Circles Robinson, Author at Havana Times

Santeria Priests on 2011 for Cuba

Cuban priests of the Yoruba religion in charge of announcing the predictions of the “Letter of the Year” coincided that 2011 will be a period of organization in the island, in tune with the reforms announced by the Raúl Castro government, the press accredited in this capital reported. The Commission of the Letter of the Year as well as the Yoruba Association of Cuba interpreted that Oggun, the patron of blacksmiths and the military, will be the ruling deity in the next 12 months.

Cuba’s Economy to Lose “Padding”

“The Cuban economy will get rid of the padding, inefficiency and formalism which has permeated it for years” with the reforms announced by the Raul Castro government, which will be discussed during the April congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, said Roberto Verrier Castro, president of the National Association of Economists and Accountants of Cuba.

Historic Trinidad, Cuba

Founded in south-central Cuba in January 1514 by Spanish colonialists, the town of Trinidad — with its cobblestone streets — maintains a colonial air that has transformed it into a city museum. Many of its structures date back to the 18th and 19th centuries but remain in perfect condition thanks to the efforts of the Office of the City Preservationist. (26 photos)

60-Minutes in Cuba with Wynton Marsalis

In contrast to politicians, “culture brings people together,” noted Wynton Marsalis, 49, in an interview with 60-Minutes on his recent trip to Cuba heading up the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Women Fight Assault Over Internet

Millions use Facebook to keep in touch with their friends, post photos of reunions and parties and share links to interesting articles and videos. But for 24-year old Maria (not her real name), the popular social networking site became a source of public shame when a former boyfriend posted nude photos and videos of her in an account he had created under her name.

Can Canadian TESOL teachers work in Cuba?

Several Canadian programs exist which provide the opportunity for Canadian volunteers who want to do short-term teaching of English as a Second Language in Cuba.

Cuba Has New Look Starting 2011

Cuba now has 15 provinces instead of 14 as new demarcations took effect with the New Year. The Isle of Youth is still considered a Special Municipality. The old La Habana province that surrounded the City of Havana was divided into two new provinces: Artemisa and Mayabeque. Meanwhile, the City of Havana became simply Havana.

According to the National Statistics Office the largest province territory wise is Camaguey followed by Matanzas and Holguin while the City of Havana (2,141,652) has the largest population followed by Santiago de Cuba (1,047,015) and Holguin (1,037,161).

Catholic Church Backs Castro’s Reforms

Cardinal Jaime Ortega included “a prayer for the good running of this renovating process for the good of all our people,” in his homily for the start of 2011 and the celebration of World Peace Day, when referring to the economic reforms announced by the government of Raúl Castro. The cardinal urged the Christian community to get involved in the process through “our critical ability to express clearly our differences or point out everything we think should be changed”.

Cuba Has Record Low Infant Mortality

Cuba closed 2010 with an infant mortality rate of 4.5 per 1,000 live births, the lowest in its history, the island’s state-run press reported. Last year also concluded with a birth rate decrease, since there were 2,326 less births than in 2009, which confirms the tendency toward a population reduction in the Caribbean island nation.

Ladies in White Hopeful of Prisoner Release

The Ladies in White, wives and relatives of Cuban political prisoners, expressed their hope that the 11 dissidents still in prison, out of those imprisoned in 2003, will be released this year, in statements to the press accredited on the island. Meanwhile, Cardinal Jaime Ortega expressed his “moral certainty” that these and others imprisoned for political reasons will be released in coming months.