English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
In late December, the journalist Pablo Mendez asked me for an interview for the digital space Cubanet, which was posted on January 4 this year. I am taking the liberty of reproducing it in this blog for my regular readers, while I record my thanks to both the journalist and the animators of Cubanet for … Continue reading “Extensive Interview on Cuban Politics: Past, Present and Future / Miriam Celaya”
Every year is a little more decadent than the last. Religiosity in Cuba has become a thing of barbarians, even to the point of a medieval superstition of the masses, repressive and cruel, out of pure fear of death in the midst of the apathy of a claustrophobic and inefficient country where poor animals and … Continue reading “The Last Corner / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo #Cuba”
The penultimate month of the year ended passing on to December, the final one, the most important inheritance received from October: the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in the eastern provinces of the country. This weather phenomenon, whose final forecast of wind speeds offered by the Institute of Meteorology at the time it entered the province … Continue reading “Bitter November / Rafael Leon Rodriguez #Cuba”
With regards to the cause of Oswaldo Payá’s death, I give his family the complete benefit of the doubt. And all the details that have been happening day to day after such an unfortunate event, reinforce this. I highlight the total lack of communication between the survivors and the family [enforced by government officials]; communication … Continue reading “The Death of Oswaldo Paya / Mario Lleonart”
God willing, before spring of 2013 arrives, Ernesto, thirty-five years old and the owner of a small confectionery business in the Havana neighborhood ofSanto Suárez, will probably be able to travel to Madrid. He will stroll along the Plaza de Cibeles, and buy something in an outlet store or a Chinese street market. And if … Continue reading “After Food, What Most People in Cuba Are Talking About / Ivan Garcia”
Antonio Rodiles continues to be held in the dungeons at Acosta and 10 de Octubre streets, for 9 days now. Perhaps the political police won’t free him before they trial they intend to hold, to avoid the bruises from the beating they gave him becoming public. Socialist legality is a set of traps to bring … Continue reading “The Worst Evil of Bad People is the Silence of Good People / Lilianne Ruiz”
Link to Facebook Here Declaration No. 2, 11 November 2012 On Wednesday, November 7, a group of citizens was arrested outside the so-called Section 21 of State Security, at 31st Avenue and 110th Street, in the municipality of Marianao. The group of about ten people was there to inquire about the legal status and whereabouts … Continue reading “LIBERTAD! FREEDOM! / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”
In another of the many meetings of recent days, the XI International Criminal Sciences Meeting 2012, the General Controller of the Republic, Gladys Bejarano Portela, urged, from ethics and professionalism, the confrontation of economic crimes and illegalities. Again the obligatory topic of corruption, focuses the interest of the participants on a legal event. The fact is … Continue reading “Corruption / Rafael Leon Rodriguez”
By Yaremis Flores Independent journalist Calixto Ramón Martínez Arias continues to be jailed in the Santiago de las Vegas police station, and “will be charged with the crime of aggravated contempt for authority,” according to precinct captain Marisela. On September 19 the captain referred to Hablemos Press Information Center correspondent as having “disrespected Fidel and … Continue reading “Hablemos Press Correspondent Calixto R. Martnez Will Be Charged for “Contempt for Authority” / Yaremes Flores, Cuban Legal Advisor”
For a business relying on foreign capital to succeed in Cuba, it is essential to create a web of friendships with influential people in the government. Everyone knows how you cultivate these relationships. With good whiskey, gourmet meals and especially with thousands of convertible pesos. For ten yearsRómulo (not his real name) was the right-hand … Continue reading “Doing Business in Cuba Is Like Surfing Rough Seas / Ivan Garcia”
By Yaremis Flores The summons for the citizens to attend the nomination of candidates assemblies are already spreading around the neighborhoods. Some are attending like robots, simply to make an appearance and so as not to be “branded” in the zone. After the candidate election process, on October 21 they will elect the delegates, who … Continue reading “The Assemblies to Nominate Candidates Begin / Cuban Legal Advisor, Yaremis Flores”
By Lic. Yarmis Flores Liu, reader of this blog, asked the Office if Cuban churches one can have access to the internet. Since 1996, the Cuban government, has been clear about its policy with respect to full access to internet services, in Decree 209 of the Council of Ministers, “Access from the Republic of Cuba … Continue reading “Accessing the Internet in Cuban Churches / Cuban Legal Advisor, Yaremis Flores”
The miter leans slightly with the rhythm of the ritual, leaving his back exposed to the stone face of José Martí. On the table of the Mass, the chalice rests and reflects from its golden surface a relief of Che Guevara mounted on the facade of the Ministry of the Interior. Benedict XVI officiates mass … Continue reading “The Papal Mantle and The Red Mass – Reflections on the Pope’s Visit to Cuba / Yoani Sanchez”
This morning we heard through a friend that on Thursday the workers of the Labiofam company were notified that they would participate, today, in an act of repudiation* in front of the Estado de Sats headquarters. A few minutes ago we returned from the Fifth Station of the PNR (National Revolutionary Police), located at 7th … Continue reading “Estado de Sats Responds to Threat of “Act of Repudiation” / Estado de Sats, Antonio Rodiles”
At five in the afternoon on July 22, the death of opposition leader and founder of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) Oswaldo Payá was confirmed. The news started as a rumor that spread during the early hours of Sunday afternoon. Known nationally and internationally for organizing and carrying out the Varela Project, his death at … Continue reading “Cuban Opposition Leader Oswaldo Payá Dies in Car Crash / Yoani Sánchez”
