No-one Knows What Fish They are Buying / Ernesto Garcia Diaz

Havana, Cuba – At la Playa de El Chivo (El Chivo beach ), on the northeast coast of Havana, at the foot of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro (Three Kings Castle), people carry on fishing for sport and business, between the marine waters and sewage, without the health authorities, environmental authorities or … Continue reading “No-one Knows What Fish They are Buying / Ernesto Garcia Diaz”

Arturo Sandoval: I Have Fulfilled My Dreams / Ivan Garcia

To speak about music in Cuba is an analogy. Cuba is the music. There are nice people, splendid weather, the smell of salty residue, and there’s always a reason to party. Other things, like the shrimp, tropical fruits, or beef are a luxury after 54 years of misrule. Cuba lacks essential liberties, but the music … Continue reading “Arturo Sandoval: I Have Fulfilled My Dreams / Ivan Garcia”

United States: Famous People with Cuban Roots / Ivan Garcia

Alberto Salazar, who was one of the most distinguish runners in the United States, today is a highly paid trainer in long distance running around the world. The best informed on the island know that Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s Executive Director and owner of the Washington Post Newspaper, had a stepfather born in Santiago de Cuba. … Continue reading “United States: Famous People with Cuban Roots / Ivan Garcia”

Letter from Padre Jose Conrado to the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party re the Victims of Hurricane Sandy in Santiago de Cuba

Mr. Lázaro Expósito First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party in Santiago de Cuba Mr. Secretary: I am writing to you in your capacity as the highest political authority in our province of Santiago de Cuba. I am aware that, given the hierarchical structure of the Church, by rights it is not for me to … Continue reading “Letter from Padre Jose Conrado to the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party re the Victims of Hurricane Sandy in Santiago de Cuba”

The Cuban Style of “Dumping” / Ivan Garcia #Cuba

In the south of Havana, underneath a burning sun, half a dozen men are working in a precarious workshop making blocks using a machine made up out of odd bits and pieces. It’s hard work. For twelve hours a day they put in cement, stones and clay, filling up a mold which the Frankenstein machine … Continue reading “The Cuban Style of “Dumping” / Ivan Garcia #Cuba”

The Year of the Venezuelan Tiger / Ivan Garcia #Cuba

We already know that Cuba is a country of paradoxes. Around here it’s not rare to see a nuclear physicist selling cotton candy in an amusement park. A plastic surgeon working 4 hours as a taxi driver. Or a university student alternating her studies with work as a prostitute. If there is something Fidel Castro’s … Continue reading “The Year of the Venezuelan Tiger / Ivan Garcia #Cuba”

Fidel Castro’s Experiments / Iván García

It causes chills to know that the historic leader of the Cuban revolution did research on different crops to improve nutrition for the Cuban people. I don’t want to be a harbinger of ill omen. But reviewing Castro’s “experiments” in 52 years of olive-green government, he didn’t come up with any that were successful. Let’s review the record. Let’s … Continue reading “Fidel Castro’s Experiments / Iván García”

Who Benefits From the Cuban Embargo? / Iván García

What I always admired about the United State policies is their pragmatism. It has an unmistakable capacity to dump in the trash can the strategies that don’t work. And to overcome the errors. But regarding the Cuban embargo, the Americans show a notable stupidity. Let’s see it from its supporters’ angle. Its advocates think that if … Continue reading “Who Benefits From the Cuban Embargo? / Iván García”

Social Garbageman / Iván García

Yamil, 22 years old, earns his living by rummaging through dumpsters. For him, a good day means filling three sacks to the brim with empty, flattened-out beer and soda cans, which he earns by walking 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) daily. He gathers the sacks in a corner of his shack made of wood planks … Continue reading “Social Garbageman / Iván García”

Thank you! / Iván García

When I invited a group of friends in December to send messages for the second anniversary of the Desde La Habana blog, I didn’t expect that so many would reply, much less with such praiseful greetings to the blog and to me. In my style, I’ll continue reflecting the reality of my country and its … Continue reading “Thank you! / Iván García”

Cuban Baseball Defections Could Increase / Iván García

A storm is coming to the national sport in Cuba. In the last session of the monotone parliament in December, against all odds, the government maintained its strategy of not allowing ball players and other athletes to compete in foreign leagues. Since 1991, more than 350 ball players have fled the island. By maintaining the … Continue reading “Cuban Baseball Defections Could Increase / Iván García”

The Sinister Ones / Iván García

There is too much perversion in the world. It is a feature of serial murderers, pedophiles and sexual deviants. Or of the ETA (Basque) terrorists and those irrational people who crashed two planes into the Twin Towers in New York on September 11. But there are — and there have been — sinister governments. In … Continue reading “The Sinister Ones / Iván García”

The Cachita of Central Havana / Iván García

In September, Havanans venerate three virgins: on September 7 the Regla virgin; the following day the Virgin of the Charity of Cobre, and the Merced virgin on the 24th. Regla and Charity are mixed race, and one of them, Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, is the Patron Saint of Cuba. Rain or shine, Havanans … Continue reading “The Cachita of Central Havana / Iván García”

The Real Embargo / Iván García

The “blockade,” as the Cuban government calls it, is real. It’s a trade embargo by the United States declared in 1960 and implemented rigorously since 1962. It caused the machinery from American to become scrap metal. Later, the damages were minor. The former Soviet Union connected a pipeline and oil and rubles flowed from Moscow … Continue reading “The Real Embargo / Iván García”

And Presenting the Names of Some Cubans / Iván García

My grandmothers were called Carmen and Andrea, and my grandfathers, Jose Manuel and Rafael. Names are given according to the era. My uncles and aunts were given common names: Luis, Mario, Candida, Teresa, Maria, Dulce, Augustine, Maximus, Adelaide, Victoria, Milagros, Lidia… The exception was Avelino, no longer in use, and Veneta, of Italian origin. For … Continue reading “And Presenting the Names of Some Cubans / Iván García”