English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
A tricycle driver’s unexpected response to an inspector writing down names on his attendance list for Cuba’s May Day events 14ymedio, Miguel García, Holguín, April 30, 2026 / A private driver in Holguín thought it was just another inspection. He was at the taxi stand near the surgical hospital when a transportation official approached him, … Continue reading ““I’m Not Going To Parade in Anything Related to Communism””
Without proper clothing to go outside and with freezing houses, Cubans are having a very hard time, especially those with joint problems from chikungunya. 14ymedio, Olea Gallardo, Havana, February 3, 2026 — If it doesn’t rain iguanas in Cuba , as it does in Florida, making the old winter saying a reality, it is because … Continue reading “With 0º Celsius, Cuba Experiences Its Lowest Temperature Ever Recorded on Tuesday”
It remains a dangerous category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, as it heads for the Island “We know that there will be a lot of damage caused by this hurricane,” warns President Miguel Díaz-Canel 14ymedio / Havana/ Holguín, Miguel García, October 28, 2025 — “I have spent the day nailing doors and windows,” a … Continue reading “Cubans Reinforce Their Homes, Working Against Against the Clock Before the Arrival of Hurricane Melissa”
Authorities deny rumors about an imminent declaration of an “energy emergency” to address an out-of-control situation. 14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana, 12 September 2025 — As of midday on the third day of the failure of Cuba’s national electricity system (SEN), it is clear that authorities were too quick to celebrate the country’s “recovery.” Many … Continue reading “Cuba Is Experiencing Its Third Day of General Blackout, With Sporadic Moments of Light”
14ymedio, Havana, 22 October 2024 — Vehículos Eléctricos del Caribe (Vedca), a Chinese-Cuban joint venture based in Havana, presented the medallists and coaches who took part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – and the Paralympics – with a batch of electric motorbikes. The reward for so much “sacrifice and abnegation” is ironic: it comes … Continue reading “In the Middle of a National Blackout, the Cuban Regime Hands Out Electric Motorbikes to Olympic Medallists”
14ymedio, Havana, October 19, 2024 — By Saturday it will be 24 hours since a massive power outage gripped Cuba on Friday morning. Meanwhile, getting the nation’s power grid back up and running seems to be moving slowly. 14ymedio was able to confirm that electricity was restored to a few isolated facilities in Havana such … Continue reading “With Few Exceptions, Cuba Remains in Darkness Despite Effort to Reboot the Nation’s Power Plants”
The minister explained the causes of the debacle in the sector: “lack of tires, batteries, parts and spare parts, lubricants, oil and special liquids” 14ymedio, Havana, 20 October 2024 — It was just a matter of time before Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the “Minister of Facebook,” reported on how the total blackout in which the Island … Continue reading “The Blackouts and Lack of Fuel Have Ended What Was Left of Transport in Cuba”
Protest in Holguin town gets power restored. Electricity deficit continues to set records with demand forecast at 50% on Wednesday 14ymedio, Havana, 16 October 2024 — About thirty people demonstrated on Tuesday in Sancti Spíritus because of the endless power outages in the city. “They took to the streets because of the blackout problem at … Continue reading “Two Detained in a Demonstration in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, Over Blackouts”
The only vehicles that continue to provide service in the province are the electric tricycle fleet 14ymedio, Havana, 14 September 2024 — The authorities of Pinar del Río reported that the suspension of public transport that begins this Saturday – justified by the “difficulties” in acquiring fuel – will continue “until conditions allow the restoration.” … Continue reading “Pinar Del Río, Cuba, Is Without Public Transport Until Further Notice”
14ymedio, Havana, 17 March 2024 — After several days of extended power outages and weeks-long shortages of basic rations, thousands of Santiago residents took to the streets on Sunday, shouting “electricity and food… freedom… homeland and life” and “We are hungry.” The crowd was concentrated on Carretera del Morro, close to several popular and humble … Continue reading “Residents of Santiago de Cuba Take to the Streets, Demanding Electricity and Food”
14ymedio, Miguel García, Holguín, October 18, 2023 — A motorcycle zips by as a horse-drawn carriage makes its way on the other side of road. The sunlight glistens off the asphalt which is, quite surprinsingly, flawless, without a pothole or a crack. The owner of the nearby privately owned company, Super Rapido CG, invested in … Continue reading “Cuban Business Owner Does in Months What the State Didn’t Do for Years”