Search results for: Decree 35

A Battle For Democratization In Cuba / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos

14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 1 April 2016 – Cuban Communist Party (PCC) member Francisco Rodriguez Cruz, a journalist for the newspaper Trabajadores (Workers) and an activist against homophobia and for sexual rights, wrote an open letter to the first secretary of the Party Central Committee, Raul Castro, asking that the 7th Party Congress be postponed … Continue reading “A Battle For Democratization In Cuba / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”

Obama in Cuba / 14ymedio, Carlos Alberto Montaner

14ymedio, Carlos Alberto Montaner, Miami, 19 March 2016 – The United States president has not yet set foot in Cuba and the regime has already begun the bombardment. First it was a long editorial in the Party newspaper Granma. The essence? Cuba will not move its socialist and anti-imperialist positions a single millimeter, including its … Continue reading “Obama in Cuba / 14ymedio, Carlos Alberto Montaner”

The Rebels Of Imported Clothes / 14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz

14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz, Havana, 8 March 2016 – “Chinese or brand name?” Sandy asked a customer who had come to order some shoes. They talk inside the house with the door closed, in the same room where three years ago the saleswoman had one of the most frequented boutiques in Central Havana. Today she is … Continue reading “The Rebels Of Imported Clothes / 14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz”

Onions And Caviar, Is It The Beginning Of The End? / 14ymedio, Luis Nieto

14ymedio, Luis Nieto, Montevideo, 3 March 2016 – On 21  January, the sociologist Lorena Freitez was appointed Minister of Urban Agriculture of Venezuela, replacing Emma Ortega, who had lasted only two weeks in office. The new minister launched an ambitious slogan: “Transforming consumer cities into productive cities.” Freitez’s reasoning is that if 84 percent of the Venezuelan population … Continue reading “Onions And Caviar, Is It The Beginning Of The End? / 14ymedio, Luis Nieto”

Mistaken Focus Hinders Cuban Dialogue / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos

14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 23 February 2016 – As of early 1959, the rebel group that capitalized on the democratic revolutionary win against the Batista dictatorship began labeling as counterrevolutionaries anyone who questioned their decrees, policies and decisions, without differentiating between those who did it through healthy dialog – including from their own ranks – … Continue reading “Mistaken Focus Hinders Cuban Dialogue / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”

Living Under Someone Else’s Roof / 14ymedio, Yosmany Mayeta Labrada

14ymedio, Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, Havana, 20 February 2016 — After seven years in Havana, Carlos continues jumping from one rental to another, subject to the whims of the those who rent to him, and the lack of legal certainty for tenants. Despite the 2010 legislative change that eased the renting of homes, rooms and premises, … Continue reading “Living Under Someone Else’s Roof / 14ymedio, Yosmany Mayeta Labrada”

Montaner: “The regime has succeeded in confusing the Cubans about their own history” / 14ymedio, Mario Penton

14ymedio, Mario J. Penton, Miami, 19 February 2016 — José Martí is not the precursor of the Cuban Revolution, nor can one establish continuity between the mambises [Cuban independence fighters of the 1800s] and the Stalinist regime in place since 1959. “This telling of the story is an ideological swindle,” said Carlos Alberto Montaner in … Continue reading “Montaner: “The regime has succeeded in confusing the Cubans about their own history” / 14ymedio, Mario Penton”

Price Controls Extended Across Havana / 14ymedio

14ymedio, 25 January 2016 — What began as a novelty in mid-January has become common in the Cuban capital. The network of agricultural markets with controlled prices now extends to 66 markets and the authorities plan to extend the measure to the 105 people’s council markets in the city, as confirmed by the official press. The … Continue reading “Price Controls Extended Across Havana / 14ymedio”

The Land Belongs To The State … But The Work Does Not / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar

Mr. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura met with a group of farmers leasing land under the concept of usufruct in the province of Artemisa, showing first his political skills, and, seeing that his exhortations and appeals were insufficient, moving straight to threats. “The land belongs to the state,” he said, referring to those who do not satisfy … Continue reading “The Land Belongs To The State … But The Work Does Not / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”

The Puzzle Of Housing In Cuba / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma

14ymedio, Orlando Palma, Havana, 7 January 2016 — A year after the elimination of the National Housing Institute, the irregularities that led to dissolving that powerful government agency continue. Excessive paperwork and delays are an annoyance to the population that has barely seen any benefits from transferring its functions to other state agencies. On 5 January 2015 … Continue reading “The Puzzle Of Housing In Cuba / 14ymedio, Orlando Palma”

Land Leases, a “Half-ownership” / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez

14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez, Pinar del Rio, 14 January 2016 – The earth and the man who works it end up resembling each other. The skin becomes rough and dark like freshly plowed earth, and the face is lined with furrows where seeds could be planted. So it is with Juan José Muñoz, who at … Continue reading “Land Leases, a “Half-ownership” / 14ymedio, Juan Carlos Fernandez”

January 1, 1959: The Beginning of a Betrayal? (Part 2) / Somos+

SOMOS+, Jose M. Presol , 3 January 2016 — Part 1 enunciated what I consider to be the four main points of the “Manifesto to the People of Cuba,” but there are many more. Let’s recall these four points and take a look at what actually happened. 1. Restoration of the 1940 constitution. Technically speaking, … Continue reading “January 1, 1959: The Beginning of a Betrayal? (Part 2) / Somos+”

Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 24 December 2015 — Cuban kitchens and restaurants are preparing for Christmas Eve. The menu that is placed on the tables will evidence the purchasing power of each family and deepen social differences. While some make reservations in exclusive places with gourmet food, others will be satisfied with products from the … Continue reading “Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”

Teacher’s Day in Cuba: Gifts and Taking Stock / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 22 December 2015 – On Tuesday there will be no classes in any elementary or secondary school in Cuba. Educator’s Day is a time of celebration, when teachers receive congratulations and gifts. The practice does not compensate for the rigors of the profession, but at least it is a gesture of … Continue reading “Teacher’s Day in Cuba: Gifts and Taking Stock / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”

One Year After December 17, Who Took The Lead? / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos

14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 17 December 2015 – Several articles have already appeared alluding to the first anniversary of the normalization of relations between Cuba and the USA and evaluating the results. For some nothing has happened: nothing has changed. But diplomatic relations were restored and there have been some institutional agreements on drug control, human … Continue reading “One Year After December 17, Who Took The Lead? / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos”