News Archives - Page 1246 of 1382

Like a ‘Cuban with Italian Eyes’

Many of us on the island have gotten used to seeing only the thorny side of our society: woefully inadequate pay, the critical situation of transportation, which puts all of us in a bad mood; the need to be a magician to keep food on the table, as well as other problems that exist in any society on the planet.

For one reason or another, things we don’t recognize are admired in a special way by many foreigners who visit us every year. They see beyond the difficult economic situation in which most of us Cubans live.

Cuba Living On The Edge

I’ve known Pavel since childhood, and we’ve always gotten along well although our lives are very different. I was born and raised in the Vibora Park neighborhood and I graduated with a University career. He was born and raised in a solar (tenement alley) in Central Havana and he graduated from a Trade School as a lathe operator.

Cuba’s Silvio R. Favors Amnesty

“If it was in my hands I would grant amnesty to those hundred prisoners that some say “are of conscience”, popular Cuban folk singer Silvio Rodriguez told Pagina 12 newspaper in Argentina. Silvio —as he is known in Cuba— was responding to the interviewer’s question on his position regarding the hunger strike of dissenter Guillermo Fariñas?

Haiti MD Tells His Cuba Related Story

Writing for medicc.org, Conner Gorry brings us part one of an interview with Haitian physician Patrick Dely from Port-of-Prince. The doctor tells of how he came to study medicine on a scholarship in Cuba and how four days after the devastating January 12th earthquake he was back in his home country helping with the relief effort.

US Lectures Cuba on Prisoners

The Cuban government has the responsibility of caring for the island’s population, including the persons who are in prison, pointed out Philip Crowley, US Department of State spokesperson. Crowley reiterated that his country is greatly concerned about the conditions in the Caribbean nation’s prisons.

Esquife: Cuba’s Online Culture Project

Buoyant in the storm and sailing for new horizons, the Cuban cultural project Esquife (Skiff) has spent over a decade navigating the rough waters of thought-provoking digital journalism, stirring up opinions rather than wallowing in complacency.

Women Freemasons in Cuba

During a previous course, while I was getting signatures from my students for their exams, something unexpected occurred: When signing her form a coed added three dots, which is what identifies those who are Freemasons. I was thinking this was no more than the student’s bad sense of humor, but when I asked her about it she responded, “But prof, I’m a Mason.”

Cuba’s R. Castro Confronts US, Europe

Cuban President Raul Castro has confirmed the worst economic forecasts for his country, in an international context that could become even more complicated following his refusal to address demands on human rights issues.

Can you dissent but still support the revolution?

In his most recent public speech on Sunday, President Raul Castro urged youth to make use of debate and to accept differences of opinion as a means to advance the construction of socialism.

Is it possible to disagree with certain decisions and policies outlined by the Cuban leaders while continuing to be on the side of the Revolution? Do you think the leaders in fact fear disagreement? Up to what point could differences of opinion advance or reverse the Cuban effort to build socialism?

Participate in the discussion

Castro Urges Youth to Wage “Economic Battle”

Cuban President Raúl Castro urged the members of the Young Communist League (UJC) to work in the “economic battle”, because “the sustainability and preservation of our social system depends” on it. When closing the 9th Congress of that organization, Castro mentioned problems such as insufficient agricultural production, corruption, inflated payrolls and lack of labor force as some of the challenges facing the country.