Centro polivalente cultural abre en el antiguo taller de guayaberas de
Alamar
DDC | La Habana | 31 Dic 2015 - 12:08 pm.
En la antigua Fábrica de Guayaberas de Alamar, en Habana del Este, abrió
el martes el centro polivalente Enguayabera, inaugurado por el
Ministerio de Cultura después de seis meses de obras y con una
concepción extraída de la Fábrica de Arte Cubano del Vedado, en el
centro de la ciudad.
De acuerdo con el reporte del sitio web estatal Cubadebate, el antiguo
taller textil fue sometido a una restauración y reconversión para hacer
coincidir en un mismo espacio diversas manifestaciones artísticas y una
programación destinada a un amplio espectro de públicos.
Las ruinas del antiguo enclave industrial, por años abandonado, se
recogen en forma de fotografías que forman parte de la decoración de
Enguayabera.
El centro abrirá siempre a las 9:00 am, aunque no todos los espacios lo
harán a la misma hora, señala la publicación.
"En la medida en que vaya creciendo la demanda haremos las adecuaciones
pertinentes en los horarios", explicó Rogelio Cuza, presidente de la
Junta Administrativa, encabezada por ARTEX.
La entrada general será gratuita pero cada instalación tendrá un precio
de manera independiente, en función de los artistas que se presenten.
"Si son de primera convocatoria, el precio varía. Trataremos de que sea
asequible, siempre teniendo en cuenta que esto además de tener una
misión social, tiene un objetivo económico", dijo Cuza citado por la web
oficial.
El espacio dispone de un parque infantil y tres parques inflables;
cuatro salas de cine con capacidad para 40 personas cada una; una de
teatro, con capacidad para 70; una librería, un café literario, tiendas
de ARTEX y el Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales; una sala de fiestas;
una heladería; un restaurante con escenario; un área deportiva y una
zona Wifi de acceso a internet.
La programación estará organizada por el Instituto Cubano del Arte e
Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC), el Consejo Nacional de Artes
Escénicas, el Instituto Cubano de la Música y el Instituto Cubano del
Libro, según señalara Miguel Sánchez, funcionario del Ministerio de
Cultura citado por Cubadebate.
Enguayabera se inauguró con la agrupación Manolito Simonet y su trabuco,
y hoy 31 está programada una presentación de Edesio Alejandro, anunció
que irán agrupaciones bailables como Caribe Girls.
De acuerdo con declaraciones de Ramón Cid, encargado de la cartelera del
centro, se trata de incluir presentaciones de jazz, de pop, "un poco de
todo para explorar las preferencias del público e ir perfilando una
programación más intencionada. No vamos a encasillarnos en un solo
género", apuntó.
Según dicen las autoridades del Ministerio de Cultura, la idea de
Enguayabera "debería sentar un precedente para otras barriadas populosas
de La Habana y más allá de la ciudad".
Source: Centro polivalente cultural abre en el antiguo taller de
guayaberas de Alamar | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cultura/1451560130_19183.html
Friday, January 1, 2016
Homenaje inmerecido
Homenaje inmerecido
diciembre 29, 2015 1:42 pm
Boyeros, La Habana, Leonardo Calvo, (PD) Al punto de cumplir 95 años de
vida (21 de diciembre 1920) la mítica bailarina Alicia Alonso,
controvertido ícono de la cultura oficialista, las autoridades cubanas
premian su fidelidad más que su obra con un homenaje inédito en la Cuba
contemporánea
Hace pocas semanas, el Consejo de Estado, máximo órgano de decisión y
ejecución gubernamental determinó, según aclaró, con carácter
excepcional, dar al Gran Teatro de La Habana el nombre de Alicia Alonso.
Según refiere la nota informativa, la designación obedece al
reconocimiento a la trayectoria artística de la nonagenaria bailarina y
fundadora del Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Considero innecesario decir que para los gobernantes cubanos el
reconocimiento a la obra o el talento pasa por la alineación y fidelidad
política del encartado.
En este caso, Alicia Martínez del Hoyo, quien tomó el apellido de su ex
esposo y cuñado Fernando y Alberto Alonso, ya fallecidos, excepcionales
bailarines, maestros y junto a ella fundadores de la compañía y Escuela
Nacional de Ballet, desde su regreso a Cuba en 1959 se convirtió en la
omnipotente e infalible dueña hegemónica de uno de los "feudos
revolucionarios" que han trascendido el tiempo.
Al igual que el comandante Eduardo Bernabé Ordaz en el hospital
psiquiátrico de La Habana, Aidee Santamaría en la Casa de las Américas,
el Dr. Rodrigo Álvarez Cambras en el Hospital Ortopédico "Frank País",
Alfredo Guevara en el ICAIC, y en algún momento Eusebio Leal en el
Centro Histórico de La Habana, Alicia Alonso convirtió al ballet en
Cuba, siempre con la anuencia del poder, en su parcela personal, donde
los diseños artísticos, administrativos e incluso el destino de las
personas están definidos por sus criterios e intereses personales.
Es bueno aclarar que el alto liderazgo ha enfocado el culto a la
personalidad de manera más sutil y subliminal, nada de monumentos o
nombrar instituciones. Solo el estadio de beisbol de la pequeña
localidad de Jatibonico, en el centro del país, y por aclamación de sus
habitantes, llevó el nombre en vida de Genaro Melero, un humilde y
consagrado pelotero de la primera mitad del siglo pasado.
Cualquiera podría pensar que esta decisión sin precedentes del Consejo
de Estado obedece a la trayectoria de quien desde muy joven demostró
dotes excepcionales para la danza, enfrentó la adversidad de la pérdida
paulatina de la visión sin nunca bajar de los escenarios y ha sostenido
a la compañía cubana de ballet por varias décadas en dos siglos diferentes.
Alicia Alonso es reconocida como uno de los más grandes exponentes de la
danza clásica en el siglo XX, sin embargo en los años sesenta se alió al
poder, en los setenta dejó realmente de bailar a su reconocido nivel,
aunque lamentablemente, su desenfrenado egocentrismo no le permitió
bajar de los escenarios hasta entrados los noventa.
Con el monopolio que le garantizaba el respaldo oficial, creó la Escuela
Nacional de Ballet, en la cual se desarrollaron talentos que llegaron a
ser figuras mundialmente reconocidas como parte de una de las más
prestigiosas compañías del planeta. Sin embargo, Alicia Alonso, lejos de
desarrollar una compañía dinámica y conectada con las claves de la
modernidad, convirtió al BNC en una entidad anquilosada y conservadora,
la cual además se aleja totalmente de la esencia conceptual
universalmente asumida de lo que constituye un ballet nacional, en tanto
nada tiene que ver con las tradiciones y acervos culturales de la
nación. Esa compañía bien podría ser reconocida como el "Ballet Ruso de
La Habana" puesto que detenido en el tiempo, tiene poco de nacional, de
cubano.
La auto titulada Prima Ballerina Assoluta ha matizado su hegemonismo
incuestionable con el nepotismo y el racismo que han caracterizado al
enclave cultural que ha secuestrado `por varias décadas. Durante años,
su hija y su actual esposo han acaparado poderes e influencias en los
entornos de la danza clásica cubana. Son muchos los bailarines
afrodescendientes que han sufrido los desmanes de la ya nonagenaria
autócrata: desde el gran Jorge Lefevre (Ballet del siglo XX y Ballet
Royal de Vallonie) y Caridad Martínez, quien llegó a ser directora del
Ballet de Brooklyn, hasta el grupo de talentosos graduados de la ENB a
los que hace pocos años cerró las puertas de la compañía, componen la
larga lista de víctimas anónimas o reconocidas.
Capítulo aparte merece la gran estrella mundial de la danza Carlos
Acosta, graduado de la ENB, con una carrera excepcional en importantes
compañías como el Ballet de Houston en Estados Unidos o el Royal Ballet
de Londres, Gran Bretaña, quien a pesar de sus múltiples premios y haber
sido investido caballero del imperio Británico en el rango de Gran
Comendador, no cuenta con una sola fotografía en el Museo Nacional de la
Danza de la Habana.
Hace pocos años, como un regalo y deferencia con Carlos Acosta, el Royal
Ballet hizo la erogación millonaria de trasladar a Cuba toda la
compañía, con piso del escenario incluido, para ofrecer varias funciones
en La Habana, a pesar de lo cual ni la dirección del BNC ni las
autoridades culturales cubanas se molestaron en agasajar a la
prestigiosa compañía con al menos alguna condecoración significativa.
Cuando hace pocos años por fin Carlos Acosta recibió el Premio Nacional
de Danza que hacía tiempo merecía, la señora Alonso no se dignó a
presentarse en la ceremonia de entrega.
El desgaste e inviabilidad de un modelo que manipula e instrumentaliza
hasta los más caros valores y menosprecia al ser humano, ha destruido o
depreciado tantos valores económicos y culturales que un día fueron
orgullo de toda una nación. El BNC no es una excepción. Enfermo de
retraso y hegemonismo, la compañía no es ni la sombra de la que nos
deleitaba varias décadas atrás.
Tal vez la "gran diva" sea mucho más rica que cuando se alió al poder,
pero algo sí es seguro: la compañía es mucho más pobre y menos
prestigiosa que años atrás.
De hecho, son muchos los jóvenes bailarines que aprovechan las giras
para escapar, como esclavos en busca de mejores horizontes de vida y
trabajo.
No importa que de momento el poder pague a sus servidores con honores y
prebendas que, mezquino y soberbio, niega a tantos merecedores (Celia
Cruz, Bebo Valdés, Orlando "El Duque" Hernández o Guillermo Cabrera
Infante) por solo citar unos pocos. Por suerte el tiempo y la historia
colocará a cada cual en el lugar que merece.
montesinos3788@gmail.com; Leonardo Calvo
*Historiador y politólogo
Fragmento del cuadro de Cosme Proenza "Siempre Alicia" 2005
Source: Homenaje inmerecido | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/homenaje-inmerecido/
diciembre 29, 2015 1:42 pm
Boyeros, La Habana, Leonardo Calvo, (PD) Al punto de cumplir 95 años de
vida (21 de diciembre 1920) la mítica bailarina Alicia Alonso,
controvertido ícono de la cultura oficialista, las autoridades cubanas
premian su fidelidad más que su obra con un homenaje inédito en la Cuba
contemporánea
Hace pocas semanas, el Consejo de Estado, máximo órgano de decisión y
ejecución gubernamental determinó, según aclaró, con carácter
excepcional, dar al Gran Teatro de La Habana el nombre de Alicia Alonso.
Según refiere la nota informativa, la designación obedece al
reconocimiento a la trayectoria artística de la nonagenaria bailarina y
fundadora del Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Considero innecesario decir que para los gobernantes cubanos el
reconocimiento a la obra o el talento pasa por la alineación y fidelidad
política del encartado.
En este caso, Alicia Martínez del Hoyo, quien tomó el apellido de su ex
esposo y cuñado Fernando y Alberto Alonso, ya fallecidos, excepcionales
bailarines, maestros y junto a ella fundadores de la compañía y Escuela
Nacional de Ballet, desde su regreso a Cuba en 1959 se convirtió en la
omnipotente e infalible dueña hegemónica de uno de los "feudos
revolucionarios" que han trascendido el tiempo.
Al igual que el comandante Eduardo Bernabé Ordaz en el hospital
psiquiátrico de La Habana, Aidee Santamaría en la Casa de las Américas,
el Dr. Rodrigo Álvarez Cambras en el Hospital Ortopédico "Frank País",
Alfredo Guevara en el ICAIC, y en algún momento Eusebio Leal en el
Centro Histórico de La Habana, Alicia Alonso convirtió al ballet en
Cuba, siempre con la anuencia del poder, en su parcela personal, donde
los diseños artísticos, administrativos e incluso el destino de las
personas están definidos por sus criterios e intereses personales.
Es bueno aclarar que el alto liderazgo ha enfocado el culto a la
personalidad de manera más sutil y subliminal, nada de monumentos o
nombrar instituciones. Solo el estadio de beisbol de la pequeña
localidad de Jatibonico, en el centro del país, y por aclamación de sus
habitantes, llevó el nombre en vida de Genaro Melero, un humilde y
consagrado pelotero de la primera mitad del siglo pasado.
Cualquiera podría pensar que esta decisión sin precedentes del Consejo
de Estado obedece a la trayectoria de quien desde muy joven demostró
dotes excepcionales para la danza, enfrentó la adversidad de la pérdida
paulatina de la visión sin nunca bajar de los escenarios y ha sostenido
a la compañía cubana de ballet por varias décadas en dos siglos diferentes.
Alicia Alonso es reconocida como uno de los más grandes exponentes de la
danza clásica en el siglo XX, sin embargo en los años sesenta se alió al
poder, en los setenta dejó realmente de bailar a su reconocido nivel,
aunque lamentablemente, su desenfrenado egocentrismo no le permitió
bajar de los escenarios hasta entrados los noventa.
Con el monopolio que le garantizaba el respaldo oficial, creó la Escuela
Nacional de Ballet, en la cual se desarrollaron talentos que llegaron a
ser figuras mundialmente reconocidas como parte de una de las más
prestigiosas compañías del planeta. Sin embargo, Alicia Alonso, lejos de
desarrollar una compañía dinámica y conectada con las claves de la
modernidad, convirtió al BNC en una entidad anquilosada y conservadora,
la cual además se aleja totalmente de la esencia conceptual
universalmente asumida de lo que constituye un ballet nacional, en tanto
nada tiene que ver con las tradiciones y acervos culturales de la
nación. Esa compañía bien podría ser reconocida como el "Ballet Ruso de
La Habana" puesto que detenido en el tiempo, tiene poco de nacional, de
cubano.
La auto titulada Prima Ballerina Assoluta ha matizado su hegemonismo
incuestionable con el nepotismo y el racismo que han caracterizado al
enclave cultural que ha secuestrado `por varias décadas. Durante años,
su hija y su actual esposo han acaparado poderes e influencias en los
entornos de la danza clásica cubana. Son muchos los bailarines
afrodescendientes que han sufrido los desmanes de la ya nonagenaria
autócrata: desde el gran Jorge Lefevre (Ballet del siglo XX y Ballet
Royal de Vallonie) y Caridad Martínez, quien llegó a ser directora del
Ballet de Brooklyn, hasta el grupo de talentosos graduados de la ENB a
los que hace pocos años cerró las puertas de la compañía, componen la
larga lista de víctimas anónimas o reconocidas.
Capítulo aparte merece la gran estrella mundial de la danza Carlos
Acosta, graduado de la ENB, con una carrera excepcional en importantes
compañías como el Ballet de Houston en Estados Unidos o el Royal Ballet
de Londres, Gran Bretaña, quien a pesar de sus múltiples premios y haber
sido investido caballero del imperio Británico en el rango de Gran
Comendador, no cuenta con una sola fotografía en el Museo Nacional de la
Danza de la Habana.
Hace pocos años, como un regalo y deferencia con Carlos Acosta, el Royal
Ballet hizo la erogación millonaria de trasladar a Cuba toda la
compañía, con piso del escenario incluido, para ofrecer varias funciones
en La Habana, a pesar de lo cual ni la dirección del BNC ni las
autoridades culturales cubanas se molestaron en agasajar a la
prestigiosa compañía con al menos alguna condecoración significativa.
Cuando hace pocos años por fin Carlos Acosta recibió el Premio Nacional
de Danza que hacía tiempo merecía, la señora Alonso no se dignó a
presentarse en la ceremonia de entrega.
El desgaste e inviabilidad de un modelo que manipula e instrumentaliza
hasta los más caros valores y menosprecia al ser humano, ha destruido o
depreciado tantos valores económicos y culturales que un día fueron
orgullo de toda una nación. El BNC no es una excepción. Enfermo de
retraso y hegemonismo, la compañía no es ni la sombra de la que nos
deleitaba varias décadas atrás.
Tal vez la "gran diva" sea mucho más rica que cuando se alió al poder,
pero algo sí es seguro: la compañía es mucho más pobre y menos
prestigiosa que años atrás.
De hecho, son muchos los jóvenes bailarines que aprovechan las giras
para escapar, como esclavos en busca de mejores horizontes de vida y
trabajo.
No importa que de momento el poder pague a sus servidores con honores y
prebendas que, mezquino y soberbio, niega a tantos merecedores (Celia
Cruz, Bebo Valdés, Orlando "El Duque" Hernández o Guillermo Cabrera
Infante) por solo citar unos pocos. Por suerte el tiempo y la historia
colocará a cada cual en el lugar que merece.
montesinos3788@gmail.com; Leonardo Calvo
*Historiador y politólogo
Fragmento del cuadro de Cosme Proenza "Siempre Alicia" 2005
Source: Homenaje inmerecido | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/homenaje-inmerecido/
Una respuesta necesaria
Una respuesta necesaria
diciembre 29, 2015 1:49 pm·
San Agustín, La Lisa, Nelson Rodríguez Chartrand, (PD) ¿Cómo, si usted
dice que vive en una dictadura, es posible que desafíe al gobierno y no
esté encarcelado?
Sí, estimado lector, he comenzado éste, mi último artículo del año, con
una pregunta que algunos lectores me han realizado en sus comentarios a
varios artículos que he publicado. Por ser dicha interrogante bastante
recurrente, considero merece una respuesta necesaria. En primer lugar,
por el respeto que esos lectores se merecen, y en segundo lugar, porque
mi conciencia no me permite culminar el año a sabiendas que hay quienes
aún dudan que haya una dictadura en Cuba.
Si hay algo que me he propuesto en mis modestos artículos durante todo
éste año, ha sido precisamente demostrar el carácter dictatorial del
sistema de gobierno cubano, encarnado en los genes de la propia
Constitución y sus diabólicas leyes. Creo, además, haber demostrado con
creces que el sistema jurídico en Cuba lo es sólo en apariencias, pues
lo que realmente existe es el imperio de la voluntad de la muy reducida
élite gobernante, y no el imperio de la ley propio de las democracias.
No les quepa ninguna duda, pero absolutamente ninguna duda, que el único
lugar reservado para los disidentes cubanos honestos, quiero decir, los
que no han pactado con la dictadura, es la cárcel, la marginación
social, la asfixia económica, y una inseguridad e incertidumbre perenne:
sus vidas quedan a merced de la voluntad de la dictadura.
Por ejemplo, no es secreto para ningún cubano, incluso ni para los
mismísimos gobernantes, que el sistema institucional en Cuba es
ineficiente, manipulado por ellos, y esencialmente corrupto; sin
embargo, como ésta es una realidad que nuestros diablos del poder no
quieren escuchar, para mantener el disfraz ya nada creíble de ángeles, a
quien lo devele por cualquier medio, como lo hago en éste instante, la
ley les reserva de tres meses a un año de privación de libertad o multa
de cien a trescientas cuotas, según lo estipula el artículo 204 del
Código Penal, verdugo implacable de nuestro pueblo. Si además acusa a
los gobernantes cubanos de dictadores inescrupulosos, como hago ahora,
también el propio artículo les reserva la misma suerte.
Quien no comparta, por ejemplo, con los principios del socialismo como
no comparto yo, y haga públicas sus razones utilizando cualquier medio
de expresión, haciendo uso del ejercicio de éste derecho humano, pudiera
ser condenado a largas penas de privación de libertad por el delito de
propaganda enemiga.
Podría pasarme horas mostrándoles ejemplos de éste tipo, pero como ya lo
he hecho durante todo este año, no quisiera hacerles perder más tiempo,
pero para que puedan tener una idea más clara sobre esto, les diré, que
en la tristemente célebre primavera negra del año 2003, donde fueron
condenados a largas penas de cárcel a 75 pacíficos cubanos abanderados
de la libertad y la justicia, en la mayoría de los casos se tomaron como
pruebas condenatorias, el hecho de habérseles incautado en sus hogares,
nada más y nada menos que ejemplares de la Declaración Universal de los
Derechos Humanos.
En fin, son muchos los delitos reservados para los que pacíficamente,
utilizando como arma u lápiz y un papel, desenmascara la cara oculta de
la dictadura, siendo todos ellos, sin excepción, prisioneros en
potencia, esperando, día a día, minuto a minuto, y segundo a segundo,
ser devorado por la tristeza y la soledad en las garras de las cárceles
cubanas.
Muchas gracias y hasta la próxima, deseándoles de todo corazón mucha
salud, paz espiritual y amor para el año venidero.
¡Adelante la Libertad!
nelsonchartrand@gmail.com, Nelson Rodríguez Chartrand
Source: Una respuesta necesaria | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/una-respuesta-necesaria/
diciembre 29, 2015 1:49 pm·
San Agustín, La Lisa, Nelson Rodríguez Chartrand, (PD) ¿Cómo, si usted
dice que vive en una dictadura, es posible que desafíe al gobierno y no
esté encarcelado?
Sí, estimado lector, he comenzado éste, mi último artículo del año, con
una pregunta que algunos lectores me han realizado en sus comentarios a
varios artículos que he publicado. Por ser dicha interrogante bastante
recurrente, considero merece una respuesta necesaria. En primer lugar,
por el respeto que esos lectores se merecen, y en segundo lugar, porque
mi conciencia no me permite culminar el año a sabiendas que hay quienes
aún dudan que haya una dictadura en Cuba.
Si hay algo que me he propuesto en mis modestos artículos durante todo
éste año, ha sido precisamente demostrar el carácter dictatorial del
sistema de gobierno cubano, encarnado en los genes de la propia
Constitución y sus diabólicas leyes. Creo, además, haber demostrado con
creces que el sistema jurídico en Cuba lo es sólo en apariencias, pues
lo que realmente existe es el imperio de la voluntad de la muy reducida
élite gobernante, y no el imperio de la ley propio de las democracias.
No les quepa ninguna duda, pero absolutamente ninguna duda, que el único
lugar reservado para los disidentes cubanos honestos, quiero decir, los
que no han pactado con la dictadura, es la cárcel, la marginación
social, la asfixia económica, y una inseguridad e incertidumbre perenne:
sus vidas quedan a merced de la voluntad de la dictadura.
Por ejemplo, no es secreto para ningún cubano, incluso ni para los
mismísimos gobernantes, que el sistema institucional en Cuba es
ineficiente, manipulado por ellos, y esencialmente corrupto; sin
embargo, como ésta es una realidad que nuestros diablos del poder no
quieren escuchar, para mantener el disfraz ya nada creíble de ángeles, a
quien lo devele por cualquier medio, como lo hago en éste instante, la
ley les reserva de tres meses a un año de privación de libertad o multa
de cien a trescientas cuotas, según lo estipula el artículo 204 del
Código Penal, verdugo implacable de nuestro pueblo. Si además acusa a
los gobernantes cubanos de dictadores inescrupulosos, como hago ahora,
también el propio artículo les reserva la misma suerte.
Quien no comparta, por ejemplo, con los principios del socialismo como
no comparto yo, y haga públicas sus razones utilizando cualquier medio
de expresión, haciendo uso del ejercicio de éste derecho humano, pudiera
ser condenado a largas penas de privación de libertad por el delito de
propaganda enemiga.
Podría pasarme horas mostrándoles ejemplos de éste tipo, pero como ya lo
he hecho durante todo este año, no quisiera hacerles perder más tiempo,
pero para que puedan tener una idea más clara sobre esto, les diré, que
en la tristemente célebre primavera negra del año 2003, donde fueron
condenados a largas penas de cárcel a 75 pacíficos cubanos abanderados
de la libertad y la justicia, en la mayoría de los casos se tomaron como
pruebas condenatorias, el hecho de habérseles incautado en sus hogares,
nada más y nada menos que ejemplares de la Declaración Universal de los
Derechos Humanos.
En fin, son muchos los delitos reservados para los que pacíficamente,
utilizando como arma u lápiz y un papel, desenmascara la cara oculta de
la dictadura, siendo todos ellos, sin excepción, prisioneros en
potencia, esperando, día a día, minuto a minuto, y segundo a segundo,
ser devorado por la tristeza y la soledad en las garras de las cárceles
cubanas.
Muchas gracias y hasta la próxima, deseándoles de todo corazón mucha
salud, paz espiritual y amor para el año venidero.
¡Adelante la Libertad!
nelsonchartrand@gmail.com, Nelson Rodríguez Chartrand
Source: Una respuesta necesaria | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/una-respuesta-necesaria/
Libertinaje sin libertad
Libertinaje sin libertad
diciembre 29, 2015 1:53 pm·
Cerro, La Habana, Rogelio Travieso, (PD) ¿Que ha sido de nuestras vidas?
¿Por qué este régimen no da otra opción?
Muchos años, con un sistema que demostró sus pésimos resultados, incapaz
de cambiar un ápice, aferrado al mismo discurso, invocando a los
próceres, asegurando que lo que tenemos, es una continuidad de las
luchas libertadoras.
¿Acaso será legítimo que quienes no sean electos por el voto del pueblo,
estén facultados para hablar en nombre de este?
Quienes gobiernan son personas impuestas por las altas esferas de
acuerdo a una Constitución y leyes que han sido redactadas por
comunistas designados en la cumbre del poder y no por una representación
ciudadana plural.
¿Cómo fueron los inicios, para quienes no han dejado de gobernar, y
mantenerse dé por que si, imponiendo este régimen excluyente?
Fidel Castro, en La Plata, Sierra Maestra, con su fusil, disparó y dio
muerte a una vaca para que almorzaran los participantes en la ceremonia
por la firma de la Ley de Reforma Agraria, por la que el estado se
adueñó de la mayor cantidad de las tierras, estableciéndose el
latifundio estatal, que demostró ser incapaz de alimentar a los cubanos.
En la actualidad, quien mate una vaca, posiblemente tenga que cumplir
más años de prisión que si matara a una persona. Los cubanos de a pie
hace más de 23 años que legalmente no están autorizados a comer carne de
res.
Con las prácticas del populismo inicial, Fidel Castro celebró con
pobladores de Soplillar, en la Ciénaga de Zapata, la primera Noche Buena
luego del triunfo del primero de enero de 1959. Diez años después, en
1969, Fidel Castro suspendió las Navidades con el pretexto de no
interrumpir las tareas de la zafra azucarera. En la actualidad, ni
Navidades ni zafra: las molidas de caña son mínimas, pues apenas quedan
centrales en Cuba.
Desde los primeros tiempos, con las intervenciones, se atentó contra la
propiedad. Vino el libertinaje. Se dijo que todos son dueños, pero
realmente nada es de nadie. El estado se adueñó de lo que no le
pertenecía. Las personas sustraen lo que no es de ellos.
Luego de posponer la celebración de elecciones libres, en diciembre de
1961, Fidel Castro reconoció ser marxista- leninista, algo que
denodadamente había negado.
El 19 de marzo de 1962 se impuso el racionamiento de alimentos, que se
mantiene todavía, como mecanismo de control permanente. Los cubanos
carecen de libertad hasta para comer. De ahí las prácticas cotidianas de
libertinaje por la subsistencia, que en innumerables ocasiones han sido
reprimidas y sancionadas.
El mayor libertinaje es el de un grupo muy selectivo de dirigentes.
Falto de libertad, el pueblo es invariablemente ignorado.
En octubre de 1962, debido a la instalación de los misiles soviéticos,
la nación cubana estuvo en riesgo de desaparecer de la faz de la tierra.
El 13 de marzo de 1968 se declaró la Ofensiva Revolucionaria. Desde ese
día y hasta el presente, nuestro país cayó en una miseria generalizada.
En 1951 Fidel Castro, acusó en la prensa al presidente Carlos Prio, de
llevar al país a la ruina. Aquella corrupción era real, pero no era más
a la existente en la actualidad.
Quienes discrepen con lo señalado, que digan si es cierto o falso, lo
que aparece a continuación.
Pocas horas nos separan de cumplirse los 57 años de vida del actual
régimen político. De 1902, cuando se inauguró la república, a 1959, van
57 años. De 1959 a 2016, también van 57 años.
Pregunto: en qué periodo se construyeron los pueblos, las carreteras,
las mejores viviendas, las grandes industrias, los centrales azucareros,
las refinerías, los hospitales. Cuando produjeron más las tierras, se
obtuvo mayores cosechas, hubo una ganadería eficiente que garantizaba
carne y leche sin restricción. Cuando se construyeron las maravillas de
la arquitectura cubana, como el Capitolio, la Carretera Central, el
Túnel de Habana, la Vía Blanca, el Focsa, el Coliseo de la Ciudad
Deportiva, la Plaza Cívica, el Puente de Bacunayagua.
Antes de 1959 había establecimientos comerciales de todo tipo, un
servicio de ómnibus eficiente, los cubanos podían comprar el carro del
año…Cuba era uno de los primeros países de este hemisferio.
¿Cuánto queda de lo creado en aquellos años? Casi todo está destruido
¿Qué infraestructura queda de todo aquello? Muy poco.
No lo negamos: en la actualidad existen muchas escuelas y universidades,
hay hospitales y médicos para quienes se enferman. Aunque en ocasiones
las universidades son para los revolucionarios y los hospitales también.
Hoy el cubano es instruido, pero inculto. El libertinaje y la corrupción
están por todas partes. El régimen continúa con sus prácticas porristas.
El amor a la nación deja mucho que desear; hay poco sentido de pertenencia.
¡Tanta politiquería y adoctrinamiento mañana, tarde y noche! Tantas
mentiras triunfalistas divulgadas durante décadas por el oficialismo.
Las personas están cansadas de lo mismo. Algunos no quieren ni ser cubanos.
Ahí están los miles de cubanos regados por Centroamérica, tratando de
llegar a Estados Unidos, en busca de otra vida.
Si en 1951, el presidente Prío llevaba al país a la ruina, ¿hoy de qué
se podría acusar al Partido Comunista, al Estado y el Gobierno cubano?
¿Por qué las autoridades cubanas no dan información detallada, sobre el
crecimiento económico del año 2015? Ese crecimiento el pueblo cubano no
lo nota en el bolsillo, ni en la mesa de los hogares a la hora de malcomer.
¡En Cuba urge la libertad, la transparencia, erradicar el libertinaje!
rotravep@gmail.com; Rogelio Travieso
*Partido Liberales de Cuba
Source: Libertinaje sin libertad | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/libertinaje-sin-libertad/
diciembre 29, 2015 1:53 pm·
Cerro, La Habana, Rogelio Travieso, (PD) ¿Que ha sido de nuestras vidas?
¿Por qué este régimen no da otra opción?
Muchos años, con un sistema que demostró sus pésimos resultados, incapaz
de cambiar un ápice, aferrado al mismo discurso, invocando a los
próceres, asegurando que lo que tenemos, es una continuidad de las
luchas libertadoras.
¿Acaso será legítimo que quienes no sean electos por el voto del pueblo,
estén facultados para hablar en nombre de este?
Quienes gobiernan son personas impuestas por las altas esferas de
acuerdo a una Constitución y leyes que han sido redactadas por
comunistas designados en la cumbre del poder y no por una representación
ciudadana plural.
¿Cómo fueron los inicios, para quienes no han dejado de gobernar, y
mantenerse dé por que si, imponiendo este régimen excluyente?
Fidel Castro, en La Plata, Sierra Maestra, con su fusil, disparó y dio
muerte a una vaca para que almorzaran los participantes en la ceremonia
por la firma de la Ley de Reforma Agraria, por la que el estado se
adueñó de la mayor cantidad de las tierras, estableciéndose el
latifundio estatal, que demostró ser incapaz de alimentar a los cubanos.
En la actualidad, quien mate una vaca, posiblemente tenga que cumplir
más años de prisión que si matara a una persona. Los cubanos de a pie
hace más de 23 años que legalmente no están autorizados a comer carne de
res.
Con las prácticas del populismo inicial, Fidel Castro celebró con
pobladores de Soplillar, en la Ciénaga de Zapata, la primera Noche Buena
luego del triunfo del primero de enero de 1959. Diez años después, en
1969, Fidel Castro suspendió las Navidades con el pretexto de no
interrumpir las tareas de la zafra azucarera. En la actualidad, ni
Navidades ni zafra: las molidas de caña son mínimas, pues apenas quedan
centrales en Cuba.
Desde los primeros tiempos, con las intervenciones, se atentó contra la
propiedad. Vino el libertinaje. Se dijo que todos son dueños, pero
realmente nada es de nadie. El estado se adueñó de lo que no le
pertenecía. Las personas sustraen lo que no es de ellos.
Luego de posponer la celebración de elecciones libres, en diciembre de
1961, Fidel Castro reconoció ser marxista- leninista, algo que
denodadamente había negado.
El 19 de marzo de 1962 se impuso el racionamiento de alimentos, que se
mantiene todavía, como mecanismo de control permanente. Los cubanos
carecen de libertad hasta para comer. De ahí las prácticas cotidianas de
libertinaje por la subsistencia, que en innumerables ocasiones han sido
reprimidas y sancionadas.
El mayor libertinaje es el de un grupo muy selectivo de dirigentes.
Falto de libertad, el pueblo es invariablemente ignorado.
En octubre de 1962, debido a la instalación de los misiles soviéticos,
la nación cubana estuvo en riesgo de desaparecer de la faz de la tierra.
El 13 de marzo de 1968 se declaró la Ofensiva Revolucionaria. Desde ese
día y hasta el presente, nuestro país cayó en una miseria generalizada.
En 1951 Fidel Castro, acusó en la prensa al presidente Carlos Prio, de
llevar al país a la ruina. Aquella corrupción era real, pero no era más
a la existente en la actualidad.
Quienes discrepen con lo señalado, que digan si es cierto o falso, lo
que aparece a continuación.
Pocas horas nos separan de cumplirse los 57 años de vida del actual
régimen político. De 1902, cuando se inauguró la república, a 1959, van
57 años. De 1959 a 2016, también van 57 años.
Pregunto: en qué periodo se construyeron los pueblos, las carreteras,
las mejores viviendas, las grandes industrias, los centrales azucareros,
las refinerías, los hospitales. Cuando produjeron más las tierras, se
obtuvo mayores cosechas, hubo una ganadería eficiente que garantizaba
carne y leche sin restricción. Cuando se construyeron las maravillas de
la arquitectura cubana, como el Capitolio, la Carretera Central, el
Túnel de Habana, la Vía Blanca, el Focsa, el Coliseo de la Ciudad
Deportiva, la Plaza Cívica, el Puente de Bacunayagua.
Antes de 1959 había establecimientos comerciales de todo tipo, un
servicio de ómnibus eficiente, los cubanos podían comprar el carro del
año…Cuba era uno de los primeros países de este hemisferio.
¿Cuánto queda de lo creado en aquellos años? Casi todo está destruido
¿Qué infraestructura queda de todo aquello? Muy poco.
No lo negamos: en la actualidad existen muchas escuelas y universidades,
hay hospitales y médicos para quienes se enferman. Aunque en ocasiones
las universidades son para los revolucionarios y los hospitales también.
Hoy el cubano es instruido, pero inculto. El libertinaje y la corrupción
están por todas partes. El régimen continúa con sus prácticas porristas.
El amor a la nación deja mucho que desear; hay poco sentido de pertenencia.
¡Tanta politiquería y adoctrinamiento mañana, tarde y noche! Tantas
mentiras triunfalistas divulgadas durante décadas por el oficialismo.
Las personas están cansadas de lo mismo. Algunos no quieren ni ser cubanos.
Ahí están los miles de cubanos regados por Centroamérica, tratando de
llegar a Estados Unidos, en busca de otra vida.
Si en 1951, el presidente Prío llevaba al país a la ruina, ¿hoy de qué
se podría acusar al Partido Comunista, al Estado y el Gobierno cubano?
¿Por qué las autoridades cubanas no dan información detallada, sobre el
crecimiento económico del año 2015? Ese crecimiento el pueblo cubano no
lo nota en el bolsillo, ni en la mesa de los hogares a la hora de malcomer.
¡En Cuba urge la libertad, la transparencia, erradicar el libertinaje!
rotravep@gmail.com; Rogelio Travieso
*Partido Liberales de Cuba
Source: Libertinaje sin libertad | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/libertinaje-sin-libertad/
Da a conocer movimiento Damas de Blanco Informe sobre 36 Marcha Ciudadana
Da a conocer movimiento Damas de Blanco Informe sobre 36 Marcha Ciudadana
diciembre 29, 2015 1:57 pm·
La Habana, Cuba, Redacción, (PD) El domingo 27 de diciembre, tuvo lugar
el trigésimo sexto (36) domingo de marchas y resistencia ciudadana. El
régimen militar cubano organizó, dirigió y llevo a cabo, la nueva
ordalía represiva que como de costumbre llevó adelante la policía
Seguridad del Estado (DSE) contra Damas de Blanco, activistas y
periodistas independientes que pretendieron celebrar su manifestación
pacífica en las calles.
El Movimiento Damas de Blanco que marcha cada domingo por la 5ta
Avenida, dio a conocer un informe que detalla las incidencias de esta
jornada. El informe fechado en 27 de diciembre de 2015 y firmado por
Berta Soler Fernández, Representante del Movimiento Damas de Blanco y
líder y portavoz del mismo, detalla que 168 miembros de ese movimiento
salieron a las calles en distintas provincias del país con el objetivo
de participar en la habitual misa y marcha dominical.
La asistencia se comportó como sigue, por La Habana, participaron 50;
Pinar del Río 03; Matanzas 35; Santa Clara 07; Ciego de Ávila 04; Bayamo
03; Holguín 25; Santiago de Cuba 04; Palma Soriano 07 y Guantánamo 16.
La novedad en esta edición es que el vandalismo parece tener luz verde.
El informe refleja como el régimen militar totalitario y dinástico de
los Castro parece haber ordenado vandalizar viviendas de Damas de Blanco
con el objetivo de robar los juguetes que serían obsequiados a niños de
familias con escasos recursos en el próximo día de los Reyes Magos. Esa
es una tradición que este régimen se esforzó por borrar en Cuba. Se
trató en su momento de eliminar la herencia cristiano occidental en la
historia nacional cubana y sustituirla por falsos valores ajenos a
nuestra identidad nacional. Con el apoyo de exiliados y personas de
buena voluntad, ellas compraron juguetes para hacer felices a los
infantes de diferentes comunidades y entonces, el régimen militar
decidió abortar el intento.
De acuerdo con el informe dado a conocer, esta semana el régimen militar
cubano tomó represalias contra 37 activistas de Derechos Humanos.
primaveradigital2011@gmail.com; Redacción
Source: Da a conocer movimiento Damas de Blanco Informe sobre 36 Marcha
Ciudadana | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/da-a-conocer-movimiento-damas-de-blanco-informe-sobre-36-marcha-ciudadana/
diciembre 29, 2015 1:57 pm·
La Habana, Cuba, Redacción, (PD) El domingo 27 de diciembre, tuvo lugar
el trigésimo sexto (36) domingo de marchas y resistencia ciudadana. El
régimen militar cubano organizó, dirigió y llevo a cabo, la nueva
ordalía represiva que como de costumbre llevó adelante la policía
Seguridad del Estado (DSE) contra Damas de Blanco, activistas y
periodistas independientes que pretendieron celebrar su manifestación
pacífica en las calles.
El Movimiento Damas de Blanco que marcha cada domingo por la 5ta
Avenida, dio a conocer un informe que detalla las incidencias de esta
jornada. El informe fechado en 27 de diciembre de 2015 y firmado por
Berta Soler Fernández, Representante del Movimiento Damas de Blanco y
líder y portavoz del mismo, detalla que 168 miembros de ese movimiento
salieron a las calles en distintas provincias del país con el objetivo
de participar en la habitual misa y marcha dominical.
La asistencia se comportó como sigue, por La Habana, participaron 50;
Pinar del Río 03; Matanzas 35; Santa Clara 07; Ciego de Ávila 04; Bayamo
03; Holguín 25; Santiago de Cuba 04; Palma Soriano 07 y Guantánamo 16.
La novedad en esta edición es que el vandalismo parece tener luz verde.
El informe refleja como el régimen militar totalitario y dinástico de
los Castro parece haber ordenado vandalizar viviendas de Damas de Blanco
con el objetivo de robar los juguetes que serían obsequiados a niños de
familias con escasos recursos en el próximo día de los Reyes Magos. Esa
es una tradición que este régimen se esforzó por borrar en Cuba. Se
trató en su momento de eliminar la herencia cristiano occidental en la
historia nacional cubana y sustituirla por falsos valores ajenos a
nuestra identidad nacional. Con el apoyo de exiliados y personas de
buena voluntad, ellas compraron juguetes para hacer felices a los
infantes de diferentes comunidades y entonces, el régimen militar
decidió abortar el intento.
De acuerdo con el informe dado a conocer, esta semana el régimen militar
cubano tomó represalias contra 37 activistas de Derechos Humanos.
primaveradigital2011@gmail.com; Redacción
Source: Da a conocer movimiento Damas de Blanco Informe sobre 36 Marcha
Ciudadana | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/da-a-conocer-movimiento-damas-de-blanco-informe-sobre-36-marcha-ciudadana/
Un aire enrarecidamente renovado
Un aire enrarecidamente renovado
diciembre 29, 2015 2:00 pm·
Lawton, La Habana, Juan González, (PD) El término totalitarismo
permanece como uno de los menos comprendidos por aquellos que aunque
felizmente no lo han sufrido, por determinadas razones vinculadas al
servicio público que prestan, debían comprenderlo.
Hasta hay quien opina que desde que el general-presidente heredero Raúl
Castro y Barack Obama anunciaron el acercamiento, Cuba se ha
transformado. La pregunta de rigor sería: ¿Cómo? ¿Para bien?
Es cierto que en el presente cenagoso que se vive, hay alguna que otra
transformación, solo que tales "cambios" trajeron como consecuencia el
acercamiento y no viceversa.
El desastre derivado de la inviabilidad del castrismo, llegó a un punto
de no retorno. A partir de este punto, sucedieron cosas y entre estas
-una más-, el acercamiento.
Este acercamiento con negociaciones secretas y poco transparentes
incluidas, es una resultante del desastre y la imperiosa necesidad de
preservar el poder, las prerrogativas y privilegios de los herederos y
el reposo bien ganado para el líder histórico y los cómplices más
emblemáticos del desastre, nada más.
Como un hito significativo, ahí tenemos que la cantidad de cubanos que
buscan emigrar a Estados Unidos aumentó y así, inundaron a varios países
de Centroamérica. Digamos que esto podría convertirse en el mayor éxodo
desde la crisis de Mariel de 1980.
Como ya dijimos, algo cambió, solo que no para bien.
El país continúa atrapado, solo que no en el tiempo. La trampa de
siempre son los intereses de la élite que hoy enfrenta un futuro
incierto y la instrumentación de cambios que cosméticos o no,
condicionarán escenarios más o menos novedosos y siempre inciertos.
Los voceros autorizados para opinar por la élite, lo hacen con sus
límites conocidos, pre establecidos y regularmente siempre respetados.
Para paniaguados del régimen militar, únicos en posesión de dinero,
propiedades o conexiones, el optimismo es ostensible. También se les
percibe alborozo en sus expectativas de alcanzar una mayor prosperidad y
ser titulares de un nuevo estatus que les conceda más independencia y en
todos los casos, impunidad y olvido, presentes y futuros.
El pueblo, por su parte, nada espera. Solo aspira a escapar, Malecón afuera.
Los autorizados por la élite para tener empresas se han visto motivados
por la perspectiva de tener mejores relaciones con Estados Unidos.
Hoteles, alojamientos, desayunos privados y restaurantes elegantes,
ahora disponen de mayor clientela, que en ningún caso es o será pueblo o
personas ajenas al interés del estado.
En los casos de ancianos o funcionarios que dedicaron sus vidas al
fortalecimiento de la élite, se observa un sentimiento de preocupación.
Ellos se preguntan cuál será el rumbo que tomará su vida, el país y el
modelo impuesto.
Pero hay un elemento a tener en consideración: este es la ruptura de los
esquemas mentales que han quedado descritos por muchos cubanos, como el
hecho de que ya no prevalece "el imperialismo yanqui", ya no hay
"imperialistas yanquis", sino el gobierno de los Estados Unidos, y en
todo caso, los "compañeros del Norte".
Cede poco a poco la mentalidad de país sitiado desde el exterior, esta
es sustituida por la mentalidad de país sitiado por una élite nacional
egoísta y corrupta, que mantiene su bloqueo interno en detrimento de
todo el pueblo. Una diferencia sustancial.
Se trata de sobrevivir y la élite de poder en Cuba no oculta que esta es
su única e incuestionable política. Así, el general presidente y
heredero del poder absoluto, Raúl Castro, pidió a los Estados Unidos el
cese de las transmisiones radiales y otros programas que considera
lesivos para "Cuba" –la élite- y reiteró su interés en profundizar el
deshielo con el país vecino.
La inveterada costumbre de identificar Cuba, -el país secuestrado- con
el interés de la élite gobernante, se mantiene inalterado.
"Cuba seguirá insistiendo en que para alcanzar la normalización de las
relaciones es imperativo que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos elimine
todas las políticas del pasado", dijo Raúl Castro en una declaración
difundida por la cancillería y medios de prensa oficiales.
En fin, el aire renovado que algunos, Malecón afuera, creen ver, no es
más que una atmósfera viciada creada por el Departamento Ideológico del
único e incompetente partido gobernante.
Source: Un aire enrarecidamente renovado | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/un-aire-enrarecidamente-renovado/
diciembre 29, 2015 2:00 pm·
Lawton, La Habana, Juan González, (PD) El término totalitarismo
permanece como uno de los menos comprendidos por aquellos que aunque
felizmente no lo han sufrido, por determinadas razones vinculadas al
servicio público que prestan, debían comprenderlo.
Hasta hay quien opina que desde que el general-presidente heredero Raúl
Castro y Barack Obama anunciaron el acercamiento, Cuba se ha
transformado. La pregunta de rigor sería: ¿Cómo? ¿Para bien?
Es cierto que en el presente cenagoso que se vive, hay alguna que otra
transformación, solo que tales "cambios" trajeron como consecuencia el
acercamiento y no viceversa.
El desastre derivado de la inviabilidad del castrismo, llegó a un punto
de no retorno. A partir de este punto, sucedieron cosas y entre estas
-una más-, el acercamiento.
Este acercamiento con negociaciones secretas y poco transparentes
incluidas, es una resultante del desastre y la imperiosa necesidad de
preservar el poder, las prerrogativas y privilegios de los herederos y
el reposo bien ganado para el líder histórico y los cómplices más
emblemáticos del desastre, nada más.
Como un hito significativo, ahí tenemos que la cantidad de cubanos que
buscan emigrar a Estados Unidos aumentó y así, inundaron a varios países
de Centroamérica. Digamos que esto podría convertirse en el mayor éxodo
desde la crisis de Mariel de 1980.
Como ya dijimos, algo cambió, solo que no para bien.
El país continúa atrapado, solo que no en el tiempo. La trampa de
siempre son los intereses de la élite que hoy enfrenta un futuro
incierto y la instrumentación de cambios que cosméticos o no,
condicionarán escenarios más o menos novedosos y siempre inciertos.
Los voceros autorizados para opinar por la élite, lo hacen con sus
límites conocidos, pre establecidos y regularmente siempre respetados.
Para paniaguados del régimen militar, únicos en posesión de dinero,
propiedades o conexiones, el optimismo es ostensible. También se les
percibe alborozo en sus expectativas de alcanzar una mayor prosperidad y
ser titulares de un nuevo estatus que les conceda más independencia y en
todos los casos, impunidad y olvido, presentes y futuros.
El pueblo, por su parte, nada espera. Solo aspira a escapar, Malecón afuera.
Los autorizados por la élite para tener empresas se han visto motivados
por la perspectiva de tener mejores relaciones con Estados Unidos.
Hoteles, alojamientos, desayunos privados y restaurantes elegantes,
ahora disponen de mayor clientela, que en ningún caso es o será pueblo o
personas ajenas al interés del estado.
En los casos de ancianos o funcionarios que dedicaron sus vidas al
fortalecimiento de la élite, se observa un sentimiento de preocupación.
Ellos se preguntan cuál será el rumbo que tomará su vida, el país y el
modelo impuesto.
Pero hay un elemento a tener en consideración: este es la ruptura de los
esquemas mentales que han quedado descritos por muchos cubanos, como el
hecho de que ya no prevalece "el imperialismo yanqui", ya no hay
"imperialistas yanquis", sino el gobierno de los Estados Unidos, y en
todo caso, los "compañeros del Norte".
Cede poco a poco la mentalidad de país sitiado desde el exterior, esta
es sustituida por la mentalidad de país sitiado por una élite nacional
egoísta y corrupta, que mantiene su bloqueo interno en detrimento de
todo el pueblo. Una diferencia sustancial.
Se trata de sobrevivir y la élite de poder en Cuba no oculta que esta es
su única e incuestionable política. Así, el general presidente y
heredero del poder absoluto, Raúl Castro, pidió a los Estados Unidos el
cese de las transmisiones radiales y otros programas que considera
lesivos para "Cuba" –la élite- y reiteró su interés en profundizar el
deshielo con el país vecino.
La inveterada costumbre de identificar Cuba, -el país secuestrado- con
el interés de la élite gobernante, se mantiene inalterado.
"Cuba seguirá insistiendo en que para alcanzar la normalización de las
relaciones es imperativo que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos elimine
todas las políticas del pasado", dijo Raúl Castro en una declaración
difundida por la cancillería y medios de prensa oficiales.
En fin, el aire renovado que algunos, Malecón afuera, creen ver, no es
más que una atmósfera viciada creada por el Departamento Ideológico del
único e incompetente partido gobernante.
Source: Un aire enrarecidamente renovado | Primavera Digital -
http://primaveradigital.net/un-aire-enrarecidamente-renovado/
Beans, ah, the beans!
Beans, ah, the beans! / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, 31 December 2015 – Tiny and
tasty, they seem to look at us from the plate and mock the work it takes
to get them. Beans are not only a part of our traditional cuisine, they
constitute an effective indicator to calculate the cost of living in
Cuba. The price increases these delicious little bits have experienced
in the past year is proof of the disastrous economic policy promoted by
Raul Castro.
When, in February of 2008, the former Minister of the Armed Forces
assumed the presidency of the country, many were betting on the
pragmatic character of his mandate. His sympathizers never stopped
reminding us of the phrase in which he asserted, "Beans are more
important than canons." They predicted that our national agriculture
would work like certain farms managed by the Ministry of the Armed
Forces and the Youth Labor Army.
Hopes that overlooked José Martí's accurate maxim, "A nation is not
founded like a military camp is commanded." The behavior of a soldier in
the trenches can never be equated with a farmer's day, and an officer's
command to bend one's back over the earth has nothing in common with the
efforts of a peasant to hire someone to bring in his harvest.
The harangues against the invasive marabou weed, launched by Raul Castro
in his first years as president, fueled expectations, as did his call to
put a glass of milk on every Cuban's breakfast table. The Raulistas
discerned in those statements the soaring of food production and the
bringing down to earth of prices, to be consistent with wages. But
neither occurred.
Instead, in recent months consumers have suffered a significant increase
in the cost of agricultural products. If the year started with a pound
of black beans costing between 12 and 15 Cuban pesos, at the close of
December the price varied between 15 and 20 pesos – the wages of an
entire working day – reaching the staggering price of 30 pesos in the
case of garbanzo beans.
Meanwhile, the average monthly wages in the country only grew from 581
to 640 Cuban pesos (roughly $25 US), a symbolic increase which,
expressed in a worker's purchasing power, equals about three more pounds
of beans a month. The results Raul Castro has achieved with his
much-vaunted methods are not far removed from the little his brother
Fidel Castro achieved with his grandiose agricultural and livestock
projects.
The usufruct leasing of land to farmers ran up against the bureaucracy,
excessive controls and the poor state of the leased land. El Trigal, the
experimental wholesale market, is a sequence of empty stalls, petulant
bananas and high prices. In reality, it is easier to find an apple
brought from thousands of miles away than an orange or chiromoya planted
in our own fields. For the coming year, the country will spend 1.94
billion dollars on food imports, and nobody even talks about the battle
against the invasive marabou weed any more.
"I have to earn my beans," says a teacher, as he justifies dedicating
his workday to cooking pork, along with a portion of"Moors and
Christians"– as we call black beans and rice – that he sells illegally
to the workers at a hospital. Because yes, our lives revolve, rise and
fall around those delicious little bits that we long to put on our
plates. Expensive and tasty, they are the best indicator of the
General's failure.
Source: Beans, ah, the beans! / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez | Translating
Cuba - http://translatingcuba.com/beans-ah-the-beans-14ymedio-yoani-sanchez/
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, 31 December 2015 – Tiny and
tasty, they seem to look at us from the plate and mock the work it takes
to get them. Beans are not only a part of our traditional cuisine, they
constitute an effective indicator to calculate the cost of living in
Cuba. The price increases these delicious little bits have experienced
in the past year is proof of the disastrous economic policy promoted by
Raul Castro.
When, in February of 2008, the former Minister of the Armed Forces
assumed the presidency of the country, many were betting on the
pragmatic character of his mandate. His sympathizers never stopped
reminding us of the phrase in which he asserted, "Beans are more
important than canons." They predicted that our national agriculture
would work like certain farms managed by the Ministry of the Armed
Forces and the Youth Labor Army.
Hopes that overlooked José Martí's accurate maxim, "A nation is not
founded like a military camp is commanded." The behavior of a soldier in
the trenches can never be equated with a farmer's day, and an officer's
command to bend one's back over the earth has nothing in common with the
efforts of a peasant to hire someone to bring in his harvest.
The harangues against the invasive marabou weed, launched by Raul Castro
in his first years as president, fueled expectations, as did his call to
put a glass of milk on every Cuban's breakfast table. The Raulistas
discerned in those statements the soaring of food production and the
bringing down to earth of prices, to be consistent with wages. But
neither occurred.
Instead, in recent months consumers have suffered a significant increase
in the cost of agricultural products. If the year started with a pound
of black beans costing between 12 and 15 Cuban pesos, at the close of
December the price varied between 15 and 20 pesos – the wages of an
entire working day – reaching the staggering price of 30 pesos in the
case of garbanzo beans.
Meanwhile, the average monthly wages in the country only grew from 581
to 640 Cuban pesos (roughly $25 US), a symbolic increase which,
expressed in a worker's purchasing power, equals about three more pounds
of beans a month. The results Raul Castro has achieved with his
much-vaunted methods are not far removed from the little his brother
Fidel Castro achieved with his grandiose agricultural and livestock
projects.
The usufruct leasing of land to farmers ran up against the bureaucracy,
excessive controls and the poor state of the leased land. El Trigal, the
experimental wholesale market, is a sequence of empty stalls, petulant
bananas and high prices. In reality, it is easier to find an apple
brought from thousands of miles away than an orange or chiromoya planted
in our own fields. For the coming year, the country will spend 1.94
billion dollars on food imports, and nobody even talks about the battle
against the invasive marabou weed any more.
"I have to earn my beans," says a teacher, as he justifies dedicating
his workday to cooking pork, along with a portion of"Moors and
Christians"– as we call black beans and rice – that he sells illegally
to the workers at a hospital. Because yes, our lives revolve, rise and
fall around those delicious little bits that we long to put on our
plates. Expensive and tasty, they are the best indicator of the
General's failure.
Source: Beans, ah, the beans! / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez | Translating
Cuba - http://translatingcuba.com/beans-ah-the-beans-14ymedio-yoani-sanchez/
Cuba - Downhill in 2015
Cuba: Downhill in 2015 / Miriam Leiva
Posted on December 31, 2015
Cubanet, Miriam Leiva, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Cubans greeted 2015
with joy and great expectations, but they are saying goodbye to it sadly
and without hope.
Cuban officials will not be able to blame the United States government
for the current crisis and the coming catastrophe that popular wisdom
senses is coming. Throughout the whole year many people of all ages were
heard to say, "Don't tell me that the fault lies with the Americans," as
well as, "the [Cuban] government does not create openings for Obama's
measures to benefit us."
Two news items have depressed the people even more: the Venezuelan
election results, and the announced supposed growth of 4% in Cuba's GDP.
The first is because Cubans sense the imminent repeat of the blackouts
and shortages of the 1990s,* and the second because daily life
conditions put the lie to this statistic. The majority of the population
has shown indifference toward Chavismo, but they fear that without
Venezuela's economic support, calamities will befall Cuba. Meanwhile,
the Cuban government has been seen to be squandering the foreign
investment interest that had gained momentum from the new possibilities
arising out of the Cuba/US thaw.
Only the top brass within their own environment, and a small number of
successful Cubans, were able to prepare holiday feasts with the
traditional foods, drinks and ornaments of the season, throwing
perhaps-lavish parties with gifts from Santa Claus or the Three Wise Men.
A 96-year-old woman, still a militant member of the Cuban Communist
Party, recounted that she receives a monthly pension of 270 Cuban pesos
(CUPs)–the equivalent of about US$10. Out of this she pays 57 CUPs
towards the financing of her refrigerator, which the government sold to
her on credit years ago. A professor for decades and a participant in
all the projects of the Revolution, this lady was convinced that Cuba
would achieve prosperity. Now she has no money to buy the needed
ingredients for a holiday dinner, and even less for a New Year's
celebration. Sometimes her relatives abroad send her remittances, and
her grandchildren help her out so that she can eat.
The Catholic churches were filled for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
After a 40-year ban on religion, open evangelization began, thanks to
the visits by the three Popes (John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis)
and the rapprochement of Fidel and Raúl Castro, garnering international
recognition and support for restoring the ethical and moral values
destroyed by them. During the homily at the church I attended, the
priest explained the significance of the date and mentioned the great
adversities that Cubans endure daily, in an effort to fill the
congregants with the strength to face them.
In 2015, the population suffered increased prices for agricultural
products, brought about by continued low productivity. The government
announced that pork, a traditional part of the Christmas Eve meal, would
be sold at low prices. Even so, quantity and quality were scarce, which
drove the price up to 50 CUPs (about $US 2.00) per pound on the free
market, while the average monthly salary is the equivalent of some $25.00.
The shortages affected even the pricey hard-currency stores. All year
long, essential medications were unavailable, among them drugs for
diabetes, heart problems, and blood pressure, because those are produced
abroad were not imported on time, and nor were the raw materials for
producing them domestically. Aspirin has been rigorously rationed in
Cuba for years. These products were not available, either, in the
hard-currency pharmacies.
Regardless, the government produced its modern version of the Roman
circus, announcing with great fanfare a supposed opening: WiFi. The new
way of deceiving the world and lessening social pressure was to enable
precarious connectivity within 50 zones scattered throughout the
country, where people of all ages, with great emotion, have been able to
see and talk with their relatives and friends in Miami and other points
around the globe. For the first time, crowds were allowed to gather on
the sidewalks, in the parks, and at the fronts of
hotels—well-supervised, of course. In addition, much hard currency was
collected. Labeled a great accomplishment of the Cuban Internet, ETECSA
announced that new WiFi zones will be activated in 2016—although private
homes will remain unconnected.
President Raúl Castro, likely having been informed of popular
discontent, declared in the Council of Ministers on 18 December that
problems must be addressed, wherever they may be. "We must go where the
problems are, we must talk with the people affected, we cannot leave the
field open to defeatism," he said, according to media reports.
More than ever, Cubans are watching freedom and progress in the US,
while the Cuban government foments a migration crisis in Central
America, taking advantage of the intention of some US legislators to
modify policies regarding Cuban migration. Meanwhile, exit visas for
Cuban doctors are again restricted, changes are not being implemented
that would stimulate industrial and agricultural productivity; approved
categories of self-employment are not expanded to include creative work
and to compensate it well, it being a source of enrichment for all of
society; we have yet to see the multi-million-dollar foreign investments
that were predicted; the American president's measures are blocked,
beneficial as they would be for the average Cuban; and repression continues.
At the same time, the government ramped up its "ideological work" and
propaganda to counteract the spontaneous displays of the Stars and
Stripes that can be seen everywhere. Nevertheless, if Barack Obama were
to not modify the existing migration policies, and were he able to
ensure that his measures reached the people, he would be received with a
jubilation never before shown to any visitor to Cuba, and he could
increase the people's empowerment.
*Translator's Note: Leiva is referring here to Cuba's so-called Special
Period in the 1990s, a time of acute hardship in Cuba following the
collapse of the Soviet Union.
Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison
Source: Cuba: Downhill in 2015 / Miriam Leiva | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-downhill-in-2015-miriam-leiva/
Posted on December 31, 2015
Cubanet, Miriam Leiva, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Cubans greeted 2015
with joy and great expectations, but they are saying goodbye to it sadly
and without hope.
Cuban officials will not be able to blame the United States government
for the current crisis and the coming catastrophe that popular wisdom
senses is coming. Throughout the whole year many people of all ages were
heard to say, "Don't tell me that the fault lies with the Americans," as
well as, "the [Cuban] government does not create openings for Obama's
measures to benefit us."
Two news items have depressed the people even more: the Venezuelan
election results, and the announced supposed growth of 4% in Cuba's GDP.
The first is because Cubans sense the imminent repeat of the blackouts
and shortages of the 1990s,* and the second because daily life
conditions put the lie to this statistic. The majority of the population
has shown indifference toward Chavismo, but they fear that without
Venezuela's economic support, calamities will befall Cuba. Meanwhile,
the Cuban government has been seen to be squandering the foreign
investment interest that had gained momentum from the new possibilities
arising out of the Cuba/US thaw.
Only the top brass within their own environment, and a small number of
successful Cubans, were able to prepare holiday feasts with the
traditional foods, drinks and ornaments of the season, throwing
perhaps-lavish parties with gifts from Santa Claus or the Three Wise Men.
A 96-year-old woman, still a militant member of the Cuban Communist
Party, recounted that she receives a monthly pension of 270 Cuban pesos
(CUPs)–the equivalent of about US$10. Out of this she pays 57 CUPs
towards the financing of her refrigerator, which the government sold to
her on credit years ago. A professor for decades and a participant in
all the projects of the Revolution, this lady was convinced that Cuba
would achieve prosperity. Now she has no money to buy the needed
ingredients for a holiday dinner, and even less for a New Year's
celebration. Sometimes her relatives abroad send her remittances, and
her grandchildren help her out so that she can eat.
The Catholic churches were filled for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
After a 40-year ban on religion, open evangelization began, thanks to
the visits by the three Popes (John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis)
and the rapprochement of Fidel and Raúl Castro, garnering international
recognition and support for restoring the ethical and moral values
destroyed by them. During the homily at the church I attended, the
priest explained the significance of the date and mentioned the great
adversities that Cubans endure daily, in an effort to fill the
congregants with the strength to face them.
In 2015, the population suffered increased prices for agricultural
products, brought about by continued low productivity. The government
announced that pork, a traditional part of the Christmas Eve meal, would
be sold at low prices. Even so, quantity and quality were scarce, which
drove the price up to 50 CUPs (about $US 2.00) per pound on the free
market, while the average monthly salary is the equivalent of some $25.00.
The shortages affected even the pricey hard-currency stores. All year
long, essential medications were unavailable, among them drugs for
diabetes, heart problems, and blood pressure, because those are produced
abroad were not imported on time, and nor were the raw materials for
producing them domestically. Aspirin has been rigorously rationed in
Cuba for years. These products were not available, either, in the
hard-currency pharmacies.
Regardless, the government produced its modern version of the Roman
circus, announcing with great fanfare a supposed opening: WiFi. The new
way of deceiving the world and lessening social pressure was to enable
precarious connectivity within 50 zones scattered throughout the
country, where people of all ages, with great emotion, have been able to
see and talk with their relatives and friends in Miami and other points
around the globe. For the first time, crowds were allowed to gather on
the sidewalks, in the parks, and at the fronts of
hotels—well-supervised, of course. In addition, much hard currency was
collected. Labeled a great accomplishment of the Cuban Internet, ETECSA
announced that new WiFi zones will be activated in 2016—although private
homes will remain unconnected.
President Raúl Castro, likely having been informed of popular
discontent, declared in the Council of Ministers on 18 December that
problems must be addressed, wherever they may be. "We must go where the
problems are, we must talk with the people affected, we cannot leave the
field open to defeatism," he said, according to media reports.
More than ever, Cubans are watching freedom and progress in the US,
while the Cuban government foments a migration crisis in Central
America, taking advantage of the intention of some US legislators to
modify policies regarding Cuban migration. Meanwhile, exit visas for
Cuban doctors are again restricted, changes are not being implemented
that would stimulate industrial and agricultural productivity; approved
categories of self-employment are not expanded to include creative work
and to compensate it well, it being a source of enrichment for all of
society; we have yet to see the multi-million-dollar foreign investments
that were predicted; the American president's measures are blocked,
beneficial as they would be for the average Cuban; and repression continues.
At the same time, the government ramped up its "ideological work" and
propaganda to counteract the spontaneous displays of the Stars and
Stripes that can be seen everywhere. Nevertheless, if Barack Obama were
to not modify the existing migration policies, and were he able to
ensure that his measures reached the people, he would be received with a
jubilation never before shown to any visitor to Cuba, and he could
increase the people's empowerment.
*Translator's Note: Leiva is referring here to Cuba's so-called Special
Period in the 1990s, a time of acute hardship in Cuba following the
collapse of the Soviet Union.
Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison
Source: Cuba: Downhill in 2015 / Miriam Leiva | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-downhill-in-2015-miriam-leiva/
Cuban Faces of 2015: Danilo Maldonado, ‘El Sexto’, Graffiti Artist
Cuban Faces of 2015: Danilo Maldonado, 'El Sexto', Graffiti Artist /
14ymedio
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Irreverent and daring, the graffiti
artist Danilo Maldonado, known as El Sexto (The Sixth)—in a satirical
reference to the 'Five Heroes'—organized a performance for Christmas
2014 under the title Animal Farm. In Havana's Central Park the artist
intended to release two pigs on which he had painted the names Fidel and
Raul, but he was never able to carry out the action because he was
arrested on the way there and imprisoned.
During the time he spent in prison, El Sexto managed to send out
drawings and letters that visually narrated the rigors of incarceration
and in which he ratified his decision to continue making rebellious art.
A hunger strike, through which he demanded to be released, led him to
the brink of losing his life and made his cause even more visible.
Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience.
In mid-April of this year, 2015, this restless creator born in 1983
received the Vaclav Havel Award for Creative Dissent, in the midst of an
intense international campaign demanding his immediate release which
played out on the social networks with the hashtag #FreeElSexto.
In October of this year, El Sexto was released without ever having been
brought to trial, and is now on an international tour.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2015: Danilo Maldonado, 'El Sexto', Graffiti
Artist / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2015-danilo-maldonado-el-sexto-graffiti-artist-14ymedio/
14ymedio
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Irreverent and daring, the graffiti
artist Danilo Maldonado, known as El Sexto (The Sixth)—in a satirical
reference to the 'Five Heroes'—organized a performance for Christmas
2014 under the title Animal Farm. In Havana's Central Park the artist
intended to release two pigs on which he had painted the names Fidel and
Raul, but he was never able to carry out the action because he was
arrested on the way there and imprisoned.
During the time he spent in prison, El Sexto managed to send out
drawings and letters that visually narrated the rigors of incarceration
and in which he ratified his decision to continue making rebellious art.
A hunger strike, through which he demanded to be released, led him to
the brink of losing his life and made his cause even more visible.
Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience.
In mid-April of this year, 2015, this restless creator born in 1983
received the Vaclav Havel Award for Creative Dissent, in the midst of an
intense international campaign demanding his immediate release which
played out on the social networks with the hashtag #FreeElSexto.
In October of this year, El Sexto was released without ever having been
brought to trial, and is now on an international tour.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2015: Danilo Maldonado, 'El Sexto', Graffiti
Artist / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2015-danilo-maldonado-el-sexto-graffiti-artist-14ymedio/
Havana’s “Little Hotel” For Parlementarians
Havana's "Little Hotel" For Parlementarians / 14ymedio
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 30 December 2015 — Constructed at the beginning of
this century and known as the Tulip Hotel, it was intended initially to
house patients coming to Cuba under "Operation Miracle," to undergo
medical treatments and surgery. As the number of people coming to the
island for these services declined, the place was left empty.
Now, the property has had to open its hundreds of rooms to the tourist
market – with little success, given the ugliness of its architecture and
its distance from the historic district – and so it has been converted
into place that houses athletes, delegates to numerous congresses, and
deputies to the National Assembly of People's Power during their
meetings at the Place of Conventions in Havana.
This week "the little hotel," as it is known in the Nuevo Vedado
neighborhood where it is nestled, was closed to public access, and not
even pedestrians were allowed to pass along the street in front of the
facade. Meanwhile, its interior welcomes the 612 deputies participating
in the National Assembly's last session of the year.
Source: Havana's "Little Hotel" For Parlementarians / 14ymedio |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/havanas-little-hotel-for-parlementarians-14ymedio/
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 30 December 2015 — Constructed at the beginning of
this century and known as the Tulip Hotel, it was intended initially to
house patients coming to Cuba under "Operation Miracle," to undergo
medical treatments and surgery. As the number of people coming to the
island for these services declined, the place was left empty.
Now, the property has had to open its hundreds of rooms to the tourist
market – with little success, given the ugliness of its architecture and
its distance from the historic district – and so it has been converted
into place that houses athletes, delegates to numerous congresses, and
deputies to the National Assembly of People's Power during their
meetings at the Place of Conventions in Havana.
This week "the little hotel," as it is known in the Nuevo Vedado
neighborhood where it is nestled, was closed to public access, and not
even pedestrians were allowed to pass along the street in front of the
facade. Meanwhile, its interior welcomes the 612 deputies participating
in the National Assembly's last session of the year.
Source: Havana's "Little Hotel" For Parlementarians / 14ymedio |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/havanas-little-hotel-for-parlementarians-14ymedio/
Media Campaign Aims to Discredit Rodiles
Media Campaign Aims to Discredit Rodiles / Angel Santiesteban
Posted on December 29, 2015
Angel Santiesteban Prats, 26 December 2015 — State Security is using all
the tools in its arsenal to denigrate Cuban dissident Antonio Rodiles,
who is currently the most uncomfortable thorn in the side of the regime,
in the court of national and international public opinion.
Rodiles is one of three organizers of the Forum for Rights and
Liberties. In conjunction with the Ladies in White and other human
rights organizations, the group promotes peaceful Sunday marches —
demonstrations which have been causing great harm to the regime — under
the hashtag #TodosMarchamos.
Following mass at St. Rita Church, the group meets — as coincidence
would have it — at Gandhi Park, and walks in a peaceful weekly
procession along 26th Street to Third Avenue. They do this knowing that
what awaits them, Sunday after Sunday, is one of those operations
mounted by the repressive forces of the Castro clan to which we have
become so accustomed. Fortunately, however, images of every repressive
attack are recorded, leaving no doubt as to what is really going on.
The reaction by the regime is clear evidence that Rodiles is hitting
them where they are most vulnerable: the nerve center from which they
have zealously maintained, for more than half a century in power, social
discipline. As usual, they have used nastiness, lies and posturing in an
attempt to strip him of his personal attributes, actions which have
caused outrage because of the cowardice which they have been concocted.
This is a well-known tactic, one that has been used many times before on
other opposition figures. The macabre plan is to first tarnish his image
and, once they have sown doubt about him in the public's mind, to then
imprison him, because putting Rodiles behind bars is a longstanding
dream the political police will always fight to achieve.
This smear campaign recently began after Rodiles returned from the
United States, where he was invited to speak at a congressional debate
in Washington on the topic of Cuba. He later met with prominent
Cuban-American congressional representatives, who are calling on the
government of Raul Castro to respect freedom and human rights on the
island as a prerequisite for progress in restoring diplomatic relations.
It is worth remembering that, upon returning home from his first such
visit last year, Rodiles' organization was the object of a cyber attack,
albeit a relatively minor one.
Those maneuvering to sully human rights activists are working hard to
dismantle the Forum for Rights and Freedoms. To do this, they need to
get Rodiles out of the way, dismember the Ladies in White organization
and remove the obstacles blocking their path to remaining in power, as
they have done for nearly six decades.
If the Castro dictatorship reacts this way to someone like Antonio
Rodiles, clearly it must be because he is doing something right.
Persecuting him is payback for his political activism, for his constant
defiance of the injustices that the regime perpetrates against those who
oppose its plans.
Neither the defamations aimed at vilifying him — in essence, because of
his pride — nor the entire army of followers that the terrorist state
uses to harass him will be enough. Nor will plotting to achieve spurious
benefits succeed in changing our standards or our ideas. On the
contrary, this shameful strategy convinces us even more of the need for
a clean and democratic government.
Angel Santiesteban-Prats
Havana, December 2015, "free" on parole.
Source: Media Campaign Aims to Discredit Rodiles / Angel Santiesteban |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/media-campaign-aims-to-discredit-rodiles-angel-santiesteban/
Posted on December 29, 2015
Angel Santiesteban Prats, 26 December 2015 — State Security is using all
the tools in its arsenal to denigrate Cuban dissident Antonio Rodiles,
who is currently the most uncomfortable thorn in the side of the regime,
in the court of national and international public opinion.
Rodiles is one of three organizers of the Forum for Rights and
Liberties. In conjunction with the Ladies in White and other human
rights organizations, the group promotes peaceful Sunday marches —
demonstrations which have been causing great harm to the regime — under
the hashtag #TodosMarchamos.
Following mass at St. Rita Church, the group meets — as coincidence
would have it — at Gandhi Park, and walks in a peaceful weekly
procession along 26th Street to Third Avenue. They do this knowing that
what awaits them, Sunday after Sunday, is one of those operations
mounted by the repressive forces of the Castro clan to which we have
become so accustomed. Fortunately, however, images of every repressive
attack are recorded, leaving no doubt as to what is really going on.
The reaction by the regime is clear evidence that Rodiles is hitting
them where they are most vulnerable: the nerve center from which they
have zealously maintained, for more than half a century in power, social
discipline. As usual, they have used nastiness, lies and posturing in an
attempt to strip him of his personal attributes, actions which have
caused outrage because of the cowardice which they have been concocted.
This is a well-known tactic, one that has been used many times before on
other opposition figures. The macabre plan is to first tarnish his image
and, once they have sown doubt about him in the public's mind, to then
imprison him, because putting Rodiles behind bars is a longstanding
dream the political police will always fight to achieve.
This smear campaign recently began after Rodiles returned from the
United States, where he was invited to speak at a congressional debate
in Washington on the topic of Cuba. He later met with prominent
Cuban-American congressional representatives, who are calling on the
government of Raul Castro to respect freedom and human rights on the
island as a prerequisite for progress in restoring diplomatic relations.
It is worth remembering that, upon returning home from his first such
visit last year, Rodiles' organization was the object of a cyber attack,
albeit a relatively minor one.
Those maneuvering to sully human rights activists are working hard to
dismantle the Forum for Rights and Freedoms. To do this, they need to
get Rodiles out of the way, dismember the Ladies in White organization
and remove the obstacles blocking their path to remaining in power, as
they have done for nearly six decades.
If the Castro dictatorship reacts this way to someone like Antonio
Rodiles, clearly it must be because he is doing something right.
Persecuting him is payback for his political activism, for his constant
defiance of the injustices that the regime perpetrates against those who
oppose its plans.
Neither the defamations aimed at vilifying him — in essence, because of
his pride — nor the entire army of followers that the terrorist state
uses to harass him will be enough. Nor will plotting to achieve spurious
benefits succeed in changing our standards or our ideas. On the
contrary, this shameful strategy convinces us even more of the need for
a clean and democratic government.
Angel Santiesteban-Prats
Havana, December 2015, "free" on parole.
Source: Media Campaign Aims to Discredit Rodiles / Angel Santiesteban |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/media-campaign-aims-to-discredit-rodiles-angel-santiesteban/
Cuban Faces of 2015 - Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba
Cuban Faces of 2015: Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez, Archbishop of
Santiago de Cuba / 14ymedio
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2015 — He was working as an electrical
engineer specializing in telecommunications when, in 1980, he decided to
assume the habit. Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez was born in 1945, and
as a deacon did his first outstanding work alongside Father Jose Conrado
Rodriguez in the preparations for the Cuban Ecclesial Reflection, which
concluded in 1985, when he was ordained as a priest. Eleven years later
he would be consecrated as a bishop.
The current Archbishop Primate of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba
and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba is also the
custodian of the image of the Virgin of Charity venerated in the Shrine
of Cobre. During this year, and with the presence of Pope Francis in
Cuba, he announced the jubilee year that will end in September 2016, to
mark the centenary of the declaration of the Virgin as patroness of Cuba.
Those skilled in ecclesiastical intricacies consider him a likely
successor to Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino as Archbishop of Havana,
which could happen around next Easter.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2015: Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez,
Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2015-dionisio-guillermo-garcia-ibanez-archbishop-of-santiago-de-cuba-14ymedio/
Santiago de Cuba / 14ymedio
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Havana, 29 December 2015 — He was working as an electrical
engineer specializing in telecommunications when, in 1980, he decided to
assume the habit. Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez was born in 1945, and
as a deacon did his first outstanding work alongside Father Jose Conrado
Rodriguez in the preparations for the Cuban Ecclesial Reflection, which
concluded in 1985, when he was ordained as a priest. Eleven years later
he would be consecrated as a bishop.
The current Archbishop Primate of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba
and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba is also the
custodian of the image of the Virgin of Charity venerated in the Shrine
of Cobre. During this year, and with the presence of Pope Francis in
Cuba, he announced the jubilee year that will end in September 2016, to
mark the centenary of the declaration of the Virgin as patroness of Cuba.
Those skilled in ecclesiastical intricacies consider him a likely
successor to Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino as Archbishop of Havana,
which could happen around next Easter.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2015: Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez,
Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2015-dionisio-guillermo-garcia-ibanez-archbishop-of-santiago-de-cuba-14ymedio/
New Year’s Eve Fatalities
New Year's Eve Fatalities / Rebeca Monzo
Posted on December 30, 2015
Rebeca Monzo, 29 December 2015 — We are now almost at the end 2015 and
outside one can detect a distinctive feeling of sadness. People wander
the streets, going from poorly stocked farmers markets to stores in
their daily search for food. If they cross your path and you wish them a
"Merry Christmas," not only do they not return the greeting, they look
at you stunned, as though you were an extra-terrestrial.
Very few hard currency stores are decorated with lights or Christmas
trees. The others — the ones that price goods in the misnamed Cuban
peso, a currency that is almost worthless but the one in which salaries
and pensions are paid — do not even carry normal every-day light bulbs.
Their shelves are either unabashedly empty or are filled with the same
product. Their display windows are broken and grime covers the floors
and glass.
There is no media coverage of traditional celebrations, only stories
about the latest anniversary of the triumph of a revolution, which from
the beginning was already showing signs of what it would ultimately
become: a complete failure.
Never has the Cuban family been so divided and dispersed as it is now.
Christmas Eve passed without notice. The streets were as deserted and
dark as usual, and there were none of those enticing aromas of
yesteryear wafting from neighborhood kitchens that gave hints of a
pleasant meal to come.
If this is the socialism the government says it wants to "perfect," may
God help us!
Source: New Year's Eve Fatalities / Rebeca Monzo | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/new-years-eve-fatalities-rebeca-monzo/
Posted on December 30, 2015
Rebeca Monzo, 29 December 2015 — We are now almost at the end 2015 and
outside one can detect a distinctive feeling of sadness. People wander
the streets, going from poorly stocked farmers markets to stores in
their daily search for food. If they cross your path and you wish them a
"Merry Christmas," not only do they not return the greeting, they look
at you stunned, as though you were an extra-terrestrial.
Very few hard currency stores are decorated with lights or Christmas
trees. The others — the ones that price goods in the misnamed Cuban
peso, a currency that is almost worthless but the one in which salaries
and pensions are paid — do not even carry normal every-day light bulbs.
Their shelves are either unabashedly empty or are filled with the same
product. Their display windows are broken and grime covers the floors
and glass.
There is no media coverage of traditional celebrations, only stories
about the latest anniversary of the triumph of a revolution, which from
the beginning was already showing signs of what it would ultimately
become: a complete failure.
Never has the Cuban family been so divided and dispersed as it is now.
Christmas Eve passed without notice. The streets were as deserted and
dark as usual, and there were none of those enticing aromas of
yesteryear wafting from neighborhood kitchens that gave hints of a
pleasant meal to come.
If this is the socialism the government says it wants to "perfect," may
God help us!
Source: New Year's Eve Fatalities / Rebeca Monzo | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/new-years-eve-fatalities-rebeca-monzo/
Cuba Also Needs Democratic Multiparty Elections
Cuba Also Needs Democratic Multiparty Elections / 14ymedio, Pedro Campos
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Cuba is the only
country in this hemisphere that does not conduct democratic multi-party
elections, which is what the Revolution of 1959 fought for and what
different wings of the democratic left and the opposition forces of all
stripes have been advocating for years.
Democratization of the political-economic process is an urgent need for
Cuban society. A historical debt to the people. The 1959 Revolution
attracted the support of everyone because it is proposed to restore the
democratic 1940 Constitution and the institutional system interrupted by
the 1953 coup. This has been postponed indefinitely.
It is no secret that the economic and politically centralized state
model imposed on Cuba in the name of socialism has failed all along the
line. Its inability to fulfill its own agreements from the Sixth
Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba is conclusive. The model isn't
even capable of implementing the modifications approved by its own party
and leaders.
President Raul Castro says he will retire from the leadership of the
government in 2018. With him, the fundamental base that has sustained
the regime in power for more than half a century will also go: the
glories of the attack on the Moncada Barracks, the yacht Granma bringing
the revolutionaries back from Mexico, and the fight in the Sierra
Maestra. And no matter how much those who come after want it, they will
no longer have those credentials. And they cannot, not even if they
carry its name, for the simple and sensible reason that they were not
there, the test of authenticity imposed by the Castro brothers
themselves. The Revolution was their source of power, but legitimacy is
another thing altogether.
If, before finally retiring from the government, Raul Castro is not
subject to a direct and secret popular vote, future generations will
always be left with the doubt about whether the work of the Castro
brothers was done with or without the support of the majority of the people.
If he were elected president, he could still retire and fulfill his
promise to leave power, but leaving a vice president no longer tied to
those glories but with legitimacy won at the ballot box. And if he
doesn't want to or can't face elections, let the Cuban Communist Party
candidate he supports and for whom he would openly campaign be submitted
to a popular vote. The success or failure of their candidate would be
that of the Castros.
But if their candidate is not submitted to such scrutiny, not only would
the doubt about the true popular support for the Castros continue, but
the legitimacy of the successor would always be in question, because he
or she would not even have these glories, nor would they have been
elected by popular vote.
As the leaders and the current high level bureaucracy of the Communist
Party is convinced that they can always count on the support of the
majority of Cubans, there should be no reason in the next elections not
to elect the president and vice president of the republic by popular
vote, along with the provincial governors and city mayors.
This would bring enormous benefits for the current government. In fact,
if they were to initiate and develop in 2016 a process of
democratization that implies a fundamental respect for Cubans' human
rights, such as freedom of expression, election and economic activity,
and that establishes a new constitution and a new electoral law that
enables truly democratic elections, what remains of the US
blockade-embargo would be completely undermined, forcing its immediate
repeal by the United States Congress.
This would be, in fact, a triumph of their government and would help
them in democratic elections and could also contribute, depending on who
wins the upcoming elections in the United States, to an expedited
normalization of relations with that country.
Moreover, within a couple of years economic and political liberalization
would generate rapid economic growth, slow the exodus of Cubans
overseas, and make all Cubans feel free to express themselves, organize
parties and associations, promote their political proposals, vote for
whomever gives them real economic gains thrugh deploying their abilities
of every kind, which would be visible at the time of the elections and
could widely favor popular support for the government candidate, if he
or she was in the vanguard of this democratization.
"You're dreaming, Pedro Campos," more than a few readers will comment.
No, my friends, this is no dream. Nor are they hopes, though woe to
anybody who does not have them! I am trying to bring some light to the
path for the good of everyone. Whether they see it or not, that's
another thing. Some think that if there is openness, the opposition will
erase the government. Not if the opening is truly democratic and authentic.
It is very clear that those who spearhead the process of
democratization, now or later, are going to lead the country in the
following years. The opposition did not bury Mikhail Gorbachev, it was
the military conservatives. Here, I do not think any members of the
military could do something similar. And the other thing that is clear
to all Cubans is that this model of state capitalism disguised as
socialism has no future. "This model doesn't even work for us any more,"
Fidel Castro himself said once, although later he "clarified" that he
had been misinterpreted.
I imagine that no one will go down in history as the gravedigger of the
Revolution, above all if it is the Revolution itself that makes possible
the opening to full democratization and development of the country.
Source: Cuba Also Needs Democratic Multiparty Elections / 14ymedio,
Pedro Campos | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-also-needs-democratic-multiparty-elections-14ymedio-pedro-campos/
Posted on December 31, 2015
14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 29 December 2015 — Cuba is the only
country in this hemisphere that does not conduct democratic multi-party
elections, which is what the Revolution of 1959 fought for and what
different wings of the democratic left and the opposition forces of all
stripes have been advocating for years.
Democratization of the political-economic process is an urgent need for
Cuban society. A historical debt to the people. The 1959 Revolution
attracted the support of everyone because it is proposed to restore the
democratic 1940 Constitution and the institutional system interrupted by
the 1953 coup. This has been postponed indefinitely.
It is no secret that the economic and politically centralized state
model imposed on Cuba in the name of socialism has failed all along the
line. Its inability to fulfill its own agreements from the Sixth
Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba is conclusive. The model isn't
even capable of implementing the modifications approved by its own party
and leaders.
President Raul Castro says he will retire from the leadership of the
government in 2018. With him, the fundamental base that has sustained
the regime in power for more than half a century will also go: the
glories of the attack on the Moncada Barracks, the yacht Granma bringing
the revolutionaries back from Mexico, and the fight in the Sierra
Maestra. And no matter how much those who come after want it, they will
no longer have those credentials. And they cannot, not even if they
carry its name, for the simple and sensible reason that they were not
there, the test of authenticity imposed by the Castro brothers
themselves. The Revolution was their source of power, but legitimacy is
another thing altogether.
If, before finally retiring from the government, Raul Castro is not
subject to a direct and secret popular vote, future generations will
always be left with the doubt about whether the work of the Castro
brothers was done with or without the support of the majority of the people.
If he were elected president, he could still retire and fulfill his
promise to leave power, but leaving a vice president no longer tied to
those glories but with legitimacy won at the ballot box. And if he
doesn't want to or can't face elections, let the Cuban Communist Party
candidate he supports and for whom he would openly campaign be submitted
to a popular vote. The success or failure of their candidate would be
that of the Castros.
But if their candidate is not submitted to such scrutiny, not only would
the doubt about the true popular support for the Castros continue, but
the legitimacy of the successor would always be in question, because he
or she would not even have these glories, nor would they have been
elected by popular vote.
As the leaders and the current high level bureaucracy of the Communist
Party is convinced that they can always count on the support of the
majority of Cubans, there should be no reason in the next elections not
to elect the president and vice president of the republic by popular
vote, along with the provincial governors and city mayors.
This would bring enormous benefits for the current government. In fact,
if they were to initiate and develop in 2016 a process of
democratization that implies a fundamental respect for Cubans' human
rights, such as freedom of expression, election and economic activity,
and that establishes a new constitution and a new electoral law that
enables truly democratic elections, what remains of the US
blockade-embargo would be completely undermined, forcing its immediate
repeal by the United States Congress.
This would be, in fact, a triumph of their government and would help
them in democratic elections and could also contribute, depending on who
wins the upcoming elections in the United States, to an expedited
normalization of relations with that country.
Moreover, within a couple of years economic and political liberalization
would generate rapid economic growth, slow the exodus of Cubans
overseas, and make all Cubans feel free to express themselves, organize
parties and associations, promote their political proposals, vote for
whomever gives them real economic gains thrugh deploying their abilities
of every kind, which would be visible at the time of the elections and
could widely favor popular support for the government candidate, if he
or she was in the vanguard of this democratization.
"You're dreaming, Pedro Campos," more than a few readers will comment.
No, my friends, this is no dream. Nor are they hopes, though woe to
anybody who does not have them! I am trying to bring some light to the
path for the good of everyone. Whether they see it or not, that's
another thing. Some think that if there is openness, the opposition will
erase the government. Not if the opening is truly democratic and authentic.
It is very clear that those who spearhead the process of
democratization, now or later, are going to lead the country in the
following years. The opposition did not bury Mikhail Gorbachev, it was
the military conservatives. Here, I do not think any members of the
military could do something similar. And the other thing that is clear
to all Cubans is that this model of state capitalism disguised as
socialism has no future. "This model doesn't even work for us any more,"
Fidel Castro himself said once, although later he "clarified" that he
had been misinterpreted.
I imagine that no one will go down in history as the gravedigger of the
Revolution, above all if it is the Revolution itself that makes possible
the opening to full democratization and development of the country.
Source: Cuba Also Needs Democratic Multiparty Elections / 14ymedio,
Pedro Campos | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-also-needs-democratic-multiparty-elections-14ymedio-pedro-campos/
Alaska, Another Route for Cubans
Alaska, Another Route for Cubans / Juan Juan Almeida
Posted on December 30, 2015
Juan Juan Almeida, 1 December 2015 — As a part of the basket of measures
relating to the migration crisis concerning Cubans in Costa Rica, and
with the obvious intention of protecting human interests, starting from
1st December, Cubans wanting to travel to Ecuador will have to get a
visa to enter that country.
The regulation is an attempt to control the stampede; but already the
human traffickers, taking a bird's eye view and with financial
resources, are trying to find new routes to connect Havana with the
United States. Now it seems crossing the last frontier is the latest thing.
I would like to make it clear that not one single letter of what I am
writing here is any attempt to encourage illegal emigration; but, to
write about the matter with my eyes closed or making political points,
is to make myself a central part of the problem.
Crossing Central America, Cubans in the hands of traffickers have to
confront the dangers of the jungle, get around conflict zones ruled by
guerrillas and drug traffickers, and put up with the aggravation of
being constantly ripped off by corrupt locals. Things more improbable,
but just as dangerous as the Siberian steppes.
The latest madness also costs 10,000 – 12,000 CUC per person.
Cubans, conscious victims of people traffickers, fly Havana – Moscow by
Cubana de Aviación (CU0470) 1.156,00 €, or by Aeroflot Russian Airlines
(SU0151) 627,39 €.
Arriving, still a few at a time, at Sheremetyevo International Airport,
the Cubans are received by guides who put them up in previously-reserved
houses and hostels. I have been told that it is all quite a challenge,
they give them warm clothes, something to eat, and then, like polar bear
cubs, God knows in what conditions, they get onto a whaling ship and
cross the Bering Strait to arrive in Alaska, which is American territory.
We know the rest, the Cuban Adjustment Law.
The situation in Costa Rica, will eventually be sorted out. How? I
don't know. That is for governments and diplomats to work on. But let's
not kid ourselves. The problem exists and the exodus continues.
Already, Havana is whispering that Oceania is another way, heading
toward the Cook Islands, Niue, Tuvalu and Samoa, states which have
visa-free agreements with Cuba, nothing complicated, and from there
travel to American Samoa, which, as its name indicates, is also American
territory.
The person I was talking to told me something which shook me: "Water
should be free, drinking it is a vital part of a human being's
existence; but water gets bottled and sold. Don't you think that is
profiting from life? Getting people out of Cuba, people who are going to
flee anyway from that country, is less shameful than selling bottled water."
We did not dramatise the tragedy saying that in order to control the
migration the rules of a million dollar organisation are going to
change. It isn't like that, we know that the Cuban and United States
governments, and the whole region is working to trap the traffickers;
but this is tackling the effect without doing something about the cause.
The solution is to create a Cuba with rights, liberties and
opportunities. Then, no-one would want to escape.
As you know, when hope dies, so does love. That, for a disillusioned
people, the traffickers are seen as strange roses growing in the ashes
of a disaster; but, I think that the most dangerous thing is not the
traffic in Cubans, but that the island will be converted into the most
perfect location for the transit of people from many other countries,
who are seeking the same destiny; but with a different objective: Terrorism.
Translated by GH
Source: Alaska, Another Route for Cubans / Juan Juan Almeida |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/alaska-another-route-for-cubans-juan-juan-almeida/
Posted on December 30, 2015
Juan Juan Almeida, 1 December 2015 — As a part of the basket of measures
relating to the migration crisis concerning Cubans in Costa Rica, and
with the obvious intention of protecting human interests, starting from
1st December, Cubans wanting to travel to Ecuador will have to get a
visa to enter that country.
The regulation is an attempt to control the stampede; but already the
human traffickers, taking a bird's eye view and with financial
resources, are trying to find new routes to connect Havana with the
United States. Now it seems crossing the last frontier is the latest thing.
I would like to make it clear that not one single letter of what I am
writing here is any attempt to encourage illegal emigration; but, to
write about the matter with my eyes closed or making political points,
is to make myself a central part of the problem.
Crossing Central America, Cubans in the hands of traffickers have to
confront the dangers of the jungle, get around conflict zones ruled by
guerrillas and drug traffickers, and put up with the aggravation of
being constantly ripped off by corrupt locals. Things more improbable,
but just as dangerous as the Siberian steppes.
The latest madness also costs 10,000 – 12,000 CUC per person.
Cubans, conscious victims of people traffickers, fly Havana – Moscow by
Cubana de Aviación (CU0470) 1.156,00 €, or by Aeroflot Russian Airlines
(SU0151) 627,39 €.
Arriving, still a few at a time, at Sheremetyevo International Airport,
the Cubans are received by guides who put them up in previously-reserved
houses and hostels. I have been told that it is all quite a challenge,
they give them warm clothes, something to eat, and then, like polar bear
cubs, God knows in what conditions, they get onto a whaling ship and
cross the Bering Strait to arrive in Alaska, which is American territory.
We know the rest, the Cuban Adjustment Law.
The situation in Costa Rica, will eventually be sorted out. How? I
don't know. That is for governments and diplomats to work on. But let's
not kid ourselves. The problem exists and the exodus continues.
Already, Havana is whispering that Oceania is another way, heading
toward the Cook Islands, Niue, Tuvalu and Samoa, states which have
visa-free agreements with Cuba, nothing complicated, and from there
travel to American Samoa, which, as its name indicates, is also American
territory.
The person I was talking to told me something which shook me: "Water
should be free, drinking it is a vital part of a human being's
existence; but water gets bottled and sold. Don't you think that is
profiting from life? Getting people out of Cuba, people who are going to
flee anyway from that country, is less shameful than selling bottled water."
We did not dramatise the tragedy saying that in order to control the
migration the rules of a million dollar organisation are going to
change. It isn't like that, we know that the Cuban and United States
governments, and the whole region is working to trap the traffickers;
but this is tackling the effect without doing something about the cause.
The solution is to create a Cuba with rights, liberties and
opportunities. Then, no-one would want to escape.
As you know, when hope dies, so does love. That, for a disillusioned
people, the traffickers are seen as strange roses growing in the ashes
of a disaster; but, I think that the most dangerous thing is not the
traffic in Cubans, but that the island will be converted into the most
perfect location for the transit of people from many other countries,
who are seeking the same destiny; but with a different objective: Terrorism.
Translated by GH
Source: Alaska, Another Route for Cubans / Juan Juan Almeida |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/alaska-another-route-for-cubans-juan-juan-almeida/
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Welcome, Even if Belated
Welcome, Even if Belated / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 30 December 2015 — Among the
surprises brought by the last session of the National Assembly of
People's Power, one could mention the announcement by the Minister of
Finance and Prices, Lina Pedraza, that as of 2016 there would be an
exemption from taxes on the profits of Basic Production Cooperative
Units (UBPC) – other than those involved in sugar production – as well
as on Credit and Service Cooperatives (CCS), as long as more than half
their revenues come from agricultural production. The announcement has
been well received, although there are many who believe that such a
measure should have been implemented long ago and not as a temporary
solution.
The more surprising surprise – forgiving the redundancy – was the
inclusion of owners and lessees of land in the non-sugar sector, who in
this case will be freed from annual taxes on personal income. To
free those who plant and harvest from all the accounting implied in
these statements, and to accept that the more they produce the more they
will earn, could be beneficial not only for those with their feet and
hands in the earth, but could reduce, over the long term, the prices of
agricultural products, a ubiquitous demand from all voters to their
delegates in the local "Assemblies of Accountability"
Finally, it was also announced that no taxes will be paid on the use of
workforce personnel directly contracted for production. This could
benefit both cooperatives, lessees and owners, as at peak times during
cultivation and harvest the use of casual labor is essential. The exodus
from agricultural areas – especially of young people – is due, among
other reasons, to the bureaucratic limitations that don't allow free
movement of the workforce and which give rise to the phenomenon of
"ghost agreements," where day laborers lack all rights and protection.
For a long time, even from positions held by the opposition, there have
been demands that those who produce food for the population should be
freed from tax burdens, which could help boost production and ensure
supply. If implemented as announced, agricultural food producers would
be freed from the fear that making money would lead to the imposition of
taxes that can suck the blood out of those who declare the highest profits.
The measure could be evaluated as a pragmatic step, but also as an
ideological concession to the obsession that farmers not get rich, a
typical ramification from the times of classic Fidelism.
Source: Welcome, Even if Belated / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/welcome-even-if-belated-14ymedio-reinaldo-escobar/
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 30 December 2015 — Among the
surprises brought by the last session of the National Assembly of
People's Power, one could mention the announcement by the Minister of
Finance and Prices, Lina Pedraza, that as of 2016 there would be an
exemption from taxes on the profits of Basic Production Cooperative
Units (UBPC) – other than those involved in sugar production – as well
as on Credit and Service Cooperatives (CCS), as long as more than half
their revenues come from agricultural production. The announcement has
been well received, although there are many who believe that such a
measure should have been implemented long ago and not as a temporary
solution.
The more surprising surprise – forgiving the redundancy – was the
inclusion of owners and lessees of land in the non-sugar sector, who in
this case will be freed from annual taxes on personal income. To
free those who plant and harvest from all the accounting implied in
these statements, and to accept that the more they produce the more they
will earn, could be beneficial not only for those with their feet and
hands in the earth, but could reduce, over the long term, the prices of
agricultural products, a ubiquitous demand from all voters to their
delegates in the local "Assemblies of Accountability"
Finally, it was also announced that no taxes will be paid on the use of
workforce personnel directly contracted for production. This could
benefit both cooperatives, lessees and owners, as at peak times during
cultivation and harvest the use of casual labor is essential. The exodus
from agricultural areas – especially of young people – is due, among
other reasons, to the bureaucratic limitations that don't allow free
movement of the workforce and which give rise to the phenomenon of
"ghost agreements," where day laborers lack all rights and protection.
For a long time, even from positions held by the opposition, there have
been demands that those who produce food for the population should be
freed from tax burdens, which could help boost production and ensure
supply. If implemented as announced, agricultural food producers would
be freed from the fear that making money would lead to the imposition of
taxes that can suck the blood out of those who declare the highest profits.
The measure could be evaluated as a pragmatic step, but also as an
ideological concession to the obsession that farmers not get rich, a
typical ramification from the times of classic Fidelism.
Source: Welcome, Even if Belated / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/welcome-even-if-belated-14ymedio-reinaldo-escobar/
Christmas in Cuba - Turkey or Hot Dogs?
Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 24 December 2015 — Cuban kitchens and
restaurants are preparing for Christmas Eve. The menu that is placed on
the tables will evidence the purchasing power of each family and deepen
social differences. While some make reservations in exclusive places
with gourmet food, others will be satisfied with products from the
ration market or with hot dogs: the cheapest 'protein' in the
convertible peso markets.
Christmas traditions are reemerging on the island little by little. The
first garlanded trees in public places, after decades of censorship,
date back to the nineties of the last century, with the dollarization of
the economy and the emergence of private businesses. But only at the end
of 1997 was the celebration again "sanctified" by officialdom, with the
decreeing of 25 December as a holiday.
Since then, Christmas Eve has become more sophisticated for those who
have access to hard currency. Twelve grapes at midnight and sangria are
served on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. A mix of traditions typical
of the Cuban melting pot. The government tries to emphasize the
importance of the December 31st festivities, the eve of the Triumph of
the Revolution, but it is ever more obvious that in the last month of
the year there is competition among dates.
Nougat, a Cuban tradition, turkey on sale for the equivalent of three
month's salary, and rum, lots of rum, combine in the menu that families
in the emerging middle class will share. Almost eight years after
allowing Cubans to stay in domestic hotels, these locales have launched
a race to capture a broad spectrum of customers for Christmas Eve.
The Hotel Copacabana in Havana's Playa district tries to compete with
the area's private restaurants. For 30 convertible pesos, the monthly
salary of a surgeon, each person can serve themselves from a buffet with
everything from the traditional turkey, to the most local, a shredded
beef stew Cubans call "old clothes," along with seafood, salmon, chops,
smoked or cured loin and international cheeses. All that with a welcome
cocktail, live music and Christmas cake.
Nearby, on Third Avenue, Gladys's family is preparing a very different
dinner. "I could only buy three pounds of pork because it is very
expensive," comments this retiree, whose daughter, who has emigrated,
brought her nougat from Madrid. "The problem is that now there are so
many expenses in December, with dinner on the 31st and the 24th,"
complains the woman who insists she prefers "how it was until a few
years ago, when this day was like any other."
For Gladys's family the expenses are not for food alone. "The littlest
grandson wanted his tree, with the creche and everything," says the
pensioner. However, she acknowledges, "They are very nice days spent
with family and it makes me remember when I was a child and my
grandmother would sing carols and my parents put the gifts under the
Christmas tree."
In Santiago de Cuba the hotel with the same name has also been prepared
for the occasion. The gourmet buffet, with prices that range from 45 to
50 convertible pesos per person, has options with Italian or Island
food, along with a glass of wine. Something that seems like a dream for
a province where poverty has spread in recent years.
The emerging middle class with fewer resources resort to deals that do
not exceed 20 convertible pesos, drinks included. This is the case with
the Havana Jazz Café, where for this price a person gets three glasses
of wine, a variety of international food and a Cuban dessert. Jazz plays
from the stage until after midnight.
State restaurants like The Bunny Rabbit serve "abundant local food with
roast pork and a typical side dish" in Cuban pesos. Taking home a
stuffed rabbit rises to 180 Cuban pesos, the monthly pension of a
retired teacher. "We help you not have to cook for a celebration like
this," an employee at the door advertises with a menu in hand and a bow
tie around his neck.
The ration system markets in Havana and other provinces have received an
unexpected quota of frozen chicken. "It is for the anniversary of the
Revolution" the butchers repeat, without much conviction. For many it
has not gone unnoticed that the supply arrived on the shelves before
Christmas dinner. "This is what you will eat tonight," says Yaquelín, a
impoverished resident of La Timba neighborhood, near the Plaza of the
Revolution.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino spoke about Christmas in a message
broadcast on state television saying that it "is not a year-end party,
is in itself a celebration of a great weight, historical, spiritual,
cultural." Although the prelate acknowledged that despite Cuban shops
being full of Christmas decorations "we still do not know" what this
celebration is about.
Others have their own delicacy reserved for the night, leaving aside
traditions and overspending. "I bought a pack of little dogs (hot dogs)
for today and I make them with with sauce, which my kids love," says a
polyclinic cleaning woman in the municipality of San Miguel del
Padron. "After all Jesus was born in a stable, surrounded by pigs and
cows, so you can not ask for more."
Source: Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/christmas-in-cuba-turkey-or-hot-dogs-14ymedio-luz-escobar/
Posted on December 30, 2015
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 24 December 2015 — Cuban kitchens and
restaurants are preparing for Christmas Eve. The menu that is placed on
the tables will evidence the purchasing power of each family and deepen
social differences. While some make reservations in exclusive places
with gourmet food, others will be satisfied with products from the
ration market or with hot dogs: the cheapest 'protein' in the
convertible peso markets.
Christmas traditions are reemerging on the island little by little. The
first garlanded trees in public places, after decades of censorship,
date back to the nineties of the last century, with the dollarization of
the economy and the emergence of private businesses. But only at the end
of 1997 was the celebration again "sanctified" by officialdom, with the
decreeing of 25 December as a holiday.
Since then, Christmas Eve has become more sophisticated for those who
have access to hard currency. Twelve grapes at midnight and sangria are
served on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. A mix of traditions typical
of the Cuban melting pot. The government tries to emphasize the
importance of the December 31st festivities, the eve of the Triumph of
the Revolution, but it is ever more obvious that in the last month of
the year there is competition among dates.
Nougat, a Cuban tradition, turkey on sale for the equivalent of three
month's salary, and rum, lots of rum, combine in the menu that families
in the emerging middle class will share. Almost eight years after
allowing Cubans to stay in domestic hotels, these locales have launched
a race to capture a broad spectrum of customers for Christmas Eve.
The Hotel Copacabana in Havana's Playa district tries to compete with
the area's private restaurants. For 30 convertible pesos, the monthly
salary of a surgeon, each person can serve themselves from a buffet with
everything from the traditional turkey, to the most local, a shredded
beef stew Cubans call "old clothes," along with seafood, salmon, chops,
smoked or cured loin and international cheeses. All that with a welcome
cocktail, live music and Christmas cake.
Nearby, on Third Avenue, Gladys's family is preparing a very different
dinner. "I could only buy three pounds of pork because it is very
expensive," comments this retiree, whose daughter, who has emigrated,
brought her nougat from Madrid. "The problem is that now there are so
many expenses in December, with dinner on the 31st and the 24th,"
complains the woman who insists she prefers "how it was until a few
years ago, when this day was like any other."
For Gladys's family the expenses are not for food alone. "The littlest
grandson wanted his tree, with the creche and everything," says the
pensioner. However, she acknowledges, "They are very nice days spent
with family and it makes me remember when I was a child and my
grandmother would sing carols and my parents put the gifts under the
Christmas tree."
In Santiago de Cuba the hotel with the same name has also been prepared
for the occasion. The gourmet buffet, with prices that range from 45 to
50 convertible pesos per person, has options with Italian or Island
food, along with a glass of wine. Something that seems like a dream for
a province where poverty has spread in recent years.
The emerging middle class with fewer resources resort to deals that do
not exceed 20 convertible pesos, drinks included. This is the case with
the Havana Jazz Café, where for this price a person gets three glasses
of wine, a variety of international food and a Cuban dessert. Jazz plays
from the stage until after midnight.
State restaurants like The Bunny Rabbit serve "abundant local food with
roast pork and a typical side dish" in Cuban pesos. Taking home a
stuffed rabbit rises to 180 Cuban pesos, the monthly pension of a
retired teacher. "We help you not have to cook for a celebration like
this," an employee at the door advertises with a menu in hand and a bow
tie around his neck.
The ration system markets in Havana and other provinces have received an
unexpected quota of frozen chicken. "It is for the anniversary of the
Revolution" the butchers repeat, without much conviction. For many it
has not gone unnoticed that the supply arrived on the shelves before
Christmas dinner. "This is what you will eat tonight," says Yaquelín, a
impoverished resident of La Timba neighborhood, near the Plaza of the
Revolution.
Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino spoke about Christmas in a message
broadcast on state television saying that it "is not a year-end party,
is in itself a celebration of a great weight, historical, spiritual,
cultural." Although the prelate acknowledged that despite Cuban shops
being full of Christmas decorations "we still do not know" what this
celebration is about.
Others have their own delicacy reserved for the night, leaving aside
traditions and overspending. "I bought a pack of little dogs (hot dogs)
for today and I make them with with sauce, which my kids love," says a
polyclinic cleaning woman in the municipality of San Miguel del
Padron. "After all Jesus was born in a stable, surrounded by pigs and
cows, so you can not ask for more."
Source: Christmas in Cuba: Turkey or Hot Dogs? / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/christmas-in-cuba-turkey-or-hot-dogs-14ymedio-luz-escobar/
17 December - First Anniversary of a Sterile Marriage
17 December: First Anniversary of a Sterile Marriage / Miriam Celaya
Posted on December 29, 2015
Miriam Celaya, Havana, 17 December 2015 – At the end of the first year
of the restoration of relations between the governments of the United
States and Cuba, the expectations that the historical event awakened in
Cuba remain unfulfilled. With much pain and no glory, Cubans have
continued their struggle with a precarious and hopeless existence, that,
far from improving, has witnessed the permanent economic crisis
deteriorate further, with increases in the cost of living and
consolidation of chronic shortages.
At the same time, the general deterioration of the healthcare and
education systems continues – the last stronghold of the official
rhetoric – and a new and unstoppable process of emigration has been
spawned and become a stampede, amid fears that negotiations between the
two governments will eventually lead to the demise of the Cuban
Adjustment Act.
With the diplomatic bases settled, the respective embassies in
Washington and Havana reopened, and the agendas of a negotiating process
that continues running in secret established, the Cuban authorities have
set a policy to thwart, to the point of invalidation, the effects of the
measures dictated by the US president in favor of opening up Cuba to the
benefit of private, not governmental initiatives. The increase of
visitors from the neighboring nation and the broad flexibility that
renders ineffectual many of the limitations imposed by the embargo have
not significantly benefited the Cuban people, although they contribute
to foreign exchange earnings for the Cuban government and foreign
businesses established in Cuba, especially those related to tourism.
Despite all this, revenues are insufficient even for the ruling clique,
burdened by huge foreign debt, lack of access to credit from the
International Monetary Fund, the agonizing dependence on external
support – an issue which, paradoxically, is used as an element for
discrediting and delegitimizing internal dissent – the lack of reaction
by foreign capital to the "attractive" new Investment Law, and the
urgent need to buy time to ensure their perpetuation of power.
Finally, in the shadow of Uncle Sam, the revolution cycle has closed
with an end which, though long-awaited, is no less dramatic. Behold, the
agonizing "Marxist-anti-imperialist" gang is working the miracle of
recycling itself, metamorphosing from communist to bourgeois precisely
thanks to the imperial capital.
Judging from the evidence, and in the absence of authoritative and
verifiable information, the almost dizzying avalanche of unilateral
proposals from the White House that took place during the course of the
year have not gotten any proportional response from the Palace of the
Revolution. The Cuban President-General has not only turned out to be
incapable of matching in intensity and magnitude Washington's positive
steps towards an approach that would not be for the sole advantage of
the ruling elite, but for the direct benefit of Cuban society, but has,
instead, taken on the same pace ("no rush") of the so-called
"normalization," the same rhythm as the untimely Guidelines of the last
Congress of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) that were never fulfilled.
From 17 December 2014, though not as a result of that event, the Cuban
crisis has grown more acute. With the economy in a tailspin, a large
part of the workforce in flight or with aspirations to escape, the aging
population, the depressed birth rate, the rampant corruption, the rising
inflation and countless other evils to solve, any other government would
have taken this moment of relaxation and approach as an opportunity to
open a path to prosperity and welfare for its people. Not so the Castro
dictatorship.
In response, ordinary Cubans are more politically disbelievers, more
indifferent and more pro-American than ever before.
Opponents and dissidents: a growing sector
Contrary to the most widespread criterion, and despite being divided and
fragmented into multiple projects, the independent civil society, in
particular opposition groups and dissidents, has been gaining in
organization and growth. Unquestionable evidence of this is the
increased repression against them.
The increasing intensity of the repressive forces does not indicate – as
some might suggest, using simplistic logic – a "strengthening of the
dictatorship" from the of the process of talks with the US government,
but, on the contrary, a sign of weakness that indicates both fear of the
impact of US influence in Cuban society and the inability to contain the
growth of civic forces, which compels them to apply violence to possibly
avoid, or at least slow down, its spread and social contagion. A
counterproductive strategy that has achieved just the opposite effect:
increasing the dissidence faction and popular discontent.
After the breakthrough generated by the different positions assumed
before the process started on 17 December, a period of intense
opposition activism has ensued in which all tendencies have gained
visibility and spaces. Partnerships have begun to take shape between
organizations of the most varied viewpoints, from a common consensus:
the urgency to strengthen civic struggle to achieve democracy in Cuba.
In this vein, the general agreement is that all forms of peaceful
struggle are valid, since they put pressure on the cracks in the system
and contribute to its weakening.
In all fairness, we must recognize that the efforts of all opposition
groups – whatever their orientation and proposals – not only face the
challenge of repressive and violent action of the regime in power, but
the almost total indifference of the international community and, what
is worse, of insufficient solidarity and recognition by many democratic
governments of the world.
Apparently, Western political and business leaders expect from the Cuban
opposition the cyclopean task of building a strong coalition or becoming
a political alternative to the absolute power of the Castro regime,
almost unaided, before recognizing the legitimate right of
representation, notwithstanding the colossal difference in resources and
opportunities among the dissidents. Compared to capitalist interests,
the democratic dreams of Cubans mean nothing.
2016, a pivotal year
Thus, 17 December is the paper wedding anniversary of the marriage of
convenience between the governments of the United States and Cuba, but
the union has, so far, been fruitless, at least for the Cubans, who we
were never invited to the wedding. The conspiratorial style of the
olive-green caste ruled the celebration. However, it would be unfair to
attribute Cuba's current ills to an alleged White House political error.
In any case, with this approach to the regime, Barack Obama is doing
what is expected of a ruler: looking after the interests of his country
and its constituents. Good for Obama, bad for Castro.
Truthfully, the Cuban general crisis existed long before the current US
president took office, so the frustrations that the more deluded are
experiencing are more a response to excessive and unjustified
expectations and an overestimation of the importance of Cuba, barely an
insignificant island with delusions of grandeur, governed by an outdated
and inefficient system, and lost in the huge regional geopolitical map.
It has been an intense year, but, in retrospect, ordinary Cubans and the
opposition at least should have assimilated a valuable experience: no
one will come to save us from the wreck.
A year ago, the unthinkable happened just when the most bitter enemies
of this hemisphere decided to sit at the negotiating table to settle
their differences. This incredible saga teaches us something important:
2016 could be a pivotal year if those who us who aspire to turn Cuba
into a country of law can demonstrate that we are capable of doing what
now seems an impossible task: creating a civic coalition in the face of
a dictatorship that assumes itself to be eternal. It doesn't seem that
we have any other options left.
Translated by Norma Whiting
Source: 17 December: First Anniversary of a Sterile Marriage / Miriam
Celaya | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/17-december-first-anniversary-celaya/
Posted on December 29, 2015
Miriam Celaya, Havana, 17 December 2015 – At the end of the first year
of the restoration of relations between the governments of the United
States and Cuba, the expectations that the historical event awakened in
Cuba remain unfulfilled. With much pain and no glory, Cubans have
continued their struggle with a precarious and hopeless existence, that,
far from improving, has witnessed the permanent economic crisis
deteriorate further, with increases in the cost of living and
consolidation of chronic shortages.
At the same time, the general deterioration of the healthcare and
education systems continues – the last stronghold of the official
rhetoric – and a new and unstoppable process of emigration has been
spawned and become a stampede, amid fears that negotiations between the
two governments will eventually lead to the demise of the Cuban
Adjustment Act.
With the diplomatic bases settled, the respective embassies in
Washington and Havana reopened, and the agendas of a negotiating process
that continues running in secret established, the Cuban authorities have
set a policy to thwart, to the point of invalidation, the effects of the
measures dictated by the US president in favor of opening up Cuba to the
benefit of private, not governmental initiatives. The increase of
visitors from the neighboring nation and the broad flexibility that
renders ineffectual many of the limitations imposed by the embargo have
not significantly benefited the Cuban people, although they contribute
to foreign exchange earnings for the Cuban government and foreign
businesses established in Cuba, especially those related to tourism.
Despite all this, revenues are insufficient even for the ruling clique,
burdened by huge foreign debt, lack of access to credit from the
International Monetary Fund, the agonizing dependence on external
support – an issue which, paradoxically, is used as an element for
discrediting and delegitimizing internal dissent – the lack of reaction
by foreign capital to the "attractive" new Investment Law, and the
urgent need to buy time to ensure their perpetuation of power.
Finally, in the shadow of Uncle Sam, the revolution cycle has closed
with an end which, though long-awaited, is no less dramatic. Behold, the
agonizing "Marxist-anti-imperialist" gang is working the miracle of
recycling itself, metamorphosing from communist to bourgeois precisely
thanks to the imperial capital.
Judging from the evidence, and in the absence of authoritative and
verifiable information, the almost dizzying avalanche of unilateral
proposals from the White House that took place during the course of the
year have not gotten any proportional response from the Palace of the
Revolution. The Cuban President-General has not only turned out to be
incapable of matching in intensity and magnitude Washington's positive
steps towards an approach that would not be for the sole advantage of
the ruling elite, but for the direct benefit of Cuban society, but has,
instead, taken on the same pace ("no rush") of the so-called
"normalization," the same rhythm as the untimely Guidelines of the last
Congress of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) that were never fulfilled.
From 17 December 2014, though not as a result of that event, the Cuban
crisis has grown more acute. With the economy in a tailspin, a large
part of the workforce in flight or with aspirations to escape, the aging
population, the depressed birth rate, the rampant corruption, the rising
inflation and countless other evils to solve, any other government would
have taken this moment of relaxation and approach as an opportunity to
open a path to prosperity and welfare for its people. Not so the Castro
dictatorship.
In response, ordinary Cubans are more politically disbelievers, more
indifferent and more pro-American than ever before.
Opponents and dissidents: a growing sector
Contrary to the most widespread criterion, and despite being divided and
fragmented into multiple projects, the independent civil society, in
particular opposition groups and dissidents, has been gaining in
organization and growth. Unquestionable evidence of this is the
increased repression against them.
The increasing intensity of the repressive forces does not indicate – as
some might suggest, using simplistic logic – a "strengthening of the
dictatorship" from the of the process of talks with the US government,
but, on the contrary, a sign of weakness that indicates both fear of the
impact of US influence in Cuban society and the inability to contain the
growth of civic forces, which compels them to apply violence to possibly
avoid, or at least slow down, its spread and social contagion. A
counterproductive strategy that has achieved just the opposite effect:
increasing the dissidence faction and popular discontent.
After the breakthrough generated by the different positions assumed
before the process started on 17 December, a period of intense
opposition activism has ensued in which all tendencies have gained
visibility and spaces. Partnerships have begun to take shape between
organizations of the most varied viewpoints, from a common consensus:
the urgency to strengthen civic struggle to achieve democracy in Cuba.
In this vein, the general agreement is that all forms of peaceful
struggle are valid, since they put pressure on the cracks in the system
and contribute to its weakening.
In all fairness, we must recognize that the efforts of all opposition
groups – whatever their orientation and proposals – not only face the
challenge of repressive and violent action of the regime in power, but
the almost total indifference of the international community and, what
is worse, of insufficient solidarity and recognition by many democratic
governments of the world.
Apparently, Western political and business leaders expect from the Cuban
opposition the cyclopean task of building a strong coalition or becoming
a political alternative to the absolute power of the Castro regime,
almost unaided, before recognizing the legitimate right of
representation, notwithstanding the colossal difference in resources and
opportunities among the dissidents. Compared to capitalist interests,
the democratic dreams of Cubans mean nothing.
2016, a pivotal year
Thus, 17 December is the paper wedding anniversary of the marriage of
convenience between the governments of the United States and Cuba, but
the union has, so far, been fruitless, at least for the Cubans, who we
were never invited to the wedding. The conspiratorial style of the
olive-green caste ruled the celebration. However, it would be unfair to
attribute Cuba's current ills to an alleged White House political error.
In any case, with this approach to the regime, Barack Obama is doing
what is expected of a ruler: looking after the interests of his country
and its constituents. Good for Obama, bad for Castro.
Truthfully, the Cuban general crisis existed long before the current US
president took office, so the frustrations that the more deluded are
experiencing are more a response to excessive and unjustified
expectations and an overestimation of the importance of Cuba, barely an
insignificant island with delusions of grandeur, governed by an outdated
and inefficient system, and lost in the huge regional geopolitical map.
It has been an intense year, but, in retrospect, ordinary Cubans and the
opposition at least should have assimilated a valuable experience: no
one will come to save us from the wreck.
A year ago, the unthinkable happened just when the most bitter enemies
of this hemisphere decided to sit at the negotiating table to settle
their differences. This incredible saga teaches us something important:
2016 could be a pivotal year if those who us who aspire to turn Cuba
into a country of law can demonstrate that we are capable of doing what
now seems an impossible task: creating a civic coalition in the face of
a dictatorship that assumes itself to be eternal. It doesn't seem that
we have any other options left.
Translated by Norma Whiting
Source: 17 December: First Anniversary of a Sterile Marriage / Miriam
Celaya | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/17-december-first-anniversary-celaya/
Spanish Lessons for Cuba
Spanish Lessons for Cuba / 14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua
Posted on December 29, 2015
14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua, Havana, 28 December 2015 — The general
elections held in Spain this 20 December (20-D) contain a number of
important lessons for Cuba and for Cubans, as we look ahead to the
electoral process in 2018. Here is a reflection on these lessons, at a
distance of space and time.
I participated in 20-D as a kind of international observer in the role
of representative of the initiative #Otro18*. In the Principality of
Asturias, where I was invited – and which I would like to thank, not
only for the beauty in miniature of a city like Oveido, but also because
the workings of the political systems can be better observed far from
the major metropolitan cities – I observed on my arrival the calm bustle
in which all the competing political groups prepared, in various ways,
for the important exercise of choosing among the diversity of parties
and between the four major faces: Mariano Rajoy (Popular Party, PP, in
power since 2011), Pedro Sanchez (Spanish Socialist Workers Party,
PSOE), Pablo Iglesias (Podemos, (We Can)) and Albert Rivera (Ciudadanos,
(Citizens)).
Upon my arrival I was quickly driven to the House of the People in
Oviedo: an exquisite and well-preserved example of the architecture of
the 18th century which once served as a home for Catholic nuns and now
is home to the PSOE. Being held there, and this is the first lesson for
us, was the most fortunate of those typically boring meetings we humans
commonly hold. It was the usual meeting, prior to the election cycle, of
the different political groups among what they call auditors and
guardians: a troop of party members who, on election day, monitor the
transparency and fairness of the process.
The meeting included: a rereading the manual updated for the
elections; a recounting of the incidents and problems associated with
previous elections (the municipal elections held in May throughout
Spain); a reminder, in the case of old auditors and guardians, and
guidance in the case of new ones, of their duties and rights on the
election day; a discussion in detail of what constitutes, according to
the code, an electoral offense; and the locations of the local polling
stations, among the total of 23,000 to be opened in throughout
Spain. All of this was part of the necessarily boring night meeting in
one of the PSOE headquarters. I learned there that this also was taking
place among the other political parties.
This boredom of this process is a fortunate thing for a political
exercise as important and complicated as elections. We should grasp the
need for it because it is the only way to tackle one of the key axes of
democratic systems: the nervousness that spreads among the political
class faced with the uncertainties of citizens' votes.
The second lesson is that, when it comes to elections in pluralistic
system, we must be prepared for surprises. It is not always what you
expect, whether it is the trends that mark traditions, or the currents
expressed in opinion polls, that do or do not coincide with what happens
in reality. In the 20-D elections there were several surprises: a clear
end of bipartisanship — that is the dominance of two major parties; the
emergence of new parties in Congress (Podemos and Ciudadanos); the
dissolution of the arrogant majorities; and a return to the culture of
dialogue and agreement needed to advance public policies.
The third lesson is that democracies cannot be hegemonic and respect the
rights of minorities. One complaint I hear constantly is that
majoritarian systems unleash the temptation to ignore the needs and
interests of the minority, to manipulate the mass of voters and to turn
the opposition into a noisy species unable to reverse pernicious
decisions legitimated by the weight of the majority. Ultimately, and
this is a modern element relevant to at least all Western countries,
globalized societies are highly fragmented by a multitude of minorities
– religious, political, ideological, ethnic or cultural – so that
democracies should encourage coalitions that take into account the
interests of all. For Cuba this lesson is urgent.
However, the most important lesson for us Cubans is the tolerance and
respect for diversity displayed in a society like Spain's, despite the
bitter tone of political debate.
*Translator's note: #Otro18 refers to the citizen's initiative
"AlternativaCuba2018", which anticipates multiparty democratic elections
in Cuba in 2018, the year in which Raul Castro has announced he will
step down as president.
Source: Spanish Lessons for Cuba / 14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/spanish-lessons-for-cuba-14ymedio-manuel-cuesta-morua/
Posted on December 29, 2015
14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua, Havana, 28 December 2015 — The general
elections held in Spain this 20 December (20-D) contain a number of
important lessons for Cuba and for Cubans, as we look ahead to the
electoral process in 2018. Here is a reflection on these lessons, at a
distance of space and time.
I participated in 20-D as a kind of international observer in the role
of representative of the initiative #Otro18*. In the Principality of
Asturias, where I was invited – and which I would like to thank, not
only for the beauty in miniature of a city like Oveido, but also because
the workings of the political systems can be better observed far from
the major metropolitan cities – I observed on my arrival the calm bustle
in which all the competing political groups prepared, in various ways,
for the important exercise of choosing among the diversity of parties
and between the four major faces: Mariano Rajoy (Popular Party, PP, in
power since 2011), Pedro Sanchez (Spanish Socialist Workers Party,
PSOE), Pablo Iglesias (Podemos, (We Can)) and Albert Rivera (Ciudadanos,
(Citizens)).
Upon my arrival I was quickly driven to the House of the People in
Oviedo: an exquisite and well-preserved example of the architecture of
the 18th century which once served as a home for Catholic nuns and now
is home to the PSOE. Being held there, and this is the first lesson for
us, was the most fortunate of those typically boring meetings we humans
commonly hold. It was the usual meeting, prior to the election cycle, of
the different political groups among what they call auditors and
guardians: a troop of party members who, on election day, monitor the
transparency and fairness of the process.
The meeting included: a rereading the manual updated for the
elections; a recounting of the incidents and problems associated with
previous elections (the municipal elections held in May throughout
Spain); a reminder, in the case of old auditors and guardians, and
guidance in the case of new ones, of their duties and rights on the
election day; a discussion in detail of what constitutes, according to
the code, an electoral offense; and the locations of the local polling
stations, among the total of 23,000 to be opened in throughout
Spain. All of this was part of the necessarily boring night meeting in
one of the PSOE headquarters. I learned there that this also was taking
place among the other political parties.
This boredom of this process is a fortunate thing for a political
exercise as important and complicated as elections. We should grasp the
need for it because it is the only way to tackle one of the key axes of
democratic systems: the nervousness that spreads among the political
class faced with the uncertainties of citizens' votes.
The second lesson is that, when it comes to elections in pluralistic
system, we must be prepared for surprises. It is not always what you
expect, whether it is the trends that mark traditions, or the currents
expressed in opinion polls, that do or do not coincide with what happens
in reality. In the 20-D elections there were several surprises: a clear
end of bipartisanship — that is the dominance of two major parties; the
emergence of new parties in Congress (Podemos and Ciudadanos); the
dissolution of the arrogant majorities; and a return to the culture of
dialogue and agreement needed to advance public policies.
The third lesson is that democracies cannot be hegemonic and respect the
rights of minorities. One complaint I hear constantly is that
majoritarian systems unleash the temptation to ignore the needs and
interests of the minority, to manipulate the mass of voters and to turn
the opposition into a noisy species unable to reverse pernicious
decisions legitimated by the weight of the majority. Ultimately, and
this is a modern element relevant to at least all Western countries,
globalized societies are highly fragmented by a multitude of minorities
– religious, political, ideological, ethnic or cultural – so that
democracies should encourage coalitions that take into account the
interests of all. For Cuba this lesson is urgent.
However, the most important lesson for us Cubans is the tolerance and
respect for diversity displayed in a society like Spain's, despite the
bitter tone of political debate.
*Translator's note: #Otro18 refers to the citizen's initiative
"AlternativaCuba2018", which anticipates multiparty democratic elections
in Cuba in 2018, the year in which Raul Castro has announced he will
step down as president.
Source: Spanish Lessons for Cuba / 14ymedio, Manuel Cuesta Morua |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/spanish-lessons-for-cuba-14ymedio-manuel-cuesta-morua/
Bienvenida aunque tardía
Bienvenida aunque tardía
REINALDO ESCOBAR, La Habana | 30/12/2015
Entre las sorpresas que ha traído el último período de sesiones de la
Asamblea del Poder Popular puede mencionarse el anuncio hecho por la
ministra de Finanzas y Precios, Lina Pedraza, quien aseguró que a partir
de 2016 quedarían exonerados de impuestos sobre sus utilidades las
Unidades Básicas de Producción Cooperativa (UBPC) no cañeras y las
Cooperativas de Crédito y Servicio (CCS), siempre y cuando más de la
mitad de sus ingresos provenga de sus producciones agropecuarias. El
anuncio ha sido recibido con beneplácito, aunque son muchos los que
creen que dicha medida debió implantarse hace mucho tiempo y no como una
solución coyuntural.
La sorpresa se hace más sorprendente, valga la redundancia, cuando están
incluidos los propietarios y usufructuarios de tierras del sector no
cañero que en este caso quedan libres del gravamen anual sobre los
ingresos personales. Liberar a los que siembran y cosechan de toda la
contabilidad que implican estas declaraciones y con ello aceptar que el
que más produce ganará más, pudiera ser beneficioso no solo para los que
están con los pies y las manos sobre la tierra, sino pudiera abaratar, a
largo plazo, los precios de los productos agrícolas, una demanda
omnipresente en todas las asambleas de rendición de cuentas de los
electores ante su delegado.
Finalmente se anunció la exoneración del pago del impuestos por la
utilización de la fuerza de trabajo al personal contratado directamente
a la producción. Esto pudiera beneficiar tanto a cooperativistas,
usufructuarios y propietarios, pues en momentos picos de la cosecha o de
atenciones al cultivo, se hace imprescindible buscar mano de obra
ocasional. El éxodo de zonas agrícolas –especialmente de jóvenes– se
debe, entre otras razones, a las limitaciones burocráticas que no
permiten el libre movimiento de la fuerza de trabajo e inciden en el
fenómeno de convenios fantasmas donde los jornaleros carecen de todo
derecho y protección.
Desde hace mucho tiempo, incluso desde posiciones tenidas por
opositoras, se ha estado reclamando que aquellos que producen alimentos
para la población debieran quedar liberados de cargas impositivas, lo
que podría contribuir a incentivar la producción y garantizar la
alimentación. De aplicarse tal y como se anuncia, se eliminaría entre
los productores de alimentos agrícolas el temor a ganar dinero que se
sustenta en la aplicación de impuestos que pueden vampirizar de forma
creciente a quienes declaran ganancias más altas.
La medida pudiera evaluarse como un paso pragmático, pero también como
una concesión ideológica a la obsesión de que los campesinos no se
enriquecieran, típica secuela de los tiempos del fidelismo clásico.
Source: Bienvenida aunque tardía -
http://www.14ymedio.com/blogs/desde_aqui/Bienvenida-tardia_7_1916878294.html
REINALDO ESCOBAR, La Habana | 30/12/2015
Entre las sorpresas que ha traído el último período de sesiones de la
Asamblea del Poder Popular puede mencionarse el anuncio hecho por la
ministra de Finanzas y Precios, Lina Pedraza, quien aseguró que a partir
de 2016 quedarían exonerados de impuestos sobre sus utilidades las
Unidades Básicas de Producción Cooperativa (UBPC) no cañeras y las
Cooperativas de Crédito y Servicio (CCS), siempre y cuando más de la
mitad de sus ingresos provenga de sus producciones agropecuarias. El
anuncio ha sido recibido con beneplácito, aunque son muchos los que
creen que dicha medida debió implantarse hace mucho tiempo y no como una
solución coyuntural.
La sorpresa se hace más sorprendente, valga la redundancia, cuando están
incluidos los propietarios y usufructuarios de tierras del sector no
cañero que en este caso quedan libres del gravamen anual sobre los
ingresos personales. Liberar a los que siembran y cosechan de toda la
contabilidad que implican estas declaraciones y con ello aceptar que el
que más produce ganará más, pudiera ser beneficioso no solo para los que
están con los pies y las manos sobre la tierra, sino pudiera abaratar, a
largo plazo, los precios de los productos agrícolas, una demanda
omnipresente en todas las asambleas de rendición de cuentas de los
electores ante su delegado.
Finalmente se anunció la exoneración del pago del impuestos por la
utilización de la fuerza de trabajo al personal contratado directamente
a la producción. Esto pudiera beneficiar tanto a cooperativistas,
usufructuarios y propietarios, pues en momentos picos de la cosecha o de
atenciones al cultivo, se hace imprescindible buscar mano de obra
ocasional. El éxodo de zonas agrícolas –especialmente de jóvenes– se
debe, entre otras razones, a las limitaciones burocráticas que no
permiten el libre movimiento de la fuerza de trabajo e inciden en el
fenómeno de convenios fantasmas donde los jornaleros carecen de todo
derecho y protección.
Desde hace mucho tiempo, incluso desde posiciones tenidas por
opositoras, se ha estado reclamando que aquellos que producen alimentos
para la población debieran quedar liberados de cargas impositivas, lo
que podría contribuir a incentivar la producción y garantizar la
alimentación. De aplicarse tal y como se anuncia, se eliminaría entre
los productores de alimentos agrícolas el temor a ganar dinero que se
sustenta en la aplicación de impuestos que pueden vampirizar de forma
creciente a quienes declaran ganancias más altas.
La medida pudiera evaluarse como un paso pragmático, pero también como
una concesión ideológica a la obsesión de que los campesinos no se
enriquecieran, típica secuela de los tiempos del fidelismo clásico.
Source: Bienvenida aunque tardía -
http://www.14ymedio.com/blogs/desde_aqui/Bienvenida-tardia_7_1916878294.html
Los frijoles, ¡ay, los frijoles!
Los frijoles, ¡ay, los frijoles!
YOANI SÁNCHEZ, La Habana | 31/12/2015
Diminutos y sabrosos, parecen mirarnos desde el plato y burlarse del
trabajo que lleva conseguirlos. Los frijoles no son sólo parte de
nuestra cocina tradicional, sino que constituyen un eficaz indicador
para calcular el costo de la vida en Cuba. La subida de precios que han
experimentado esos deliciosos pequeñines en el último año es la prueba
de la desastrosa política económica impulsada por Raúl Castro.
Cuando en febrero de 2008 el ex ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas asumió
la presidencia del país, muchos apostaron por el carácter pragmático de
su mandato. Sus simpatizantes no paraban de recordar la frase en la que
asegurara que "Los frijoles son más importantes que los cañones".
Vaticinaban que la agricultura nacional funcionaría como ciertas fincas
gestionadas por el Minfar y por el Ejército Juvenil del Trabajo (EJT).
Unas esperanzas que pasaban por alto la tan certera máxima martiana de
que "un país no se funda como se manda un campamento". El comportamiento
de un soldado en el surco jamás podrá equipararse a la jornada de un
agricultor y la orden de un oficial a doblar el lomo sobre la tierra no
se parece en nada a las gestiones de un campesino para contratar a quien
recoja su cosecha.
Las arengas contra el marabú lanzadas por Raúl Castro en sus primeros
años como presidente avivaron las expectativas, al igual que su llamado
a lograr un vaso de leche para el desayuno de cada cubano. Los raulistas
avizoraron en aquellas declaraciones el despegue de la producción de
alimentos y el aterrizaje de los precios hacia la realidad de los
sueldos. Pero no ocurrió ni lo uno ni lo otro.
En lugar de eso, en los últimos meses los consumidores han padecido una
significativa alza del costo de los productos agropecuarios. Si el año
arrancó con una libra de frijoles negros rondando entre los 12 y los 15
pesos cubanos, al cierre de diciembre el precio oscila entre los 15 y
los 20 pesos – el salario de una jornada laboral–, llegando a la pasmosa
cifra de 30 pesos en el caso de la libra de garbanzos.
Mientras, el salario medio del país sólo creció de 581 a 640 pesos, una
simbólica subida que expresada en el poder adquisitivo de los
trabajadores significa apenas tres libras de frijoles más al mes. Los
resultados que logró Raúl Castro con sus cacareados métodos no están muy
alejados de lo poco que alcanzó su hermano Fidel Castro con sus
grandilocuentes proyectos agrícolas y ganaderos.
La entrega de tierras en usufructo se topó con la burocracia, los
excesivos controles y el mal estado de los terrenos entregados. El
mercado experimental mayorista El Trigal es hoy una secuencia de naves
vacías, plátanos enfurruñados y elevados precios. En la actualidad es
más fácil encontrar una manzana traída desde miles de kilómetros de
distancia que una naranja o una chirimoya sembradas en nuestros campos.
Para el próximo año, el país deberá gastar 1.940 millones de dólares en
importación de alimentos y de la batalla contra el marabú no ha vuelto a
hablarse.
"Tengo que ganarme los frijoles", se justifica un maestro que después de
su jornada laboral se dedica a cocinar carne de cerdo, junto a una
porción de moros y cristianos que vende ilegalmente a los trabajadores
de un hospital. Pues sí, nuestra vida gira, se alza o cae, alrededor de
esos pequeñines deliciosos que ansiamos poner sobre el plato. Ellos,
caros y sabrosos, son el mejor indicador del fracaso del General.
Source: Los frijoles, ¡ay, los frijoles! -
http://www.14ymedio.com/blogs/generacion_y/frijoles-ay_7_1916878295.html
YOANI SÁNCHEZ, La Habana | 31/12/2015
Diminutos y sabrosos, parecen mirarnos desde el plato y burlarse del
trabajo que lleva conseguirlos. Los frijoles no son sólo parte de
nuestra cocina tradicional, sino que constituyen un eficaz indicador
para calcular el costo de la vida en Cuba. La subida de precios que han
experimentado esos deliciosos pequeñines en el último año es la prueba
de la desastrosa política económica impulsada por Raúl Castro.
Cuando en febrero de 2008 el ex ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas asumió
la presidencia del país, muchos apostaron por el carácter pragmático de
su mandato. Sus simpatizantes no paraban de recordar la frase en la que
asegurara que "Los frijoles son más importantes que los cañones".
Vaticinaban que la agricultura nacional funcionaría como ciertas fincas
gestionadas por el Minfar y por el Ejército Juvenil del Trabajo (EJT).
Unas esperanzas que pasaban por alto la tan certera máxima martiana de
que "un país no se funda como se manda un campamento". El comportamiento
de un soldado en el surco jamás podrá equipararse a la jornada de un
agricultor y la orden de un oficial a doblar el lomo sobre la tierra no
se parece en nada a las gestiones de un campesino para contratar a quien
recoja su cosecha.
Las arengas contra el marabú lanzadas por Raúl Castro en sus primeros
años como presidente avivaron las expectativas, al igual que su llamado
a lograr un vaso de leche para el desayuno de cada cubano. Los raulistas
avizoraron en aquellas declaraciones el despegue de la producción de
alimentos y el aterrizaje de los precios hacia la realidad de los
sueldos. Pero no ocurrió ni lo uno ni lo otro.
En lugar de eso, en los últimos meses los consumidores han padecido una
significativa alza del costo de los productos agropecuarios. Si el año
arrancó con una libra de frijoles negros rondando entre los 12 y los 15
pesos cubanos, al cierre de diciembre el precio oscila entre los 15 y
los 20 pesos – el salario de una jornada laboral–, llegando a la pasmosa
cifra de 30 pesos en el caso de la libra de garbanzos.
Mientras, el salario medio del país sólo creció de 581 a 640 pesos, una
simbólica subida que expresada en el poder adquisitivo de los
trabajadores significa apenas tres libras de frijoles más al mes. Los
resultados que logró Raúl Castro con sus cacareados métodos no están muy
alejados de lo poco que alcanzó su hermano Fidel Castro con sus
grandilocuentes proyectos agrícolas y ganaderos.
La entrega de tierras en usufructo se topó con la burocracia, los
excesivos controles y el mal estado de los terrenos entregados. El
mercado experimental mayorista El Trigal es hoy una secuencia de naves
vacías, plátanos enfurruñados y elevados precios. En la actualidad es
más fácil encontrar una manzana traída desde miles de kilómetros de
distancia que una naranja o una chirimoya sembradas en nuestros campos.
Para el próximo año, el país deberá gastar 1.940 millones de dólares en
importación de alimentos y de la batalla contra el marabú no ha vuelto a
hablarse.
"Tengo que ganarme los frijoles", se justifica un maestro que después de
su jornada laboral se dedica a cocinar carne de cerdo, junto a una
porción de moros y cristianos que vende ilegalmente a los trabajadores
de un hospital. Pues sí, nuestra vida gira, se alza o cae, alrededor de
esos pequeñines deliciosos que ansiamos poner sobre el plato. Ellos,
caros y sabrosos, son el mejor indicador del fracaso del General.
Source: Los frijoles, ¡ay, los frijoles! -
http://www.14ymedio.com/blogs/generacion_y/frijoles-ay_7_1916878295.html
Raúl Castro preside el último pleno del año del Parlamento cubano
Raúl Castro preside el último pleno del año del Parlamento cubano
Como parte del programa de este martes en el pleno los diputados
analizarán, para su aprobación, la ejecución del Presupuesto del Estado
y los planes económicos de 2015, año en el que la isla creció un 4%
CUBA GOBIERNO | 29 de Diciembre de 2015
LA HABANA.-EFE
El presidente Raúl Castro asiste este martes al segundo y último pleno
del año de la Asamblea Nacional de Cuba (Parlamento unicameral), donde
se analiza la marcha de las reformas económicas aplicadas en el país y
al final del cual se espera el tradicional discurso de clausura del
mandatario cubano.
La ratificación de la reciente declaración de Castro a propósito del
primer aniversario del inicio del deshielo entre la isla y Estados
Unidos, fue una de las primeras actividades en la agenda de los más de
500 diputados, reunidos desde el pasado sábado en el Palacio de
Convenciones de La Habana.
En su discurso, adelantado por la prensa oficial el 18 de diciembre, el
presidente cubano confirmó la disposición de su Gobierno a seguir
construyendo con EEUU una relación nueva, aunque insistió en que el
embargo permanece como el principal escollo para la normalización.
Junto a Castro asisten a la sesión plenaria de la Asamblea el número dos
del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC, único), José Ramón Machado Ventura;
el primer vicepresidente, Miguel Díaz-Canel, y el presidente del
Parlamento cubano, Esteban Lazo, según informa la estatal Agencia Cubana
de Noticias.
Como parte del programa de este martes en el pleno los diputados
analizarán, para su aprobación, la ejecución del Presupuesto del Estado
y los planes económicos de 2015, año en el que la isla creció un 4%, y
se les informará sobre las proyecciones del país para el 2016.
Además, los miembros del máximo órgano legislativo de la isla caribeña,
recibirán información sobre la marcha de los "Lineamientos Económicos y
Sociales", el plan de reformas para "actualizar" el modelo socialista de
la isla emprendido por el Gobierno de Raúl Castro desde 2011.
Desde el 26 de diciembre comenzaron las reuniones previas de las diez
comisiones de trabajo permanente de la Asamblea, donde los diputados
fiscalizaron la marcha de las inversiones en 2015 y el trabajo de
ministerios como el de Finanzas y Precios y de Comunicaciones, entre
otros asuntos.
En este pleno no se prevén grandes anuncios debido a que en abril
próximo el Partido Comunista (PCC, único) celebrará su VII Congreso,
momento en el cual tradicionalmente se toman y anuncian las decisiones
clave para el país.
La Asamblea Nacional cubana celebra dos reuniones ordinarias al año, la
segunda de ellas en diciembre, está integrada por 612 diputados que
representan a los 168 municipios del país y es elegida cada cinco años.
Source: Raúl Castro preside el último pleno del año del Parlamento
cubano :: Diario las Americas :: Cuba -
http://www.diariolasamericas.com/4847_cuba/3536754_raul-castro-preside-el-ultimo-pleno-del-ano-del-parlamento-cubano.html
Como parte del programa de este martes en el pleno los diputados
analizarán, para su aprobación, la ejecución del Presupuesto del Estado
y los planes económicos de 2015, año en el que la isla creció un 4%
CUBA GOBIERNO | 29 de Diciembre de 2015
LA HABANA.-EFE
El presidente Raúl Castro asiste este martes al segundo y último pleno
del año de la Asamblea Nacional de Cuba (Parlamento unicameral), donde
se analiza la marcha de las reformas económicas aplicadas en el país y
al final del cual se espera el tradicional discurso de clausura del
mandatario cubano.
La ratificación de la reciente declaración de Castro a propósito del
primer aniversario del inicio del deshielo entre la isla y Estados
Unidos, fue una de las primeras actividades en la agenda de los más de
500 diputados, reunidos desde el pasado sábado en el Palacio de
Convenciones de La Habana.
En su discurso, adelantado por la prensa oficial el 18 de diciembre, el
presidente cubano confirmó la disposición de su Gobierno a seguir
construyendo con EEUU una relación nueva, aunque insistió en que el
embargo permanece como el principal escollo para la normalización.
Junto a Castro asisten a la sesión plenaria de la Asamblea el número dos
del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC, único), José Ramón Machado Ventura;
el primer vicepresidente, Miguel Díaz-Canel, y el presidente del
Parlamento cubano, Esteban Lazo, según informa la estatal Agencia Cubana
de Noticias.
Como parte del programa de este martes en el pleno los diputados
analizarán, para su aprobación, la ejecución del Presupuesto del Estado
y los planes económicos de 2015, año en el que la isla creció un 4%, y
se les informará sobre las proyecciones del país para el 2016.
Además, los miembros del máximo órgano legislativo de la isla caribeña,
recibirán información sobre la marcha de los "Lineamientos Económicos y
Sociales", el plan de reformas para "actualizar" el modelo socialista de
la isla emprendido por el Gobierno de Raúl Castro desde 2011.
Desde el 26 de diciembre comenzaron las reuniones previas de las diez
comisiones de trabajo permanente de la Asamblea, donde los diputados
fiscalizaron la marcha de las inversiones en 2015 y el trabajo de
ministerios como el de Finanzas y Precios y de Comunicaciones, entre
otros asuntos.
En este pleno no se prevén grandes anuncios debido a que en abril
próximo el Partido Comunista (PCC, único) celebrará su VII Congreso,
momento en el cual tradicionalmente se toman y anuncian las decisiones
clave para el país.
La Asamblea Nacional cubana celebra dos reuniones ordinarias al año, la
segunda de ellas en diciembre, está integrada por 612 diputados que
representan a los 168 municipios del país y es elegida cada cinco años.
Source: Raúl Castro preside el último pleno del año del Parlamento
cubano :: Diario las Americas :: Cuba -
http://www.diariolasamericas.com/4847_cuba/3536754_raul-castro-preside-el-ultimo-pleno-del-ano-del-parlamento-cubano.html
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