Opinion Archives - Page 444 of 503

Cuba: Church & State, Alliances & Resentments

Church-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.

Havana Faces New Public Transportation Crisis

Havana’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.

Beggars in Cuba

A couple of days ago I heard a story in which they criticized the United States for having so many homeless people on the streets. That was something that made me laugh, but at the same time I felt a certain unease. In my view, the author of the story must live in another world, or they drive to work every day, or hasn’t walked the streets of Havana for quite a long time.

Cuba Church Occupations and Marked Cards

The recent occupation of several Catholic church buildings by opposition groups — including one which a dozen protesters maintained in the capital for 48 hours — is putting on the table another sign of how politics in Cuba is beginning to be played.

A Wedding in Cuba and Ladies in White

Everyone knows that when it comes to weddings, the bride’s grown always has to be the most beautiful. That is why it is the tradition in many countries for the guests never to wear white dresses or light colors, so as not to overshadow the bride.

Our Responsibility in Cuba

I didn’t spare words or irony to question the existence of a single political party here in my country. The same goes for a constitution that only allows us freedom of speech and the press in accordance with the aims of “socialist” society, and an electoral system designed so that we can’t choose.

More for the Sake of Civility in Cuba

Due to my almost non-existent internet access (a distressing condition), I’ve had no dialogue with you, the readers of my articles, though I always appreciate your attention. This time I would like to dedicate a few words that were prompted by the comments to my post titled “Civility Threatened in Cuba”.

The Organization of the Cuban State and Government

Those who assert that the government in Cuba is a dictatorship are deliberately lying. In my previous article I explained how all members of government are elected, be it the most modest member of a municipal assembly or a deputy to the National Assembly.

The Long Road to Socialism in Cuba

Some people “believe” that for there to be a transition to a socialist economy (where cooperative and self-management forms of socialist production predominate), a high level of capitalist development must first be attained, and therefore we need to prioritize the expansion of domestic and foreign private capitalism.

Sad Faced Louis

Louis is a man of over 60 who lives on my block. Although he has always looked too sad for words, we got along just fine.