Search results for: referendum constitution

Photo: Rebeca In the 1950s one of the principal objectives of the fight against the dictatorship was the full restoration of the constitution of 1940, some of whose articles had never been fulfilled. Once the new regime was in power, however, it ignored this constitution and the country began to ruled according to the so-called … Continue reading “Reform That Cannot Be Postponed / Fernando Damaso”

If any country in our region has stood out in recent times for its election practices, the country is Venezuela. The Venezuelan people are now engaged in another election process to decide the their political direction that, supposedly, the majority determine. The campaigns of the two main adversaries are seasoned more by diatribe and disqualification … Continue reading “Elections in Venezuela / Rafael León Rodríguez”

Site manager’s note: This document/proposal, published by the Catholic Archdiocese of Havana, is generating discussion among the bloggers and is posted here for the convenience of our readers. The following translation is taken from the Havana Times. The document, in English, can be downloaded here. A Dreamed of, Possible and Future Cuba The sovereignty of … Continue reading “A Dreamed of, Possible and Future Cuba, Laboratorio Casa Cuba Proposal / Catholic Archdiocese of Havana”

Neighbors witnessing the arrest of a dissident in 2003 — see more detailed note below. 2003 was an incredible year. Harassment, arbitrary detentions, acts of repudiation and verbal assaults against the opposition by the government were rising. There was an escalation by the government against peaceful dissidents and independent journalists. Castro called a referendum to … Continue reading “When Fidel Castro Wanted to Break Up the Dissident Movement / Ivan Garcia”

In his book The Social Contract–one of the most influential works of political theory of the 18th century–the French writer, Jean Jacques Rousseau, proposed the following theory: The union of persons to protect their well-being emanates from a general will that transforms the parties to the contract into a collective political body. The exercise of … Continue reading “Elections and Citizen Sovereignty / Dimas Castellano”

Four days before Oswaldo Payá was killed, I drove past the exact spot where his rented blue Hyundai slammed into a tree. I didn’t find out about the crash until I was en route to Florida on July 22. I had known Payá for many years and was saddened to hear of his death. Quiet … Continue reading “Voices Magazine No. 16: Tribute to Oswaldo Paya / Tracey Eaton”