Recently, I’ve been hearing an increasing number of heard Cuban leaders, journalists and citizens referring to the need to reduce state expenditures on the country’s social programs. The debate is centered on the long-serving, meager and (in my opinion) now irreplaceable ration book.
Read MoreI realize that all these changes are controversial (in addition to their not getting at the root of the problem), but I’m pleased that they’re taking place. I believe that the key is the diversification of the educational system in conformity with the interests, aptitudes and motivations of the students.
Read MoreFinally, after three hours, my wait bore fruit. The doors that had allowed so many people step through had opened for me. I was received by Conrado, an average looking man except for the clothes he wore. Instead of the usual doctors’ coat, he was dressed in a santería “iyabó.”
Read MoreEl Salvadorian poet Roque Dalton once commented that poetry brought him closer to the revolution. In my case, the coin landed on the other side; it was the “revolution” – as a struggle of social contradictions – that drew me to political science, and through that I came closer to poetry, revolutionary literature, the exact sciences and social sciences.
Read MoreThe few examples of democracy that have been given to the world have in fact occurred – and not without reason – under the danger of foreign attack; that is to say, foreign aggression is not an excuse for refraining from the call for self-government, but just the opposite.
Read MoreThe worst case I’ve seen of the degradation of a medical practice is that of Dr. Conrado. Though Cuba is full of polyclinics you can normally only be seen by the one in your locality. This is stipulated by law.
Read MoreOn occasion adherents of the Yoruba religion make offerings to the Orishas: deities of African origin. Each deity is related to some element or force of nature, which is why the Yoruba religion is often celebrated as a medium for communion with the environment, with those entities for which modernity, in its ascent, has lost respect.
Read MoreLuz has the gift of being a first-rate cook. Going to her house is like visiting Havana’s renowned Bodeguita del Medio restaurant. She serves you what she has without thinking twice, even if there’s nothing left for her later on – or the money to buy it.
Read MoreBehind the gates, masked individuals guard Oventic, one of the autonomous municipalities controlled by Zapatista rebels in southern Mexico. We find the tension floating in the air just as we get out of the van that took us to the entry of the Caracol II encampment, 20 minutes from San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Read MoreA month ago today I had an accident in my backyard. As I was trying to repair the concrete perimeter wall by myself – foolishly – an over 200 kilo slab fell on my left leg. I was lucky, because if it hadn’t fallen diagonally I’d be writing this story without toes, and I’d have to sign this diary as Osmel the cripple.
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