English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Havana, July 21, 2020 – “Since I’ve had the use of reason they’ve inculcated us with the idea that we’re all equal, and now I understand that it’s not true,” writes Avelino, one reader among many of Cubadebate. Since Monday they’ve made their frustration clear about the beginning of the sale of food and … Continue reading “Is Our National Money Still Worth Anything?”
14ymedio, Santa Clara, Laura Rodríguez Fuentes, May 18, 2020 — Though its residents are still under lockdown, two long lines form every morning in the center of Santa Clara. One is for the Western Union office, where remittances are received. The other is for the Praga store, part of the Cimex chain, which is run … Continue reading “Two Lines in Santa Clara, One to Collect Remittances and the Other to Spend Them”
14ymedio, Havana, 22 January 2020 — As it usually happens in these cases, Cuba’s State television monopoly presented a report on Tuesday that provides supposed evidence of the participation of “the anti-Cuban mafia based in Florida” in the desecration of José Martí’s busts by a group called Clandestinos. The report, more than 11 minutes long, presents … Continue reading “With Testimonies from Detainees, Cuban TV Accuses Miami’s "Mafia" of Financing Clandestinos”
14ymedio, Havana, January 23, 2020 — After being pointed out by the Cuban State’s television monopoly as the main person responsible for the activities of the Clandestinos, Ana Olema Hernández responded this Wednesday on the program El Espejo of AmericaTeve. “The system has no credibility. It’s a total defamation,” said the activist. Hernández, who lives … Continue reading “The Exile Community Makes Fun of the "Revelations" on Cuban Television About The Clandestinos”
14ymedio, 9 December 2019 — In recent days this newspaper has offered its readers different points of view on the initiative to temporarily suspend the sending of remittances, packages, cellphone top-ups and trips to Cuba. The proposal, known as the January Stop, has generated an intense controversy where each party expresses its arguments with passion. In this Crossfire … Continue reading “Suspend Remittances and Telephone Top-ups to Cuba?”
14ymedio, Luz Escobar / Mario J. Pentón, Havana / Miami, 26 November 2019 — When his mother asked him to send the usual monthly remittance in dollars, Guillermo Prieto — a Cuban man living in Homestead, a town south of Miami — thought it was so she could buy a household appliance at one of … Continue reading “Tourists and Some Cubans Are Happy about the CUC’s Devaluation”
14ymedio, Havana, 16 November 2019 — What was going to be the most important commercial opening coinciding with the celebration of Havana’s half millennium has been marred after it was announced that the Cuatro Caminos Market would close after the first day of its reopening to the public. The arrival of thousands of people since … Continue reading “The Cuatro Caminos Market Closes Until Next Week Due To Social "Indiscipline"”
14ymedio, Havana, October 18, 2019 — The line extends all the way to the entrance of the Carlos III shopping mall. People are not in it to buy frozen chicken, powdered milk or even laundry detergent, a product in high demand here. Everyone is waiting in line to collect a remittance sent by a relative … Continue reading “People with Real Businesses Don’t Fear Restrictions on Remittances”
Iván García, 15 February 2019 — Before the violent tornado overturned cars in the Santos Suárez neighbourhood, pulled out electricity poles, and destroyed hundreds of homes, Aniel, a cook in a five star hotel in Old Havana, hardly said hello to his neighbours. He fenced in his house and transformed it into a fortress, proof … Continue reading “Something Good Came Out of the Tornado: Solidarity Among Cubans”
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 23 November 2018 — Without long lines outside stores or massive orders via Amazon or store windows decorated for the occasion, we have Black Friday in Cuba, a practice that has come with the private sector and that this year has featured extensive offerings in the informal market. “If you send text message … Continue reading “Black Friday Arrives in Cuba in the Hands of Private Businesses”
Regina Coyula, 20 April 2018 — The new president takes office with the backing of Raul Castro, but the advanced ages of the so-called “historical leaders” make that support very volatile and Diaz-Canel must create his own alliances beyond those he inherited, in order to govern a country filled with problems. In spite of yesterday’s … Continue reading “From a Leader to a Director, From a Director to a Functionary / Regina Coyula”
Ivan Garcia, 26 January 2018 — When it seems that all the doors for emigration to a first world country are closed, that the blue Cuban passport is not welcome at most border crossings, and putting yourself into a boat to get to the United States is not just useless but suicidal, Mayra, a university … Continue reading “Cuban Emigration Carries On / Iván García”
14ymedio, Nora Gamez, Mimi Whitefield, Mario Penton, Miami, 17 September 2017 – Concerned that the Cuban government does not usually accept donations from the United States, the Cuban-American community is looking for alternatives to help their families on the island, which has been devastated by the passage of Hurricane Irma. According to a preliminary evaluation … Continue reading “After Hurricane Irma, Sending Help to Family in Cuba is Complicated”
Ivan Garcia, 14 June 2017 — What you lose last is hope. And those who have plans to immigrate to the United States maintain bulletproof optimism. Close to a small park in Calzada street, next to Rivero’s funeral home, dozens of restless people await their appointment for the consular interview at the American Embassy located … Continue reading “Cuba Awaits New Trump Proposals / Iván García”
Ivan Garcia, 8 July 2017 — Without too much caution, the CUPET tanker truck painted green and white begins to deposit fuel in the underground basement of a gas station located at the intersection of Calle San Miguel and Mayía Rodríguez, just in front of Villa Marista, headquarters of State Security, in the quiet Sevillano neighborhood, … Continue reading “If Trump Ends Our Remittances? / Iván García”
