Havana Times History, Policies, Perspectives & How You Can Help
HAVANA TIMES — In this interview editor Circles Robinson answers a wide range of questions about the web publication, its history, policies & direction. Havana Times began in October 2008 and is now in its 12th year.
If you would like to help make it possible for Havana Times to continue publishing please click on the following link which has the easy to follow instructions: https://mediaoutreach.org/havana-times-donate
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Contact Havana Times here: [email protected]
Thanks Stephen
Circles Robinson,
I read the following article on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) website. As you know many Canadians visit and vacation in Cuba on a regular basis, so much so that the CBC is saying to Canadians not to travel to Cuba since those Canadian tourist dollars go to support the Cuban military.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cuba-canada-tourism-1.6124982
You may find it interesting.
Stephen
Thanks I will have a look.
Circles Robinson:
I saw this appropriate, timely, article in a Canadian newspaper. The publication is called “National Post”. The author, Rex Murphy, is a well know, respected, very articulate Canadian journalist-broadcaster.
“Cubans deserve our support, but the left would rather embrace murderous dictators”
It surely cannot be too much to ask that the Cuban people receive support and encouragement in their struggle against a tyrannical and repressive regime
Author of the article:
Rex Murphy
Publishing date:
Jul 20, 2021
Buenas noches Apolonio, no tengo su correo pero conozco quien lo tiene. Sugiero que escriba un mensaje corto para Humberto Belli e intentaré buscar apoyo para triangularlo a sus manos. Manda el mensaje a [email protected] Saludos, Circles
Soy asiduo lector de Habana Time. Recien lei entrevista con Humberto Belli, si ustedes tienen su email mucho agradecere me lo faciliten, Afectruosamente, A. Marin (miembro Diaspora Nicaraguense, area metropolitana Washington)
[email protected]
Hi, I’m a freelancer trying to report from Aguadilla, PR this May. Could I get in touch with an editor to whom I can make a pitch?
Beaming from Medellin now. Wanting to make more contacts in Cuba and Nicaragua for that matter.
Dear Tracy, because you are studying Cuba in your college course in International Business, I strongly recommend spending one month with an ordinary, poor family, who is of course not a member of the Communist party, in Cuba. Believe me, it will not be funny and I guarantee that you will radically change many of your opinions.
I like your paper and want to donate. I think that Cubans should be able to receive donations from their families and friends and hope that the Biden administration will allow this process to continue. If the Cuban government takes, say, 10 percent but give my family the other 90 percent specially now that they are going to one currency, I would definitely support that for my Cuban family. I would contribute to your news if I saw you answer the questions of the young reader Tracy, above, honestly and in a balanced way. No, the majority of the Cuban people are not happy because they lack freedom of expression, press, and speech. Please also report on the demonstrations against the lack of human rights going on in Cuba, right now too. The Cuban people should be helped, while the US government and the rest of us at the same time try to apply more political pressure to open the country so that Cubans can make a decent living. No one is happy living in misery while spending their existence focused only on the physical survival of themselves and their families because they cannot survive with their nutritional government allowances. So while lobbying for more help for the Cuban people, I would like to see you also cover more about what can be done to solve the present Cuban human crisis by also calling out the Cuban government’s ability and refusal to change some of its policies to make every Cuban proud of their country again. Perhaps the present increased allowance of citizens to be more interactive on the internet, on their phones, and to express themselves, and even recent changes to the Cuban currencies are good first steps, however painful these currency changes may be for the Cuban citizens at this point. The Cuban government still needs to decrease their still repressive efforts of free speech and press. But I like the increasing abilities of some of its citizens to express their independent views. Unfortunately, there still exists much fear preventing most citizens in engaging in free interactive discussions with other citizens and their government. So have the military and security police back off. They may lose some the the economic advantages they now enjoy, but have much to gain by elevating every citizen to the same life style they now enjoy.
Carmen,
Georgia
Cuba has a unique position, as a nation that has survived in insolation and with limitations. During this global pandemic period, it is so important for us to have a deeper view into the lives of Cuban to derived invaluable lessons about their outlook or world view, about living with challenges.
Havana independent reporting from the grass roots provide excellent insights for me to draw invaluable lessons. As a farmer, Cuba is an amazing country that offers me invaluable lessons to serve as guiding principles, through the views found in the Cuban diaries. Kudos!!!! Havana Times for bringing to the global community this unique and precious insight.
nice to hear something positive about Cuba for a change
Hi,
I have chosen Cuba as my country in my college course, International Business. I was wondering if the positive mannerism of the citizens are from what they are, without the need of material items such as my country, USA, thrive on? Do they really find happiness in what they have, making what they need, and the purity is that of a true soul? From what I have read, I would say yes, my teacher was curious.
Please keep posting, your stories help build my character in my homework. I think Cuba is not seen for what it really is, and I believe the PR should bring the soul of your country to life.
Thank you so much,
Tracy
California
WOuld love to have you on my podcast
My name is Romeo Gallant and I live in Prince Edward Island Canada. My wife and I have visited your country and I have always felt a respect for the people. My thoughts are with you and your families. My family also lives on an Island so I hope things go well with you as well. I look forward to visiting again soon. As we say here: be nice and be kind to each other.
We — our whole species, planet-wide — are living through very dangerous times. It can be depressing, comparing what CAN be done, economically, scientifically — and IS being done in many places … with all the possibilities for this wonderful progress to be de-railed.
Putting out Havana Times must be a burden at times. All I can say is … keep it up! People who devote their lives to building a better world are the leaven in the bread of humanity.
Some day Cuba will advance towards being a free society, while hopefully retaining the gains of its revolution. When it does so, it will be a true model to be followed all over Latin America. And The Havana Times will have played a big role in that.
My wife and I are planning a trip to Cuba in the near future. I write articles for a periodical called “Mules and More” located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I would love to receive any info on your mule/donkey population and after our visit write a positive article on the status of mules and donkeys in Cuba. Also, would like to ride some mules in Cuba, we have several mules and donkeys on our farm in Missouri. I’ve been fascinated by these animals for several years and am concerned for their health and welfare, their history and their future.
Thank you,
Noel C. Stasiak
As a “Cuban exile” living in the US(and, no, not Miami,but yes in Florida-the “other” Cuban population) I’d simply like to express my appreciation for your site and insight from various viewpoints (seems relatively well-balanced, since there are “outsiders” as well as more closely-related contributors, equally representative), I’ve only just discovered HT through a google search related to Cuban counter revolutionaries(admittedly sparked by the provocative Netflix series “Occupied”)and my personal experiences as a Cuban-born exile(by virtue of family actions rather than my own).
Having lived through a forced escape of Castro’s Cuba in the early 1960’s, and experienced an intimate view of life in Cuba for my relatives who remained, I am more in agreement with Melissa Martin’s observations than Mr. Haney’s, but wish to comment that having his(or similar) views is healthy for debating such a complex and multi-faceted issue as post-revolutionary Cuba.Is it not a policy of revolutionary Cuba to silence “dissident” views? Surely that is not the same policy we would wish to perpetuate, after having to leave behind one’s homeland for that(and myriad other) reasons?
When freedom of the press is imprisoned
Jailed journalists around the globe. How can it be?
Devious despots misusing power and preying upon humanity—withholding information because knowledge is power. Silencing the other side of the story. Fear of losing control feeds their depravity. Dictators hiding behind castle walls and armies of destruction for those who dare ask questions or criticize.
Freedom of the press is held hostage as journalists observe through prison bars. The courageous story-tellers that sacrifice personal safety for the human rights of others. But their lips will not be nailed shut like a wooden coffin. Truth finds a way to seep out of the cracks and crannies of the grave. “Freedom of speech!” cry the people. “Freedom of expression!” cry the people. “Hear our voices!” cry the people.
Duvar English, an independent newspaper in Turkey, revealed the following facts in a 2019 article. “There are 250 imprisoned journalists in the world, nearly 50 of whom are in Turkey, according to a report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Turkey follows China with the second largest number of journalists jailed with 47, marking a decrease from 68 last year…Penned by CPJ editor Elana Beiser, the report noted that over 100 news organizations have been closed under the current Turkish government and that many working journalists are being accused of terrorism and are in legal battles…Saudi Arabia and Egypt tied for third place with 26 journalists incarcerated.” http://www.duvarenglish.com.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) lends bulletproof vests and helmets at no cost to journalists travelling to dangerous areas.
“In July 2019, the libel trial began in the Philippines against Maria Ressa, the executive editor of online news outlet Rappler. Ressa, a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in February 2019 on trumped up libel charges after Rappler published detailed investigations into some of the thousands of extrajudicial executions committed by police and unknown armed persons, with Duterte’s explicit encouragement, during drugs-related operations. Her case is widely seen as an attack by the government on press freedom.” http://www.amnesty.org.
What Can Citizens Do?
Support your local newspaper and pay for the news you consume. Read local, state, and national newspapers and write Letters to the Editors about free press issues.
Join or donate to Reporters Without Borders at http://www.rsf.org. Read about the 100 Information Heroes from countries abroad.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. CPJ is made up of about 40 experts around the world. When press freedom violations occur, CPJ mobilizes a network of correspondents who report and take action on behalf of those targeted. http://www.cpj.org.
Be aware of fake news outlets and fake news on social media. PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others at http://www.politifact.com.
Snopes.com is an independent publication fact-checking site online. Fact-checking and accountability journalism from AP journalists around the globe at [email protected].
May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. It is an opportunity to: celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. http://www.un.org.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
“Freedom of the Press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.”—George Orwell
Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist. She lives in US.
Congratulation on your 10 years of publishing Havana Times. It remains the single best source of information on Cuban culture, economy, politics & society. Best wishes in the future!
I wrote you be email. Best Regards, the editor
Mr. Robinson, I recently became aware of your Havana Times and I am currently receiving emails on various subjects.
I am married to a Cuban for the past 47 years ( 1972 ) so I am akin to everything Cuban. I do not hold the same feelings as many of the Cubans in Miami have had for so many years including my spouse.
I believe we must move forward and I hope the US will once again be able to be allies with the Cuban government so we can all benefit . That is wishful thinking but it comes from deep inside my soul.
I have a long time friend who is Peruvian by birth but is a US citizen due to his maternal side being American and he is an independent contractor in the Wash DC area. He visited Cuba last October 2018 and immediately fell in love with the Isle and the culture, the food, the music, the history and the PEOPLE.. need I say more ? He wants to orchestrate his own project in Havana and needs to find an investor to join him in his project.
Can you tell me what government agency in President Diaz-Canel’s regime he should contact ? I have read various websites on doing business in Cuba and there are a lot of restrictions especially if one is an American. I have written also to various Cuban study groups in Miami and Wash DC for further advice and even the Cuban Banking Study Group but have not received any replies. Would you be able to give me some insight so that I may pass it over to my contractor friend?
Gratefully,
Linda Hernandez.
I live in New Jersey.
My email address is : [email protected] and my phone # is 908-487-8029
Scam “cambiazo” in the “informal” (non-yellow) taxis, when you pay the driver changes bills of 10 CUP for 10 Pesos and tells you to please change those. I was a victim of this scam coming from the “cañonazo”, it seems that is the location and time the preferred by those criminals, they offer you a really cheap fare just to lure you and scam you.
Fidel was a master of public relations propaganda. The CIA was complicit in orchestrating the revolution with the aid of Marxist inspired editors at the NYT.
The propaganda surrounding the revolution makes for great imagery but little truth. After Castro turned against the CIA, ask yourself why his murderous purges of dissenting citizens was per capita higher than any other socialist revolution.
The real history of the atrocity is available to those who care to know the truth. DO YOU.
I notice that Rich Haney has crept back in to HT. His absence was a benefit to readers.
Circles, there is reference to the air-crash of the Cubana-rented 38 year 11 month old Boeing 737-200 series which crashed following take-off from Jose Marti airport on May 18th, 2018.
Have you sourced any information about the results and conclusions of the Public Inquiry?
I understood that both Boeing and Pratt & Whitney insisted on representation. Also that Diaz-Canel directed that there was to be no media reporting or discussion about the crash. But the public at large as users of Boeing aircraft -including especially 737’s are entitled to know especially considering the two recent 737 Max crashes. Cuban censorship is as we all know, in good health, but this is not solely of concern to Cubans.
I believe that Cuba signed the Montreal agreement in 2005. Has compensation been paid to the families of victims?
It would be good if someone well versed in aviation could write an article (or two or three) upon the crash, subsequent inquiry, conclusions and recommendations.
Hum, didn’t know there was a Havana Times back then. This one started in 2008.
Hello. I am a researcher working on a book about Joe Cambria, and old baseball scout for the Washington Senators. He wrote a series of articles in the Havana Times between 1955 and 1959 called, “Don’t Die on Third” and “Every Knock is a Blast.” Is there anyone there who could help me find them? Do you have a searchable database of archive copies?
Many thanks
Re: Cuba’s Abundant Land and Food Shortages
I am a Canadian and I will return to Cuba for the 7th time in September or October. I would like to meet with you and discuss doing an article that could greatly influence the plight of Cubans. The simplest and easiest way to make Cuba more resilient and self sustaining. Especially as it relates to growing high quality nutritious food, totally cut the import of unhealthy cooking oils. And make food and cooking oil affordable to all. Thus cutting down on government health care costs and more much more.
I am now 71 and have been an avid ardent and incessant researcher for 40 plus years. Grew up on a 600 acre farm and worked on my first organic farm in Hawaii in 1971. If you have WhatsApp I can send you my business card. +250-262-8645 my Canada number.
sincerest regards Paul
Ron, I moved your comment to the post you were referring to both in English and Spanish.
Buenos dias!
I read your article about a new animal shelter group in Santa Clara.
Do you know the name of this group? Do they use Facebook or have a website?
My group id Stray Dogs and Cats in Varadero and we rescue homeless dogs and offer them for adoption.
Do you know if the group in Santa Clara have a Facebook page or a website?
“If anyone would like to support or join the project, the Shelter can be found at no. 353 on 4th Street, between G Street and Doble Via. Vigia neighborhood. City of Santa Clara. Villa Clara. Cuba. Telephone: (53) 42201565 and (53) 55694403.”
Thank you, Ron Faithfull ~ Canada
That’s rich! Rich. So not only is the USA to blame for Cuba’s ill fated economy, a completely independent and sovereign country. Now people outside of Cuba that ‘rejoice’ in the Cuban people’s suffering are to blame as well. You know what? You are right, we as a human race are to blame that people like you were born and picked up a pen to write.
Maria, if I’m delusional for not profiteering by punishing innocent people in a small nation, what does that make rich people in a Superpower nation relishing the suffering of 11 million Cubans on the island. You can Google…so search the NY Times Editorial that included this EXACT QUOTATION: “There is, finally, something indecent about vociferous exiles living safely in Miami prescribing more pain for their poorer cousins.” If you search that pertinent quote, you will fine each word, letter, and comma to be precise. I, unlike you and Circles I presume, agree wholeheartedly with that quote. Is that why you call me “delusional”?
You are delusional… everything you posted is biased. Not accepting ads or donations does not make you a fair and unbiased individual.
Hi my name is Arthur how can stay in touch with you and this tabloyed
I suggest you advertise that on http://www.revolico.com
urgent looking to buy a 57 chev in cuba can your newspaper help me
Circles, I listened to your narration of the 3+-minute video. I once respected Havana Times and often used the Comment Section to actually comment. Because you considered me too pro-Cuba, you banned me but kept highlighting Writers and Commentators that I felt were/are extremely biased and self-aggrandizing Counter Revolutionaries. You publicly announced your banishment of me and suggested I get my own forum, or blog. Well, I have. I am the only person who has ever contributed a word or an opinion on my blog, Cubaninsider. I have never made a penny off of it via ads or anything else. As of today, according to Alexa Rank, Havana Times has worldwide 247,762 numbers and USA 95,581 numbers while Cubaninsider has worldwide 475,736 and USA 90,768 numbers. I find that interesting considering that Cubaninsider’s entire existence has had ONE WRITER AND ONE CONTRIBUTOR, me. You have countless writers and contributors and technical assistants and almost 700 sites locked in. I do not accept ads or donations because I want to remain unbiased and uninfluenced. Your latest article about Nicaragua seems to stress Cuba’s alleged dictations to countries such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, Bolivia, etc. My latest article today — Jan. 14th, 2019 — is about Cubans on the island of Cuba and about those off the island who rejoice in the suffering. It is entitled “Cubans Suffer, Some Rejoice.” That’s a recurring theme of mine and I post a new essay every day or two. Thanks.
Hi, trying to find out if this photo by US Naval Photographer is Fidel Castro and who is the other man, where was it taken, and around what year was it taken. here is a link to the photo thanks for any help https://photos.app.goo.gl/ffnXMU1ej5HAVZ2UA
Excellent point for improving economic growth for the Cuban people.
I just came back this December 2018 for a week in Havana and Matanzas. I fell in love with Cuba its music, art museum, and culture. Cubans in Cuba are so nice to tourists. I felt safer there at night than in Miami.
We appreciated the government atmosphere regarding tourist much better than Russia. Having the Cuban CUC equal the US $ would enhance more tourism and even indirect investment. Also, lowering the cost of the Cuban passport and transportation would help the Cuban economy by increasing visit of the Cuban diaspora. I would like to see goods manufactured in Cuba rather China.
I plan to return for longer visit with my gran children and their parents. The US with its embargo is actually loosing lots of business opportunities to other countries like Canada, China, Brazil, Spain, France etc.
I would love to be there as a language student to improve my Spanish.
Que Viva Cuba !
Truly,
Another traveller who loves Cuba
Thanks for the kind words Francois. Here’s wishing you a Good New Year too!
My name is Francois V Glasman, self proclaimed and-often recognized as such # one supporter/fan & admirer of CUBA, pais de mi alma y corazon!
I became an unconditional supporter of your UNIQUE country at age 17…( 4years after Moncada !)
I am the founder of IFSOE=INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN TORONTO AND WORLD KNOWN PROMOTER OF THE “BEAUTIFUL GAME & EDUCATOR FOR MANY PLAYERS BOYS & GIRLS, NOW VERY WELL KNOWN!
For the last 13 years, i have held an international training camp using HOTEL KOHLY in Havana as well as the fields facilities at the “rotonda” in the Bosque!
Some of the Cuban players i trained with Victor Pedroso, famous Cuban coach and specialist of PRE-FORMATION training, became members of various Cuban National squads!
I just discovered your “HAVANA TIMES” AND WISH TO CONGRATULATE ON YOUR SUPER PUBLICATION!
Happy new years!
Viva Cuba!
Hi I have been following your blog recently and would love to collaborate if possible. My father is of Cuban descent and passed in the states in 2001. I never met my family over in Cuba because the sudden of his passing. An I wish it was easier to connect with long lost family you may have in Cuba but it doesn’t seem to easy. My blog is http://xn--kwrk-eva76q.com totally different from your content but I have blogged about my visits there.
Hola, ¿hay un contacto para Yusimí Rodríguez López? Estoy tratando de contactarla como estaré en Regla. Mi dirección de correo electrónico está en la lista.-
if these are your fundamental thoughts, why do you have to read them to us?
An open letter to the Cuban people and the Cuban government,
My wife and I recently visited Havana, and there were many things we loved. The food, music, and dancing were amazing. The mixed drinks and the cigars were world class. There were great historical sites to see. And there was a wonderful dignity, beauty and intelligence within the Cuban people. However, these precious jewels of Cuba were obscured by some dilapidated buildings and a polluted harbor. These negatives made it hard for some tourists to see the riches of the Cuban people.
I think the Cuban government could make Havana an even more amazing city to visit, and increase employment opportunities for its people, by taking better advantage of two of Cuba’s underutilized financial resources – its affluent exiles in America and its tourism industry.
There are exiles in the United States that would give money to restore their historic family’s homes. These donations would make Cuba look better for tourists. It would also provide jobs for Cuban workers, and it would bring money into the country. The only change to existing law would be to have that money not count against their relatives. So, it would be better to bypass the family altogether. Instead, have a government agency set up for Cuban exiles. First, after a claim is made and a fee is paid, have an auditor visit the home n question and assess the cost of repairs. Then, after 120% of that cost has been paid to the agency, a government crew would go to that family home and repair that home. In effect, this would help Cuba restore its tourist attractions with outside money. It would also help change the political debate in the United States – which is driven in part by the anger against the Cuban government from the American Cuban exiles. This slight change that plays on their family loyalty could eventually encourage the government of the United States to drop the economically damaging and needles embargo.
Secondly, I think it would be wonderful if the city of Havana and Havana harbor were cleaned up and restored to a pristine condition. I would like to see this happen because I believe that doing so would increase tourism to Cuba. Here are ideas that could pay for this restoration project. 1) Allow a foreign company to have a 100 year lease on Cuban land to build a resort. Make sure that they have to hire Cuban workers and pay taxes and fees to the Cuban government. Set up Cuban government stores in Mexico, and possibly Canada, to sell US citizen’s Cuban cigars and rum. (Also set up a web site and market it to Americans.) Doing so would expand the market for Cuban goods into the United States, and bypass the unjust embargo. Finally, open up a second dock for visitors in Havana harbor. With these money making moves the Cuban government could build new infrastructure projects, increase the number of higher paying jobs, and restore its cities and national monuments to its rightful glory.
Sincerely,
A fellow traveler who loved his visit to Cuba
Here is a story about a Caribbean Entertainer/media man who is celebrating 30 years drug free in 2018. His celebration is a walk across the Caribbean. The walk starts on August 1st in CUBA.
His name is Errol Fabien and here is some info on the walk.
https://www.facebook.com/Walk2Freedom-211541732801552/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Here is a link to his walk 10 years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIxWnQiq10E&t=15s
Thank you for your time and consideration
We accept guest posts from readers, of course after reviewing the content. There is no charge but they must be of interest to us and not be an advertisement.
Hello,
I’m sure you get a ton of spammy submissions so I’ll get straight to the point – I’d love to submit a guest post or sponsored post for publishing on your site.
The article is related to your website’s content, and of course, it’s useful and informative, I think your audience would positively love. ?
If you accept sponsored or guest post on your site, please let me know price for publishing a post on your website.
Thanks for your time!
Regards,
Futing
This is what we posted. https://havanatimes.org/?p=133572
But we have no further information. That will have to come from official sources.
Hi there,
I’m a producer at ABC News Channel in Sydney, Australia.
I’m looking for someone who might be available to do a Skype cross with our presenter this morning about the plane crash in Havana.
The time for the cross would be some time after 6:00pm your time.
My best email is [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Madison Snow
hola quiero saber cuanto vale por hacer una sirugia de glaucoma preguntando por un amigo
We would like to help the Cuban people who are unable to obtain over-the-counter medication by opening a free drug store somewhere in Cuba. The medication would be donated by person’s like our selves and would free to persons that need them. Our problem is We don’t know where or who to talk with to start. We don’t have any opinions about the government in your country or ours, We just want to help. Could you help us?
Thank you,
Roy Brewer
I have read and learn that the Cuban government has the world best engineers that handle the situation with the hurricane with ease. This is what I call unity, and love for the fellow man.
Thanks.