Circles Robinson, Author at Havana Times

L.A. Times against Cuba Travel Ban

The Los Angeles Times daily, one of the most important in the United States, urged Congress in an editorial on Sunday to pass a bill that would lift restrictions on travel to Cuba and would ease obstacles to bilateral trade. The newspaper states that the 50-year-old trade and travel prohibitions have failed to bring about democratic changes in the Caribbean country. In its editorial the L.A. Times also recognized the release of 52 political prisoners announced by Havana, but questioned the imprisonment of any person for that reason.

On Concepts and Revolution

I’m sure that if an exam was given on the Concept of Revolution in our country, all of us would pass.

Cuba Over USA 7-4 in Baseball

Down 4-2 after five innings, Team Cuba scored three in the sixth and two more in the eighth to defeat the USA 7-4 during the Haarlem Baseball Week taking place in The Netherlands.

Cuba’s Fidel Castro Back in Public

Fidel Castro has made his first public appearance since he relinquished his post as president at the end of July 2006. He had only been seen in photos of closed door meetings with foreign dignitaries.

Cuba Shuns “Bunt”, Venezuela No-Show

Cuba nonetheless has adjusted well to the moderate chaos and opened their schedule by slamming Japan’s university all-star team 6-0. Germán Mesa’s charges jumped on top in the bottom of the fourth Friday night when Alexei Bell’s drifting two-out fly ball was misplayed in center field (resulting in a single and an error), allowing Donald Duarte to score from first. That turned out to be all the offense that was needed behind the 8-inning 4-hit shutout pitching of young Freddy Asiel Alvarez.

Havana Buildings Cry for Help

Virtually everyone agrees that building maintenance has been lacking during the first 50 years of the Cuban revolution. (12 photos)

Cuba-El Salvador Cooperation Accord

A year after El Salvador and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations the respective foreign ministers signed cooperation agreements in the fields of health and education during a meeting held Friday in Havana. The officials, Hugo Martinez Bonilla (El Salvador) and Cuba’s Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, also discussed promoting bilateral trade.

Cuba Wins Baseball Opener vs. Japan

Team Cuba had an easy time against usually tough Japan winning their opening game of the Haarlem Baseball Week 6-0 behind eight innings of shutout pitching of Freddy Asiel Alvarez. Cuba’s offense was led by Yunier Mendoza who had three hits and three RBIs and Alexei Bell who also had three hits and scored twice. Rolando Meriño and Donal Castro also drove in a run each.

Cuba Ballet Rehearsals

Gradually —seated in a corner, so as not to interrupt— we got used to the dimness. We could perceive the fatigue of the dancers, the creativeness of the teachers and artistic directors, the hopes of success by many, as well as the regretted missteps and twisted ankles. (27 photos)

Sugarcane Production in Hard Times

More than 17 per cent of the areas set aside for the planting of sugar cane in Cuba are idle, reported the island’s state-run press. During the last harvest yields per planted hectare were the worse in the country’s history, with barely 27 tons. Insufficient payment to producers, labor and technical indiscipline, and the lack of exigency and control of the directive are the principal causes of the decline.