English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
The change that has taken place in thousands of people has been so profound and rapid that, in other circumstances, it would have taken several decades. 14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Havana, 11 July 2024 — Three years have passed since the historic protests that shook the Cuban streets on 11 July 2021, but it seems like … Continue reading “Three Years Later, What Has Become of the Repressors of 11J?”
More than 250 workers have been hired, including brigades from two MSMEs from Morón and Trinidad 14ymedio, Havana, 10 July 2024 — After Manuel Marrero’s visit at the end of June, the Zaza de Sancti Spíritus hotel underwent a marathon to restore it before the July 26 celebrations, whose main act will be held in … Continue reading “Remodeled for July 26 Celebrations, the Zaza Hotel Has No Shortage of Workers or Fuel”
Many stores do not have any of the six items for sale with established prices. 14ymedio, Miguel García/Juan Diego Rodríguez, Holguín/Havana, 9 July 2024 — Curiosity and need come together in the private shops of Holguin, which this Tuesday have had a greater influx of customers than on other days. At the entrance to the … Continue reading “Capped Prices in the Private Shops in Holguín, Anarchy in Havana”
“You have to take an aspirin when you drink Bucanero because it gives you a terrible headache.” 14ymedio, Madrid, 17 June 2024 — Cubans do not like their own country’s beer, which is both more expensive and not as good as the imported brands. This helps explain why the island is the second largest overseas … Continue reading “Better and Cheaper, Spanish Beer Beats Out Cuba’s Own Domestic Brands”
State foreign exchange shops sell the same items at more expensive prices 14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez/Olea Gallardo, Havana, 3 July 2024 — A day after the new measures announced by the Government on June 27, which establish a maximum profit margin of 30% on private sales to the State, it is not yet known with … Continue reading “Private Businesses in Cuba Hide the Chicken and Other Products To Avoid the Capped Prices”
The measure was due to come into effect on Monday for chicken, sausages, oil, spaghetti, powdered milk and detergent. 14ymedio, Havana, 1 July 2024 — As of this Monday, the prices capped for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) should be a reality. At least in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución (Havana), in … Continue reading “Without Explanation, the Established Price Caps Are Canceled for the Private Sector in Cuba”
Along with cattle theft, the situation is putting the food supply in the province in jeopardy 14ymedio, Havana, 24 June 2024 — The guajiros of Cienfuegos are desperate; the state company Acopio has owed them a total of five million pesos for months and, without money, they cannot reinvest in planting for the next harvest. … Continue reading “Cuban State Company Acopio Owes Five Million Pesos to the Farmers of Cienfuegos”
The opposition platform announced that U-turn transfers would result in an increase in remittances 14ymedio, Havana, 3 June 2024 — The opposition platform D Frente [D Front] is in favor of the new measures taken by the United States towards Cuban entrepreneurs. In a statement made public this Friday, the organization affirms that the fact … Continue reading “The Use of US Bank Accounts from Cuba Can Mitigate the Shortages, Says D Frente”
With the economy on the rocks and the usual voluntarism, nothing will stop the province from celebrating July 26 in style. 14ymedio, Havana, June 20, 2024 — A delegation of ministers and senior officials arrived in Sancti Spíritus this Wednesday to carry out a government visit that soon turned into a hunt for “illegal MSMEs” … Continue reading “Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister Ramiro Valdés Visits Sancti Spíritus to ‘Put His Foot Down’ Against Illegalities”
Hundreds of thousands of private-sector workers in Cuba are experiencing the system’s shortcomings EFE (via 14ymedio), Juan Carlos Espinosa, Havana, 9 June 2024 — Thirty-five-year-old Jorge takes his cell phone out of a yellow thermal backpack and pulls up an order he is delivering on his bicycle. He is one of hundreds of thousands of … Continue reading “Cuba at the Crossroads of the Digital Economy: Employees or Independent Contractors”
The guidelines allow Cubans to open, maintain and remotely use bank accounts in the United States 14ymedio, Luis Brizuela/IPS, Havana, 15 June 2024 — Cuban entrepreneurs are cautious when evaluating the practical applications and sustainability of the new measures of the United States Government to favor the private sector on the Island, especially in the … Continue reading “Cuban Entrepreneurs Opine About US Measures That Benefit the Private Sector”
US Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar requests the termination of the contract with a company that fired an employee for writing “Down with the dictatorship” 14ymedio, Havana, 22 May 2024 — The United States Embassy in Havana found itself embroiled in a controversy after paying a privately owned Cuban communications firm $31,530 (almost 11 million pesos … Continue reading “A Private-Sector Cuban Company, Paid $31,530 by the U.S. Government, Is Accused of Being a Front for the Cuban Regime”
A report published by the organization points to the military-run conglomerate as the main cause of inflation, blaming it for putting its interests before those of the nation. 14ymedio, Madrid, 20 May 2024 — War has been declared on the Cuban economy but it is not being waged from a department within the CIA. Instead, … Continue reading “Cuba’s Military Officials Running GAESA Have Destroyed the Economy, Claims Cuba Siglo 21”
Cuban officialdom does not mention several obvious problems of this approach: blackouts, lack of products and corruption in the food sector in the province. 14ymedio, Havana, May 29, 2024 — At least five state markets in the province of Ciego de Ávila will begin working until midnight every day of the week. The decision, made … Continue reading “With Blackouts and Little Food, the State Markets of Ciego de Ávila Open Until Midnight”
EFE/14ymedio, Washington/Madrid, May 28, 2024 — The United States has announced that as of this Tuesday it will allow entrepreneurs in Cuba to open and use US bank accounts over the internet to carry out financial transactions. In a statement, the Treasury Department explained that the decision seeks to “promote internet freedom in Cuba, support … Continue reading “The US Allows Cuban Entrepreneurs To Open Bank Accounts Online”
