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.
Read MoreMany people in Cuba dislike the popular frase echar un palo (“to throw someone a stick”). In their view, this idiom – which all of us understand – is a rather vulgar way of referring to the sexual act. Recently, I had a chat with Paula, a cultural journalist, and we tried to get to the bottom of the said phrase.
Read MoreAt the close of the recent congress of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC) president Raul Castro asked Cuban workers to “shake the earth” on this year’s International Workers Day with a giant parade. As requested by the boss, the streets of the island shook on Thursday.
Read MoreCubans turned out in mass for the annual International Workers Day parade in Havana on Thursday. Organized by the Communist Party and the CTC, the only trade union allowed on the island, it emphasized labor’s blanket support for the government. (42 photos)
Read MoreAmong the many believable characters in the recently released Cuban film Conducta – a film that has already begun to receive international recognition – we find one that is especially realistic. Ignacio likes to call things by their name and has a very clear idea of everyone’s private interests.
Read MoreFor some weeks now, we’ve been watching an Internet video series called Hola, Soy German (“Hi, My Name is German”) rather religiously at home. The star is a young Chilean who uploads videos to the Internet every week.
Read MoreThe new Latin American Left claims to lay its bets on changes that involve a reduction of poverty and the gradual elimination of social inequality. There are even those who speak of a new, Christian socialism that respects democracy, can co-exist with the opposition and supports private enterprise.
Read MoreSociety fits us with the chip of normality and the overwhelming fear of stepping over the line when we are very small.
Humanity comes together as a herd by casting out the black sheep. The latter react in different ways…
Cuba’s province of Ciego de Avila seemed different from what I remember from my first trip during this, my third time in the city. People didn’t seem as civil to me. State Cuban-peso establishments, though still cheap, had lost in quality.
Read MoreThe promotional message which ETECSA sent to mobile users recently illustrates why I don’t own a cell phone. The message read, verbatim: “If you add 20 CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos) of credit to your line from April 15 to 19, you will receive 40 CUC of credit.”
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