Though I’ve been busy with the defense of my Masters’ thesis, I’ve had some time to read some of the comments on the posts written by my colleague, compatriot and friend Dariela Aquique. I want to point out at the outset that I have no intention of becoming her defense attorney.
The World Cup just began two days ago and the fans do nothing but talk about who will take the title. In Cuba the love of the game has grown in a surprising way, despite baseball being the most popular sport.
Political propaganda has been accompanying Cubans lives since 1959. Every street, every town, every city, every province, the entire country is covered with signs bearing slogans, with billboards showing the images of government leaders, photographs of revolutionary martyrs, emblems and political jargon. (13 photos)
An old proverb says that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This maxim can be applied to those leftwing parties that come to power claiming to represent the people’s interests and, as time passes, become increasingly totalitarian.
Communications have always been a problem in Cuba, and telephone services have been the biggest of the lot. There aren’t enough land and cell phone lines and existing services are inadequate. I won’t go into the causes or name those responsible (we all know who is to blame).
Freedom is one of the most precious of human rights and, of its many different forms, freedom of conscience is doubtless one of the most valuable civil rights we can aspire to. I therefore convey my respects to those who endure prison for their ideas, whatever their political views may be.
The co-existence of different political parties bound to express the people’s will through constitutional means is the most effective way towards progress in any nation – a practice which is entirely foreign to us Cubans.
Some time ago, I found out there’s an Internet site about Cuba where people upload photos of things we Cubans are very familiar with. I thought that, without being downright imitative, Havana Times could create a space where people can upload these types of pictures.(16 photos)
A great many Cubans express concerns over the rise in misdemeanors, public vulgarity, vandalism and other phenomena associated with people or groups whose conduct suggests social exclusion. The media have also been showing much interest in delving into the causes of the problem and have set a broad campaign in motion to somehow contain this ill, which seems to be growing unchecked.
The Cuban baseball league season is the biggest sporting event on the island. This year it involves 16 teams from each of the provinces and the Isla de la Juventud. Here are my pictures taken at a recent game between Holguin and the home team Santiago de Cuba. (20 photos)