English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Cubanet, Angel Santiesteban, Havana, February 20, 2018 — The first stage of the Havana’s “International” Book Fair, which this year was dedicated to Chinese culture, has ended. Perhaps it would be better to say it was dedicated to the three or four Chinese individuals who have been tasked with traveling the world, extolling the dictators … Continue reading “The King Is Dead, Long Live the King / Angel Santiesteban”
Cubaeconomía.com, Elias Amor Bravo, 5 January 2018 – The Castro regime, in its urgent need to find external financing for the economy, has developed a strategy of approaching the European Union that has come to an end, at least for the moment, with the recent visit of Federica Mogherini to Havana. The agreement is a vague … Continue reading “Mogherini’s Real Interest in Havana”
Juan Juan Almeida, 19 December 2017 — A police operation at the popular Factoría Plaza Vieja Brewery, in the historic center of Havana, caused the temporary closure of the establishment and the arrest of several people who are being prosecuted on charges of corruption. According to reports obtained by Martí Noticias, the process began when one of the … Continue reading “Corruption Scandal Shakes Up Popular Havana Brewery / Juan Juan Almeida”
EFE via 14ymedio, Havana, 28 October 2017 – The Cuban government announced Saturday that as of 1 January 2018 it will eliminate “the requirement that children born to Cubans abroad establish themselves in Cuba to obtain Cuban citizenship,” and it will no longer require Cubans living abroad to obtain “permission on the passport for travel … Continue reading “Cuba Removes Obstacles So Its Citizens Can Return to the Island”
Juan Juan Almeida, 13 September 2017 — On Friday, September 8, the day the faithful celebrate the feast day of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Hurricane Irma — a powerful category 5 storm — slammed into eastern Cuba with full force. An onslaught of huge waves, heavy rains and hurricane-force winds caused damage … Continue reading “The Castros Celebrate While Cuba is Inundated / Juan Juan Almeida”
Juan Juan Almeida, 12 June 2107 — With a decade’s worth of fledgling but stalled attempts at reforming Cuba’s economic system, a convulsive situation in Venezuela that could have repercussions in Havana and less than eight months to go before the end of his term as president of the Council of State and Council of … Continue reading “3D Film, Raul Castro’s New Hobby / Juan Juan Almeida”
Ivan Garcia, 26 April 2017 — When night falls, it’s not advisable to walk through certain neighborhoods in Havana. Like the one from El Curita Park, on Reina and Galiano, up to the corner of Monte and Cienfuegos. In addition to the disagreeable odor from the sewer water running through the streets, you’ll see propped-up buildings, … Continue reading “Havana: Clandestine Business Deals, Poverty and Glamor / Iván García”
Ivan Garcia, 5 April 2017 — He says his name is Alejandro. A thin, timid mulatto, dressed in light-blue jeans, a pullover sweater with Prussian-blue collar, and low-cut black sneakers. In one hand is a dark briefcase. He speaks quietly and deliberately. He looks like a recent graduate of the Cuban counterintelligence school. According to the … Continue reading “State Security Summons for Ivan Garcia / Ivan Garcia”
Juan Juan Almeida, 13 March 2017 — The appointment of architect Perla Rosa Rosales Aguirreurreta to succeed historian Eusebio Leal as head of Havana’s Office of the Historian is the most recent example of the Cuban regime’s making strategic decisions whose sole purpose is to implement a very well-organized dynastic succession plan. In order to further … Continue reading “Cuba’s Children of Power Take Possession / Juan Juan Almeida”
14ymedio, 24 December 2014 — Putting a face to a year like 2016, in which several historical events indelibly marked the Cuban reality – for better or worse – is a task as difficult as it is risky. This newspaper has selected 14 people who stood out in the last twelve months, in science, activism, sports, … Continue reading “Cuban Faces Of 2016 / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, 17 November 2017 – The inauguration of the National Capitol building as the headquarters of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power was treated with a minor notice on the second page of the Communist Party newspaper Granma, with the central focus being the presence, at the site, of Tran Dai Quang, President of the … Continue reading “New Cuban Parliament Site Inaugurated Without Pomp / 14ymedio”
14ymedio, Luz Escobar (Havana), Mario Penton (Miami), 16 August 2016 — “Do you see that building? Ten years ago it was full of stinking water, rats and trash. When people passed through the doorway a balcony could fall on their head. Today it is housing, thanks to the work of Eusebio,” Mirna says excitedly. After … Continue reading “Cuban Military Takes Over Businesses of Havana Historian’s Office / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Mario Penton”
Iván García, 9 June 2016 — Ask Luis Carlos Rodríguez, retired, his opinion about the designation of “Wonder City” based on an Internet survey conducted in the winter of 2014 by the Swiss foundation, “New 7 Wonders,” and you will hear a long list of complaints, sprinkled with insults, about the olive-green government that has … Continue reading “Intense Rains Give Evidence of the "Wonder" of Havana / Iván García”
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 8 June 2016 – The residents of 418 Villegas Street, in Old Havana, were unhurt after a building collapse at nine o’clock Wednesday morning. The collapse of the roof of the house on the first floor was one of the 17 partial and total building collapses that occurred in the Cuban … Continue reading “Rain Causes 17 Building Collapses in the “Wonder City” / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 8 June 2016 — As if it were a Michelin star, tour operators, hotel managers and those who rent private rooms will exhibit, starting Tuesday, Havana’s status as one of the “New7Wonder Cities” of the modern world. Although the rain intruded on the unveiling of the plaque a few yards from … Continue reading ““You Have To Have Eyes To See The Wonder” / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar”
