On Wednesday I watched the Mass officiated by his Holiness Benedict XVI on television. I confess that despite all the political tensions that the event caused (implicitly and explicitly), despite the rapidly deployed machinery of improvised tolerance and ecumenism, I felt a huge relief with respect to the tone of the speech.
Read MoreMany aspects caught my attention during the recent visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba. I was impressed by the warm welcome given to him by the people, who spontaneously came out to greet him along the route from Antonio Maceo Airport to his destination in the city of Santiago de Cuba, and two days later in his farewell in Havana en route to Jose Marti Airport.
Read MoreThe second papal visit to Cuba ended with no surprises. Benedict left no doubt about what the Catholic Church is betting on: For “lack of time” he didn’t meet with the Ladies in White or other dissidents, yet he found space on his agenda to see Fidel Castro. Benedict’s homilies in Cuba were so general that they could have applied to anywhere in the world. If something was emphasized, it was the need to promote spirituality and for the Catholic Church to expand into new social settings.
Read MoreFor many years, the issue of poverty and marginalization was taboo in Cuban social sciences. It was a theme that was incompatible with the triumphant political line of a revolution that had supposedly eliminated — forever — the scourge of social exclusion.
Read MoreEverything done for reconciliation, respect for differences, love for one’s neighbor, protecting the helpless, fairness and social justice in Cuba is positive.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that many people’s mouths around the world are watering over the visit of His Holiness Benedict XVI to Cuba. But not all this is the result of delighted anticipation. And frankly, some of it is poisonous and violent slobber, though few mouth’s will cease to water.
Read MoreA few years ago, the statue of Austrian composer Johann Strauss Jr. disappeared from a small park located on the corner between Linea and G streets here in Havana. At that time I naively thought that the sculpture of the “the king of waltz” had been removed for restoration purposes.
Read MoreFor years I’ve worked hard to understand the role of trade unions, at least those here in Cuba. In history classes they taught us that these had emerged as vehicles for workers to stand up against factory owners and companies. I assumed that membership was voluntary here as one of our rights as workers.
Read MoreChurch-state relations in Cuba are now at their best since 1959. They are even better than during the 1998 visit by John Paul II, but the atmosphere isn’t the same.
Read MoreHavana’s public transportation system is in crisis. The official media is pointing the finger at “transportation workers and public negligence.” They advocate more control and repressive measures.
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