Circles Robinson, Author at Havana Times

HIV Affects Urban Youth

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS) has had a greater effect on persons aged between 20 and 24 living in the metropolitan areas of the central and western regions since its appearance in Cuba in 1986, according to a research published by the Revista Cubana de Higiene y Epidemiología medical journal. The study says that the rest of the island’s regions could behave in the same manner due to “the risk sexual behaviours and the little habit of practicing safe sex existing among the Cuban population, influenced by beliefs and taboos.”

Cuba-Venezuela Strengthen Education Ties

The Cuban and Venezuelan governments increased cooperation in the field of higher education through an agreement that incorporates the areas of postgraduate studies, trainees and advisors; research, development and innovation projects; and the multinational ALBA-Education entity.

Self-Medication Is Common for Certain Ailments

Self-medication is a common practice for the majority of persons in Cuba for ailments such as headaches, colds and fever, according to a study by the Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral medical journal. The survey, which included inhabitants from the island’s capital and provincial capital cities, detected that hypertension and non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines and psychoactive drugs are the most used in the island.

Cuba-Lincoln Center Blend in Jazz

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra opened its concert “Connections of Jazz between the USA and Cuba” on Wednesday with the “African-American Cuban Suite,” a piece by Cuban-born Chico O’Farril. It was played for the first time in our country and applauded enthusiastically by everyone present. (10 photos)

Torn Between Hope and Anxiety

The radical restructuring of employment launched by President Razl Castro has Cubans, on the one hand, feeling anxious about possibly losing their jobs and, on the other, looking forward to testing the real scope of opportunities in the private sector, where an estimated 250,000 additional people may soon be working for themselves.

Sen. Dodd’s Cuba Trip Wrap-up

While the Senator is “hopeful that the Administration will take additional steps regarding our policy”, he clarified that with the US involved in two wars and its economy in trouble “it was rather unrealistic” to assume that Cuba would be a priority for the Administration.

Cuba’s Workers: Between a Rock & a Hard Place

The workforce restructuring plan that will soon be implemented in Cuba is worrisome to everyone: State employees as well as retirees, homemakers, self-employed workers and students. In one way or another, they will all be affected by the half million who will shortly find themselves without jobs.

Debating Issues in Cuba

To see disagreements between the panelists on a program like Cuba’s news/commentary program “Mesa Redonda” (the Round Table) is something that rarely occurs. To also allow members of an audience to raise blunt criticisms against the government would be truly astounding.

Chilean Businessman Sues Cuba

Chilean businessman Max Marambio began legal actions against the Cuban government before the International Chamber of Commerce, based in Paris, to defend himself against the “unfounded and unfair conflict created with our companies” in the island, he announced in a communiqué. Marambio, who headed for more than 16 years the Río Zaza food and beverages company, has been summoned by the Cuban Ministry of the Interior to testify in court as part of a process for alleged mismanagement.

Opposition Prepares Project against Travel Restrictions

The Foro Todos Cubanos (All Cubans Forum) opposition group began the collection of signatures to present a project to the National Assembly of People’s Power (parliament) that would repeal the restrictions in force regarding trips abroad, dissident Oswaldo Payá announced. In 2007 the Heredia Project was presented before the legislative body and until now has not had a response