Steiners cubanos

Steiners cubanos
JOSÉ PRATS SARIOL | Miami | 1 de Enero de 2017 - 10:39 CET.

Reafirmé mi certeza de que no todo lo que George Steiner escribía eran
nueces cuando leí el artículo de hace años de Mario Vargas Llosa contra
sus "inepcias" —así las llama el Nobel peruano—. Acabo de releerlo a
propósito de ciertos intelectuales cubanos —no solo oficialistas, como
Pedro de la Hoz, musicólogo que ejerce de inquisidor cultural—, que
resbalan con la misma cáscara que les hace creerse duchos en casi todo:
aptos para disertar "profesionalmente" sobre economía política y
abstraccionismo, antropología y música concreta, historia y poesía, arte
narrativo y filosofía...

Lectura para "nuevos cultos" —definición que tomo de las
caracterizaciones de los "nuevos ricos"—, cierto ensayo-conferencia del
profesor inglés irritó al novelista del Boom, aunque le concede algún
piropo para limar el filo de sus críticas contra la ilusión del
sabelotodo. Igual nos pasa —mutatis mutandis— con algunos intelectuales
cubanos —sean oficialistas o insubordinados—; aunque quizás en el caso
de los exiliados se prefiera el silencio, para evitar acusaciones de
provocar "fuego amigo". O por algo tan sencillo como que los autores son
tan "buena gente" que a uno le da pena...

Y no se trata —desde luego— de casos patológicos como el del difunto
Fidel Castro, siempre dispuesto a descargar —¿reflexionar?— sobre los
más disímiles temas y personajes cubanos o no, culturales o no.
Imposición que debió servirnos como antídoto —por contraste— para que
ningún intelectual rodara peligrosamente a la definición de diplomático
que diera un iconoclasta italiano: "El diplomático es un caballero capaz
de hablar animadamente dos minutos sobre cualquier tema. Dos minutos.
Tres resulta calamitoso".

Vargas Llosa no edulcora su juicio de valor contra el infundado
catastrofismo de Steiner. Desde el primer párrafo discrepa del afamado
políglota judío nacido en Francia, aunque elogia lo estimulante que a
veces resulta. Dice: "Pero, desde hace algún tiempo, tengo la sospecha
de que comienza a sucumbir a esa tentación en la que suelen caer grandes
talentos, la del facilismo frívolo, o aptitud para demostrar, con una
prosa elegante y lo que parece sólida erudición, cualquier cosa, incluso
algunas inepcias".

No puedo evitar pensar en que ese sayo —¿el "síndrome Steiner"?— le
sirve a cubanos que conozco, sin la justificación de que la abrumadora
mayoría de los políticos no tienen ningún pudor en opinar sobre
cualquier cosa...

Porque desde luego que derecho nos sobra para opinar hasta sobre los
aguacates de Catalina de Güines o las narconovelas; lo que no
profesionalmente, lo que no desde el buen o regular prestigio ganado en
nuestros respectivos ámbitos. Porque doy por cierto que no nos gusta
confundir al público no especializado, caer ocasionalmente en el
facilismo frívolo, en inepcias transitorias, como he padecido en
historiadores metidos a críticos literarios, periodistas que en
programas televisivos hablan más que sus invitados, demógrafos metiendo
la cuchareta en pronósticos sobre Cuba...

Recientemente llegué a escribir una crítica sobre una comedia de Alexis
Valdés —Oficialmente gay— que vi representada en un teatro de Miami.
Antes de enviarla para publicar tuve el pudor de llamarme al orden,
decirme que no soy crítico teatral. La borré enseguida de mi ordenador,
apenas conversé después con uno de los actores, Orlando Casín, pero ya
como simple espectador...

Ahora que la brutal trivialidad mediática tiene como norma entrevistar a
cantantes, actores y deportistas para que opinen hasta sobre la galaxia
Andrómeda, con más razón debe evitarse saltar hacia precipicios
exegéticos sin paracaídas. De ahí el alto nivel de exigencia que debe
primar, sobre todo con aquellos que por su prestigio tienen una mayor
responsabilidad.

Por eso el autor de La casa verde arremete contra "la artillería
estadística que dispara Steiner" al vaticinar la muerte de la
literatura, y de ahí la burla al invocar a Casandra. Le critica el
"airecillo superior y socarrón", su "alegre masoquismo", la "innecesaria
truculencia", la "delirante provocación" que olvida denunciar la
subcultura con que se nos bombardea a diario, "de una estupidez
vertiginosa"; y de la que indirectamente forma parte la frivolidad de
hablar sin ton ni son sobre temas que uno no domina, disfrazado de
intelectual omnisciente y gastando fama adquirida en otros menesteres.

Supongo que el brillante autor de Grammars of Creation recibiera la
advertencia del talentoso novelista de La guerra del fin del mundo, bajo
la certeza de que la crítica a veces ayuda más que el aplauso. Así
quisiera que se reciba la mía, porque algo de verdad está en la
advertencia. Donde sí no hay nada que buscar es en el "facilismo frívolo".

Source: Steiners cubanos | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cultura/1482880592_27712.html

Autoridades puertorriqueñas rescataron a 11 emigrantes cubanos en el último día de 2016

Autoridades puertorriqueñas rescataron a 11 emigrantes cubanos en el
último día de 2016
AGENCIAS | San Juan | 1 de Enero de 2017 - 17:34 CET.

Ocho hombres y tres mujeres, todos de nacionalidad cubana, fueron
rescatados este sábado por la Unidad Marítima de las Fuerzas Unidas de
Rápida Acción de la Policía de Añasco, al noroeste de Puerto Rico, tras
llegar ilegalmente al islote Desecheo.

Según datos preliminares, luego de una llamada de alerta de la Guardia
Costera de Estados Unidos, los agentes llegaron hasta el islote, donde
localizaron al grupo en buen estado de salud, pero desprovisto de
documentación.

Las autoridades indicaron que una de las mujeres rescatadas dijo estar
en estado de gestación.

Los agentes Alexis Irizarry y Ricardo Vázquez entregaron a los
rescatados a personal de la Patrulla Fronteriza, para que se hiciera
cargo de ellos.

Source: Autoridades puertorriqueñas rescataron a 11 emigrantes cubanos
en el último día de 2016 | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483288493_27805.html

Kim Jong-un a Raúl Castro - 'Estaremos en la misma línea de combate siempre'

Kim Jong-un a Raúl Castro: 'Estaremos en la misma línea de combate siempre'
DDC | La Habana | 1 de Enero de 2017 - 14:20 CET.

El dictador norcoreano, Kim Jong-un, envió este domingo un mensaje de
felicitación al régimen de la Isla por su aniversario 58, informó la
agencia estatal Prensa Latina.

Kim "ratificó el respaldo y solidaridad" de la Pyongyang "con el proceso
revolucionario cubano", indicó el reporte.

"Estaremos en la misma línea de combate siempre, sobre todo cuando se
trate de frustrar las brutales maniobras anticubanas por parte de
fuerzas hostiles", dijo el dictador.

Kim Jong-un, que encabeza uno de los regímenes más sanguinarios del
mundo, señaló que su Gobierno está convencido de que las relaciones con
La Habana "se fortalecerán y desarrollarán sin cesar, en el camino por
la victoria de la causa de independencia antiimperialista y la del
socialismo".

"Formulamos sinceros votos por mayores éxitos en las responsabilidades
para el presidente Raúl Castro al frente de Cuba y del Partido
Comunista, su Gobierno en general y para todos los habitantes del
querido país caribeño", concluyó la misiva.

El régimen de Corea del Norte conserva una histórica relación con el de
Cuba que se remonta a 1960, en la época de la Guerra Fría, reportó EFE.

Actualmente, tienen convenios de cooperación en sectores como la
educación, el petróleo, la agricultura y el comercio, además de llevar a
cabo varios intercambios diplomáticos y culturales.

En mayo pasado, Raúl Castro se reunió en La Habana con Kim Yong Chol,
miembro del buró político del Partido del Trabajo de Corea del Norte
(PTC) y enviado de Kim Jong-un.

Por su parte, el joven dictador norcoreano recibió en julio al
vicepresidente del Consejo de Estado cubano, Salvador Valdés Mesa, de
visita en Pyongyang, un encuentro destacable debido a que el mandatario
norcoreano no suele reunirse con funcionarios extranjeros.

Raúl Castro también recibió felicitaciones de las autoridades
vietnamitas por el aniversario 58 de la Revolución, indicó Prensa Latina.

El líder del Partido Comunista de Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong; el jefe de
Estado, Tran Dai Quang, y el primer ministro, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, enviaron
mensajes.

También la presidenta de la Asamblea Nacional, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan,
felicitó a su par cubano, Esteban Lazo, y el vice primer ministro y
titular de Relaciones Exteriores, Pham Binh Minh, al canciller Bruno
Rodríguez.

Source: Kim Jong-un a Raúl Castro: 'Estaremos en la misma línea de
combate siempre' | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483276830_27803.html

La mexicana Isabel Custodio asegura que Castro le propuso acompañarlo en el poder en Cuba

La mexicana Isabel Custodio asegura que Castro le propuso acompañarlo en
el poder en Cuba
AGENCIAS | Ciudad de México | 1 de Enero de 2017 - 17:08 CET.

Cuando supo de la reciente muerte de Fidel Castro se llenó de "tristeza"
y la invadió la nostalgia, afirmó en una entrevista con EFE la mexicana
Isabel Custodio, quien asegura que hace seis décadas estuvo a punto de
casarse con el dictador tras varios meses de noviazgo y que este le
propuso acompañarlo en el poder en Cuba.

Hija de exiliados republicanos españoles, esta escritora, periodista y
activista de los derechos de la mujer contó su relación amorosa con el
Castro en el libro El amor me absolverá, publicado en 2005.

Once años después rememora aquel episodio, y una vida marcada por el año
1956, cuando conoció a Castro, al que recuerda como alguien "encantador".

"Era muy guapo, muy atractivo, y tenía una labia que te convencía de lo
que quería; era simpático, ocurrente, tenía una memoria prodigiosa y lo
que no sabía se lo inventaba", dijo Custodio en su apartamento de la
colonia (barrio) Condesa de la Ciudad de México.

Custodio, quien rechazó hablar de la hegemonía de los Castro en Cuba,
dijo que "en la intimidad" el fallecido dictador "tenía mucho sentido
del humor, era muy gracioso y le gustaba mucho imitar a los demás".

Relató que se conocieron gracias a un amigo de la familia de ella, el
español Néstor Almendros, luego un renombrado director de fotografía en
Hollywood.

Custodio, quien por entonces tenía 17 años, acompañó a Almendros a la
cárcel de la capital mexicana donde Castro estuvo recluido junto con un
grupo de cubanos exiliados.

Según su versión, Castro le pidió a Almendros su nombre y su teléfono.

Al salir de prisión la llamó y fue a conocerla a casa de Teté, una
cubana con la que Isabel vivía mientras estudiaba y sus padres
permanecían de gira con la Compañía de Teatro Clásico por México.

"Se plantó frente de mí y me dijo 'Yo vengo a proponerte que tú te cases
conmigo'", narró Custodio, quien participó en reuniones con Castro, su
hermano Raúl y Ernesto Che Guevara en 1956, año de la partida del yate
Granma desde Tuxpan (Veracruz) hacia Cuba en noviembre.

A Raúl Castro la mexicana lo describió como "muy gris". No obstante,
dijo que "los dos hermanos se querían muchísimo" y que "Fidel siempre
protegió a Raúl porque era más chiquito, más enclenque, era como el feíto".

Custodio afirmó que, al parecer, Raúl Castro, pero sobre todo el Che
—con quien afirmó que discutía de tú a tú sobre marxismo porque ella era
una joven estudiante de Filosofía "muy preparada, culta y sabía mucho de
política"—, se mostraron contrarios a la boda.

Especialmente porque, aunque venía de "un exilio" por la Guerra Civil
española, la consideraban una "niña burguesa" y creían que podría llegar
ser "el punto débil de Fidel" para sus adversarios.

Por una u otra razón, el enlace nunca se concretó. "Estuve dispuesta a
compartir mi vida con él", pero "al final me arrepentí el mismo día de
la boda, con el traje puesto y todo", relató Custodio, quien dijo que
incluso tiró el anillo de compromiso.

Añadió que no tiene fotos con Castro porque se las llevaron las fuerzas
de seguridad mexicanas que irrumpieron aquel año en la casa de Teté,
deteniendo a varios insurgente cubanos con armamento.

Sobre el motivo del plantón que dice haber dado a Castro explicó:
"Empecé a crecer y a darme cuenta de lo que eran otras cosas, de lo que
era tener una pareja, lo que era convivir; en muy poco tiempo viví como
una vida de muchísimos años".

Aseguró que, tras la suspensión de la boda, Castro le dijo: "Te propuse
que nos casáramos porque quería que tú llegaras conmigo, que llegáramos
a tener el poder, porque habíamos luchado juntos y habíamos llevado todo
este camino juntos".

Custodio dijo que volvió a ver a Castro varias veces años después. Una
de ellas cuando realizó un reportaje en La Habana para la televisión
publica mexicana con motivo de los 25 años de la Revolución Cubana.

Rehusó responder a la pregunta de si la llama de la pasión seguía
todavía viva, pero contó que Castro le anunció que hablaría con Cubana
de Aviación para que pudiera ir a verlo siempre que quisiera.

Luego se vieron "dos o tres veces más" en viajes "personales" que
Custodio, casada cinco veces y que tuvo tres hijos y varios nietos,
realizó a la Isla y sobre los que tampoco profundizó.

Hasta no hace mucho, dijo, el dictador le mandaba "recados" a México a
través de los embajadores cubanos de turno.

De la muerte de Castro, el 25 de noviembre pasado, se enteró al día
siguiente temprano, cuando un periodista le llamó para conocer su reacción.

"Me entró una tristeza tremenda; ese día me sentí muy tocada", lamentó.

Source: La mexicana Isabel Custodio asegura que Castro le propuso
acompañarlo en el poder en Cuba | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483286907_27804.html

After Half a Century of Trying, Cuba Cannot Replace Imports

After Half a Century of Trying, Cuba Cannot Replace Imports / 14ymedio,
Mario Penton

14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 30 December 2016 — "This is the last
thing the ship brought," you hear a young man say, to refer to one of
the most recent products imported and sold on the black market in
Havana. Being made abroad is synonymous with quality for many Cubans
despite attempts to boost local production through state enterprise in a
socialist model.

Decades have passed since the first time Cuba's rulers said it was
necessary to replace imports and increase local production to develop
the country, a matter that the executive, presided over by the Castro
brothers, has suspended year after year.

For the economist Omar Everleny Pérez, one of the gurus of the national
economy, this is a fundamentally "ideological" issue.

"If the state would prefer to avoid paying the Vietnamese in dollars and
allocate at least half of those resources to finance domestic
production, it would not be necessary to import rice," Perez says.

However, Raúl Castro – recognizing that Cuba entered a recession this
year, with a 0.9% drop in its gross domestic product – once again hopes
to salvage the economy using the same formula that has failed for decades.

"It will be necessary to fulfill three decisive premises: to guarantee
exports and timely collection of payments, to increase the national
production to replace imports, and to reduce all nonessential expenses,"
said Castro before more than 600 deputies in the National Assembly.

Exhortations to reduce imports began almost at the same time as the
revolutionary government. The phrase can be found over and over in the
speeches of the top leaders, but the figures published by officialdom
show that, over and over, it has remained just words.

"Stimulating development and diversification of exports and taking
advantage of opportunities to replace imports," is reflected in the
document Theses and Resolutions of the First Congress of the Communist
Party in 1975.

In the documents of the Second Congress, celebrated in 1980, the same
recommendations can be read almost verbatim, which remain unmet and are
reformulated at the next Congress in 1986.

"The essential problem of the country's economy in the five-year period
1981-1985 was that, although we had more than acceptable growth, it was
insufficient where we needed it most, that is, in the export of goods
and services and in the replacement of imports," states the conclusive
document of the Third Congress.

Replacing imports is not a Cuban invention. It is a trade policy based
on the premise that a country should try to reduce its dependence on the
outside world through the development of its local industry, and it was
an ideology in vogue in a post-war Latin America that sought to
industrialize third world countries and promoted protectionism.

However, as the Cuban economist Antonio F. Díaz explains in a research
paper at the University of Havana on the measurement of the effect of
replacing imports (2015), it is not simply a matter of dispensing with
imports to develop the local industry.

"It is a complex process," explains Díaz, who states that the
government's progress in replacing imports cannot be effectively
measured because of the absence of official statistics.

"There has been growth in many of the sectors where there is the attempt
to replace imports, but when domestic production increases, often there
is also an increase in the need to import intermediate products
necessary for this production, such that it does not necessarily end up
positively affecting the global figure for imports," he explains.

"Imports are always going to grow, as happens in all countries, but
their replacement [with domestic products] as an economic policy is
effective when economic growth is greater than the growth in imports,"
the expert explains.

Cuba's balance of trade over the last decades has shown a trend of
increasing deficits, which accelerated in 2008 when the balance of trade
was negative 10.57 billion pesos.

In the economic policy guidelines promoted by Raul Castro in 2011 as a
guide to "perfecting socialism," the replacement of imports is mentioned
20 times. The term is revisited in the update of those guidelines for
the period 2016-2021.

The document calls for "promoting an accelerated and effective process
of import replacement, with mechanisms that stimulate and guarantee the
maximum possible use of all the capacities available to the country in
the agricultural and industrial sectors and in services and human
resources."

In 2015, Cuba reported a decrease of more than 1.5 billion dollars in
exports, motivated to a large extent by the deterioration of economic
relations with Venezuela, the island's main trading partner. Official
Cuban statistics reveal that the exchange between both nations decreased
by more than 3.0 billion dollars in 2015.

The reduction of the immense Venezuelan subsidy (valued at its peak in
more than 100,000 barrels of oil a day, part of which Cuba re-exported),
as well as the drop in demand for the export of Cuban services abroad –
in healthcare and other sectors – cannot be made up for through
increases in tourism (3.8 million visitors) and remittances sent to
Cubans on the island from family and friends abroad (more than 3.0
billion dollars).

For now it will be necessary to wait for the postponed plenary session
of the Central Committee of the Party, originally scheduled for December
2016. The Central Committee must approve the Conceptualization of the
Economic and Social Model and an Economic Development Plan to the Year
2030, in which surely the exhortation will be repeated to replace
imports and strengthen local industry.

Source: After Half a Century of Trying, Cuba Cannot Replace Imports /
14ymedio, Mario Penton – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/after-half-a-century-of-trying-cuba-can-not-replace-imports-14ymedio-mario-penton/

American Chicken for Cuban Christmas

American Chicken for Cuban Christmas / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 23 December 2016 — Against all odds, two
years after the beginning of the diplomatic thaw between the governments
of Cuba and the United States, trade between the two countries has
diminished. The Island bought 21% less food from its northern neighbor
in the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2015.

However, this Christmas Cubans have seen frozen chicken Made in the USA
reappear in the network of state markets, a product in high demand amid
rising prices for domestic meat. Many have decided to change the
traditional pork menu that families eat on December 31 for a plate with
breast, thighs or wings.

Imports of US poultry fell by half between January and April 2016 in
contrast to last year. Hence, consumers have received happily the news
about the recent supply, though they fear the quantity of this yuma
(American) product will decline further with the arrival of Donald Trump
at the White House.

Source: American Chicken for Cuban Christmas / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/american-chicken-for-cuban-christmas-14ymedio-zunilda-mata/

End of Year Declaration

End of Year Declaration / Rafael León Rodríguez

Rafael Leon Rodriguez, 30 December 2016 — One more year of the young
third millennium is about to conclude and give way to the next, 2017,
the fifty-eighth of the totalitarian and one-party regime that, under
the omnipotent power of the Castros, has controlled the Cuban
archipelago since the middle of the last century.

This year, which is now over, has witnessed important and hopeful
political events on the islands, framed fundamentally in the real
opportunity of an opening towards a new, prosperous and plural state of law.

The visit to Havana of the President of the United States of America,
Barack Obama, last March, certified the political will of the head of
the US executive branch of government to accompany us in this essential
and urgent task.

The European Union, for its part, recently concluded an agreement with
Cuba to try to leave behind the so-called Common Position and to make
viable other political openings.

The refusal of the Cuban authorities to take positive steps in terms of
civil and political rights of citizens — that promote their plural
participation in the political and economic development of society — has
stopped the start of this process of democratic opportunities.

The other significant event of the year that will soon end was the
physical disappearance of Fidel Castro. The fall of the founder of the
dictatorial regime began, actually, ten years ago, in July of 2006 when,
due to health problems, he was forced to hand over power to his brother
Raúl. This transit towards the end, announced in some way, concluded
last November.

But in our opinion, all this recent history must be analyzed and
projected in the future, which obviously does not imply erasing
historical memory. Cuba and the Cubans deserve a better present and a
hopeful future.

However, so far, the authorities are reluctant to take steps in the
direction of respect for civil liberties and the human rights of
society. Worse still, they have increased repression and harassment of
peaceful opponents and open dissent. This reality, coupled with the
uncertainty caused by statements by the US President-elect Mr. Donald
Trump on migratory issues, which may have some effect on certain
modifications to the Cuban Adjustment Act, have once again triggered a
citizen exodus in all directions.

The country's economic scenario also remains stressed, a victim of lack
of productivity and government contradictions. Right now, President Raúl
Castro informed the National Assembly that we are in an "economic
recession." The nation's GDP decreased 0.9% in 2016.

The historical dependence of specific countries, as for example in
recent times to Venezuela, paralyzes us when they suffer adverse
situations. In these December declarations to Parliament, the president
also assured us that Cuba would not return to the
capitalism. Nevertheless, he called for work to boost foreign investment.

That is: the investment of foreign capitalists in Cuba. Then: capitalism
in Cuba, but not of Cubans. Is not this a contradiction and an
absurdity? In essence we continue to live under the effects of a
systemic crisis that, of course, will only be resolved when the
prevailing system changes. A system that has already provided evidence
that proves that it has not been successful in those Western countries
where they have implemented it. And we belong to that part of the world:
the Western Hemisphere.

In recent years, Cuban institutions dealing with statistical issues have
been warning of the accelerated aging of the population. And even, they
warn about the decrease of the population, saying that we will never
reach 12 million people. False. We are already more than that, scattered
all over the world. Therefore, we must begin by recovering them through
a necessary new law.

One Constitution that we contemplate recognizes all of us, through dual
citizenship, with rights and duties as equals, without privileges of
individuals, groups or classes. Beginning a process of democratization
involving all the children of the Cuban nation and based on the United
Nations Human Rights Covenants, which have been signed by the Cuban
authorities and now are only awaiting ratification and implementation.

Then and only then, we will leave behind the crises and will begin a new
era of progress towards modernity, prosperity and the common good, with
all, for all and in Peace.

Source: End of Year Declaration / Rafael León Rodríguez – Translating
Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/end-of-year-declaration-rafael-leon-rodriguez/

Cuban Parliament Sessions Predict Somber Times

Cuban Parliament Sessions Predict Somber Times / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya

14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 28 December 2016 — On December 27th, at
the Havana Convention Center, the Eighth Session of the Eighth
Legislature of the Cuban Parliament opened, with a balance sheet on the
socio-economic results of the year ending and the proposed draft of the
National Budget Law for 2017.

This time, there is no good news or triumphant speeches. 2016 ended with
a 0.9% drop in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the report
presented by Ricardo Cabrisas, Minister of the Economy and
Vice-President of the Council of State, and there are no reasonable
grounds to date to believe that the forecast of a 2% growth of the GDP
for 2017 will be realized. In fact, that was the modest growth
prediction for the second half of this year, which finally failed.

Even more somber, Cubans will start the New Year with overdue payments
to suppliers. "It has not been possible to relieve the transitory
situation we are experiencing in the current payments to suppliers …",
indicated the general-president, Raúl Castro, in presenting the central
report, although he announced, without going into details, "a number of
measures that will alleviate the described scenario".

As for the 2017 budget plan, he cautioned: "I must warn that financial
tensions and challenges will persist that could even increase in certain
circumstances." The current difficulties related to the economic
downturn in 2016 will affect next year, the president stated, unless
three "permanent and decisive" objectives are met: guaranteeing exports
and working immediately to create the conditions to increase them in
successive years; identifying the possibilities in the national
production and substituting any level of imports; and reducing possible
non-essential expenses, among which he indicated trips abroad by the
cadres and leaders at different levels.

"We will have a definitive solution to these traditional deficits if we
produce more goods and services, both internally and externally, and
reduce expenses as much as possible," said Cabrisas. But the proposed
solutions revolve around the usual jingle of the last decades which is
never fulfilled, such as the one that proposes the substitution of
imports based on the development of national productions "with a
well-designed program" encompassing the entire national industry,
including the military, or a "greater requirement of the efficient use
of carriers to avoid purloining and theft," in addition to increased
controls in this area.

The Cuban president said that he attaches "great importance to the need
to boost foreign investment in Cuba" as an essential road for the
country's economic development. However, he made it clear that there are
forces opposing this solution, which are blocking this inflow: "I
recognize that we are not satisfied in this area and that excessive
delays in the negotiation process have been frequent. We need to
overcome, once and for all, the obsolete mentality of prejudices against
foreign investment and, to resolutely make strides in this direction, we
must shed false fears towards foreign capital."

The report by the Minister of the Economy detailed an opaque and
unpromising scenario for now and for the future, because of "the
persistence of existing financial constraints due to the non-fulfillment
of export earnings, the difficulties faced by some of our main partners
due to the fall in oil prices, and by the commercial and financial
blockade, strengthened by large fines to international banks that
transact business with our country."

In general, the budget plans for 2017 are similar to those of 2016,
except for lower fuel imports, which should stimulate the growth of
electric power generation from better utilization of the national
capabilities.

One confusing aspect is that, while figures on investments and imports
are expressed in dollars, the State's income and budget – including
so-called subsidies and other social benefits – are expressed in Cuban
pesos (CUP, that is the "national currency"). This creates a distortion
that masks the actual amount of profits and expenses.

For instance, it is stated that the State proposes to invest
$1,750,200,000 in food for the population ($82,000 more than in 2016),
although total imports in physical terms are similar to 2016. However,
we do not know the total amount of foreign exchange revenues generated
mainly from tourism, a sector that is controlled by the generalship.

The official reports remain mysteriously silent on this subject.
Something similar happens with the issue of monetary duality, an
insoluble distortion pending a solution and not mentioned among the
great problems that hinder foreign investment in Cuba.

Another problem of the domestic economy during 2016 was the positive
reaction of agricultural production, but the industry was unable to
respond to production, thus affecting the high level of imports to meet
the demand of the population. This is a situation that the Government
will try to reverse in the 2017 plans through an "accelerated
medium-term program to recover this industry and enable it to respond to
both domestic consumption and visitors."

The transportation sector is another old and pressing problem, although
it is officially acknowledged that "it is strategic for any of the
branches of social and economic development of the country", therefore,
its boost is projected for 2017.

In this sense, the State proposes 3% growth compared to 2016,
guaranteeing the essential services of national bus companies,
transportation for workers and for school children, as well as taxi and
cooperative services, in addition for guaranteeing necessary fuel "for
buses manufactured in 2017".

An interesting note was the Minister of the Economy's reference to
maintaining "the current production capacity of bicycles and spare
parts" as well as the importation of tires. In the present
circumstances, the mere mention of producing bicycles casts over the
Cuban population the lugubrious and counterproductive memory of the
hardest years of the Special Period.

Other figures for the 2017 plans were the program of 9,700 homes and the
start and development of an additional 4,890, similar indicators to
those in 2016, which were not met. This program will prioritize the
homes affected by Hurricane Matthew in Guantánamo and "those affected by
previous hurricanes in Pinar del Río and Santiago de Cuba".

But the most serious problem is that the solution to our economic ills,
foreign investment, remains extremely low at just 6.5% of the plan. In
other words, the provisions of Guideline 78, which gives an essential
role to this investment, are not fulfilled. Cabrisas stated: "These
projects need to be energized," starting with making a list of
investment projects for development that will guarantee the economic
development plan until 2030, "concentrating the efforts in strategic and
prioritized sectors."

Thus, 2017 investment takes into consideration supporting priority
tourism programs in Havana, Varadero, the Northern Keys, Holguín and in
the infrastructures of the Special Development Zone of Mariel (ZEDM) or
fuel storage, among others. Measures have also been developed to
increase salary systems in the development of tourism and ZEDM sectors.

An increase in the income levels of the population and the absorption
capacity of the State is projected in the plans. Productivity will grow
by 6.6% and the average wage by 3.5%. To accomplish this, it is
essential to avoid payments without productive results, the consistence
between the indicators, and taking into account added value, in order to
avoid monetary imbalance.

The preliminary draft of the 2017 budget foresees revenue growth of
1.525 million pesos, mainly from taxes on profits, an investment of the
state enterprise sector with 6.330 million pesos in increase in expenses
with respect to 2016, and an 11. 454 million fiscal deficit, 12% of the GDP.

The report of the Finance and Prices Minister, Lina Peraza, did not
offer much detail, other than that of the Minister of the Economy. It
seems that the "solution" for the Cuban economy has been reduced to a
simple list of elementary considerations, such as deepening the
country's financial obligations, assessing the impact on credit levels,
guaranteeing exports and substituting imports, making progress on
foreign investment projects, increasing controls in the use and
pilfering by energy carriers and stopping the decreasing trends in
production, among others. These are about the same solutions as in
previous years.

"The plan we are presenting to this Assembly is tense, (…) but we
believe we can meet it," Cabrisas said. "The above calls for willpower,
decision, organization, discipline and attention prioritized to all
these matters" especially by those responsible for enforcing them.

It has been a redundant day to announce the dark clouds that hang over
an unborn 2017, a somber gloomy Parliament on a somber Island. No one
expected an economic miracle, but perhaps the most candid were trying to
picture see some sign of change. For the time being, everything
indicates that Cuba is on its leaderless way, tottering towards some
enigmatic horizon.

Curiously, the greatest novelties now are what's missing: this is the
first session of Parliament without the shadow of a Fidel Castro -not
sufficiently alive or completely dead -vigilant and omniscient; there
was no Council of Ministers prior to the sessions, so that the last one,
held on July 25 of this year, was referred to; the full plenum of the
Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) was not held, and the former Minister of
the Economy, Mr. Marino Murillo, who accompanied the "Raúl reforms" for
a long time, was not seen at the sessions.

What these signals might mean would be material for another analysis.

Translated by Norma Whiting

Source: Cuban Parliament Sessions Predict Somber Times / 14ymedio,
Miriam Celaya – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-parliament-sessions-predict-somber-times-14ymedio-miriam-celaya/

Legislative Proposal Would Grant Spanish Citizenship to More Cubans

Legislative Proposal Would Grant Spanish Citizenship to More Cubans /
Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 29 December 2017– On December 21 a leftist coalition
led by Spain's Podemos party introduced a legislative proposal that
could benefit thousands of Cubans, as well as people of other
nationalities, who are descendants of Spanish citizens born outside of
Spain.

If approved, the bill submitted to the Chamber of Deputies would grant
Spanish citizenship to descendants of Spaniards who had emigrated.

Spanish law had already made a person whose mother or father were
native-born Spaniards eligible for citizenship. Law 52/2007, also known
as the "Historical Memory Law" or the "Grandchildren's Law" expanded the
opportunity and, within two years and eleven months, some 446,277 people
had acquired citizenship under the law. 95.2% of them were from Latin
America, with more than half of the applications made through Spanish
consulates in Cuba and Argentina.

If approved, this legislation will greatly expand the number of
descendants eligible for Spanish citizenship. It would allow the mother
country to legally recognize, among others, grandchildren of Spanish
women born in Spain and married to a Spaniard before the adoption of the
1978 Spanish constitution and children of those who obtained citizenship
through Law 52/2007.

"Thousands of legislative proposals are made by various parliamentary
factions and not even 10% of them manage to get the necessary support in
the Spanish parliament. The Podemos proposal does not have this
support," says a source within the ruling party.

However, the proposal by the leftists comes at a significant as well as
opportune moment for thousands of Cubans of Spanish descent who were not
covered by the Historical Memory Law.

The year 2016, which is quickly coming to an end, was an important year
for the Cuban government. In terms of marketing, it was excellent.

President Barack Obama's visit at the end of March aroused people's hope
for a change. With the resumption of relations, they watched high-level
US officials parade through the Havana airport. The Old World's interest
in strengthening political-economic dialogue with the island culminated
in the repeal of the the EU's "Common Position" towards Cuba. And the
visit to Cuba by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan was the first by a
head of government from that country.

But in spite of all the publicity and the VIP visitors, the Cuban
people's prospects for development are obsolete and the arrival of much
anticipated changes is nowhere in sight.

This legislation would encourage many Cubans to look for an alternative
emigration route in light of the still ambiguous outlook for relations
between the United States and Cuba.

I personally am unaware how this law in the land of Serrano ham would
work. But I do know that, today, Spain is not prepared to handle an
influx of 100,000 new citizens, who will surely arrive seeking assistance.

Source: Legislative Proposal Would Grant Spanish Citizenship to More
Cubans / Juan Juan Almeida – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/legislative-proposal-would-grant-spanish-citizenship-to-more-cubans-juan-juan-almeida/

Inter-American Press Association Names Henry Constantin Vice President for Cuba

Inter-American Press Association Names Henry Constantin Vice President
for Cuba / 14ymedio

14ymedio, 30 December 2016 — The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA)
has named independent journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro as regional
vice president for Cuba. Director of the magazine La Hora de Cuba and a
resident of the city of Camagüey, the reporter told 14ymedio that he
intends to defend and spread "the reality of journalism" on the island
from his new responsibility.

A few hours after the announcement, Constantín told this newspaper via
phone that he received the news with a mixture of "surprise and pride"
and said he was grateful to be part of an organization that "has engaged
in numerous battles over the freedom of the press in the region."

Born in 1984, Constantín is a contributor to several independent media,
including the magazine Coexistence. He studied journalism for several
semester as an undergraduate and also the specialty of film direction at
the Higher Institute of Art (ISA).

The reporter feels that the journalism in Cuba is going through "a
special moment" marked by "an increasing plurality, although still
restrained by the government." On the island there are "media that cover
almost the entire political spectrum," says the new vice president of
the IAPA.

"In this new year we will have to defend the national press because
although the context is new, the threats are the same and some of them
are even growing," Constantín points out.

Upon his appointment, the reporter will be responsible for reporting the
violations of press freedom that occur in the country and for drafting
the report that is published each semester by IAPA.

Previously, the vice president for Cuba was occupied by journalist and
director of 14ymedio Yoani Sanchez, who assumed the responsibility in 2012.

Last November, Henry Constantín was detained at Customs at the Ignacio
Agramonte International Airport in Camaguey, on his arrival from
Miami. The dissident was taken to a police station where his mobile
phone and his laptop were confiscated.

Source: Inter-American Press Association Names Henry Constantin Vice
President for Cuba / 14ymedio – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/inter-american-press-association-names-henry-constantin-vice-president-for-cuba-14ymedio/

What Will Become of Cuba?

What Will Become of Cuba? / Paulina Alfonso

Cubanet, Paulina Alfonso, 26 December 2016 — What will become of Cuba in
the new year now that Fidel Castro is gone? This is a question only
foreigners ask. It is of no interest to most Cubans. They have other
concerns: how to get out, how to survive and what number to bet on in
the Florida lottery.

The ten years since the Comandante retired have been a period of
transition during which his successor, Raul Castro propped up the regime
and tested new economic methods.

Some political analysts believe that Raul Castro will now feel less
pressured if he were to make attempts to alleviate the difficult
economic situation threatening his government.

Although Raúl Castro has made a commendable effort in the last ten years
to improve the Cuban economy, his reforms — he refuses to label them as
such — have not gone much beyond changes in land distribution,
emigration laws, and the freedom to buy and sell cars and homes. An
expansion of the private sector has not had a significant impact or led
to a vital economic turnaround.

The main goal, the lifting of the US embargo, was not achieved despite
President Obama's policy toward Cuba. There is still no realistic
possibility of the embargo being lifted, at least for the next four years.

Thus, Raúl Castro's only option is try to improve Cubans' standard of
living, which might allow him to at least regain some of their respect
and discourage young people, for whom the current situation offers
nothing, from emigrating.

Raúl Castro has publicly indicated he plans to retire from government in
2018. Most analysts agree that he will not be able to accomplish
anything he set out to do in the time remaining.

All indications are that Raúl Castro has run out of ideas and has chosen
to broaden the current economic reforms — he refers to them as "updates"
— as much as he can to at least maintain the status quo.

Will Miguel Díaz-Canel be the means by Raúl Castro maintains this status
quo? The fifty-six-year-old politician appointed to succeed the general
appears to be a new and improved version of his predecessor, José Ramón
Machado Ventura.

For example, Díaz-Canel is never without his smart phone, communicates
through Facebook and has a Twitter account. His speeches, though far
from eloquent, are more realistic and down-to-earth. He increasingly
announces policies that appeal to young people, especially when they
pertain to things such as internet access, though nothing that could be
called transformative.

They do not include constitutional changes that would codify separation
of powers or ten-year term limits. That is yet to be seen. And let's not
forget that none of this has anything to do with political power.

As has been the case since 1975, the first secretary of the Cuban
Communist Party (PCC) presides over the Coucil of State and the Council
of Ministers and is the country's highest office. The post will go to
the the person who is elected by the next Communist Party congress.

Miguel Díaz-Canel is not the second party secretary; that is Machado
Ventura. Getting to be second party secretary will be Díaz-Canel's main
task, even though he is widely known to have been chosen as the successor.

The PCC has a large inventory of veteran cadres with their own ideas and
more experience than Diaz-Canel. If they accept him — and this is
especially true of members of the military — it will be out of
discipline and not because they see him as a leader to be followed.

In reality, the Council of State and Council of Ministers posts are
strictly formalities. If Raúl Castro were to disappear tomorrow, the
real power would revert to the PCC and whoever is its leader.

Nevertheless, all the regime can do now is wait until Donald Trump takes
office and see if he maintains the process of normalization of relations
with Cuba or deals it a fatal blow.

Author contact: palfonso44es@gmail.com

Source: What Will Become of Cuba? / Paulina Alfonso – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/what-will-become-of-cuba-paulina-alfonso/

It’s Time For Politics To Stop Separating Families And Friends

It's Time For Politics To Stop Separating Families And Friends /
14ymedio, Pedro Campos

14ymedio, Pedro Campos, Havana, 29 December 2016 — The model imposed in
Cuba in the name of a socialism that never existed had, among its worst
results, the politicization of everything. Families fought over
politics. Friends became enemies. This was one of the most disastrous
consequences of the "revolutionary intransigence" in which several
generations of Cubans were (badly) educated.

This intransigence, generated by the group in power, facilitated the
development of others.

The phenomenon affected practically every family and friendship, which
according to tradition had always remained very united. The divisions
began in 1959, when the provisional government that was intended to give
way to the restoration of institutionalized democracy, failed to do so
and turned itself into a permanent revolutionary government that began
to apply justice in its own way.

Immediately, more than a few began to see how to advance the centralized
and anti-democratic policies, traditionally identified with communism,
that had done so much damage in Europe and which, in the island's past,
had been linked to Batista, the tyrant who was expelled from power.

Disagreement in democracy is normal, but when there is none and dissent
is considered treason and is not accepted, as in Cuba in the early days
after the triumph of the Revolution, thinking differently is identified
as "counterrevolutionary."

With the first "counterrevolutionaries" began the first great exodus and
many families stopped seeing each other or even communicating for many
years. Then came other waves. In the early 80's, some of those who had
gone into exile began to return to visit and that began to break the ice.

It was not easy for families to welcome "worms" and "traitors" who now
returned with gifts and greater incomes, from a country with another
language, culture, climate and traditions. People were afraid that they
could lose their membership in the Communist Party or a government job.

Some of those who remained in Cuba would not receive their relatives at
that time. Or old friends would not visit with them.

With time and new waves of migration, many of those who had refused to
receive their relatives or friends also went into exile. During the
Mariel Boatlift, some had participated in the repudiation rallies and
shouted, "Let the scum go." They threw eggs. And later, more than a few
them took the same path.

The intransigents insist on continuing to confront families and friends
over politics, and they still reject friendships between people who
think differently, but there are also people who feel individuals are
separate from their ideas and they leave them alone, considering them
friends. Pope Francis comes to mind when he talked about "social
friendship."

In Miami, on the other side, there are also intransigents. Both sides
make it all the more difficult.

Now, in the aftermath of the former leader's death, we hear again about
"revolutionaries" who did not make friendships carry the weight of
politics and did not accept judgments about the consequences of their
imprint on democracy and socialism. Intolerance is necessary for nothing
to change.

There are many people who do not lend themselves to politics destroying
families and friendships. They are fundamental pillars of the future Cuba.

Today, because of the wide exchanges among all Cubans, despite the
intolerance expressed from the rulers, there is more tolerance. This is
part of the preparation necessary to live in a democracy, which will
come sooner rather than later.

It is time for politics to stop separating families and friends. We are
in a good moment for it. Cuba, to advance, needs to leave behind so much
confrontation, so much stubbornness, so much stupidity. Perhaps all
that, on both sides, reached the highest possible point in recent days,
and now, like all that rises, it must descend.

It must be understood that, regardless of the political differences, we
Cubans will one day have to talk to each other and sit together in a
democratic parliament leaving behind grudges and the difficult and
dramatic moments of our history, leading with the future and looking for
a way to accept ourselves in our diversity.

There will have to be apologies and pardons, difficult encounters. If
not men, history will punish crimes and abuses. There will have to be
changes in political power, it will have to be peaceful and democratic,
but blood must be avoided in order not to resume the cycle of violence,
if we really want to see Cuba as a great nation with its international
economic and political weight. Politics will have to give way to family
and friendship. A divided country is easily made a victim of national
and global hegemonies.

Source: It's Time For Politics To Stop Separating Families And Friends /
14ymedio, Pedro Campos – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/its-time-for-politics-to-stop-separating-families-and-friends-14ymedio-pedro-campos/

Citizens… Time To Tighten Your Belts

Citizens… Time To Tighten Your Belts / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, 29 December 2016 – My generation
knows no good news. We grew up with the grey subsidies of the rationed
market, we reached puberty amid the rigors of the Special Period, we
raised our children in a country with two currencies, and now they warn
us that times of economic stress are coming. It appears there is no
respite from this long sequence of disasters, collapses and cuts that we
have suffered for decades.

This December the National Assembly of People's Power acknowledged the
negative numbers that reality made clear long ago: Cuba is not growing,
production is not recovering, and the so-call Raulist reforms have not
given citizens a better life. The island is heading toward the abyss of
defaults, cuts in vital sectors of the economy, and continued stagnation.

In other places, the rulers would resign before the panorama facing this
nation, due – in great measure – to bad management. However, since the
general president did not win office by a popular vote, no one can
punish him at the ballot boxes in the next elections. To the opposition
that has demanded his departure, the iron fist of repression and
punishment is always applied.

Instead of a mea culpa, the officials who, on Tuesday, detailed the
economic debacle and in somber tones said it will continue in the coming
year, have called for greater productivity, a reduction in superfluous
expenses, and using the so-called "efficiency reserves," the final
official euphemism used to explain what little remains in the national
treasury.

However, a few hours after concluding the parliamentary session in which
such bad omens were unveiled, the second of the three planned test runs
began – Friday will be the third – for the huge military parade that
will be staged in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution on 2 January. A mass
gathering, with parades of war tanks and soldiers marching in lockstep,
that will cost Cuba hundreds of thousands of pesos, if not millions.

The traffic on the capital's most important arteries has been paralyzed
as of the early morning hours of yesterday, Wednesday. Thousands of
state employees didn't have to complete their workday, and a long line
of buses had to travel from various municipalities to the parade
grounds. Countless snacks were distributed among the most faithful
participants in what is coming to be seen as a "Raulist coronation." The
younger brother has planned his own investiture in power, now on his
own, after the death of the former president Fidel Castro.

Why this waste of military resources in the middle of the crisis that
the country is going through? Such delusions of grandeur are not
consistent with the 0.9% decline in GDP this year. This military parade,
with its boasts of strength and a "baring of teeth," will squander some
of the resources needed to repair the deteriorated roads of the island,
to give just one example.

In this city that has suffered serious cuts in public lighting, where
the last-hour bus terminal have been overwhelmed before the lack of
interprovincial transport, and where a pound of pork costs up to two
day's wages, what will take place this coming Monday is far beyond
wastefulness, it is a sign of lack of respect.

And so, there are certain politicians. They call – for the umpteenth
time – for a tightening of belts and a reduction in the expectations for
a better life, while they waste enormous quantities of national
resources playing at war.

Source: Citizens… Time To Tighten Your Belts / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/citizens-time-to-tighten-your-belts-14ymedio-yoani-sanchez/

Hola Ola Technology Park Rush to Open Leaves Some Users Disappointed

Hola Ola Technology Park Rush to Open Leaves Some Users Disappointed /
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 29 December 2016 — The long-awaited
installation of an internet connection area on Havana's Malecon has
taken its first step. The opening of the Hola Ola Technology Park last
weekend was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the state media that
described the infrastructure as "the architecture of high technology."

The center, managed by the Youth Computer and Electronics Club (JCCE),
has two rooms, one of them with 15 computers and 32-inch TVs for playing
computer games, and another with 15 more machines and electronic games,
among them several simulators, as announced by the provincial director
of the capital's Youth Club, Brigida Baeza Bravo. In practice, a visit
to the center is enough to confirm that there are about 20 computers
that lack access to the internet.

It is clear that the Technology Park was opened in haste and its first
breakdowns are already visible. Tuesday, the simulators for flying,
driving and shooting, installed by the Ministry of the Armed Forces
(Minfar), were having software problems and were unusable, pending the
necessary fixes.

The end-of-year school holidays have stimulated people's interest in
bringing their children to Hola Ola (Hello Wave) to better fill their
time. One employee tried to give them hope, this Tuesday, in the face of
the mishap that caused the breakdown. "The machines will be repaired
very soon, but the FAR (Revolutionary Armed Forces) will have to do it,"
she explained.

The explanation did not seem to improve the mood of the frustrated
visitors who demanded their time in at the controls or with the toy gun
and, to ease the situation, the employee reminded them of the air
conditioned room with video games. The line began to extend beyond the
compound, where the use of a computer costs two Cuban pesos (CUP) an
hour (about 8 cents US).

One mother with two small children waited her turn in the cafeteria. "No
one can eat this croquette, it's dry and they didn't even use
breadcrumbs to make it go down better," the woman complained, having
paid two Cuban pesos for the product.

Another of the services announced in the official press by Brigida Baeza
is the rental of tablets, who use was intended to be free during the
opening days until a reasonable fee was approved. But the option, for
now, is not available to the public.

But the biggest attraction of the site, for the users of Hola Ola, is
the wifi access area installed around the perimeter. The network,
managed by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (Etecsa), is also not
working to its full capacity, because the antennas are not operational
in the back, where the barbecue is located.

There is also no place on site to buy the Nauta cards needed to connect
to the internet, which also limits the experience of would-be net
surfers, a problem that will be solved "very soon," according to several
employees consulted by this newspaper.

"It's the wifi area closest to me," said Amarilys, a Havanan of 34 who
lives in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, although she complains that "the
price to connect is still very high," despite Etecsa's recent drop from
2 Cuban Convertible pesos (CUC) an hour (roughly $2 US) to 1.50 CUC.

The infrastructure problems affecting Hola Ola also affected its
bathrooms this Tuesday, which were flooded by a water leak.
Nevertheless, the desire of many citizens to connect to the internet is
huge and the web surfers didn't let any of these inconveniences ruin the
kilobyte party.

Cuba is one of the countries with the least internet connectivity in the
world. In the last couple of years about 1,100 internet connection
points have been enabled on the island, both in navigation rooms with
computers provided, and in outdoor wifi zones, but many websites
critical of the government remain censored and cannot be accessed from
the island, the connection speed is low, and the service suffers from
frequent outages.

Source: Hola Ola Technology Park Rush to Open Leaves Some Users
Disappointed / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/hola-ola-technology-park-rush-to-open-leaves-some-users-disappointed-14ymedio-zunilda-mata/

The Challenge of a Government without Fidel

The Challenge of a Government without Fidel / Dimas Castellano

Diario de Cuba, Dimas Castellano, 15 December 2016 — Fidel Castro spent
decades leaving his personal imprint on Cuba. Wielding absolute power
and imbued with a high degree of of messianism, populism and
voluntarism, he determined the fates of several generations. He
undertook important social projects but hampered the economy and rolled
back civil liberties. The government under his leadership anchored the
country in the past and missed the opportunities for change provided by
his various and continued failures. His death, given the time and
conditions in which it occurred, will undoubtedly have a strong impact
on Cuban society.

Due to their limitations, slow pace and the contradictions inherent in a
kind of power sharing arrangement, the reforms implemented since 2008
under the leadership of Raúl Castro did not yield positive results. A 1%
drop in GDP in the first half of 2016, a projected recession in 2017 and
an increase in the mass exodus of Cubans in recent years are
confirmation of their failure.

These timid and limited reforms did, however, give birth to an embryonic
private sector that the government cannot afford to ignore. Relations
with the United States, even if tense under the incoming administration
of Donald Trump, established areas of mutual interest that preclude
their being reversed. Finding a new godfather in the international arena
to replace Venezuela is not an option. And the package of measures put
together by the Obama administration, which breathed life into Cuba's
relations with the West, revived tourism and created expectations that
will not continue without changes in Cuba itself.

Under this scenario, the government has only two options: to slam on the
brakes, which amounts to leading the country into total ruin, or to go
forward. The latter is the more likely choice since choosing the former
means we would all be losers, including those in power. Even if the
political will is lacking and this turns out the be the chosen option,
change will come soon enough. We will then see if the current leadership
is capable of handling the complexities of getting the country out of
stagnation and moving it forward. In any event, any chosen path will,
sooner or later, inexorably lead to the democratization of the country.

Given the magnitude of the challenge, what is most important and urgent
now is to refrain from judging the actions of the past. Though
necessary, the results are already clear for all to see and will, in
time, be subject to the implacable judgement of history. Instead, the
task at hand is to define the path ahead and to move forward. It is this
path that, in the absence of alternative forces capable of imposing
rhythm and direction, the Cuban government will have to first define.
With no maximum leader or two heads of state, it alone has the resources
to initiate any transformation.

With the exception of the fledgling private sector, very little in the
economy is working. Dependent on tourism, the Port of Mariel Special
Development Zone and a few factories, it is concentrated in the hands of
the Business Administration Group (GAESA) under the direction of Major
General Luís Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas.

As for the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), the Cuban constitution
stipulates that the president of the Council of State is supreme
commander. His principal deputies are army generals Leopoldo Cintra
Frías, Álvaro López Miera, Ramón Espinosa Martín, Joaquín Quinta Solas.
There are also Brigadier General Lucio Morales Abad, Raúl Rodríguez
Lobaina and Onelio Aguilera Bermúdez, who trained under the command of
Raúl Castro when he led that institution. All of them are members of the
Communist Party Politburo and Central Committee.

Additionally there is the National Defense Council, which can be
summoned by the president of the Council of State at will. In special
circumstances, it can become the main organ of governmental and and
political power, to which even the provincial and city party secretaries
are subordinate.

As a result, the current President holds all the reins of power,
allowing him to take Cuba down the necessary path with little or no
opposition.

Since the unfeasibility of the current political and economic model is
the root cause of people's apathy and despair, of the mass exodus and of
economic inefficiency, any reform that is implemented must attack this
fundamental cause. Adopting measures aimed at changing things in order
to avoid change, as happened before, would be totally useless today.

Time has completely run out. Although it holds all the reins of power,
the government cannot afford to use them for anything other than to
effect profound transformation. This is as necessary for resolving the
crisis as it is useless for making cosmetic changes or trying to hold
onto power in the long term.

Time has been lost but the new scenario, though more complex than those
before, offers one last chance for those in power to effect significant
change to in a orderly fashion. Totalitarianism is utterly spent.
Therefore, regardless of what the government wants, change is inevitable
for the government itself. This is the unique feature of the new
scenario, which is the ultimate outgrowth of process begun in 1959.

Among the many difficulties are the need for large investments and,
therefore, a large influx of foreign capital, which would require new
revisions to the country's investment law; implementing constitutional
changes to give legal legitimacy to successors who did not participate
in the 1959 revolution; an economy capable of reassuring a dissatisfied
populace; changes to property laws to allow producers to own their means
of production. For these transformations to be beneficial, they have to
be accompanied by transformations in the area of human rights and freedoms.

One of the most feasible possibilities is for the government to take the
Vietnamese route. The dilemma of such an approach is that Vietnam's
reforms did not address civil and political freedoms. Given Cuba's
history and culture, this is something that will be impossible to ignore
once economic reforms are under way.

In the short term, what happens from this point on will be decisive for
Cuba and its society but also for the current government. It is a
difficult but inescapable challenge in a landscape without godfathers,
without Fidel, with an economy in freefall, and for a people without hope.

Source: The Challenge of a Government without Fidel / Dimas Castellano –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-challenge-of-a-government-without-fidel-dimas-castellano/

The Meteoric Rise Of Susely Morfa González

The Meteoric Rise Of Susely Morfa González / 14ymedio

14ymedio, Havana, 28 December 2016 — The political career of the
psychologist Susely Morfa González has been meteoric. This Tuesday she
was chosen to be a deputy in Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power
and a member of the Council of State, barely two years after she burst
on the public scene.

Morfa was born in 1982 in Cienfuegos and as a teenager was the president
of the Federation of Middle School Students in the town of Rodas. She
also held various positions within the Young Communists Union (UJC), and
before turning 30 was the first secretary of that organization in her
native province.

She has a degree in psychology, and her entire adult life has played the
role of political cadre. Several sources in the Ministry of Public
Health consulted by 14ymedio say that she has never practiced her
profession at any hospital in the country.

She was named at the last annual session of the Parliament to fill one
of the vacancies in the legislative body, and only in this way, as
established by law, was she able to become a part of the government's
highest body.

"It's not a good sign, because it means the most hard-line are winning,"
said a retired academic who preferred anonymity. However, analyst Julio
Aleaga, author of a study on Cuban politics, considers it difficult to
know Morfa's true ideological positions. To catalog her as more hard
line or more reformist is risky, he points out.

Her new position could respond to the Government's desire to place
"women, young people and afro-descendants" in the top positions to fill
gender, age and race quotas, says Aleaga, but when it comes to
decision-making, "they behave like nondescript people," without real power.

Morfa shot to fame for her combative performance at the Summit of the
Americas in Panama, in April 2015, when she starred in several acts of
repudiation and described the activists and exiles who participated in a
parallel event as members of Cuba's civil society as "lackeys,
mercenaries, self-funded, underpaid by imperialism."

During an extraordinary meeting of the UJC in the middle of this year,
Morfa was named first secretary of the organization, replacing Yuniask
Crespo Baquero.

Last September, she affirmed that "the non-state sector can not be
stigmatized" within the island's economy, although she clarified that
entrepreneurs have to remain "within the socialist system."

At the VII Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), last April,
the psychologist was elected a member of the Central Committee of the
only political organization allowed in the country. During the conclave
she was in charge of proposing the candidacy of the ruler Raúl Castro as
first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party.

Source: The Meteoric Rise Of Susely Morfa González / 14ymedio –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-meteoric-rise-of-susely-morfa-gonzalez-14ymedio/

Bus Terminals Overwhelmed By Hundreds Of Travelers Without Tickets

Bus Terminals Overwhelmed By Hundreds Of Travelers Without Tickets /
14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez, Havana, 27 December 2016 – Hundreds of
people are crowded right now in the "last hour" bus terminals, or are on
the waiting lists. With the regularly scheduled seats sold out,
travelers sleep in the floors of these places and eat frugally, while
dreaming of a vehicle that will get them home to spend New Year's with
their families.

In mid-December, the newspaper Granma reported that the Voyager Company
would put on sale new seats for interprovincial transport for the end
the year. However, the tickets sold out in a couple of days and
thousands of customers have been left stranded at "last hour" terminals
throughout the country.

This time, unlike other years, the so-called "waiting list" was not
addressed with a greater number of vehicles. The Business Group of
Automotive Transport Services preferred to sell in advance the
additional tickets to travel between 22 December 2016 and 7 January 2017.

The state transport company sold 9,000 seats above those offered by the
regular National Bus Service, but only the most forward-thinking were
able to get the tickets. The agencies that sell the tickets experienced
days of huge crowds, and five days after the official announcement,
tickets to Camaguey and Guantanamo were sold out.

Private transport companies provide only a little relief. Their high
prices make it difficult for many travelers to use their services,
because they can only afford the state rates.

"I know the face of almost everyone here, because most of these people
have been here for many days," confides the employee who takes care of
the men's toilet in the Villanueva last hour station in Havana. Chaos
and discouragement reigns in the facilities, where the average stay is
"four or five days" according to the worker.

"The police are coercing people to get them to leave," he explained to
14ymedio freelance reporter Juannier Matos Rodriguez, who was waiting in
Villanueva Monday to travel to Baracoa, Guantanamo. Entire families have
placed cardboard on the floor to sleep and the uniformed police patrol
the place.

"Several passengers have approached the employees asking for them to
arrange extra buses so that all these families can travel, but they do
not respond," says the young man. "The waiting list for Santiago de Cuba
is not moving, it's been stuck on the same numbers for two days," he adds.

The most desperate, with the resources available, pay between 14 and 15
Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) for a ride on a private truck bound for
Santiago de Cuba, twice as much as the state bus. These are cargo
vehicles re-configured for the transport of passengers. The best ones
have cushy seats and even air conditioning, but in most cases they are
uncomfortable and hot.

The National Bus Company serves 132 routes and in the first nine months
of this year it moved 7.6 million people, but when holidays approach,
the system collapses in the face of high demand. Most of the state-owned
equipment is Yutong brand buses from China, with a decade of overuse and
poor mechanical conditions.

The deterioration of the vehicles has combined this year with cuts in
fuel consumption that affect the entire country. Passenger transport has
been among the sectors most affected, although the government has also
imposed restrictions on electricity consumption and a drastic reduction
in the state sector's quota for gasoline or diesel.

Earlier this year, a discussion on the Roundtable TV program confirmed
that interprovincial transportation only meets 70% of demand.

"Why doesn't 'Cuba Says' come here now?" a woman at the Villanueva last
hour station complained Monday afternoon, in an allusion to the official
television program critical of the bureaucracy and laziness. Several
passengers recorded scenes with their mobile phones and from time to
time a shout was heard over the general murmur: "A truck arrived for
Holguín!"

After an announcement like this many throw themselves into the race,
pushing and shoving to the point of small brawls, to board the vehicle.
The police pull some people out of the melee and put them in their
patrol cars. Everyone wants to get out of the hell the Villanueva
station has become.

Source: Bus Terminals Overwhelmed By Hundreds Of Travelers Without
Tickets / 14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/bus-terminals-overwhelmed-by-hundreds-of-travelers-without-tickets-14ymedio-marcelo-hernandez/

Cuban Economy in 2016: GDP Contracted 0.9%

Cuban Economy in 2016: GDP Contracted 0.9% / 14ymedio

14ymedio, (With information from EFE), Havana, 27 December 2016 – The
Cuban economy closed the year with a 0.9% contraction in GDP, well below
the 1% growth forecast, according to an announcement from Ricardo
Cabrisas Ruiz, Minister of the Economy and Planning, during the final
2016 session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, 27 December.

The minister acknowledged that the island experienced "financial
constraints" throughout the last 12 months, due to the decline in income
from exports, the economic difficulties of some of the country's main
partners, which were related to the fall in oil prices and the reduction
in the amount of fuel supplied from abroad, as well as the ongoing trade
embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States.

In 2016, mining revenues fell by 5%, and the minister also confirmed
that there is "a tense situation with the availability of hard currency,
a shortfall in earnings predicted from exports, and an insufficient
supply of fuel," caused by the reduction in shipments of crude oil from
Venezuela.

Cabrisas, however, predicted that GDP would grow by 2% in 2017, thanks
primarily to the growth of the sugar industry and the hotel sector, as
well as transport, warehousing, communications, supplies of gas and
water, agriculture, forestry, trade and manufacturing.

The minister stressed that in 2016 electrical energy generation grew
4.2%, and he estimated that in 2017 the use of renewable resources could
grow up to 4.65%. With regards to food imports, according to official
forecasts the year's total will reach 1.75 billion dollars, an increase
of 82 million dollars compared to last year. He insisted that the theft
of fuel must be avoided, but that "unfortunately it is happening" in the
state sector in Cuba, which "comes to light in the controls."

Cabrisas acknowledged that the share of foreign investment remains very
low and represents just 6.5% of the total desired.

The Minister of the Economy also stressed the need to develop a
medium-term program to "reverse the critical situation of the food
industry" and to "avoid the payment of wages without productive support."

After growing by 4% in 2015, the Cuban government forecast a GDP growth
of 2% for 2016, a target that was lowered midyear to 1% due to
"short-term financial difficulties."

The current crisis in Venezuela caused that country to reduce
its shipment of subsidized oil to the island in the first half of 2016,
forcing the Government of Havana to contact allies such as Russia,
Algeria and Angola in search of new business partners.

Given this situation, economic analysts have predicted a probable
economic recession in the country, which could delay the progress of
Raul Castro's reforms.

However, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC) predicts that in 2017 Cuba's economic growth will gradually
accelerate due to the regularization of fuel shipments from Venezuela
and improvements in telecommunications, tourism, construction and farming.

Source: Cuban Economy in 2016: GDP Contracted 0.9% / 14ymedio –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-economy-in-2016-gdp-contracted-0-9-14ymedio/

Fidel Castro’s Name And Image Are Enveloped In Prohibitions

Fidel Castro's Name And Image Are Enveloped In Prohibitions / 14ymedio,
Mario Penton

14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 27 December 2016 — The Cuban parliament
unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday stating that the name of the
deceased former president Fidel Castro cannot be used to designate
public spaces and it is forbidden to market his image.

"They want to keep the image of Fidel Castro with that halo of mystery
that always characterized him. They were in charge of presenting him to
the people as a superman, about whom we had little information regarding
his private life; we have to pay attention because they could be trying
to maneuver into converting him into one more national symbol," said the
columnist Miriam Celaya from Havana. "They don't want it to be the
same as what happened with Ernesto (Che) Guevara," she said.

Che's image has been indiscriminately commercialized and turned into a
symbol of rebelliousness and belonging by the entire world's left wing
movements. You can find everything from underpants to national flags
with his image. In Cuba, a good share of the handicrafts sold to
tourists bears the image of the Argentinian guerilla.

The law, the discussion of which had been announced at Castro's funeral
rites, supposedly corresponds to the will of the deceased, who asked
that his name not be used for plazas and avenues, and also prohibits the
raising of statues or the minting of coins with his image.

Although the deputies believed that Castro deserved "these traditional
forms of homage, or even greater ones," they decided to abide by his
will as proposed by his brother, Army General and President Raul Castro.

"Only the sacred respect for his will, an expression of the humility and
modesty that characterized him, and the fact that he always honored
Marti's preaching that all the glory of the world fits into a kernel of
corn, leads us to adopt a legal text of such nature," said the deputies,
according to the official press reports.

The National Assembly, however, excepts the use of the name of Castro
for the creation of some educational institution on "his invaluable
trajectory."

"They want to avoid the fact that once the tyranny is destroyed, his
statues would be torn down by a free country," says José Daniel Ferrer,
leader of the Patriotic Union on Cuba (UNPACU), an opposition
organization in the east of the island.

For Ferrer, the approved law seeks to "justify" the cult of personality
that the government has imposed on the nation, a cult that the UNPACU
leader describes as "sick."

"The country has been filled with his images and slogans for decades. As
Castro knew, when tyrants fall their symbols disappear; it seems he
wanted to avoid a spectacle like what happened in the former USSR," he
commented.

For Elisa Valdés, a housewife in Cienfuegos province, the law puts the
name of Fidel almost on a par with that of God. "It's like it's sacred,"
she says on the phone. Instead of "you will not take the name of God in
vain, we will now have to say: you will not take Fidel's name in vain,"
she says wryly.

The legislation also prohibits "the use of names, images or allusions of
any nature referring to the figure of the Commander in Chief Fidel
Castro Ruz for use as a trademark or other distinctive signs, domain
names and designs for commercial or advertising purposes."

It is not clear if all the artistic photos and images of Fidel Castro
that are sold in the tourist areas, from postcards recalling the
deceased leader to T-shirts with his effigy, will be eliminated.

According to the Cuban press, it would be a question of "avoiding the
use of the figure of the leader of the Revolution in commercial traffic
or for commercial advertising purposes," although it would not limit
artistic use or the photographs and banners used up until now in state
companies, walls, propaganda billboards, and even stones on the edges of
the streets.

"For all those who are grateful that they will always accompany
compañero Fidel, the homages they render him will be few," said the more
than 600 deputies who make up the unicameral body, speaking in the last
session of this year.

Source: Fidel Castro's Name And Image Are Enveloped In Prohibitions /
14ymedio, Mario Penton – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-name-and-image-of-fidel-castro-are-enveloped-in-prohibitions-14ymedio-mario-penton/

Reggaeton, Reality’s Soundtrack

Reggaeton, Reality's Soundtrack / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 27 December 2016 — The car is about to
come apart at the seams every time it hits a bump in Havana's crumbling
streets. The passengers in the shared taxi vibrate with the rattling of
the vehicle and the reggaeton blasting from the speakers. It is the
music of the early 21st century, a genre of raw lyrics and explicit
sexuality that accompanies every minute of our reality.

With a paternity shared between Puerto Rico and Panama, this urban sound
marks the birth of the millennium. It has added a naked touch and a
certain lascivious rhythm to the times we live in. The lyrics of the
songs venerate ostentatiousness as a virtue, celebrating a world where
the size of your watch and the thickness of your gold chains are ever
more important.

Reggaeton has won out over the protest song of so many social dreams
born in Latin America, most of them failed. Its raw materiality has also
displaced those anthological boleros that had us weeping on our bar
stools, and the carols that overwhelm us at the end of the year. The
singers of this fierce music don't want to be seen as heroes nor as
broken-hearted lovers. Rather, they want to convey an image of cynical
survival, of calculated lightness.

Hence the fuss kicked up by some in response to the impudent lyrics of
Cuatro Babys, a song from the Colombian Maluma, where he brags about
having four women at his beck and call. The repulsion gets buried in the
200 million (and counting) views the video has enjoyed on YouTube. These
are times of hits… not of indignation.

Maluma's assertions do not scandalize the followers of the rhythm, who
see him as the chronicler of a tangible and known reality. It is not
reggaeton, it is life that has not taken hold as it should. The
Colombian is only the loudspeaker of such a distrubing but common
message that doesn't raise a single eyebrow around here. Blushing does
not change the environment.

Reggaeton has become a way of looking at life, in a cosmogony lacking in
delicacies or half-tones. It doesn't matter whether you follow it or
not, if you like it or not, there is no way to cover your ears and
ignore it. It is here, there, everywhere. Our children hum its choruses.
"Tengo money," repeats a seven-year-old girl in a Cuban classroom, using
the English word for cash; and her classmates complete the phrase of a
popular reggaeton song. A few minutes earlier they had been shouting a
slogan in the school's morning assembly: "Pioneers for communism, we
will be like Che!"

Speaking and understanding the codes of reggaeton is essential to
communicating with the younger generation, but also with many of their
parents. Minimizing and censoring it only strengthens it, because it has
become the compass that expresses rebellion. It has lasted longer than
any other genre pushed by record labels or cultural policies.

At the end of the last century, very few would have predicted that for
nearly two decades already this urban rhythm would dominate the music
that is played at nightclubs, private parties and on the devices we
attach to ourselves with earbuds. But it has stayed with us, grabbing us
with its wild impudence. Perhaps it only interprets what beats down
below, far from the lights of the ceremonies, the outfits for special
occasions and the opportunism.

Who would have said it? From the songs of Victor Jara to the catchy
phrases of Don Omar, from the utopian Silvio Rodríguez to the emaciated
Cuban musicians Yomil and El Dany. "My Blue Unicorn" grazes now in a
meadow of minuscule bikinis and hundred dollar bills. Those who hummed
they would "give their heart" have decided to trade it in for swimming
pool in which a thousand and one nymphs frolic and don't say a word.

To reject reggaeton, this rhythm incubated in the "New World," is like
rejecting the potato domesticated in the high plateaus. Sooner or later
you will end up eating it, sooner or later you will end up dancing. Even
at the most glamorous parties, the dresses are hitched up, the makeup
runs, and the social climbers, the nerds, the "good kids," end up
dancing doggy style, sweating in a spasm of lust and oblivion.

Fought against far too often with the dictionary, the academy and too
much café con leche, the reggaetoners are teen idols and set the styles,
the customs and the forms of speech. They do not travel in yellow
submarines but rather in luxury cars, surrounded by alcohol and kisses.
These are not the psychedelic years, but the years of touching down,
when the lower the fall and the deeper the plunge into the abyss of
excess the more tracks they will sell.

Reggaeton is also a lingua franca, a common language like Esperanto once
hoped to be, like HTML code did manage to be. All its followers descend
or ascend to the same level when they dance. The hips that touch under
its influence don't understand ideologies, social classes, the
exploitation of man or capital gains. It is the universal language of
sheer pleasure, the jargon learned before birth, which we pass on with
confidence.

Not by chance did Barack Obama, in his historic speech in Havana, allude
to the contagious rhythm when he said, "In Miami or Havana, you can find
places to dance the Cha-Cha-Cha or the Salsa, and eat ropa vieja.
People in both of our countries have sung along with Celia Cruz or
Gloria Estefan, and now listen to reggaeton or Pitbull."

A lyrical battle, where reggaetoners tackle the stage and confront the
microphones, fighting for the audience as if it were a reality show. The
crude lyrics and machine gun blasts in their productions reinforce the
sense of combat. A contest where everything is achieved with pelvic sweat.

Reggaeton has proved to be the unexpected antidote against the malaise
of a culture diagnosed by Sigmund Freud. It represents, like few
phenomena, the end of innocence. Was there any left? A workhorse that
returns us to the state which perhaps we never left, a moment when we
are only flesh and guts.

_______________________

Editor's note: This text was published on Tuesday, 27 December 2016 in
the newspaper El País.

Source: Reggaeton, Reality's Soundtrack / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/reggaeton-realitys-soundtrack-14ymedio-yoani-sanchez/

Raul Castro’s Hourglass is Running Out

Raul Castro's Hourglass is Running Out / 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar

14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 26 December 2016 — A popular joke
inquires about the color of a train that arrives late at the
station. The answer is a play on words: de morado.* Raul Castro has
dressed in just that tone in relation to his obligations for the end of
the year. The delay in keeping certain commitments threatens the image
of punctuality and pragmatism that the General President has wanted to
present.

The plenary session of the Communist Party Central Committee planned for
this December still doesn't have a date. The partisan meeting should
approve the expected Conceptualization of the Economic and Social Model,
as well as the 2030 Economic Development Plan, but there are only five
days remaining for it to fulfill its promise.

A telephone call to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba
(PCC) clarifies few doubts. The secretary for Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias,
a member of the Secretariat responsible for the Department of Education,
Science and Sport, confirmed to 14ymedio that "they have not set a date"
for the pending meeting.

Both documents were debated by the PCC membership and the Young
Communist Union (UJC), as well as the leadership of the mass
organizations and trade unions. The official press emphasized that
currently there is massive agreement with the texts as presented,
although it reported several proposals to modify or add to them.

Point 104 of the Conceptualization document raised a stir; the point
reaffirms an idea raised in the PC Guidelines. The cold water for local
entrepreneurs focuses on the statement that "concentration of property
and wealth in natural or non-state legal persons is not permitted." A
proposal that must be accepted or rejected this December.

If the plenary session is not held, the seriousness that Raul Castro has
wanted to imprint on his official acts would suffer a serious blow. He
would also be obliged to publically justify the informality. Hurricane
Matthew, the surprising election of Donald Trump as president of the
United States and the death of Fidel Castro could be among the official
excuses.

The number of days remaining in December is the same as the number of
fingers on one hand. At least two of them will be used for the upcoming
session of the National Assembly of People's Power. Given the
traditional confusion of roles between the Government, the Parliament
and the Party, perhaps in the sessions with the deputies the date of the
party conclave will be reported.

But if it does not happen before the end of the year, Raul Castro will
need to show a very convincing explanation.

*Translator's note: "Morado" means purple, and "de morado" means delayed.

Source: Raul Castro's Hourglass is Running Out / 14ymedio, Reinaldo
Escobar – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/raul-castro-hourglass-is-running-14ymedio-reinaldo-escobar/