Search results for: marabou weed

Las Tunas Charcoal Workers Denounce the Theft of Their Wages by State Company and the Union

14ymedio, Havana, 20 January 2021 — A few months ago, the Empresa Integral Agropecuaria de Las Tunas was distinguished with two awards, one last October and the other in December. Judging by recent statements from the charcoal workers, the authorities do not seem disposed to let the awards be joined by an improvement in the workers’ income. … Continue reading “Las Tunas Charcoal Workers Denounce the Theft of Their Wages by State Company and the Union”

Cuban Agriculture: A Chain of Inefficiency, Bureaucracy and Corruption / Fernando Damaso

Fernando Dámaso, 4 June 2020 — After the 1959 “accident” occurred, Cuban agricultural production, which had been prosperous and efficient, ensuring the population with an adequate food supply, began to plummet. Two agrarian reform laws — the second one took away what the first had provided — were carbon copies of the failed Soviet system … Continue reading “Cuban Agriculture: A Chain of Inefficiency, Bureaucracy and Corruption / Fernando Damaso”

Are Changes to Central Planning Enough to Fix the Cuban Economy?

Elías Amor Bravo, economist, June 18, 2019 — Central planning is the basic tool used by the Castro regime to control the Cuban economy. More specifically, it replaces the market as a tool for allocating resources while at the same time taking private initiative out of the economic decision-making process. Since the establishment of the … Continue reading “Are Changes to Central Planning Enough to Fix the Cuban Economy?”

Do We Want to Be Like Che? / Somos+

Somos+, Susana Acosta Diaz, 12 March 2019  —  To be born and grow up in a country that is dreaming, a country that is asleep and seems not to want to wake up. A dream country that lives in a constant nightmare. An island that looks out to sea, to the infinite, because it does … Continue reading “Do We Want to Be Like Che? / Somos+”

Makeup Doesn’t Cover Jimaguayu’s Problems

14ymedio, Ignacio de la Paz, Camagüey | 18 September 2018 — The Jimaguayú municipality has been busy for days starting last week, when the authorities announced a visit to Camagüey by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Between 19 and 21 September the president is expected to arrive, which has unleashed an avalanche of repairs in public areas and state centers. The provincial authorities … Continue reading “Makeup Doesn’t Cover Jimaguayu’s Problems”

Of Traitors and Opportunists / Fernando Damaso

Fernando Damaso, 11 June 2018 — In the Granma newspaper of June 6th of this year, there is an article by the historian Rolando Rodríguez, under the title “A Hero Courageous Before Every Test,” referred to the patriot Ramón Leocadio Bonachea. In one of its paragraphs it is stated that “he was part of the escort of … Continue reading “Of Traitors and Opportunists / Fernando Damaso”

Another Raul Castro Promise Unfulfilled

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 22 December 2017 — With the accumulated experience of six decades in power, Raúl Castro knows the political cost of breaching the latest and most widely disseminated of his promises: to leave the country’s presidency on 24 February 2018. Each day he prolongs his presence in that position  goes against the … Continue reading “Another Raul Castro Promise Unfulfilled”

Charcoal, the Expensive and Only Cooking Fuel After Irma

14ymedio, Luz Escobar and Zunilda Mata, Havana, 18 September 2017 — Black smoke from charcoal rises from an improvised fire in Dinora’s yard, which is close to the area most affected by Hurricane Irma in Caibarién, in the province of Villa Clara. In addition to half her house being on the ground, her new problem now … Continue reading “Charcoal, the Expensive and Only Cooking Fuel After Irma”

Cuban Government Extends Land Lease Period to 20 Years

14ymedio, Havana, 30 June 2017 — The latest Council of Ministers, chaired by Raul Castro, has extended the term of the country’s land leases under the usufruct system to 20 years, but the leases can be cancelled if the beneficiaries use illicit funds, according to an announcement today in the official press. The meeting analyzed … Continue reading “Cuban Government Extends Land Lease Period to 20 Years”

The Lethargy Of A Coastal Town In Camagüey

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Florida, Cuba, 26 June 2017 — “The sea water cleans everything,” Agustin reflects as he calls out his merchandise. This 74-year-old forensic assistant now works renting inflatable boats for the fishermen of Playa Florida, in Camagüey, a coastal strip where tourists rarely come and the economic crisis is strongly felt. “I came here … Continue reading “The Lethargy Of A Coastal Town In Camagüey”

Residents Thank The Rain That Put Out The Year’s Biggest Fire

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 19 April 2017 – When the wind blows, the odor of burning overwhelms the town of El Guay, in the municipality of Mella (Santiago de Cuba). It is an odor that sticks to clothes, hair and food. Last Sunday a downpour put out the forest fire that burned 5,000 hectares in … Continue reading “Residents Thank The Rain That Put Out The Year’s Biggest Fire”

It Is Forbidden To Sell Cheese In The Cuban Countryside

14ymedio, Bertha Guillen, Candelaria, 11 April 2017 — The milk boils on the rustic stove while on the table the cream is churned to make butter. The whole family revolves around the modest production of artisan cheese, a product targeted by the police and appealing to customers. Roberto leaves the house every day very early and … Continue reading “It Is Forbidden To Sell Cheese In The Cuban Countryside”

Requiem For My Havana / Somos+, Grettha Yedra

Island, what happened to you? Who changed the spring? Who shut the door? What ship left you alone? Island, they have changed your clothes They have distorted decency They have trafficked your innocence They have shit on your equality and mine. Island, by Lien Y Rey Somos+, Gretther Yedra Rodriguez, 29 March 2017 — A few … Continue reading “Requiem For My Havana / Somos+, Grettha Yedra”

The Day Castro Buried Capitalism / Cubanet, Tania Diaz Castro

Cubanet, Tania Diaz Castro, 13 March 2017 – This 13 March is the 49th anniversary of the Great Revolutionary Offensive, that economic project that emerged from the little brain of the “Enlightened Undefeated One,” to ruin the Cuban economy even further. Although each year the so-called Castro Revolution was a real disgrace for all Cubans, … Continue reading “The Day Castro Buried Capitalism / Cubanet, Tania Diaz Castro”

In Cuba Everyone Expects Favors From Trump / Iván García

Ivan Garcia, 28 January 2017 — Betting political capital or relying on such an erratic guy as Donald Trump is not good business. Only the desperate, shameless and amoral could argue that the New York magnate is a convinced altruist or humanist. Expecting the enraged Trump to negotiate strategies that address the inefficient Cuban economy, or … Continue reading “In Cuba Everyone Expects Favors From Trump / Iván García”