I’ve always been proud of being Cuban. It’s that we’re typically happy, caring, crafty, courageous, assertive and even inventors (just observe the kinds of things we come up with). But for some time now I think we’ve been going backwards a little.
Read MoreTall, lanky and with a Hollywood “doll face,” only her fast walking — when she was alone — diminished any of the elegance of Jane, “the pretty American,” as my wife and I christened her in the end. This was after realizing her value as a person and feeling some of her frustration when it came time for her to leave Cuba.
Read MoreAfter spending a month in Cuba, a friend suggested that I write about my experiences there in an article for Havana Times. As a regular reader of the website, the idea excited me, but I wasn’t quite sure what I could convey beyond a few subjective impressions of a foreigner trying to discover what was true about Cuban “socialism.”
Read MoreThe Cuban state prioritizes the family. No one born in Cuba can be deprived of their nationality. So says the constitution. Nationality implies the right of residence, except in Cuba – so it seems from what happened to a friend of mine.
Read MoreSeveral months ago I told the readers of Havana Times about Anny, a cousin of mine, who was murdered by her husband, “Cojo.” A few days ago the sentencing was handed down to this guy, who has now been convicted of two deaths.
Read MoreBut the ideas of the corporate elite, with rare exceptions, are always supported by lies to defame and discredit their opponents. Through this they neutralize workers or win converts to their side.
Read MoreA friend and colleague with Havana Times told me that most of us who write for this magazine are “whiners” (himself included). We both noted that this is an attitude that isn’t entirely sincere, since if life in Cuba doesn’t also give people reasons for joy, who could put up with it?
Read MoreOnce again the Obama administration has included Cuba on its list of countries that sponsor international terrorism, while at the same time collaborating with the Castro government on this issue.
Read MoreThe principle of increasing productivity as a prerequisite for increasing people’s wages seems irrefutable, from an economic standpoint. However, it’s not something pleasing to those Cubans who are forced to “inventar” (invent) to make ends meet.
Read MoreI’m not a great admirer of Fidel Castro, I doubt that his strengths outweigh the many mistakes he committed and that we still suffer. This feeling (my lack of admiration for him) sometimes gives me a deep sense of guilt.
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