Search results for: mariel boatlift

Same Hatred, Different Collar / Rosa Maria Rodriguez

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Acton Hate crimes are violent acts induced by prejudices against a person or group considered “different,” owing to their social class, race, ethnicity, nationality, political affiliation, ideology, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Modernity has driven the legislative powers of many countries to establish judicial … Continue reading “Same Hatred, Different Collar / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”

Dreaming in Color / Rosa Maria Rodriguez

Rosa Maria Rodriguez, 5 August 2015 — On August 5, 1994, the Havana shoreline filled with a human tidal wave that took the capital by surprise and overflowed into international news. The national press, as always, had to wait for the approval of the censor before reporting on the event. Nothing like this had happened … Continue reading “Dreaming in Color / Rosa Maria Rodriguez”

A Century Of Tumultuous Relations / 14ymedio

1898: the United States declares war on Spain after accusing it of the sinking of the battleship “Maine” in Havana harbor. The United States wins and Spain has to give up Cuba. 1901: On June 12, the United States imposes the Platt Amendment which will be incorporated into the first Constitution of Cuba and limits the sovereignty … Continue reading “A Century Of Tumultuous Relations / 14ymedio”

Juan Abreu: “Executions in Cuba Are an Untold Story” / 14ymedio, Yaiza Santos

14ymedio, Yaiza Santos, Mexico, 27 June 2015 – Painter and writer Juan Abreu (b. Havana, 1952) has taken on the inordinate task of painting, one by one, all those executed by the Castro regime. The work in progress is entitled 1959 but encompasses 2003, the year in which Lorenzo Capello, Barbaro Sevilla and Jorge Martinez … Continue reading “Juan Abreu: “Executions in Cuba Are an Untold Story” / 14ymedio, Yaiza Santos”

Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and Citizen Participation / Cubanet, Martha Beatriz Roque

Cubanet, Martha Beatriz Roque, Havana, 2 April 2015 — Whenever the topic of democracy and the Cuban regime comes up, the top leaders say that this is the most democratic country in the world. The latest version is that “‘democracy’ is subject to interpretation, and every country understands it in its own way.” This also … Continue reading “Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and Citizen Participation / Cubanet, Martha Beatriz Roque”

The Day Peace Broke Out / Yoani Sanchez

Generation Y*, Yoani Sanchez, 25 March 2015 – “Peace broke out!” the old teacher was heard to say, on the day that Barack Obama and Raul Castro reported the reestablishment of relations between Cuba and the United States. The phrase captured the symbolism of a moment that had all the connotations of an armistice reached … Continue reading “The Day Peace Broke Out / Yoani Sanchez”

The Conversations and Aspirations of Many Cuban Students / Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, 13 March 2015 — For a group of sixth grade students at the elementary school named after Juan Oscar Alvarado — a 19-year-old underground fighter, assassinated in 1958 in a house in the Sevillano neighborhood where they hid arms — located in that peaceful Havana neighborhood, their plans for the future are far … Continue reading “The Conversations and Aspirations of Many Cuban Students / Ivan Garcia”

Musings of a Blind Man (5) / Angel Santiesteban

Ángel Santiesteban-Prats, Jaimanitas Border Patrol Prison Unit, Havana, December, 2014 — Lacking access as I do to the predictions of political scientists (which perhaps is to my advantage so that I may be forgiven), I infer from President Obama’s latest measures that he now has nothing to lose. Therefore, any action he takes can only be … Continue reading “Musings of a Blind Man (5) / Angel Santiesteban”

Seven Hours with Jorge Luis Piloto in Miami / Ivan Garcia

Iván García, 4 February 2015 — For the prolific and noteworthy Cuban composer, Jorge Luis Piloto Alsar, born in the winter of 1955 in Cárdenas in the town of Matanzas, some 145 kilometers north of Havana, not in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that his songs would achieve international fame. Let’s get into … Continue reading “Seven Hours with Jorge Luis Piloto in Miami / Ivan Garcia”

The Cuban Adjustment Act and Future Emigrants / Ivan Garcia

One of the few Havanans not happy with the historic agreements of December 17th between President Obama and General Raul Castro was Dagoberto, a guy approaching forty who got out of jail six months ago after serving a six-year sentence for marijuana possession. “I have family in la yuma (US), but because of my drug possession … Continue reading “The Cuban Adjustment Act and Future Emigrants / Ivan Garcia”

The Maleconazo Seen Through the Blinds / 14ymedio, Ignacio Varona

14ymedio, Ignacio Varona, 5 August, 2014 – Amalia Gutierrez was living on Gervasio Street in the San Leopoldo neighborhood when she heard the shouting on the other side of her blinds. Roberto Pascual was a patient waiting for dialysis outside the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital. And Vivian Bustamante sold illegal pizzas near the Spanish Embassy. They … Continue reading “The Maleconazo Seen Through the Blinds / 14ymedio, Ignacio Varona”

“Normal Travel”: 42% Don’t Return / Enrique Del Risco

Normality Colonel Lamberto Fraga, Deputy Director of the Office of Immigration and Foreigners of CUba, has declared that 57.8 percent of those Cubans who have traveled abroad since the travel and immigration reforms have returned to the country, and he concludes: “We Cubans are not fleeing [the country], this is normal travel.” Thank goodness. P.S. … Continue reading ““Normal Travel”: 42% Don’t Return / Enrique Del Risco”

“Pioneers for Communism”: Doctrine with Bandana / Miriam Celaya

Aspiring Pioneer in 1965 This school year my grandson César began the first grade. He is pleased with the expectation of learning to read and write, but above all he is very excited that soon he will get his blue bandana and become another “pioneer for communism,” like his father 28 years ago, and like … Continue reading ““Pioneers for Communism”: Doctrine with Bandana / Miriam Celaya”

A Pawn to Distract You / Alexis Romay

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at time of Luis Pavón Tamayo’s reappearance on Cuba Television in 2007, and was translated to post here on the occasion of his recent death. On more than a few occasions, those who analyze Cuba and even those directly engaged in the country, compare it to a game … Continue reading “A Pawn to Distract You / Alexis Romay”

Three Parameters, One House / Yoani Sanchez

Placing zeros to the right seems to be the preferred sport of those who put a price on the homes they sell in Cuba today. A captive market at the end of the day, the buyer could find a lot of surprises in the wide range of classified ads. From owners who ask astronomical sums for … Continue reading “Three Parameters, One House / Yoani Sanchez”