Carlos always tries to participate in the meetings of his CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution) and in the Report-back Assemblies of his community delegate (representative to the city council). He feels these are the appropriate places for raising the problems he suffers as a citizen of this country, as opposed to making simple comments to kill time at a bus stop.
Read MoreFrom their altitude, Silvio and Pablo, with their recent clear and strong calls for fundamental changes in our society, again give strength to the trapped, decimated, troubled, but always faithful and revolutionary, generation of ’68. They, together with the forces of positive change, would be invincible, because they are recognized, trusted voices of our generation.
Read MoreHow can you achieve change when there is no real dialogue, not even among revolutionaries themselves; or when they don’t give space in the country’s only press to the opinions of communists and revolutionaries who promote a socialist perspective different from the failed official outlook; or when they reject other writings dealing with those issues?
Read MoreSunday I went for a drive around the city. Lenin Park and the Escaleras de Jaruco were packed with people. In the food-stands were roast pork and fish (all sold in national currency); all around was music playing, people drinking rum and beer, and children taking turns to ride the horses.
Other Cubans took advantage of the weekend to experience their true passions: going out to dance, or to the beach, exploring caves, diving in the reefs, fishing on the coast, or maybe playing baseball, racing cars or organizing cock fights.
Read MoreI’ve known Pavel since childhood, and we’ve always gotten along well although our lives are very different. I was born and raised in the Vibora Park neighborhood and I graduated with a University career. He was born and raised in a solar (tenement alley) in Central Havana and he graduated from a Trade School as a lathe operator.
Read MoreIn his most recent public speech on Sunday, President Raul Castro urged youth to make use of debate and to accept differences of opinion as a means to advance the construction of socialism.
Is it possible to disagree with certain decisions and policies outlined by the Cuban leaders while continuing to be on the side of the Revolution? Do you think the leaders in fact fear disagreement? Up to what point could differences of opinion advance or reverse the Cuban effort to build socialism?
Participate in the discussion
Read MoreI’ve always thought of Avelino as one of the most upright and morally consistent people I’ve ever known. I think of him as the model rank-and-file member of the Communist Party of Cuba, someone who never missed a speech by our leader. He was also someone who would confront anybody who dared to criticize our revolutionary process.
Read MoreThe removal of Gen. Rogelio Acevedo from his position as the head of Civil Aeronautics has exposed a Pandora’s Box. On the street, people are talking about how corruption within the airline industry rose to overshadow all previous cases; this latest instance involved the embezzlement of millions of dollars generated from clandestine commercial activities.
Read MoreWe know the enemy’s tactics. In their plans, polarization should lead the situation of the country to a worsened political and economic disaster at the hands of the authoritarian conservatives, contrary to the need for all forms of democratization and socialization.
Read MoreCuban-Americana singer Gloria Estefan headed a march this past Friday in Miami in support of the Cuban dissident group known as the Ladies in White. Likewise, actor Andy Garcia headed a protest on Sunday in Los Angeles with the same objective.
Havana Times invites its readers to reflect on this issue:
What has compelled these artists to lead demonstrations against the Cuban government?
Are they defending the interests of Cubans who live on the island?
Will these marches contribute to better relations between Cuba and the United States?
Participate in the debate.
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