Let’s assume that the results disclosed by the National Election Commission are trustworthy; ignoring how suspicious it was that it took almost a whole day to announce the results to the public. Even with so many doubts and suspicions, it would be interesting for us to analyze what we have gained and lost with Cuba’s constitutional referendum process and its final results.
Read MoreThere are two competing rivals in the referendum set for February 24th: YES and NO, and abstention is another way of voting NO. There are strong campaigns online for all three alternatives, the Internet and social networks having become a heated battleground.
Read MoreThere’s nothing better than everyday details to give you a better idea of the scope and repercussions of the crisis that is getting worse as the days pass by here in Cuba. For example, my cooking oil is about to run out and I have no idea where the next liter is going to come from. What we get with the rations’ booklet is just enough for the first week…
Read MoreAs is tradition already, Cuban Communists held an event on January 28th, which involves marching with torches to see in Marti’s birthday. It’s a post-revolutionary simulation of the parade that Fidel Castro and young people (known as the Centennial Generation) took part in in 1953, when it was the 100th anniversary of our Apostle, Jose Marti’s birth.
Read MoreThis severe crisis falls on top of a permanent crisis that is endemic to the Cuban system, of sporadic shortages. Which are becoming more and more dragged out. Add to that the new tax on farmers’ personal incomes, the negative impact of drought on agricultural production, reduced imports because of a lack of funds…
Read MoreI have made it clear that I will vote NO in the February 24th referendum on more than one occasion. I am even very active on Facebook in debates about the viability of voting NO instead of NOT voting. The exchange with the radical opposition has been tough, just as it has been with sincere Communists.
Read MoreEmigrating seems to be on everyone’s lips nowadays in Mayari, Holguin. It is the most recurring topic of discussion in homes, on the street, between passengers in a shared taxi, at work or at school. Almost everyone wants to leave and many of them are preparing their departure to follow in the footsteps of groups who have already embarked on this journey…
Read MoreThe crisis that Cuba is suffering today is far too serious to be overcome with superficial changes. “Continuity” is the road that has been traced by Communist leaders, with the basic changes needed to adapt the situation to this historic changing of the guard.
The reaction has been immediate: the population with the means to do so is fleeing en masse…
The country is experiencing a special moment. The “Revolution’s” system has failed, but our leaders aren’t accepting this. They continue to brandish the same slogans they did before, turning to a democratic facade and limiting the private sector, out of fear that it becomes too empowered…
Read MoreThe year 2018 came to an end and Cuba hadn’t make any significant progress. The economy is still stagnant and there aren’t any real chances that it will take off if we continue down the path we’re being led down.
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