Search results for: plaza carlos III

Havana’s Malecon Avenue Will be Closed to Vehicles on Weekends Starting this Saturday

14ymedio, Havana, 24 May 2019 — This Friday, Havana’s Provincial Road Safety Commission stated that Malecón Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic on weekend nights as of this Saturday, May 25. The note indicates that the measure will be in force “as long as necessary” and comes almost a week after an accident that claimed the lives … Continue reading “Havana’s Malecon Avenue Will be Closed to Vehicles on Weekends Starting this Saturday”

The New Castro Constitution and the Economic Crisis: Born Twins

Cubanet, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 18 April 2019 — Only a few days have passed since the proclamation of the new Castro Constitution, but nobody is talking about it on the streets of the Cuban capital. Of the entire boring speech by the Army General, the central character of the announcement and of his shiny new … Continue reading “The New Castro Constitution and the Economic Crisis: Born Twins”

Cuban Police Raid the Home of Journalist Augusto Cesar San Martin

14ymedio, Havana, 9 April 2019 — Tuesday, the police raided the home of journalist Augusto César San Martín in Havana, as confirmed 14ymedio by his wife Yanela Duran. After the search the reporter was taken to the Zanja Street Police Station, where he was released after being detained for five hours. At seven o’clock today nine people … Continue reading “Cuban Police Raid the Home of Journalist Augusto Cesar San Martin”

High Prices and Greater Control: An Old Formula for A Renewed Crisis

Cubanet, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 1 April 2019 — It’s Saturday morning and The Carlos III Shopping Plaza in Centro Habana recently opened, but already the butcher shop, in the interior of the establishment, is packed with people while, beyond the windows of the front door, another crowd swarms, expectantly waiting their turn to come in. … Continue reading “High Prices and Greater Control: An Old Formula for A Renewed Crisis”

"There’s No Cement"

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 11 February 2019 — The winds of the tornado that affected Havana just 15 days ago have not only left thousands of damaged homes and hundreds of families that lost everything, but have also deepened the shortage of building materials in the retail network, where cement, bathroom fixtures and slabs are all … Continue reading “"There’s No Cement"”

From Camels to a Sleigh, Cuba Moves from The Three Kings to Santa Claus

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez, Havana, 6 January 2019 — Red hats with a white band, beards as props, and gifts placed under the tree are Christmas elements increasingly frequent in Cuban homes. The increasingly fluid contact with Cubans in exile, after the immigration reform of 2013, has reduced the tradition of the Magi, while Santa Claus is more … Continue reading “From Camels to a Sleigh, Cuba Moves from The Three Kings to Santa Claus”

Weapons for What?

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 5 November 2018 – A cart is being unloaded at the butcher’s in Havana’s Carlos III Plaza. The crowd throws itself on it. There are shouts, shoves and occasional blows while two men grab several boxes of frozen chicken shouting, “This is mine!” It’s Tuesday and just a couple days since … Continue reading “Weapons for What?”

Havana Marabou

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernández, Havana, 30 August 2018 — On both sides of the Central Highway and the National Highway there is no other plant that dominates  the landscape as much as the invasive marabou weed (called marabú in Cuba, and also called sicklebush in English). However, this thorny bush — which has become a plague … Continue reading “Havana Marabou”

Keys to Survival in Cuba: The Ration Book, Remittances and Theft

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana/Santa Clara | 26 June 2018 —  Gloria Peralta has been sitting at the door of an old house with a gabled roof for at least two hours waiting for an onion seller to pass by to “give some flavor to the beans,” but the floods caused by the rains of tropical storm Alberto have … Continue reading “Keys to Survival in Cuba: The Ration Book, Remittances and Theft”

An Island with a Salt Shortage

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernández, Havana, 5 April 2018 — The official had a concerned look on his face upon seeing the two bags of salt that Laura Acuña was carrying in her suitcase on a flight from Bogota to Havana. “It was hard to explain to him why I was transporting two kilos of salt to an … Continue reading “An Island with a Salt Shortage”

Flowers Are Replacing Other Crops in Cuban Fields

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 14 February 2018 —  In  Hoyo de Monterrey, the place where the best tobacco from Cuba is sown, a silent battle has been going on for years. The tobacco growers of the area, forced to sell their leaves to the state companies, opt increasingly for the cultivation of flowers, a production that they … Continue reading “Flowers Are Replacing Other Crops in Cuban Fields”

Large Remittances Deplete the Cash at Western Union

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernández, Havana, 31 January 2018 — Carmen Moya puts on her most comfortable shoes, those that her son sent from New Jersey with a warning “only for special occasions.” Now she uses them to go from one  Western Union to another in search of the money the young man sends her, but the lack of … Continue reading “Large Remittances Deplete the Cash at Western Union”

From Cuban To Cuban, National Solidarity After Hurricane Irma

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 27 September 2017 – Three families are now bathing in Bernardina’s shower. “Everyone brings their own soap but the water is for everyone,” says the 86-year-old woman at her house on Calle Campanario in Havana. After Hurricane Irma the retiree opened her doors to her most affected neighbors, a gesture that is repeated … Continue reading “From Cuban To Cuban, National Solidarity After Hurricane Irma”

Sweating Is Not For Cuba’s New Rich

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 20 June 2017 — The passenger complains of the heat while frantically moving the fan. “In a few days I will install an air conditioning,” justifies the taxi driver and adds that he will charge “higher fares.” In summer everyone dreams of air-conditioning their rooms or vehicles, but whether or not one … Continue reading “Sweating Is Not For Cuba’s New Rich”

Doubtful Meat From Brazil Continues To Be Sold In Cuba / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 21 March 2017 — Cubans know a lot about adulterations. For decades they have grappled with the “diversion of resources” [i.e. stealing] from state stores and the practice of state employees acquiring products elsewhere at low prices, bringing them into the stores and selling them at high prices and keeping the profit … Continue reading “Doubtful Meat From Brazil Continues To Be Sold In Cuba / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”