Search results for: Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara

The Cuban Regime Has Benefited From Its Agreement With The EU

14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 10 March 2020 – Three years have passed since December 2016, when Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla shook hands exultantly with a smiling Federica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The head of Castro’s diplomacy had every reason to celebrate. After more … Continue reading “The Cuban Regime Has Benefited From Its Agreement With The EU”

Cuban Television Apologizes for the Censorship of a Gay Kiss

14ymedio, Havana, 1 March 2020 — This Sunday the web portal of Cuban Television, belonging to the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), apologized to viewers after censoring a scene from the film Love, Simon in which two men kissed. “Cuban TV offers an apology to the television audience for the mutilation of the scene of … Continue reading “Cuban Television Apologizes for the Censorship of a Gay Kiss”

Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 20 December 2019 — Claudia Genlui Hidalgo, now a former official of the Office of the Historian, has been fired from the agency after presenting a talk on independent art at the embassy of the Czech Republic in Havana, as she denounced to 14ymedio this Thursday, shortly after being notified of her expulsion. “Today … Continue reading “Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk”

The Masks of Havana

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Generation Y, Havana, 17 November 2019 — Havana was a city of carnivals and masks. Although the times of revelry passed long ago, this city is covered – whenever necessary – with convenient layers of makeup. Years ago, when a pope visited the island, the authorities painted the facades and cleaned the streets through … Continue reading “The Masks of Havana”

Successes and Mistakes of a Royal Visit

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 15 November 2019 — This Thursday the three-day state visit by the Spanish Royals King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Cuba concluded, a stay that from before its beginning was surrounded by controversy and, now concluded, will continue to be subject to criticism, interpretations, grievances and redress. We must recognize … Continue reading “Successes and Mistakes of a Royal Visit”

Several Cuban Activists Arrested During "Performance" In Solidarity With Guillermo Del Sol

14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2019 — This Monday, as Guillermo del Sol’s hunger strike reached 50 days, a group of activists, opposition figures, and independent journalists have made public a letter of support in which they intend to express their “solidarity and recognition” to the activist for his “sacrifice to eradicate one of the most lamentable … Continue reading “Several Cuban Activists Arrested During "Performance" In Solidarity With Guillermo Del Sol”

The Obligations of the Church

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, January 30, 2019 — First of all, I must confess: I don’t agree with any religion. I hardly have metaphysical doubts, which doesn’t even allow me to classify myself as an atheist. I have always believed that religions are a kind of discipline for the spirit and that mine is notoriously … Continue reading “The Obligations of the Church”

Political Snobbery or Consensual Propaganda

14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 19 April 2019 — As Cuba sinks into a new period of crisis, the absurdity of existing in parallel planes has been imposed as the norm in the daily lives of its inhabitants. Submerged in the desperate search for subsistence, a growing number of Cubans choose to ignore other signs of … Continue reading “Political Snobbery or Consensual Propaganda”

Why Am I Not Going to the XIII Havana Biennial?

14ymedio, Tania Bruguera, Havana, 14 April 2019 — Before giving my reasons I want to clarify that I admire the work of the curators of La Bienal de La Habana and I do not consider any of my reasons to be their responsibility. Rather, they are a response to the cultural policies of the Ministry of … Continue reading “Why Am I Not Going to the XIII Havana Biennial?”

Fahrenheit 349

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 9 December 2018 —  We have Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) to thanks for the novel Fahrenheit 451 (published in 1953) that tells the story of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books considered ‘uncomfortable’ by the government. Such an atrocity was only possible because there was a powerful commission in charge of dictating … Continue reading “Fahrenheit 349”

Cuban Government Puts the Brakes on Full Implementation of Decree 349, Proposing it be Gradual

14ymedio, Havana, 8 December 2018 — The Cuban government has decided to stop the full implementation of Decree 349, a few days after it also backed off on fully implementing a package of measures to control the private sector. On Cuban TV’s Roundtable program this Friday, Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso, announced that the unpopular Decree 349 … Continue reading “Cuban Government Puts the Brakes on Full Implementation of Decree 349, Proposing it be Gradual”

Cuban Customs Confiscates Opposition T-Shirts at Havana Airport

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, November 6, 2018 — The campaign against Decree 349, an article in the the proposed new Cuban constitution which includes strict rules on artistic expression in public spaces, has collided with Cuban customs restrictions. Upon her return to the island, artist and activist Yanelys Nuñez reported on social media that customs officials … Continue reading “Cuban Customs Confiscates Opposition T-Shirts at Havana Airport”

Cuba’s Independent Artists Denounce the "State of Exception" They’ve Faced Since 1959

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana | 17 September 2018 — The group of independent artists who since July have been carrying out a campaign against Decree 349 reports that “since the triumph of the Revolution, in 1959, there has existed a state of exception when it comes to the freedom of artistic creation and expression” in … Continue reading “Cuba’s Independent Artists Denounce the "State of Exception" They’ve Faced Since 1959”

Artists Denounce Decree 349 for "Criminalizing Independent Art"

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana | 27 August 2018 — A group of artists who have been promoting an intense campaign against Decree 349 since July are continuing to pressure the country’s authorities not to implement this law that demands that “commercial spaces for plastic arts” have prior authorization and be registered in the Creators’ Registry. … Continue reading “Artists Denounce Decree 349 for "Criminalizing Independent Art"”

Occupancy Rate at Manzana Kempenski Luxury Hotel Under 20%, Say Staffers

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernández, La Habana | Junio 19, 2018 — None of the customers who were enjoying the bar and pool on the rooftop of the Manzana Kempinski Hotel this Monday were staying at the accommodation. The luxurious colossus across from Havana’s Central Park is below 20% occupancy according to the calculations of its workers, due to the slowdown in … Continue reading “Occupancy Rate at Manzana Kempenski Luxury Hotel Under 20%, Say Staffers”