Opinion Archives - Page 430 of 495

Like Out of an Abela Painting

These days, however, these good people with their sun and weather-beaten skin are carrying on their shoulders the weighty responsibility of providing the largest portion of food for the country.

As Cuba Decides: A Look at Mao’s and Deng’s China

My colleague Pedro Campos recently published an article in this space, in which, it seems to me he has lined up for battle his entire arsenal of theoretical weaponry to challenge the economic model that prevails today in China.

More Violence Around Me

I’ve shared with the friends of Havana Times several stories about domestic violence, child abuse and other uses of brute force. I can assure you that I’m not writing about this topic because I like it, I’d much rather talk about nice things, but unfortunately so goes the world around me, becoming more and more violent.

Take It Easy You Cubans

“You Cubans need to look on the bright side,” they seem to be saying. “You folks need to be content, appreciate what you have – because if you try to change things all you’re going to do is make them worse.” That’s the message that has kept us paralyzed for years

A Ground Level Look at Cuba’s Farm Policy

This week marks the anniversary of the signing into law of Cuba’s Agrarian Reform, which transformed the life of tens of thousands of peasant families who were subject to the cruelest forms of misery, as a 1957 survey of the Catholic University Group documented.

Nationalism in Cuban Politics

Nationalism has always been the ace in the hole of Cuban political culture, which is logical: that’s the typical reaction of a small society facing immense external challenges. This has endured since the times of Spanish colonialism to the period of intervention by the United States, whose imperialist vocation for the island has always been a love-hate relationship.

The Russians vs. the Chinese in Cuba

As the popular saying goes, “You only value what you’ve lost.” It’s a sad statement – right? But since I’m trying to be fair, I always add that memories too are created and later recalled through the prism of nostalgia, with plenty of those memories becoming adulterated.

Health Care in Cuba

In recent times, it has been common to hear the same kinds of phrases at bus stops or while waiting in whatever type of line; people will say things like: “Hell, seems like I’m going to have to move to Venezuela.” Many people talk half-jokingly about the health care in our country.

The Chinese Model Seen from Cuba

“Mao would be broken-hearted. He would probably turn over in his grave if he saw how capitalism was developing in China. However Deng would be ecstatic,” summed up political scientist Zhang Wei Wei.

Peaceful Revolution Will Prevail

The victory of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela (and resulting positive changes for his people) was an example followed by other leaders such as Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador, Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and other leftist and nationalist governments that have clearly shown where that path lies.