Opinion Archives - Page 303 of 498

Twenty-First Century Parasites

¡Comrades in the struggle for 21st Century Socialism: Commander Chavez will inspire our struggle! And at the same time, he can still give us something to eat…

Cuba and its Outstanding Dreams

When our children left home it was as if the sky had fallen; my wife and I fell in what is known as the “empty nest syndrome”. Suddenly we were without our main occupation; educate this pair of boys who gave us life.

Cuba Is Seeing Increasing Work Protests

There are more than enough reasons to protest, it’s a spontaneous act, it’s becoming more common and by the way, they’re not asking for direct political demands, nobody’s shouting Down with Raul, down with the government!

Mujica Stands Up for the Democratic Left

It was with great relief that I read the news about (former Uruguayan president) Jose Mujica’s condemning words to embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Mujica acted as a voice of the democratic left in calling Maduro way out of order.

Cuba: A Question of Principles or How to Silence Debate

Seeing the word “debate” in a headline of Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba’s one legal political party, may be encouraging…but only until one reads the title of the article in its entirety: “Rules for Debate, or a Question of Principles,” by Rafael Cruz Ramos.

Why I Like Comrade Arboleya So Much

Jesús Arboleya Cervera, a researcher at the Center for Studies on National Security Affairs, has just got involved in the messy business of Cuban socialism and politics in order to highlight the fact that the debate “is neverending in our daily work” and that even those opposed to the regime take part in this debate with “their opinions in formal and informal channels of discussion”.

A Cuban either Mistaken or Abandoned

This is a short story about an ordinary Cuban. I was born into a humble family, the only wealth I had was my job. Catholic since I was a child, I was raised with the teachings of family union, love for God and thy neighbor. I was taught the importance of simplicity, honesty and integrity.

The Persistence of Racism in Cuba

The result of lingering racism in Cuba is graphic, irrefutable and devastating. Black neighborhoods are like war zones, the disproportion in the incarcerated population, level of prostitution and poverty are permanent testimony.

Investment in Cuba’s Public Health: True of False?

A fellow writer for HT recently brought up some pretty serious questions. Erasmo Calzadilla expressed his doubts relating to the supposed development of the investment process in the Cuban health system. These concerns are naturally shared by many of us.

Castro’s Cuba is a Private Party

Back when I was living in Cuba, one of the important tasks of those who represented the elite was to disguise and conceal their high standing in comparison to others, as the people were subjected to immense sacrifices, and such differences could seriously undermine their scant enthusiasm or even lead to protest.