Monthly Archives: September 2012

I had no intention of returning to the issue of state inspectors, which I addressed on 14 April of this year under the title “Inspectors: the new plague.” However, subsequent events witnessed by me and verified information given by some … Continue reading →

Elpidio Valez, a character created by J. Padrón When I repeatedly hear the principal authorities of the country — and also the not so principal, in an echoing chorus — say that the cadres (functionaries), of the State as well … Continue reading →

Archive photo I’ve always deplored extremism and fanaticism, from wherever it comes and whoever practices it, because I consider that its roots are found in the primitivism and darkness, both totally alien to reason. These days, especially in some of … Continue reading →

Leafing through the pages of official Cuban publications in recent days, I see articles on the economy in which there are references to plans for the production of potatoes, malanga, yams, yucca, bananas, vegetables, produce and condiments. This is all … Continue reading →

Photo: Rebeca In recent days there have been assemblies to “elect” the members of the National Assembly of People’s Power. This will start with electoral districts and municipalities, and continue with the provinces until the process will end with the … Continue reading →

Photo: Rebeca An acquaintance of mine boasts about having suffered from hunger during his childhood and adolescence — noting that he even had to rummage through trash bins — and the poverty that his family experienced. This used to earn him the compassion of … Continue reading →

Faced with a failed economy that is unable to produce exportable goods that might bring hard currency into the country, the Cuban government has instead opted to export services at low cost. For this it makes use of professionals – … Continue reading →

I am not going to write about chess, that game-science that many practice, but about another opening move — the economy — that is a part of the retooling of the Cuban economic “model.” This long-delayed opening-up, drawn out in its study, discussion, approval … Continue reading →

Recently I read two letters that caught my attention. The first, written by Rafael Hernández, a pro-government political scientist based in Cuba, under the title “Letter to a young man who leaves,” trying to undo this massive trend, arguing the … Continue reading →