Letter to Pope Benedict XVI / Jeovany Jimenez Vega

Artemisa, 20 February 2012 To His Holiness Benedict XVI: Like most Cubans, I greatly rejoice in your announced visit to our country, which will undoubtedly be welcome. You come to a country living in the most complex moment in its history. When you come, certainly, our authorities will show, among others, the achievements of our … Continue reading “Letter to Pope Benedict XVI / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”

The Battle of the “Chinese” Doctor / Reinaldo Escobar

Dr. Jeovany Jiménez In September of 2006 Dr. Jeovany Jiménez, exercising his revolutionary optimism, wrote a letter to the minister of Public Health to protest a ridiculous salary increase that didn’t correspond to the needs nor the expectations of the sector. The response was to disbar him from practicing medicine. Jeovany created a blog, and … Continue reading “The Battle of the “Chinese” Doctor / Reinaldo Escobar”

Cost-benefit, Right-freedom / Joisy García Martínez

To Tweet from a cell phone in Cuba is disproportionately costly, almost impossible, and only comparable with the draining of the Cienaga de Zapata swamp, the eradication of prostitution, computer illiteracy or the forbidden game. To write 140 characters via a cell phone in Cuba, however simple it may seem, is a luxury few can … Continue reading “Cost-benefit, Right-freedom / Joisy García Martínez”

Press Transparency Castro Style / Miriam Celaya

When, during the First Conference of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) held in January, the General declared that the Revolutionary press should be transparent, there were those who believed him. Even some professionals of the official press (which is a very particular specialty) bowed their little heads sadly, eyes tearing up, when the Second Ancient … Continue reading “Press Transparency Castro Style / Miriam Celaya”

Disqualified to Speak / Yoani Sánchez

He studied medicine, put on the white coat, entered a hospital to work in a specialty, and blindly believed in the maxims of Hippocrates. At first, imbued with a fascination for cells, muscles and tendons, he barely noticed that his colleagues walked in mended shoes, and that he himself did not earn enough to feed … Continue reading “Disqualified to Speak / Yoani Sánchez”