English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Ivan Garcia, 17 November 2016 — Yoandry, 29, vowed that he would emigrate fromCuba in 2016. The best strategy was not to put all his eggs in one basket. Last year he sent in a form to participate in the global lottery offered annually by the United States government. “To have an American visa is … Continue reading “Cuban Emigration: All Roads Lead to the United States / Iván García”
Ivan Garcia, 12 September 2016 — In the best of times, when there were two ration books, sixty-year-old retiree Juan Alberto was happy. One was for food, which allotted you half a pound of beef every fifteen days, and one was for “manufactured goods,” which allowed you to buy a pair of domestically produced shoes … Continue reading “Under Cuban Socialism Something Was Always Missing / Iván García”
Iván García, Costa Rica, 29 November 2015 — In the last two weeks, the authorities in Costa Rica have been forced to open new shelters to care for the more than 3,000 Cubans trying to reach the U.S. who are stranded on the border with Nicaragua. Since November 15, thousands of Cubans have been sleeping … Continue reading “No Other Country Has Treated us Like Costa Rica / Ivan Garcia”
I run into a neighbor in the elevator, we exchange greetings, comments about the weather, questions about whether eggs have arrived at the corner shop. We are still on the sixth floor when, in the protected and momentary privacy of the cabin, she tells me that thanks to me she’s been able to watch a … Continue reading “Protected Soap Opera / Yoani Sánchez”
