Circles Robinson, Author at Havana Times

Gender Patterns Conspire Against Cuban Men

Assuming traditional gender patterns conspire against the health of Cuban men, who are over-represented in almost all the first causes of death in the island, with the exception of diabetes mellitus, a study published in the Revista Cubana de Salud Pública medical journal revealed. In order to meet social expectations of success, “men participate more than women in activities that lead to risks to their health such as drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, aggressive driving of vehicles, risky sexual behaviours and suicide, in addition to the lack of socialization to express their feelings and mental and physical sufferings,” the study pointed out.

Majority of HIV Positive Women are Hetero

The majority of HIV positive women in the Cuban capital are heterosexual, according to a study carried out by the Revista Cubana de Medicina medical journal, which also registered an increase in the rate of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS) in that population group between 1998 and 2006. The study revealed that the municipality of Old Havana reports the highest figures, in relation to its character as a tourist area and the existence of a floating population of around 80,000 persons.

What’s Good for the Liver is Bad for the Heart

A few days ago a man with an intense stare and a heavy walk showed up on my doorstep. “Do you want to buy meat?” he asked, looking around cautiously. “Meat? What kind of meat?” I immediately asked.

Cuba-Dutch Antilles Rainout

Cuba’s game Saturday night against the Dutch Antilles in the Pan American/World Cup qualifying tournament was postponed in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico due to heavy rains. The Cubans won their opener 9-1 over Venezuela on Friday. Cuba’s game on Sunday is against Argentina at 7:30 p.m. EST also in Mayaguez.

The Glamour of Mediocrity

“Two Who Love Each Other” is the new television program of Cuba’s self-proclaimed artistic vanguard. The airing of the program relates to the personal interests of its host and director, singer-songwriter Amaury Perez, who is attempting to exhibit to the public a select list of “cultured” Cubans.

Honduras Coup’s Lessons for UNASUR

With the 2009 coup d’etat in Honduras still a fresh memory, the presidents of the Unasur bloc gathered as quickly as they could to vigorously condemn Thursday’s attempted coup in Ecuador and warn that they would not tolerate any such assault on democracy in the region.

Brazil Likely to Elect Woman President

The woman likely to be elected president of Brazil, Latin America’s giant, either on Sunday or in an Oct. 31 runoff, is idealistic but pragmatic and has a reputation as a tough, seasoned administrator.

Cuba Wins Opener 9-1 Over Venezuela

Norge Luis Vera went seven innings allowing only one unearned run and Michel Enriquez, Yorbis Borroto, Ariel Pestano and Hector Olivera led the Cuba’s offense in a 9-1 win to open the Pan American/World Cup Qualifying Tournament underway in Puerto Rico.

Dawn on the Plains

The best thing that can happen to a person when they wake up is to find themself surrounded by song birds; ones that are free, of course, because no joy comes from what a caged bird sings. However, since I arrived in Caracas, the sole thing I’ve heard at dawn is the noise of cars, as well as ambulances and fire trucks— and from time to time the shots from some gang battle that wasn’t resolved the night before. (36 photos)

Cardinal Sees Changes As “Positive”

Archbishop of Havana Jaime Ortega considered this Friday that there is a “positive” turn in the changes taken on by the government of President Raúl Castro to overcome the economic difficulties, although he admitted that some measures lead to worrying elements. “The process…is beginning and we don’t know how it is going to develop. However, I am sure there has been a change in direction in terms of stating Cuba’s economic difficulties and how to overcome them,” which is “in itself positive,” Cardinal Ortega said to a group of journalists.