Search results for: 26 July

Four decades after taking power through revolution in 1959, the factors which made totalitarianism in Cuba possible have reached their limit. The populist measures imposed during the first years after the revolution were accompanied by the dismantling of civil society and a process of government takeover which began with foreign-owned companies and did not end … Continue reading “An Assessment of the Cuban Government’s Management Over the Last Six Years / Dimas Castellano”

We’re already used to perceiving the interrogation tactic of “good cop, bad cop,” so it’s only natural that those of us who are usually on the other side of the questioning think of duplicating the method. On October 4 at around 5:30 in the afternoon an impressive police operation stopped us at the entrance to … Continue reading “The Good Prisoner / Reinaldo Escobar”

A few days ago a lady who has a seat on the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) knocked on my door. I thought it was a mistake or forgetfulness that brought her to our door, as we haven’t been members of the CDR for nearly a decade. But the thin woman was … Continue reading “Cachita — The Virgin of Charity of Cobre — Returns to Cuban Hearts and Homes / Yoani Sanchez”

The question of the title was inspired by Fidel Castro himself when, on March 28 of this year, he asked Benedict XVI, “What does a Pope do?” Beyond the childishness of the question, it made me reflect on what any president would say if we inquired about his agenda, how a dignitary would narrate his … Continue reading “What Does a President Do? / Yoani Sanchez”

Some people in Cuba are already placing bets. Everyone knows that within five to ten years power could change hands. The unknowns are whether the successor will have the last name of Castro, and if the inefficient political and economic system will be preserved. Raúl Castro crafted a law limiting time in political office to … Continue reading “On the Day After, Who Could Replace the Castros? / Ivan Garcia”

The miter leans slightly with the rhythm of the ritual, leaving his back exposed to the stone face of José Martí. On the table of the Mass, the chalice rests and reflects from its golden surface a relief of Che Guevara mounted on the facade of the Ministry of the Interior. Benedict XVI officiates mass … Continue reading “The Papal Mantle and The Red Mass – Reflections on the Pope’s Visit to Cuba / Yoani Sanchez”

It’s six in the morning and they start coming early. They got up at the crack of dawn because of the rumor that the fish had arrived today and, as usual, there will not be enough for everyone; later it will be gone and for weeks or months there will be no other chance for … Continue reading “The Line for Fish / Eliecer Avila”

For some weeks Havana has had its Biennial and as almost always in my little forgotten village life goes on between the tedium and mediocrity. Behind these airs of expositions and performances I can’t help but remember what happened in these parts a little after this particular cultural event in 2009. Reinaldo Escobar and Yoani … Continue reading “Taguayabón, Far From the Biennial / Mario Barroso”

Serguei Lanza Figueroa, 33 years old, resident of Calle 28 #601, municipality of Cespedes , province of Camagey, discusses his brush with death, after being refused admission to the Manuel Azcunce Domenech Provincial Hospital of Camaguey on July 24, because it was a holiday leading up to the 26th of July. When he presented himself … Continue reading “A Young Man’s Life Endangered Because of the Holidays / Ricardo Medina”

The truth about the accident in which Payá Sardinas died has been the subject of various speculations. The source of these is absolutely the responsibility of the Cuban authorities who, from the very beginning, tried to play down the importance of it, presenting it as a simple traffic accident, one more of the many that … Continue reading “Speculations / Fernando Dámaso”

The economic crisis affecting many countries in the world, is reflected in great detail by the press, radio and television in Cuba. There is an abundance of media dedicated to it. Demonstrations and protests in opposition to many of the measures that some governments have been forced to implement to try to alleviate and restore … Continue reading “Other People’s Crises / Fernando Dámaso”

Macerated by the day and the night, wrapped in the mists of the almanacs that are about to end, the shadows walk across the city where I live. They are people who come and go from one abyss to another, from the certainty of birth to the incognito of time to come. Withered, shrunk, their … Continue reading “Touched by Time / Luis Felipe Rojas”