Fernando Ravsberg

The year 2012 ended with a phrase by Raul Castro that summarizes the dilemma of life or death of the Cuban Revolution: the obstacles that are acting as brakes on the productive forces must be removed. The Cuban model (a faithfully copied Soviet replica) contains the same bureaucratic weaknesses that led European socialism to its debacle that ended in economic stagnation, technological backwardness and agricultural productivity reduced to minimal levels.

Relations between Cuba and Europe could possibly take a turn in the medium term. Brussels appears willing to sit down and talk with Havana on the issues that divide them, supplanting unilateral measures with mutual agreement.

Thousands of Cubans are lining up outside of Immigration Agency offices to apply for passports before January 14, the date on which the new law takes effect that will ease the entry and exit from the country by most citizens.

Who will decide what is rude, banal or offensive? Clearly it would be unwise to leave this in the hands of Cuban television, the same ones who for decades refused to broadcast Strawberry and Chocolate, one of the best Cuban films of all time.

I first met Hugo Chavez in 1994. He had just gotten out of prison and came to visit Cuba and Fidel Castro, who received him with the honors given a head of state. As I listened to Chavez speak at the University of Havana, I was trying to understand what the Cuban leader was up to.

My colleague Angel Thomas told me that during the early years of the Cuban Revolution, political debates were constant and many leaders — including Fidel Castro — used to go to the University of Havana to talk with students. Unfortunately I wasn’t around during that time.

The problem is that people don’t eat “impacts” – they eat fruits, vegetables and meat. The only “impact” they experience is that felt by the increasingly higher prices at agricultural markets, where a pound of potatoes now costs $2 USD in some places.

Adela was just elected to the People’s Power (town council) in the municipality of Caibarien, Cuba. It was a long hard road to get there.