My neighbor, a colonel in the Interior Ministry (MININT), just bought a washing machine that in Cuban stores costs more than 700 CUC (about $770 USD). Of course he didn’t pay that amount; those who work in internal security and the military in Cuba receive perks.
My previous post, “Democratizing Cuba (I),” concluded with the expression “behind closed doors.” As this is so closely related to the topic I’m dealing with, I’d like to make some comments about the discussions that took place during the recent Conference of the Cuban Communist Party.
I followed the speeches and discussions carefully during the recently concluded National Conference Cuba’s Communist Party. “The creation of a more democratic society,” using the words of President Raul Castro, seemed a vital issue. Nevertheless, I found little that pointed to this being realized.
Another occupied building has collapsed in Havana, this time only partially and with no fatalities, but in the same district of Centro Havana.
The pastor who barricaded himself inside his Havana church this past August, along with 60 others of his followers, still remains in that place of worship, which is also his home.
Last week I came across a rare photo of Fidel that I found amazing. I’m providing it here for the readers of Havana Times so you can tell me if you think the same.
The saddest thing was seeing how they took Mario Castillo away in handcuffs. But then again, it was also the most beautiful: seeing the firm look on his face, with no hatred for those men who couldn’t understand.
The process carried out by Cuba’s Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology was riddled with violations that jeopardized the entire investigation. They even had to pay fines for not reporting to regulators about experiments on certain plots of land.
Cuba had to settle for minor awards at this year’s Festival of New Latin American Cinema, where — to the disappointment of many — the movie Habanastation failed to fare very well.
The always interesting television program Como me lo contaron (The Way I Heard It), discussed the hot topic of cockfighting last week. Although this lucrative business is promoted by the Cuban state — which exports about 700 fighting birds annually — government involvement in this abuse was not the focus of the program.