English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Without gloves and without supplies to carry out his task, he is faced with an inhumane task: saving what is the dirtiest city in Cuba. 14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 22 April 2025 — The man was slumped on the sidewalk, in the shadow of a crumbling wall. He could have been a beggar—it’s not unusual … Continue reading “With So Much Trash To Collect in Havana, No Street Sweeper Can Handle It”
Robberies, corruption of public officials, violence in the streets and consumption of ’chemicals’ continue to dominate Cubans’ conversations on social networks 14ymedio, Havana, 11 March 2025 — Rumors about child kidnappings in several Cuban cities – especially in Cárdenas (Matanzas) and Havana – caused such a stir that the regime’s main spokesman, Humberto López, dedicated … Continue reading “February Rumors in Cuba: Kidnappings in Schools and ‘Lack of Control’ in the Castro Leadership”
14ymedio, Havana, 5 March 2025 –The collusion – by work or omission – of officials and leaders has contributed to the criminal panorama, which has reached an unprecedented “complexity” in Las Tunas, according to the police on Tuesday. The authorities registered 300 crimes last week, mostly “felonies against state entities,” in which several local authorities … Continue reading “Cuban Communist Party (PCC) Demands Severe Measures Against the Cadres Who ‘Facilitate’ Crime in Las Tunas”
In 2024, more than 1,000 kilos were seized, mostly cocaine, and more than 1,100 people were sentenced to prison. 14ymedio, Madrid, 21 February 2025 — The authorities’ concern about the increase in the amount of drugs circulating on the Island is as evident as is its desire to spread the message that they are fighting … Continue reading “Cuban Authorities Promise To Fight Drugs With ‘Blood and Fire’”
Two people have died and one child began abusing narcotics at age eight, according to health records. 14ymedio, Havana, 6 February 2025 — Las Tunas has become another drug epicenter on the Island, and the increase in recorded cases, which peaked from the second half of 2024, is due to the El químico (the chemical), … Continue reading “The ‘Quimiqueros’ Take Over Las Tunas, Another Cuban City Affected by Drug Use”
It is alleged that doses of the synthetic drug known as ‘químico’ are being sold on the online platform Revolico 14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2024 — A theme prevailed over the vortex of rumors in Cuba in November and defined the tone of the comments: total blackouts. Everything, from the alleged militarization of cities to … Continue reading “November Rumors in Cuba: Militarization, Protests, Diversion of International Aid”
The atmosphere of desperation and paralysis of life generated by blackouts has been the subject of multiple complaints 14ymedio/YucaByte, Havana, 19 June 2024 — Blackouts set the pace of life in Cuba, heating up tempers and triggering protests of a different caliber in a summer that is just beginning. With an increasingly unstable country on … Continue reading “In Cuba, Rumors of the Collapse of the Regime: Purge of Ramiro Valdés, Lis Cuesta Detained, Soldiers Ask for a Discharge”
In the so-called “market alley” there are, from Mártires to Gómez, Rhino’s Bar, Benjuly, Gato Negro and Destellos Café, all private 14ymedio, Miguel García, Holguín, May 18, 2024 — Mártires Street and three avenues named after heroes – Martí, Máximo Gómez and Luz y Caballero – frame the brand new red light district of Holguín, … Continue reading “The Traffickers, Prostitutes and ‘Yarinis’ of Holguín, Cuba, Have Their Base of Operations in La Marqueta”
This is the case of schools that have become “areas of high incidence of drug use,” says a Public Health official 14ymedio, Havana, 11 April 2024 — Drug trafficking in Cuba is increasing and tourist enclaves and areas where foreigners pass through – in addition to Havana, due to its population density – are the places … Continue reading “Havana and the Tourist Areas Are the Epicenter of Drug Use in Cuba”