English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
EFE (via 14ymedio), Havana, 22 October 2022 — The Cuban province of Pinar del Río, known for the cultivation of the tobacco leaves of the famous Havana puros [cigars], began planting this week, despite being the area of the Island that was the most devastated by Hurricane Ian at the end of September. According to state … Continue reading “Tobacco Planting Begins in the Area of Cuba Most Devastated by Hurricane Ian”
14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2022 — The tobacco disaster in the municipality of San Juan y Martínez, in Pinar del Río, leaves alarming figures. As of Wednesday, 151 of Tabacuba’s 155 tobacco storage sheds had totally collapsed. They store the leaf that is grown in the locality, considered the tobacco mecca of the world, and … Continue reading “Hurricane Ian Brought Down Almost All of Cuba’s Tobacco Warehouses in San Juan y Martinez”
A ‘veguero’ from San Juan y Martínez points out the unfair treatment by Tabacuba, which gets richer while the ‘guajiros’ get poorer. 14ymedio, Madrid, August 11, 2025 — Alfredo Pérez, a veguero of the best tobacco area in Cuba, San Juan y Martínez (Pinar del Río), has put a damper on the fiesta in the … Continue reading “The Fall of Cuba’s ‘Freely Convertible Currency’ Sinks Private Tobacco Producers in Pinar del Río”
Last June, the authorities of Consolación del Sur complained that 385 hectares of the tobacco crop were ruined by lack of irrigation. 14ymedio, Havana, August 9, 2025 — After months of declaring blackouts, agricultural losses and figures that seemed more appropriate for a disaster zone than for a “tobacco power,” the Cuban tobacco industry is … Continue reading “Tobacco Is Recovering in Pinar Del Río, Cuba After Months of Blackouts and Lost Hectares”
To improve last year’s results, planting had begun “early in October,” but it was in vain 14ymedio, Havana, January 2, 2025 — After a depressing year for tobacco production in Sancti Spíritus and facing another one that doesn’t offer great promise, tobacco growers have carried out a “readjustment” of their expectations. They promise the State, … Continue reading “Faced With a Disastrous Planting Season, Sancti Spíritus Tobacco Growers Lower Their Expectations for the Harvest”
Cuban Television reports missing roofs, containers dragged by the gale and factories flooded by the rains in the ZEDM 14ymedio, Havana, November 8, 2024 — The most important economic enclave on the Island, the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), was also devastated after Hurricane Rafael passed through the province of Artemisa, where it is located. … Continue reading “Hurricane Rafael Causes Serious Damage in Cuba’s Most Important Economic Enclave”
It is “the lowest production in history” in the province, admit the directors of Acopio 14ymedio, Havana, 30 May 2024 — The tobacco industry in Sancti Spíritus once again fell below mediocrity. Of the sol en palo [sun grown] tobacco – which is used to make cigarros – only 351 tons were collected, 67% of … Continue reading “Only One Sixth of the Tobacco Harvested in Sancti Spíritus Can Be Used for Export”
14ymedio, Havana, 21 March 2024 — The current tobacco planting campaign in Sancti Spíritus, the territory with the second highest production in the country, is barely at 49%. According to the official press, which could not disguise its disappointment with the figure, the main causes of the debacle are the lack of fuel to carry … Continue reading “For Cuba’s ‘Vegueros’ (Farmers) in Sancti Spiritus, Tobacco Is No Longer a Profitable Business”
14ymedio, Havana, 6 December 2023 — The most recent cigar presented by the monopoly Habanos SA to its international clientele is the El Rey del Mundo Royal Series, a formidable medium-strength tobacco that is recommended to be paired with rum. Along with its impeccable presentation – cedar box, quality certificate and ring with gold details … Continue reading “Luxury Cigars for the World’s Princes, ‘Peso’ Tobacco for Cuban Beggars”
14ymedio/EFE, Havana, 27 September 2023 — Hurricane Ian, whose passage through Cuba happened a year ago this Wednesday, and which caused six deaths and significant material damage, continues to hit the population of Pinar del Río, the most affected by the hurricane. From the beginning, the Government made promises to rebuild the more than 102,000 … Continue reading “A Year After Hurricane Ian in Cuba, Thousands of Cubans Are Still Homeless in Pinar Del Rio”
The United States foresees that, when Idalia hits land in Florida, it will be a “dangerously large hurricane.” 14ymedio, Havana, 29 August 2023 — Around 3 am this Tuesday, tropical storm Idalia was now far from Cabo de San Antonio, at the westernmost end of the Island, where it made landfall at 9 pm on … Continue reading “Idalia Causes Storms in Cuba and Becomes a Hurricane As It Approaches Florida”
14ymedio, Havana, 1 August 2023 — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) donated the necessary materials for the rehabilitation of 20 poultry houses in Pinar del Río, whose completion is scheduled for the end of August. The initiative seeks to alleviate the situation of more than 2,000 victims, who were left … Continue reading “The UN Donates Materials To Rebuild 20 Poultry Houses Damaged After Hurricane Ian’s Passage Through Cuba”
14ymedio, Madrid, 23 June 2023 — Nine months after the passage of Hurricane Ian through Cuba, 70% of the homes destroyed in Pinar del Río are still not built. That was the central theme of this Thursday’s meeting at the Palace of the Revolution led by the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz. They also discussed … Continue reading “The Cuban Government’s Pace To Rebuild the Houses Destroyed by Hurricane Ian: 13 Percent in Six Months”
14ymedio, Havana, 1 April 2023 — Between tobacco plantations and in a very beautiful natural setting, the residents of San Juan y Martínez in Pinar del Río continue to suffer the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which last September destroyed much of the municipality’s infrastructure. To the meteoric winds is added the State’s lack of attention … Continue reading “A School Without a Roof in San Juan and Martinez Where the Cuban Regime Profits From Tobacco”
14ymedio, Havana, 23 March 2023 — Pinar del Río has not produced even half the tobacco that was planned. The main Cuban export will now have, without a doubt, what the official newspaper Granma describes as “the smallest [harvest] in history” in an area that produces between 60% and 70% of the national production. While … Continue reading “The Official Press Announces a Terrible Tobacco Harvest in Cuba”