Author: Dimitri Prieto-Samsonov

Havana’s Miramar

Miramar represents the last stop in the chain of westward movements by the bourgeoisie of Havana in the 19th and 20th century that began from Centro Habana to Cerro, Cerro to Vedado, and Vedado to Miramar. It is also home to a large portion of Cuban government officials and managers of the post-revolutionary period.

Constitutional Order & Cuba’s Constitution (II)

Many authors continue to maintain that the constitution currently in force (that of 1976, modified in 1992 and 2002) retains a content marked by provisionality. If we compare it to the recently approved charters in Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, we can see that Cuba’s is a constitution that is closer to those of the former European socialist camp.

Fresh Fish?

Commercial legislation in Cuba has established tremendous restrictions on private sales. These constraints practically exclude local suppliers (fishermen) from the marketplace, since they are prevented from setting up a genuine fish market, something basic in a historic fishing town such as Santa Cruz.

Habana Abierta 24 Horas: 10 Years Later

They were Cuban musicians who traveled to Spain in the 1990s. The ’90s for Cuba is not a chronological category, but an ontological one. This period has to do with the very being of the nation. With our existence, contorted, sharply painful, whose pressure ends up being felt close the heart – like a bullet.

The Stockholm Syndrome

There were already some Santa Cruz residents gathered at the (ex) bus stop of the (ex) 669, when suddenly a vintage 1956 Chevrolet passed by and stopped. Several went running toward it in hopes of using a private-sector mode of transportation to reach their homes.

Motivational Crisis in Cuban Education

As a teacher at a Municipal University, I am perfectly familiar with the problems the officials were referring to. Although these facilities offer the same diplomas as the daytime programs, it has been obvious that the real level of instruction is below that of “conventional” universities.

The Moon Landing & Woodstock Anniversaries

This summer, two anniversaries were commemorated: one was the first landing on the Moon by a human (astronaut Neil Armstrong), and the other was the momentous Woodstock rock festival. Both events well recalled on specially-dedicated Cuban television programs.

Military Bases in ‘Our America’

When I lived in London, my neighbor was an attractive young teacher from Ireland. One time we were talking about history and I mentioned to her the victory of the USSR over fascism. “But that’s not true… You’re kidding,” she said, stupefied, “The Americans won the war!”

Zelaya’s Sombrero under a White Flag

What resources does Zelaya have to enter the country and reinstall himself in power? How would he do it? What concrete actions or practices would be undertaken by him, his team, and those who support him to achieve the “consent of those governed” and the obedience of “the men with rifles”?