English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Ferrán Nuñez, Paris, 21 February 2015 — With the signing of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded or sold the last pieces of its former empire where, in the time of Carlos V, “the sun never set.” This treaty, as has already been proven by Pedro Albizu Campos, had several legal defects … Continue reading “Why Do Cubans Continue To Be Spaniards? / 14ymedio, Ferran Nunez”
Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang, Havana, 7 February 2015 — More than a decade has passed since the first big purchase of busses from China and Russia was made in order to ameliorate the transportation problem in Cuba, and no improvement is in sight. Contrary to what was promised then, moving from one point to another … Continue reading “Corruption, the Cancer of Cuban Public Transportation / Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang”
To think that the “common Cuban on the street” –not the dissidents or the usual disobedient individuals- would spontaneously make use of the open microphones at “that” Square, to demand rights from the government is naive, a utopia. The idea is beautiful and romantic, but far, far away from reality. HAVANA, Cuba. – During the final days of 2014 and the first three of … Continue reading “Behind the Performances / Cubanet, Miriam Celaya”
… We must announce to Cubans that their lives, their dignity and their freedom belong to them and that no one, not Caesar, can take these things from them if they don’t give in because of fear or other reasons. Oswaldo Paya Sardinas [Post from 8 September 2013] Inspired by these ideas, our Christian Liberation Movement … Continue reading “Cuba’s Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) at 25”
I understand the discontent of an important sector of Cubans in exile and within the internal dissidence. On 17 November, just one month before the momentous diplomatic turn of events between Cuba and the United States, I was charring in Brickell, Miami, with a gentleman who explained to me his reasons for hating the Castro … Continue reading “Obama’s new policy toward Cuba could mark the end of the olive-green autocracy / Ivan Garcia”
Convivencia (Coeixistence) magazine salutes the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America. We hope that this climate of dialogue and negotiation is also established between the Government of the Republic of Cuba and independent Cuban civil society, with a respect for unity in diversity, the right to self-determination … Continue reading “Declaration of “Convivencia” Magazine on the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations Between Cuba and the U.S.”
Cubanet, Miriam Leiva, HAVANA, 18 December 2014 — President Barack Obama announced a new direction in US policy toward Cuba, on December 17. The Cuban population has expressed great joy at the news, both within the archipelago and abroad. It is a brave and historic decision, because it provides the opportunity to finally eradicate the … Continue reading “From Discontent to Joy in Twenty-four Hours / Cubanet, Miriam Leiva”
Twenty-five years later some people are still trying to knock down a piece of the Berlin Wall. On November 9 and 10, 1989 Germany experienced an event that quickly and with just enough lubrication sent the rusty wheel of history spinning. It was an event that marked the beginning of the end of European socialism: … Continue reading “The Cuban Wall and the Changes of 1989 / Juan Juan Almeida”
Our team had a conversation with the New York Times journalist who has authored the editorials about Cuba. 14ymedio, 1 December 2014 — Ernesto Londoño, who authored six editorials on Cuba published recently by the New York Times engaged in a friendly conversation on Saturday with a part of the 14ymedio team, in the hotel … Continue reading “Two hours with the New York Times’ Ernesto Londoño / 14ymedio”
By Jeovany Jimenez Vega During an interview last Thursday on his afternoon radio program the host, Ninoska Perez, told me about the mood she perceived in the Cuban medical brigade workers dispatched a few days ago by Raul Castro. She was struck by the “unfriendly” demeanor some of these professionals showed upon leaving for … Continue reading “Cuban Health Care Workers’ Motives: Idealism or Necessity? / Jeovany Jimenez Vega”
14ymedio, Bertrand de la Grange, Madrid/November 8, 2014 — Prensa Latina devoted only ten lines to news that stunned the world. Below a detached title – “The GDR Announces the Opening of its Borders” – the Cuban agency related on November 9, 1989, that the German Democratic Republic had just made an administrative “ruling” by … Continue reading “Orphans of the Wall / 14ymedio, Bernard de la Grange”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, 31 October 2014 – There has been a lot of talk lately of the presumed improvement in relations between the governments of the United States and Cuba. In both countries there are tons of supporters for two antagonistic positions, which in summary and without a desire to simplify, can be reduced to two … Continue reading “Between confrontation and dialogue / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
An official with the Housing Institute denounces corruption and privileges, as well as reprisals taken against his family. 14ymedio, September 24, 2014 – Before leaving Cuba in October, 2013, the author of this accusation occupied an important post at the Housing Institute and, as a jurist, saw firsthand the intrigues perpetrated by high-level officers of … Continue reading ““J’Accuse” from a High Position / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Havana, Miriam Celaya, 27 August 2014–The information that the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) published on August 19th in the paper edition of the newspaper Granma about “the next issuance of high denomination bank notes (100, 50 and 20 pesos, CUP) with new security measures” brings back to the forefront the issue of the … Continue reading “What Purpose Did the Dual Currency System Serve? / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya”
14ymedio, Havana, Rosa Lopez, 27 August 2014 – “You can’t come in,” a young doorkeeper emphatically tells a young man, while gesturing for him to move away from the door. When the target protests, he receives the explanation that in this crowded Havana club, “you can’t enter wearing shorts.” A sign posted at the entrance … Continue reading “You Can’t Come In / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez”
