by the Cuban tourism industry and decided to protest at Cayo Coco airport after an 18-hour delay in the fuel supply to the aircraft that was leaving for Moscow. According to the Russian portal Bel, the flight … Continue reading “A Russian Flight is Delayed 18 Hours in Cuba Due to Lack of Fuel”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, February 2, 2023 — The economic measures that were widely dubbed “el paquetazo“* — the package — were unpopular but necessary. Even from a coldly economic perspective, however, they seemed to be too little too late. The recent dismissal of the economics minister, Alejandro Gil, indicates that the decision to postpone increases … Continue reading “The Older Generation Demonstrates Its Ineptitude in Dealing with the Devastating Crisis Cuba is Experiencing”
14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 3 February 2024 — Few gas stations in Havana escape the fuel crisis that prevails in the country, stirred up by the postponement of the new rates for its purchase. Among the exceptions are Los Paraguas and Corral Falso, the two gas stations managed on Telegram by Esther Lilian Pérez … Continue reading “While Cuba Runs Out of Fuel, Four Tanker Trucks Arrive at Esther’s Gas Station Over Three Days”
14ymedio, Havana, January 28, 2024 — The sale of fuel has become a picturesque business in the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa but, above all, an illegal trade that, in plain view, has grown. This Saturday, a “Cupet house” was dismantled by State Security and the police. An individual, identified as Ángel, was engaged in the … Continue reading “Cuban Police Dismantle an Illegal Sale of Fuel a Few Steps From a Gas Station”
