Opinion Archives - Page 318 of 502

How Should One Refer to Fidel Castro?

One element of speech that clearly differentiates where Cubans come from is the way these refer to Fidel Castro Ruz. There are those who call him Fidel and those who refer to him as Castro.

The Challenge of Understanding Cuba

This is a country like no other. Not even we Cubans understand Cuba so, how could we expect a foreigner to quickly grasp our situation? It would be a veritable feat to do so. However, despite all this, we are an interesting people with a beautiful country.

The Legacy of Hugo Chavez

After the portraits of the late Hugo Chavez were removed from Venezuela’s National Assembly this week, the question of his legacy as president appears revived. That, unquestionably, is what’s in question: if Chavez managed to transcend his time, to set a new standard for his country or alter the course of the nation definitively, his significance is not circumscribed to his political party.

Harry Half-Wit and His Political Poetry

I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Harry Half-Wit. He’s a friend of mine, with whom I occasionally sit to talk about the silly things in life. He’s a simple fellow who lives near the Loma de los Zapotes, where many of us played as kids.

Cuba’s Economy: From Total State Control to Unregulated Markets?

Cuba’s liberalization process is so “open” it hasn’t even set up a consumer defense office to protect citizens. If someone wishes to complain, they must do so at the very company that scammed them.

Bush Opened the Guantanamo Prison Without Congress, So Why Can’t Obama Close It?

As President Obama takes executive action on gun control without going through Congress, could closing Guantánamo be next? In January 2009, Obama ordered the closure of the Guantánamo Bay military prison in one of his first executive actions. Seven years later, 107 prisoners are still there.

Central America: Another Chapter in Cuba’s Migratory Crisis

About a year ago, it was but a rumor. Then it became a known fact that one could travel from Cuba to the United States easily via Ecuador. The fear of losing everything tends to fade when a small opening appears in the Cuban balloon and many want to take advantage of it. This is what happened when Ecuador offered visa exemptions as part of its free circulation policy.

Cuba and the USA Facing 2016

Reestablishing relations with Cuba was a solid success for the Obama administration, to the point that — except from the Cuban-American extreme right — no political sector has firmly opposed that decision. So far, the topic of Cuba has barely surfaced in the presidential debates.

Venezuela: Dueling Powers or Shared Power

We approach the existing problem of power in Venezuela according to what we wish to see: a Venezuela united in diversity or a Venezuela divided and presumably destroyed.

The Press and the Cuban Legislature

Reading the reports on the country’s financies, “I felt as if we in our house were unaware of the family budget, if we can maintain the regular expenses, if we need to increase them or how tight we must tighten our belts.