Diaries Archives - Page 419 of 647

Elections in Venezuela, Sketches the Day After

On the whole, this was an exemplary process in which the winner — without ideological distinction — was a Venezuela that accepted to democratically resolve its political disputes.

Elections in the US and Cuba

It is election time in the United States (Nov.4) and Cuba (Oct.21). While the campaign has been going on for over a year in my home country I have only just recently seen the candidate biographies for the Cuban elections posted up in the windows of schools, hospitals, and bakeries.

Three Options: Which Will Be the Least Bad?

The fate of Cuba is being played out in the Venezuelan elections on Sunday. I think the average Cuban (except those who know how to fish in troubled waters) has little to gain and much to lose from Venezuela’s vote.

No News from Alexis

Yesterday I dreamed about Alexis, the friend who I once spoke about here. On that occasion I was talking about his housing problem, while today my anxiety (and his) concerns something else. Four months ago my old friend went on a government aid mission to Venezuela.

No Plan B

Should I spend my last 50 cents? Will I or won’t I end up being cheated by the phone company? But after the fifth ring I had no doubt, so I accepted the charge [in Cuba you have to pay to receive calls] and got the phrase: “I have to see Daisy …today.”

A Bruise on My Belly

At the problematic time of 4:30 pm on Wednesday, I took the route 5 bus to get from the Havana municipality of Vedado to Old Havana. To my delight, the vehicle wasn’t so crowded — like it usually is — so I tried to walk to the back.

Farewell to the Ceiba Tree at the University Of Havana

The robust ceiba tree that was growing in front of the university steps in the Cuban capital has been drastically pruned. This is another example of sloppy and disrespectful work of those involved in the green areas in this battered city.

Tiananmen II

These days the official Cuban press is “delighted,” since it is successfully carrying out one of its usual disinformation actions. This time it involves one of the biggest scandals in China since “the Tiananmen Square protest” of June 1989.

The Crisis of Amateur Sports in Cuba

Cuban amateur sports is no longer among the world’s elite. The growing interest that the emerging powers have shown in amateur sports, in addition to professional athletes competing in major amateur competitions, have elevated the quality of these events as never before.

Crucial Elections in Venezuela

The October 7 elections in Venezuela will reveal all of the strengthening and wearing down of a government anchored in power for 14 years, one whose success depends largely on the charismatic leadership of Hugo Chavez and the scope of his successful (yet deteriorated) social policies.