Diaries Archives - Page 367 of 644

Better Off Forgotten: On Cuba’s Peasantry

It’s true that the Cuban revolution focused much of its efforts on the countryside, but it is also true that, in exchange for this, it demanded that the countryside become revolutionary.

Cuba & South Korea: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship?

Cuba’s close ties with North Korea, evidenced by the recently confiscated shipment of obsolete war equipment sent to Kim Il Sung’s People’s Democratic Republic for their eventual “repair” and re-shipment to the Caribbean island, has not got in the way of a rapprochement between Cuba and South Korea, at least not culturally speaking.

Banana Theft in Havana

For a little over a month, a series of thefts have been taking place in the area of Alamar where I live. The things being stolen are bananas. Apparently, the wrongdoers are from different places, as the traces they leave behind, and their modus operandi as a whole, differ significantly from case to case.

I Hate You (Part II)

Some months ago, I don’t recall when, exactly, I published a post that prompted many comments criticizing the title and focus of my piece. I Hate You upset a number of readers and other Havana Times bloggers, who wrote me to say that hatred is a negative emotion and that my article did not contribute to the reconciliation between the people of Cuba and the United States

A Cuban’s View on How to Change the World

I don’t generally like to say that I believe in “God”, because the concept has too often been abused. I also don’t like telling people to “stay positive” – not only because the expression has become a cliché, but also because I’ve had to go through some rather rough patches myself, and I don’t take people’s problems lightly.

Stones against Tanks: On US Interventionism

Just about any extreme measure was justified within the context of the Second World War and the Cold War. At the time, geopolitical interests in Europe, Africa and Asia were still being defined. Both the Soviet Union and the United States did what they had to do to swell their ranks.

Cuba’s X Alfonso in Concert at the University of Havana

The melodies that renowned Cuban musician X Alfonso delighted us during a concert held at the steps of the University of Havana, still resonate in my mind. Numbers that are part of the soundtrack of the Cuban film Havana Blues, as well as some pieces from the albums X More, Civilizacion, Revoluxion and Reverse, were the songs performed by this impetuous artist.

Cuba’s Political Analysts & Syria

For some years now, Cuban television viewers have had the “pleasure” of seeing three new faces in the field of international political analysis: Walter Martinez, the host of Telesur’s program Dossier, Oliver Zamora, who has a light opinion segment in the Sunday news and Cristina Escobar, the new host of Cuba’s nightly Round Table program.

The Catholic Left and Changes in Cuba

In a post published in Havana Times a year and a half ago, I addressed the situation of Cuba’s Catholic Church, its similarities and links to the Communist Party and its contribution to the reform process on the island. With time, as is often the case, my enthusiasm has waned.

Yellow Ribbons in Cuba for Cuban Five

The only free Cuban Five member, Rene Gonzalez, called on every Cuban to wear a yellow ribbon, or to hang it up at home or in a tree, such that the country is filled with these, symbols of affection towards a loved one who is away, whom one awaits.. A month long campaign began last week demanding the release of the remaiing four Cuban Five members.