Search results for: November 15

Cuba as a Member of the UN Human Rights Council Should Not be News / Miriam Leiva

MADRID, Spain  November www.cubanet.org That the Cuban government was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council has made headlines these days. However, it should not be news, because the first 47 members joined the organization established in March 2006 to supplant the Commission, whose ineffectiveness needed to be addressed. Cuba remained during the allowed … Continue reading “Cuba as a Member of the UN Human Rights Council Should Not be News / Miriam Leiva”

Papayas and Bananas Banned / Leon Padron Azcuy

HAVANA, Cuba, November 2013, www.cubanet.org – The ban was issued by the Director of Farmers Markets just a month ago, because the vendors were making excessive use of chemicals (fordimed and carbide) to advance the ripening process in fruits, which in turn brought several complaints by customers who claimed that the uncontrolled use of these chemical … Continue reading “Papayas and Bananas Banned / Leon Padron Azcuy”

Assaults Demonstrate Insecurity at University of Sciences University / Veizant Boloy

HAVANA, Cuba, November 12, 2013, Veizant Boloy / www.cubanet.org.- On November 4, at 10:30 PM, at the University of Information Sciences (UCI), located in the capital municipality of La Lisa, a group of more than several people, armed with a knife, threatened and beat a student, determined to take his laptop, according to information from … Continue reading “Assaults Demonstrate Insecurity at University of Sciences University / Veizant Boloy”

Unreachable / Luzbely Escobar

My TV is more than 20 years old and still looks like a movie theater. I don’t have a convenient remote control but we’ve found some pliers that are very useful for changing channels. It’s annoying because in the era of zapping I sometimes resign myself to see myself whatever they’re showing so I don’t … Continue reading “Unreachable / Luzbely Escobar”

El Critico Stops Hunger and Thirst Strike / UNPACU

The political prisoner Ángel Yunier Remón Arzuaga, the rapper known as El Critico (The Critic), decided to abandon his hunger and thirst strike after authorities committed to “do justice” in the case, according to the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) the opposition organization to which he belongs. Remón Arzuaga began the protest nearly a month … Continue reading “El Critico Stops Hunger and Thirst Strike / UNPACU”

3D Censorship in Cuba / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo

Earlier this year a popular new entertainment business cropped up in Havana: 3D movies! And, as with anything new that happens in Cuba, even if it’s commonplace in much of the world, it’s taken the form of a private initiative (without official license), functioning outside the state institutions that still use obsolete equipment in their … Continue reading “3D Censorship in Cuba / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

Prison Diary LXV: Ode to Pedro Pablo Oliva / Angel Santiesteban

That the essential Cuban painter Pedro Pablo Oliva (National Plastic Arts 2006 Prize Winner) was expelled in May 2011 from the Popular Assembly of the province, Pinar del Rio, is the best thing that could have happened in his life. Since then, the admiration he has won for his work has grown infinitely. A great … Continue reading “Prison Diary LXV: Ode to Pedro Pablo Oliva / Angel Santiesteban”

More About Gonzalez Coro Hospital / Rebeca Monzo

Finally Patricia is a grandmother. Her daughter was admitted a few days ago to Gonzalez Coro Hospital, formerly the Sacred Heart Clinic, in Vedado, Havana, because her baby was born underweight, something very common lately. She took some photos that helped me to offer this testimony with regards to the comfort and hygiene of this … Continue reading “More About Gonzalez Coro Hospital / Rebeca Monzo”

Disrespect for the Dead / Josue Rojas Marin, Cuban Law Association

Josue Rojas Marin The brother of Juan Miguel Herrera Machado died some years ago, and on exhuming him, he found that the remains of eleven of his loved ones had disappeared from the family vault. Given the horrendous knowledge he headed to the cemetery administration, where through the manager he learned that the vault now … Continue reading “Disrespect for the Dead / Josue Rojas Marin, Cuban Law Association”

Soccer and Soap Operas / Yoani Sanchez

“When the teachers aren’t listening, what do the students in your classroom talk about?” I asked my son a few months ago. He barely paused before answering. “The boys talk about football and the women about telenovelas,” he replied, sure of himself. I confess, I expected more. I had imagined slightly risqué topics like sexuality, … Continue reading “Soccer and Soap Operas / Yoani Sanchez”

Deserters and Granting of “Pardons” / Miriam Celaya

A friend of mine, whom I will refer to as “Greta”, is a doctor and holds a responsible position at a clinic in an “upscale” neighborhood in Havana. Although not well versed in political issues and ideologies in general, or in Marxism in particular, for many years she accepted membership in the PCC [Cuban Communist … Continue reading “Deserters and Granting of “Pardons” / Miriam Celaya”

New Business Owners Consider Turning In Their Licenses Due to Lack of Freedom / Alberto Mendez Castello

PUERTO PADRE, Cuba, November, cubanet.org — Officials in charge of overseeing the self-employment sector are updating their documentation of its licensees and subsequently warning them of possible violations. Eddy Vega — a manufacturer and vendor of plumbing supplies, who buys and refurbishes pieces of tubing, accessories and old keys — was warned in no uncertain … Continue reading “New Business Owners Consider Turning In Their Licenses Due to Lack of Freedom / Alberto Mendez Castello”