Translating Cuba

August 1 2012

It was another summer Sunday, but in 1969. Oswaldo and I, seated on the double bunk we shared, commented that morning about the biography of Albert Einstein that he was proposing to read. Suddenly bursting into the barracks was an official from CIM — military counterintelligence — who was assiduously visiting our battalion of the “Military Unit to Aid Production” (UMAP*).

After saluting us he took the book in his hand, flipped through it and said to me, “This is enemy literature, it’s about making the atomic bomb the Yankees dropped on Japan and with which they blackmailed the world.”

We were stunned and, later recovering from our surprise, we spent a long time trying to explain to the official who the great German physicist had been. Some recruits were standing around us listening to the exchange of opinions. When the official left, Payá exclaimed, smiling, “At least we saved the book.”

It is this image of the young man, intelligent and cheerful, that I will always remember of those days when we shared three years of Forced Military Service on the Isla de La Juventud. Along with us were seminarians, like the current Chancellor of our Catholic Church, José Ramón Suárez Polcari, Padre Troadio, Padre Norberto, among others of different religious denominations. Some who had left the seminary, like Ricardo Fernández, all mixed into an amalgam which the repressive forces of the Cuban regime denominated the disaffected to the system. There are many anecdotes in which, one way or another, were involved.

Now, more than forty years have past since we met, years of getting together, sharing, sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing, and I agree with the words of Pastor of the Church of St. Saviour of the World, in tCerro, when in his homily for Oswaldo he said that all  his actions and human conflicts were marked by love. Love of God, his Church, Jesus, his family, country, and friendship. We used to like to joke together, saying that one day we find each other in Nirvana. I hope if the Lord is willing, we will meet again. Rest in peace.

*Translator’s note: UMAP was a program of concentration camps for religious believers, homosexuals and others.

July 31 2012

On the afternoon of Monday, July 30, we could watch on Cuban TV a few edited minutes of a press conference held by one of the two survivors of the event that claimed the life of Oswaldo Payá.

Aron Modig presented himself as a Swedish citizen affiliated with the Christian Democratic Party in his country. He didn’t know when he would be able to leave Cuba and more than seven times he repeated that he didn’t know that the activity he undertook was illegal. Only when he spoke with the police was he forced to accept his delicate situation. It’s difficult for a foreign citizen to understand that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is illegal and a State that considers the exercise of freedoms to be punishable offenses.

Yes, even though it seems incredible in Cuban peaceful political opposition is illegal. The Revolution is a kind of “religion” that purports to be irrevocable. And the issue of money, in an impoverished country and whose only permissible donor would be the State or the licenses it grants, reserving the right to discriminate between good money and bad, revolutionary money and counter-revolutionary money, is the most bandied about by this mafioso organization that ensures power to a single Party and its leaders such as State Security.

And this issue of money is “the great crime,” the “great proof” to discredit the authenticity of libertarian aspirations, anti-Castro yearnings of the Cuban people or of a displaced part of an oppressed people. Perhaps it should also saw that like all previous models, to be a dissident in a Communist country, ruled by a dictator and his disciples, is to have the moral character to recover, to become a moral agent, so that is also what it means to be anti-Castro or libertarian in the Cuba of today.

Once again the BBC echoes the government’s interests. We see again their correspondent defending this demented style of procuring social justice: talking about the graduation of doctors, and “solidarity among people” and leaving in the shadow what matters: the lack of rights for citizens, the political imprisonment, robbery, kidnapping, political assassination on the part of the authorities.

But the correspondent apparently animated to defend the Utopia of the Caribbean Island with more doctors per capita launches his question about whether these opposition activities, to which the Swedish Christian Democratic Party– which is not just any party and seems to be the equivalent of the Christian Democratic party — wanted to donate 4,000 euros, which does not make him a troublemaker as would have been realized in any other country.

Cheap rhetoric from the correspondent of a foreign press agency who refused to be objective and to stand on the side of those repressed by power. How many countries are there in the world who face the same situation as Cuba? Including having a foreign press agency like the BBC, who instead of reflecting the complex situation of the country, serve to support before public opinion a perspective of reality that in other countries would be considered abnormal, and to defend one of the most perverse regimes in the history of our time.

Aron Modig looked scared, and besides having gone through a very violent event he was still in the hands of the political police. We can guess the situation he and Carromero — who was driving the car — find themselves in. The Hospital must have been guarded, indeed, surround by police and State Security agents, and they would have been taken to be interrogated by those agents (very similar to those of the East German Stasi who offered a lot of courses in Cuba), and they would have been made to understand that Cuba is a different country, a lost place, where rights are forgotten. And surely this press conference and the declarations made figured strongly in his fate.

This seems sufficient to me to hold the suspect for the death of Harold Cepero and Oswaldo Payá. Luckily I still believe in life and death, there is still a God in the Universe. Lately I am reading the Book of Revelations which helps me survive any despair.

July 31 2012

On the block where I live was, in another era, a haven of peace to walk along, protected by the shade offered by its trees, all, one by one, victims of some neighbors who were greatly annoyed by the dry leaves they shed, without caring anything about the cans and empty cartons, cigarette buts, that they themselves strewed across the sidewalks and flowerbeds.

A couple of days ago the last tree fell, a tree that gave us shade, although not on the sidewalk but next to it within the grounds of a kindergarten. It was attacked on several occasions by a neighbor who threw oil on it, with the clear intention of drying it up. The tree survived, because the sap continued to circulate through the trunk that was beyond the reach of this predator. But weakened in the extreme, finally it fell on the perimeter fence, damaging it and blocking the way, in its great leaning toward the pavement. The mastermind of this destruction looked for a way to get an Electric Company brigade to come and cut it down, since its fall affected the wires.

This tree could have been saved by tying it back and returning it to its position, but this would have been in a civilized and well organized country, where institutions exist who work to protect them, not in ours. This was simply a chopping down and leaving it in a dangerous position. Today, finally, a brigade with an electric saw came and cut it into pieces. The brigade came, sawed and retired, as always, taking the large pieces of the trunk but leaving lots of branches and leaves scattered on the sidewalk.

One tree less, in a country where the sun punishes all of us equally. Now nothing more can come to shelter us in its shadow.

July 31 2012

July 31st marked Translating Cuba’s first day on which we exceeded 1,000 readers in a single day:

1,098 readers in one day to be exact

These are “real” readers… not bots and worms (gusanos!).  And not “hits” (which were over 25,000 for the day, which doesn’t mean much).

Total readers for July on Translating Cuba (English) were 25,000 (600,000 hits).

In addition, in the past we’ve had an equal number, or more, on the bloggers’ individual English language blogs (but as that is more complex to count… blog by blog by blog… we won’t speculate here).

Year-to-date:

142,000 readers

3.9 million hits

Six years. So much and so little has happened. Of the seven names mentioned in that “Proclamation of the Commander in Chief to the People of Cuba” only three remain unharmed. As if the text was not only news of Fidel Castro’s illness but also a curse that would fall on those mentioned. José Ramón Balaguer, whom the ailing leader appointed to head up the National and International Public Health Program, would leave this branch of the ministry in mid-2010. Faced with the death from starvation and cold of dozens of patients at the Havana Psychiatric Hospital, the unconditionally loyal functionary was passed to another post, perhaps to avoid ending up in court. Another of those mentioned, Carlos Lage, dramatically lost his position as Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers. Assumed by many analysts as a possible successor to the Cuban “throne,” his ouster was a hard blow to those who were betting on a reformist line within the government itself.

And what to say about Felipe Pérez Roque? Who in that announcement – read several times on the night of July 31, 2006 – was assigned to manage the health, education and energy programs. Only twenty months had passed and already he was accused of having become addicted to “the honey of power.” The spell of the Proclamation was having a contrary effect… instead of sealing the ascent it certified the fall. The same finger that had pointed out these men as faithful choices to carry on his work, later identified them as traitors. The old maxim that proximity to power is as lucrative as it is dangerous, exemplified in a short space of time. Another of the mentioned, Francisco Soberón, president of the Central Bank, would also be replaced; he would leave by the back door to write his memoirs, some said; to avoid public punishment, said others.

Only three of the names mentioned in that foreboding text remain untouched. One of them is José Ramón Machado Ventura who has become the second in command. Nor has Estaban Lazo been ousted, because he learned well the lesson not to let his own light shine too brightly. And the third of the “survivors” is Raúl Castro himself. Principle beneficiary of the “proclamation/will,” the former Minister of the Armed Forces also has been the most cursed. Because his account now carries not only his own sins but also those inherited from his brother: delayed reforms, massive layoffs, the invasive marabou weed that continues to run wild, cuts in the basic ration basket, and that damned glass of milk that never materializes on our tables – no matter how many times it is promised – along with a long list of et ceteras. It would not surprise me to hear a new proclamation any day now, in which the General-President delegates his duties to someone who carries the same name. The next damned president of our national history.

31 July 2012

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Raúl Castro, gave a speech at the main national event for the 26th of July celebrated in Guantanamo province. They might as well have re-broadcast a tape from the ’60s or ’70s, as the official discourse has changed very little since then. With the exception of the repeated invitation to the United States to talk and the bravado of the spirit of the call, trying to send a message to his own people that there are no problems, a government “Hakuna Matata” — No Worries — imported from Swahili, after a precipitous trip to Vietnam, China and Russia.

But what really set off many of the people listening — and not in a good way — was his blackmailing the workers: “(…) as long as there is not increase in production and in productivity, beginning with those tasks at hand, that can be achieved, such as food production to save billions of dollars on imports, there will not be any wage increases.”

He said nothing about the constant loss of purchasing power our salaries suffer every time they raise the prices on the products in the stores, on some services, and the electric bill. The law of the double standard that blunts the ability to distinguish that what isn’t advancing is the system.

I think the Cuban president’s speech was painful, trying to hide sensitive issues from the citizenry, who have been customarily ignored and neglected by the men in power in Cuba since 1959. Well I could also apply to myself the maxim I’ve used as a title to this appreciative brushstroke, but I firmly believe that the Cuban president-by-inheritance should incorporate the maxim that there are times when it’s better to keep your mouth shut.

July 31 2012

A lengthy editorial in Granma on Tuesday marked the beginning of legal proceedings for murder against Angel Carromero. The 27-year-old Spaniard, deputy secretary general of The People’s Party New Generation, Carromero was driving the car in which the regime opponent Oswaldo Paya and the activist Harold Cepero were killed. Also slightly injured in the crash was the Swedish citizen Aron Modig, who returned to his country this morning.

The accident happened near the city of Bayamo, in the eastern province of Granma. According to official experts and the testimony of three witnesses present, the driver lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed and lack of attention, while driving on a road under repair. After sliding on the gravel surface of the highway, the Hyundai Accent in which they were traveling hit a tree on its left side, right at the back seat where the leader of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) was sitting.

Despite the detailed report provided by Cuban authorities and the statements of the two survivors, Oswaldo Payá’s family has doubts about what happened. On Monday, at a press conference before local and international media, Aron Modig reaffirmed that he had no memory of “there having been another car involved in this accident.” Subjected to several questions from the correspondents present, the president of the Christian Democratic Youth of Sweden (KDU) expanded on the reasons for his trip to the largest of the Antilles.

According to his answers, he was the bearer of some four thousand euros to deliver to the MCL, and was to provide advice to create a youth group of that organization. Visibly nervous and with brief responses, Modig apologized for not knowing in advance the illegal character of these actions.

A few hours later he was authorized to leave the island. No sooner had his plane landed on the old continent than he Tweeted, “European soil under my feet, I’m so relieved!” Family members as well as colleagues and friends of Oswaldo Payá are waiting, now that the Swedish politician can give his testimony more freely and without fear.

The Cuban government also released a video with statements from Ángel Carromero where he asked the international community to focus on getting him out of Cuba and “not using a traffic accident, that could have happened to anyone, for political reasons.” In his statement he emphasized that “no vehicle hit us from the rear… simply I was driving and I took the precautions of any driver which is to lightly touch the brake. The car lost control, I don’t remember signs.”

His words – without being self-incriminating – reflected a clear resposnisbily for what happened. He faces a legal process that could lead to a prison term of ten years. According to Article 177 of the current Criminal Code, “the driver of a vehicle who, breaking the laws and rules of transportation, causes the death of a person, incurs the penalty of privation of liberty for from one to ten years.” For its part, Section 183 refers to the appropriateness of sanctions taking into account “the degree of seriousness of the offense that produced the damaging event.”

By now the Spanish Embassy in Cuba has helped to hire an attorney to represent him, although the starting date of the trial has not been published. However, the Criminal Procedure Act provides for the possibility that, in exceptional circumstances, a summary process can be undertaken to reduce the length of time before coming to court.

The tone of the editorial in Granma points, also, to an increase in verbal escalation against the Spanish government. Asked about it, several opponents were alarmed about the fate of Ángel Carromero. Elizardo Sánchez, who heads the Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN), told El Pais newspaper that “the more the government tries to clarify what happened, the more confusing it all is in relation to the accident that killed Paya and Cepero. For us the case is open until the truth is known and that includes the two witnesses being able testify without being under pressure. The CCDHRN is following this and from the first moment representatives of our organization have appeared at the scene.”

The political background of this case is no help to Ángel Carromero who, in the coming weeks, could become a bargaining chip for the Havana government vis-à-vis Madrid.

31 July 2012

In spite of his osteoarthritis and mild senile dementia, Demetrio, 76-years-old, works as a night watchman at a primary school four nights a week. On his days off he get up before 5 AM to buy bread for the owners of various private cafes.

He is paid 480 pesos per month to purchase the bread, which combined with his 280 peso custodian’s salary and his 211 peso pension brings in a total 971 pesos a month. From this Demetrio takes 500 pesos to a currency exchange and buys 20 convertible pesos, or CUC’s, at the exchange rate of 25 pesos per CUC. With these CUC’s he then buys cooking oil, canned tomatoes, soap and other essential items.

With the remaining 471 pesos he must think up ways to pay for light and groceries. As a result there is no way this old man, burdened by ailments, can prepare two hot meals a day. This senior citizen no longer thinks about repairing his dilapidated apartment. Or about buying clothes or shoes. A widower of six years, his mission is simply to survive the harsh conditions of olive green socialism.

What concerns him most is being able to have four dishes for dinner: rice, beans, a salad or vegetable, and some form of protein, such as eggs, chicken, pork or catfish. Before going to bed, he prays that the Lord will take him. He wants to be together again with his wife.

Compared to Raudel, another one of Havana’sunfortunates, Demetrio is “rich.” Raudel is 73-years-old and sleepsat night when and wherever he can — a park, a doorway or an abandoned building. He is part of the herd of homeless vagrants whom the official press ignores.

Raudel is a “buzo,” as they call those who search through trashbins and garbage cans. He usually “dumpster dives” in Reparto Sevillano. In a frayed and dirty bag he collects “cucumbers” (liter and a half plastic bottles) and empty glass bottles. Those who sell vinegar and tomato concentrate pay him a peso for each bottle.

On a good day, Raudel can make 50 to 60 pesos — enough to pay 30 pesos for a small plate of rice, boiled vegetables and a slice of meat insome little privately owned cafe.

He spends the rest of the money on the drink of the forgotten — homemade rum manufactured from household alcohol filtered through a coil with industrial charcoal and horse shit.

Sometimes he gets a free meal when, while rummaging through garbage, he finds a can of food and the remnants of a meal. The “grand prize” is when he comes across an alarm clock that works, circuit boards for computers or televisions and foreign magazines in good condition. He knows people who will pay good money for these things.

He sleeps six to seven hours when and wherever he can. He lays out an old, dirty bedspread and goes to sleep, drunk and unwashed. The worst thing for a homeless Cuban is when the weather turns cold or a storm is approaching. Then Raudel pays 10 pesos to the custodian of a state garage who lets him sleep in a Russian truck.

Don’t even ask about his health. He doesn’t remember the last time he caught a cold. The future? He just lives day to day. He is happy when the trashcans have lots of plastic bottles and plenty of food, and Vincente has “train spark” (cheap rum) for sale. Everything else is nonsense.

Photo: The elderly are not the only ones living on the edge in Havana today. There are also men and women under 50, such as this couple photographed by Yuri Valle Roca at the corner of 12th and 23rd streets in Vedado.

July 30 2012