Search results for: CDR

It’s Good for Them to Know They Are United /Mario Barroso

When Granma and the National Televised News publicized on Thursday, February 23rd the previous day’s meeting between hierarchies of Cuban religious denominations and fraternal organizations with representatives of the Cuban regime, many were alarmed to discover the existing communion between religious and political leaders. Such agreement places both on the same playing field. Esteban Lazo, a … Continue reading “It’s Good for Them to Know They Are United /Mario Barroso”

To the Outraged / Lilianne Ruíz

I understand that Western countries, where the government emerges from a multi-party democracy, must have their problems. Here the scriptwriters of any news report broadcast are very pleased when they comment on (because they almost never let you hear the voices of the international reporters) the news about the protests of the Outraged, Spanish students, … Continue reading “To the Outraged / Lilianne Ruíz”

"Occupy" in Havana / Yaremis Flores

Yaremis Flores. On the periphery of Havana, in the Alamar district,cases of illegal squatters inunoccupied buildingsare proliferating. The Government and the Municipal Housing Division (DMV), the entities in charge of solving the problem, are simply targets for the numerous complaints and pleas of the population. “You’re not on the list of priority cases, there are … Continue reading “"Occupy" in Havana / Yaremis Flores”

Country of Pixels / Marcos García Rodríguez

                  Esta obra ha sido debidamente registrada en el Centro Nacional de Derechos de Autor y pertenece por entero al autor. Queda prohibido utilizarla en parte o en su conjunto por cualquier medio, soporte o forma de comunicación sin permiso expreso del autor. [Photos may not be … Continue reading “Country of Pixels / Marcos García Rodríguez”

Willy’s Beatles’ Beat / Ernesto Morales Licea

What could be better, for an admirer of his work, to listen to Willy Chirino live and in person for two wonderful hours? Yes, at least for me: to listen to him honor the Beatles during those two hours that never should have ended. I think that I could not have dreamed of a better … Continue reading “Willy’s Beatles’ Beat / Ernesto Morales Licea”

CID Delegate in San Miguel del Patron Won’t Appear Before State Security / Katia Sonia

Elpidio Rodriguez Casas, delegate of the Cuban Independent and Democratic Party in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón, refused to appear in response to a subpoena issued by the Lieutenant Nelson of state security to 3:00 pm on August 3, the municipal unit of the National Revolutionary Police. Homes Rodriguez declared his disagreement with … Continue reading “CID Delegate in San Miguel del Patron Won’t Appear Before State Security / Katia Sonia”

The War of the Paladares (Restaurants) / Francis Sánchez

(A Contribution to Travel Literature) That the facilities for obtaining patents for small services trigger a headlong rush among Cubans you already knew. The restrictions on private enterprise, and chronic shortages, plus the deep social (and stomach!) vacuum left by inefficient state enterprises that have monopolized the trade, was an antecedent too pitiful to not … Continue reading “The War of the Paladares (Restaurants) / Francis Sánchez”

Public Declaration in Self-Defense of Rastafarian Artist Hector Riscar (El Nano) / El Sexto – Danilo Maldonado Machado

I, Hector Riscar Mustelier, declare in writing what really happened on Wednesday 16 November 2011. We left the National Cabaret, where we were working the Heritage Group, a reggae band, of which I am director. We were Adrian (props), Daniel (drummer), Zenén (sound engineer) and I, crossing the corner of Prado and San Jose, where … Continue reading “Public Declaration in Self-Defense of Rastafarian Artist Hector Riscar (El Nano) / El Sexto – Danilo Maldonado Machado”

My Wish for 2012: Outraged People in Cuba / Miriam Celaya

A European friend who recently visited Havana asked me what my greatest wish for this year 2012 was. Of course, she expected me to express to her the same old litany: the end of the dictatorship, democracy, peace, freedom, etc. The wishes that tens of thousands of Cubans have made each New Year’s and that, … Continue reading “My Wish for 2012: Outraged People in Cuba / Miriam Celaya”

Palestinians in Havana / Iván García

For the ‘Palestinians’, as people from Havana call those born in the eastern provinces, to live in Havana is almost a mission impossible. By Decree 217, passed in 1997, the law sanctions and fines people born outside the capital who wish to settle there without official permission. It’s like a border without a border. There … Continue reading “Palestinians in Havana / Iván García”

Surveys, to Please Expectations? / Miriam Celaya

This week I had a brief involvement in a radio program, but, unfortunately, there was insufficient time for the issue which I was invited discuss. Of course, this is not the Cuban radio on the Island, nor do I want to make a critical assessment of the program in question in this post. I hold … Continue reading “Surveys, to Please Expectations? / Miriam Celaya”

The Housing Problem: the System’s Autotrophic Phase / Miriam Celaya

Those of us Habaneros who were already adults in the 90’s witnessed the dismantling of the so-called “hostels” or INIT shelters, which — for the younger readers — were something like the tropical version of a cheap motel in which, for a small fee, couples who had no other adequate space rented a room for … Continue reading “The Housing Problem: the System’s Autotrophic Phase / Miriam Celaya”

Party Prepares Itself for Next Elections / Laritza Diversent

The Communist Party of Cuba works arduously to realize a full identity between its members and those of the government, and to guarantee that its politics are approved unanimously in the National Assembly, the body that represents and expresses the will of more than 11 million Cubans. The sixth Congress of the Communist Party of … Continue reading “Party Prepares Itself for Next Elections / Laritza Diversent”

Monumental Horrors / Rebeca Monzo

In the past few days, I wrote about architectural horrors, today I am going to dedicate this post to the aggressions committed against our monuments. Walking through the neighborhood of El Vedado, as always with my little camera in hand, I stopped to look at the little park that splits the road in two. There … Continue reading “Monumental Horrors / Rebeca Monzo”

XY, Axis of Coordinates or Chromosomes of Survival / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado

A little while ago I left my house and a neighbor in my sector (whom I shall call ‘X’) signaled me to come to the sidewalk in front. The attitude of her corporeal whisper intrigued me. I crossed the street to go meet her, looking all around, because her conspiratorial gestures put me on alert. … Continue reading “XY, Axis of Coordinates or Chromosomes of Survival / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado”