Erasmo Calzadilla’s Diary

More than a month ago, a US researcher I admire visited our green archipelago. Gail Tverberg studies issues related to the decline in energy resources and the accelerated economic growth that is typical of industrial civilization.

Analysts that believe that the crisis is irreversible due to the global energy decline, predicting a dark future for Greece, were right on target. If politicians and the Greek people had listened to those predictions the path taken would have been different.

The prosperous émigrés that frequent the comments section of this page don’t want to hear about Peak Oil, and I get a rather morbid kick reminding them of it.

In the case of cancer, however, the “enemy” isn’t outside but within. To combat it, the State-Party-government would have to begin by criticizing its own values and foundational principles, and to go against its own interests as governing elite.

In 2012, following an accelerated rise, Cancer became the leading cause of death in Cuba. In 2013 the upward climb continued, and in 2014 it climbed with even greater might: 23,729 lives cut short over a 12 month period – 747 more than the previous year.

I was nearly done with a dramatic post in which I tore my hair deploring the newest disasters that had befallen Alamar, the decaying neighborhood where I live. You would have loved the piece: I know that many of you adore hearing the latest “hot” news from Cuba. (7 photos)

This Sunday another election will take place on the island, and once again the people will decide who will be their representative at the neighborhood level (Precinct delegates). At least that’s what the official discourse maintains. How far removed is this from reality?

Every time I publish a post dealing with the energy crisis, I am showered with insults. I have been called delirious, an alarmist, a Nostradamus wannabe, a chronic pessimist, a sensationalist, a Caribbean version of Pol Pot, a poor devil brainwashed by Fidel Castro, a follower of Diogenes the Cynic, Andreas Lubitz wannabe and other flattering things of this nature.

I’ve been writing the story of my life for 40 years now, ironing out the unappealing creases and subtly emphasizing the episodes that speak highly of me. Below are a some bits and pieces.

From the struggles for independence to the present day, the political debate in Cuba has revolved around one question: what path should we follow to put colonialism behind us and insert ourselves satisfactorily into the modern world?