After reading “Drooling Over the Pope in Cuba,” a post by Yasmin S. Portales on the Pope’s visit to Cuba, I felt the need to share some of my concerns. Firstly though, I would like to clarify that I’m not Catholic or Christian, not in the sense of practicing any official brand of Christianity.
Read MoreThe recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI visit was an extraordinary opportunity for the government to show its tolerance and its democratic vocation. However, the government’s behavior appeared more like a paramilitary operation designed to face an eventual uprising than to receive a special and friendly visitor.
Read More“In Cuba there won’t be political reform.” It was surprising that this short statement by Vice President Marino Murillo was the one most published from his press conference held during the visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba last month.
Read MoreIn Cuba, in contrast to other countries, the movies aren’t a luxury but a form of entertainment that’s accessible to people of all incomes. A ticket costs two pesos in national currency (US 10 cents).
Read MoreUnder the current system, all Cubans, inside and outside, are compelled to conduct themselves “properly” if they want to leave and enter the country.
Read MoreThis doesn’t mean privatizing the Cuban health care system and turning it over to capital to exploit doctors and patients, but instead limiting the role of the government, socializing production, for the good of the services provided and the workers.
Read MoreThe above title was the same one I used for a short commentary I wrote in November 2008, just days after Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Today, he enters his re-election campaign — after four years of doing what he shouldn’t have done and not doing what people hoped he would do.
Read MoreNot long ago my mother turned 71. An event that mattered to few but made me reflect deeply. I remember the sort of feeling of immunity she gave us, my sisters and me, when we were little.
Read More“My name is Barbara Duenas. I’m one of the relatives of the former Cuban political prisoners who arrived in Spain in August 2010. I’m the ex-wife of Marcelo Cano, from the “Group of 75″ [imprisoned in 2003]. I live in Tarragona and I’m alone with my daughter. Since February 19, I haven’t received any assistance and I don’t know what to do.”
Read MoreIn Cuba, access to the Internet is a privilege held by a small group that includes foreign residents on the island, PhDs in any field, senior political leaders, military officers, reporters, a few artists and writers, and people with sufficient money to pay for an illegal account.
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