Police Question Publisher Of 'Coexistence' About Her Travel Abroad /
14ymedio
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2016 – Karina Galvez Chiú, editor of the
magazine Convivencia (Coexistence) was questioned Saturday about her
travels outside Cuba, during a meeting with the Department of
Immigration and Nationality of Pinar del Rio. Two interior ministry
officials demanded information from the economist about her
participation in an internet governance forum in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Galvéz related to 14ymedio that the officers who questioned her
identified themselves as Lieutenant Colonel Beune and Major
Joaquin. "They tried to act friendly," says the editor, but warned that
police citations could be repeated every time she left the country.
"The whole time they wanted to make clear that they wanted a dialogue,"
says Galvez, who replied that they could not consider it a dialogue when
she was forced to attend.
"If they eliminated the white card [former exit permit] and the exit
permit why do I have to go through this every time I leave the country,"
the activist asks in reference to the immigration reform that came into
force in January 2013, easing travel abroad which previously required
every traveler to apply for a permit to travel outside the country,
which often was not granted.
Recently Galvez also visited Washington D.C., a trip about which the
interrogators wanted details.
Also summoned by the police this Saturday was the editor of Convivencia,
Rosalia Viñas Lazo, who protested the date chosen. On December 24 many
Cuban families gather around for Christmas Eve festivities, especially
the Catholic community of the Island.
The officials agreed to schedule the meeting with Viñas Lazo for next
Monday.
In recent months members of the magazine Convivencia have been subject
to interrogations, pressure and warnings. Dagoberto Valdés, director of
the independent publication, was subjected to an intense interrogation
in October of this year in the police headquarters on San Juan Highway
in Pinar del Río. "From today," the uniformed officers warned, "your
life will be very difficult."
On November 25, State Security prohibited the meeting of the Center for
Coexistence Studies (CEC), linked to the magazine, the topic of which
was intended to be: Culture And Education In The Future Of Cuba: Vision
and Proposal.
Source: Police Question Publisher Of 'Coexistence' About Her Travel
Abroad / 14ymedio – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/police-question-publisher-of-coexistence-about-her-travel-abroad-14ymedio/
Monday, December 26, 2016
‘Feliciadades’ - The Word the Taunts the Official Sobriety
'Feliciadades': The Word the Taunts the Official Sobriety
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2016 — Few details reveal that it is
Christmastime for Cubans. The austerity imposed this year-end, promoted
from the Government due the recent death of former President Fidel
Castro, but also because of the economic situation that has citizens
worried. Faced with high food prices many opt for more low-key celebrations.
However, the word "felicidades" is heard everywhere in the streets. As
if it were a "watchword," Cubans offer good wishes accompanied with a
complicit smile when they pronounce the word. Is it a way to mock the
official sobriety? A sign of the desire not to let the Christmas
festivities fade completely away?
Said in an undertone, shouted balcony to balcony, or intoned to the
rhythm of Mexican music, like the "mariachi" in the photo, the phrases
of this happy greeting take the place of the lack of garlands, the few
houses in Cuban streets that display seasonal lights, and the absence of
public dancing, otherwise typical of this time of year.
Source: 'Feliciadades': The Word the Taunts the Official Sobriety –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/feliciadades-the-word-the-taunts-the-official-sobriety/
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2016 — Few details reveal that it is
Christmastime for Cubans. The austerity imposed this year-end, promoted
from the Government due the recent death of former President Fidel
Castro, but also because of the economic situation that has citizens
worried. Faced with high food prices many opt for more low-key celebrations.
However, the word "felicidades" is heard everywhere in the streets. As
if it were a "watchword," Cubans offer good wishes accompanied with a
complicit smile when they pronounce the word. Is it a way to mock the
official sobriety? A sign of the desire not to let the Christmas
festivities fade completely away?
Said in an undertone, shouted balcony to balcony, or intoned to the
rhythm of Mexican music, like the "mariachi" in the photo, the phrases
of this happy greeting take the place of the lack of garlands, the few
houses in Cuban streets that display seasonal lights, and the absence of
public dancing, otherwise typical of this time of year.
Source: 'Feliciadades': The Word the Taunts the Official Sobriety –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/feliciadades-the-word-the-taunts-the-official-sobriety/
Cuban Faces of 2016 - Carlos Lechuga, Filmmaker
Cuban Faces of 2016: Carlos Lechuga, Filmmaker (b. Havana, 1983) / 14ymedio
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2016 – Cuban Faces of 2016: The
film Molasses (2013), director Carlos Lechuga's debut, garnered much
applause, but it was his second feature which placed him at the center
of public attention. The film Santa and Andrés was excluded from the
38th edition of the Havana Film Festival, for political reasons.
The film tells the story of a homosexual writer who, at the beginning of
the 1980s, is isolated from society in a remote spot on the east of the
island. The authorities there assign a peasant woman to watch over him,
but after a time, an unforeseen relationship between them is born.
Lechuga spoke out against the censorship of the film from his Facebook
profile and also raising their voices were the directors Jonathan
Jakubowicz, Fernando Perez, Enrique Alvarez and film critic Dean Luis
Reyes, among others. However, the president of the Cuban Institute of
Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), Roberto Smith, claimed a
"question of principles" to prevent its distribution.
Santa and Andrés has been exhibited in prestigious festivals such as
Toronto, San Sebastian and Chicago, but in the native country of its
director it will have to circulate by alternative methods through the
popular "weekly packet" in which Cubans receive much of their entertainment.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2016: Carlos Lechuga, Filmmaker (b. Havana, 1983)
/ 14ymedio – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2016-carlos-lechuga-filmmaker-b-havana-1983-14ymedio/
14ymedio, Havana, 24 December 2016 – Cuban Faces of 2016: The
film Molasses (2013), director Carlos Lechuga's debut, garnered much
applause, but it was his second feature which placed him at the center
of public attention. The film Santa and Andrés was excluded from the
38th edition of the Havana Film Festival, for political reasons.
The film tells the story of a homosexual writer who, at the beginning of
the 1980s, is isolated from society in a remote spot on the east of the
island. The authorities there assign a peasant woman to watch over him,
but after a time, an unforeseen relationship between them is born.
Lechuga spoke out against the censorship of the film from his Facebook
profile and also raising their voices were the directors Jonathan
Jakubowicz, Fernando Perez, Enrique Alvarez and film critic Dean Luis
Reyes, among others. However, the president of the Cuban Institute of
Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), Roberto Smith, claimed a
"question of principles" to prevent its distribution.
Santa and Andrés has been exhibited in prestigious festivals such as
Toronto, San Sebastian and Chicago, but in the native country of its
director it will have to circulate by alternative methods through the
popular "weekly packet" in which Cubans receive much of their entertainment.
Source: Cuban Faces of 2016: Carlos Lechuga, Filmmaker (b. Havana, 1983)
/ 14ymedio – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-faces-of-2016-carlos-lechuga-filmmaker-b-havana-1983-14ymedio/
Prohibition on Christmas Celebrations Disgusts Havanans
Prohibition on Christmas Celebrations Disgusts Havanans / Iván García
Ivan Garcia, 23 December 2016 — Every time Christmas approaches the
private restaurant managed by Leonel, south of Havana, overflows with
decorations and lights on the facade and over the door.
The staff don red caps threaded with white and the music resonates in
the doorway. The smell of turkey and roasted pig awaken the appetite and
invite you to come in and have a look at the menu. The relaxed
atmosphere reminds us that the end of the year is approaching.
December is the most anticipated month in Cuba. People relax and even
say good morning when riding in a collective taxi. Retirees and
housewives are starting to line up at the state markets, to see if they
can buy the pound of pork a little cheaper. Citizen criticisms increase
because of food prices. And a large segment of the population can only
look at the nougats, ciders and clusters of grapes in the "shoppings" —
a word Cubans use in English — or in the hard currency stores.
But if there is a month when the city becomes a cornucopia it is in
December. Reggaeton, timba and the lilt of salsa is heard wherever you go.
This year is different. By official decree, public festivities are
suspended until further notice. Fidel Castro is not here, but his shadow
remains, regulating the national life as if he were a traffic light.
The families with full pockets, who normally celebrate with Christmas
dinner on Christmas Eve and during the days of Christmas drink a
collection of drinks and beer between the din of music and mutual
congratulations, have had to change their plans.
"We have to be quiet. We can not show jubilation even on December
31st. It's shut down. Fidel couldn't die another time?" asks Raidel, an
artisan, who along with his family likes to welcome the coming of the
New Year in grand style.
According to Eladio, manager of a nightclub west of the capital, "We
received a circular that clarifies that we should stop the sale of
alcoholic beverages and music on those dates. When Fidel died, on
November 25, we were closed for nine days. That affects the pocket of
employees, because the profits depend on sales. They even have scheduled
inspections without warning, to see if they can catch us off base. If
there are no drinks or cash, you can forget about it."
An official from the Young Communist Union said, "People on the street
are exaggerating. There's no ban on parties, it's because of the pain
our people are feeling for the death of the comandante, that we ask them
to be discreet about the celebrations. It's true that the state
establishments won't have any parties, there won't be any orchestras or
dancing. People can celebrate at home, but with the music turned down low."
"I would really miss it if I couldn't celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas
and could see in 2017. Mourning for Fidel was nine days, people said
their goodbyes, some cried, others didn't. But now we must turn the
page. I hope that now the police, the extremists and the intransigents
of old don't get into a big drama over people having fun and they feel
they have to repress them," says Oscar, a resident of the Lawton
neighborhood.
If we give credit to the state ukase, each provincial government has the
power to regulate the prohibitions according to the peculiarities of its
municipalities. "It is not the same as it is in neighborhoods like Plaza
de la Revolución, Playa or Old Havana, where thousands of tourists and
foreigners circulate. In neighborhoods like San Miguel del Padrón,
Arroyo Naranjo or Diez de Octubre there are no hotels or resorts. In any
case, the music that will be heard in state-owned hotels, cafes and
restaurants will be patriotic, symphonic or peasant music," says Yadira,
a worker at the headquarters of a municipal party.
In an attempt to silence the discomfort, the rumors of prohibitions and
a supposed "extended mourning" for the passing of Fidel Castro, the
Granma and Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) newspapers, in separate
articles dedicated to praising the upcoming 58th anniversary of the
Triumph of the Revolution, clarified that Cubans could celebrate New
Year's, but 'in moderation'. Neither text referred to the celebrations
for Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Popular festivities with more than a century of tradition, such as the
Parrandas de Remedios and Charangas de Bejucal, which have always been
held in December, have been moved to the month of January.
"In Cuba, when it doesn't come, it's over. It's hard for a Cuban not to
celebrate the end of the year. I put on music in my house and at
midnight on 31 December I go out with my wheeled suitcase and walk
around the block, to see if 2017 will give me a foreign trip and I just
take off. No one can stand this. This mourning imposed by others," says
Liudmila, a prostitute.
José Antonio, a construction worker, is more sarcastic. "Didn't people
chant 'I'm Fidel'? Because they already have it, they continue being Fidel."
Source: Prohibition on Christmas Celebrations Disgusts Havanans / Iván
García – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/prohibition-on-christmas-celebrations-disgusts-havanans-ivn-garca/
Ivan Garcia, 23 December 2016 — Every time Christmas approaches the
private restaurant managed by Leonel, south of Havana, overflows with
decorations and lights on the facade and over the door.
The staff don red caps threaded with white and the music resonates in
the doorway. The smell of turkey and roasted pig awaken the appetite and
invite you to come in and have a look at the menu. The relaxed
atmosphere reminds us that the end of the year is approaching.
December is the most anticipated month in Cuba. People relax and even
say good morning when riding in a collective taxi. Retirees and
housewives are starting to line up at the state markets, to see if they
can buy the pound of pork a little cheaper. Citizen criticisms increase
because of food prices. And a large segment of the population can only
look at the nougats, ciders and clusters of grapes in the "shoppings" —
a word Cubans use in English — or in the hard currency stores.
But if there is a month when the city becomes a cornucopia it is in
December. Reggaeton, timba and the lilt of salsa is heard wherever you go.
This year is different. By official decree, public festivities are
suspended until further notice. Fidel Castro is not here, but his shadow
remains, regulating the national life as if he were a traffic light.
The families with full pockets, who normally celebrate with Christmas
dinner on Christmas Eve and during the days of Christmas drink a
collection of drinks and beer between the din of music and mutual
congratulations, have had to change their plans.
"We have to be quiet. We can not show jubilation even on December
31st. It's shut down. Fidel couldn't die another time?" asks Raidel, an
artisan, who along with his family likes to welcome the coming of the
New Year in grand style.
According to Eladio, manager of a nightclub west of the capital, "We
received a circular that clarifies that we should stop the sale of
alcoholic beverages and music on those dates. When Fidel died, on
November 25, we were closed for nine days. That affects the pocket of
employees, because the profits depend on sales. They even have scheduled
inspections without warning, to see if they can catch us off base. If
there are no drinks or cash, you can forget about it."
An official from the Young Communist Union said, "People on the street
are exaggerating. There's no ban on parties, it's because of the pain
our people are feeling for the death of the comandante, that we ask them
to be discreet about the celebrations. It's true that the state
establishments won't have any parties, there won't be any orchestras or
dancing. People can celebrate at home, but with the music turned down low."
"I would really miss it if I couldn't celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas
and could see in 2017. Mourning for Fidel was nine days, people said
their goodbyes, some cried, others didn't. But now we must turn the
page. I hope that now the police, the extremists and the intransigents
of old don't get into a big drama over people having fun and they feel
they have to repress them," says Oscar, a resident of the Lawton
neighborhood.
If we give credit to the state ukase, each provincial government has the
power to regulate the prohibitions according to the peculiarities of its
municipalities. "It is not the same as it is in neighborhoods like Plaza
de la Revolución, Playa or Old Havana, where thousands of tourists and
foreigners circulate. In neighborhoods like San Miguel del Padrón,
Arroyo Naranjo or Diez de Octubre there are no hotels or resorts. In any
case, the music that will be heard in state-owned hotels, cafes and
restaurants will be patriotic, symphonic or peasant music," says Yadira,
a worker at the headquarters of a municipal party.
In an attempt to silence the discomfort, the rumors of prohibitions and
a supposed "extended mourning" for the passing of Fidel Castro, the
Granma and Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) newspapers, in separate
articles dedicated to praising the upcoming 58th anniversary of the
Triumph of the Revolution, clarified that Cubans could celebrate New
Year's, but 'in moderation'. Neither text referred to the celebrations
for Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Popular festivities with more than a century of tradition, such as the
Parrandas de Remedios and Charangas de Bejucal, which have always been
held in December, have been moved to the month of January.
"In Cuba, when it doesn't come, it's over. It's hard for a Cuban not to
celebrate the end of the year. I put on music in my house and at
midnight on 31 December I go out with my wheeled suitcase and walk
around the block, to see if 2017 will give me a foreign trip and I just
take off. No one can stand this. This mourning imposed by others," says
Liudmila, a prostitute.
José Antonio, a construction worker, is more sarcastic. "Didn't people
chant 'I'm Fidel'? Because they already have it, they continue being Fidel."
Source: Prohibition on Christmas Celebrations Disgusts Havanans / Iván
García – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/prohibition-on-christmas-celebrations-disgusts-havanans-ivn-garca/
Cuba’s ‘Weekly Packet’ is Caught in the Crossfire
Cuba's 'Weekly Packet' is Caught in the Crossfire / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 23 December 2016 – "Over my dead body!"
echoes across a living room in Florida, Camaguey, Cuba, the day Jorge
Angel discovered his family absorbed in the weekly packet. Now the wife
sneaks to watch the reality shows that come in the weekly audiovisual
compendium so as not to annoy the family's Communist Party militant.
Criticized by officialdom, and in ever growing demand among customers,
the packet is caught in the crossfire. After several weeks of
programming on national television marked by tributes to the recently
deceased Fidel Castro, demand for movies, TV shows and documentaries has
skyrocketed in the informal market, while institutional hatred against
the packet has intensified.
In Central Havana, the most densely populated municipality in Cuba, the
impact of the packet is everywhere. Outside La Candeal bakery, two women
were talking this Thursday about a Colombian telenovela that arrives in
one of the 40 folders included in the popular compilation.
"This is the zone of satellite dishes and the packet," explains a
messenger for Copypack, a place that sells the product put together by
an enterprise calling itself Omega. The young man says that over the
last three weeks the number of clients has grown, as they "come looking
for anything, so long as they don't have to watch [state] television."
Distributors have avoided including in the latest compilations material
critical of the former president and the popular programs on South
Florida channels. "There's no reason to stick your finger in the eye of
the beast," says the employee.
The caution of the informal producers and distributors has not prevented
the authorities from renewing their offensive against the most important
competitor to official programming.
This Thursday the newspaper Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) published an
article on the subject, signed by journalist Miguel Cruz Suarez under
the title The Sweet Poison In The Ostrich's Hole. The author
acknowledges that "thousands of Cubans" prefer audiovisual content that
is distributed on flash memories and DVDs, a practice that exposes them
to the "disparate scenarios of capitalist entertainment," he says.
The reporter also points out the dangers of "cultural naiveté" opening
the doors to "the guest of banality and consumerist egotism," although
he acknowledges that there are already "some manifestations" of this
scourge on the island.
Among the bitterest enemies of the packet is Abel Prieto, Minister of
Culture, and Miguel Barnet, President of the National Union of Writers
and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). Both have complained about the poor quality
of content consumed, versus that of the state television programming, is
content they consider "junk" and "pseudo-cultural products." Prieto
recently warned that the phenomenon could end up expanding in the
country "the frivolity of the culturally colonized," people who "have
already given up the pleasure of intelligence."
However, among ordinary people on the street there are other critics
whose voices are also being heard. "The packet has become very cowardly,
I don't watch it," says Jonathan, who has a degree in History. He
explains that "it used to include more interesting and controversial
topics, but now it is a little lightweight."
Wilfredo and Niurka, a couple residing on Monte Avenue in Havana, share
this view. "We decided to buy the satellite dish because we want
to watch the news and Miami programs that no longer come in the packet,"
the wife says. Both believe that the compendium "has become annoying,
it's already as 'controlled' at the (state) Cubavision channel."
Source: Cuba's 'Weekly Packet' is Caught in the Crossfire / 14ymedio,
Luz Escobar – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cubas-weekly-packet-is-caught-in-the-crossfire-14ymedio-luz-escobar/
14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 23 December 2016 – "Over my dead body!"
echoes across a living room in Florida, Camaguey, Cuba, the day Jorge
Angel discovered his family absorbed in the weekly packet. Now the wife
sneaks to watch the reality shows that come in the weekly audiovisual
compendium so as not to annoy the family's Communist Party militant.
Criticized by officialdom, and in ever growing demand among customers,
the packet is caught in the crossfire. After several weeks of
programming on national television marked by tributes to the recently
deceased Fidel Castro, demand for movies, TV shows and documentaries has
skyrocketed in the informal market, while institutional hatred against
the packet has intensified.
In Central Havana, the most densely populated municipality in Cuba, the
impact of the packet is everywhere. Outside La Candeal bakery, two women
were talking this Thursday about a Colombian telenovela that arrives in
one of the 40 folders included in the popular compilation.
"This is the zone of satellite dishes and the packet," explains a
messenger for Copypack, a place that sells the product put together by
an enterprise calling itself Omega. The young man says that over the
last three weeks the number of clients has grown, as they "come looking
for anything, so long as they don't have to watch [state] television."
Distributors have avoided including in the latest compilations material
critical of the former president and the popular programs on South
Florida channels. "There's no reason to stick your finger in the eye of
the beast," says the employee.
The caution of the informal producers and distributors has not prevented
the authorities from renewing their offensive against the most important
competitor to official programming.
This Thursday the newspaper Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) published an
article on the subject, signed by journalist Miguel Cruz Suarez under
the title The Sweet Poison In The Ostrich's Hole. The author
acknowledges that "thousands of Cubans" prefer audiovisual content that
is distributed on flash memories and DVDs, a practice that exposes them
to the "disparate scenarios of capitalist entertainment," he says.
The reporter also points out the dangers of "cultural naiveté" opening
the doors to "the guest of banality and consumerist egotism," although
he acknowledges that there are already "some manifestations" of this
scourge on the island.
Among the bitterest enemies of the packet is Abel Prieto, Minister of
Culture, and Miguel Barnet, President of the National Union of Writers
and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). Both have complained about the poor quality
of content consumed, versus that of the state television programming, is
content they consider "junk" and "pseudo-cultural products." Prieto
recently warned that the phenomenon could end up expanding in the
country "the frivolity of the culturally colonized," people who "have
already given up the pleasure of intelligence."
However, among ordinary people on the street there are other critics
whose voices are also being heard. "The packet has become very cowardly,
I don't watch it," says Jonathan, who has a degree in History. He
explains that "it used to include more interesting and controversial
topics, but now it is a little lightweight."
Wilfredo and Niurka, a couple residing on Monte Avenue in Havana, share
this view. "We decided to buy the satellite dish because we want
to watch the news and Miami programs that no longer come in the packet,"
the wife says. Both believe that the compendium "has become annoying,
it's already as 'controlled' at the (state) Cubavision channel."
Source: Cuba's 'Weekly Packet' is Caught in the Crossfire / 14ymedio,
Luz Escobar – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cubas-weekly-packet-is-caught-in-the-crossfire-14ymedio-luz-escobar/
Cuba after Fidel Castro - Arthur I. Cyr
Cuba after Fidel Castro
Published December 4, 2016
By Arthur I. Cyr
The death of Cuban revolutionary and dictator Fidel Castro is a major
moment in the midst of important economic changes. Acknowledging his
importance as an epic Machiavellian survivor in no way minimizes the
ruthlessness of his regime.
In May 2015, the United States removed Cuba from the list of states
sponsoring terrorism. This greatly facilitates interchange between the
two sides. Of particular significance, banking restrictions were lifted.
Last March, President Barack Obama visited Cuba. President Calvin
Coolidge was the last U.S. chief executive to visit the island nation,
in early 1928.
Slowly but also surely, the ruthless dictatorship that controls Cuba has
been forced to face the reality of economic failure of communism. Fidel
Castro began transition of power to younger brother Raul Castro in 2006.
Four years later, Fidel suddenly re-emerged in the media spotlight and
proceeded dramatically to lament the shambles of the nation's economy.
At the same time, the Cuban government announced layoffs of 500,000
workers, combined with liberalization designed to encourage small
business and foreign purchases of real estate. This was admission of
failure by Cuba's committed communist leaders. Havana now courts foreign
investment, while maintaining political controls.
In 2009, the U.S. loosened extremely tight restrictions on travel and
financial remittances. Additionally, telecommunications companies were
allowed to pursue licensing agreements.
The Soviet Union, vital subsidy source, collapsed a quarter century ago.
Venezuela provided limited aid, but that economy is now a wrecked basket
case.
Enemies as well as admirers agree Fidel Castro demonstrated strong
leadership before age and illness led him to retire. After taking power
in early 1959, enforcer brother Raul handled bloody mass executions with
efficient dispatch.
Fidel highlighted his alliance with the Soviet Union by joining Nikita
Khrushchev in a 1960 visit to the United Nations in New York. The Soviet
premier was wildly disruptive at UN sessions, while the Cuban delegation
provided a media sideshow, based at a Harlem hotel.
The Eisenhower administration began a clandestine effort to overthrow
the regime, including a CIA project to assassinate Castro. The successor
Kennedy administration vastly escalated efforts.
Cuba became an active far-reaching revolutionary force. The U.S.
aggressively intervened against perceived threats, notably in Chile in
the 1970s, where East Germany was influential. Cuban troops served as
Soviet proxies in various Africa wars.
When Fidel stepped down, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice endorsed
"peaceful, democratic change" in that nation and suggested that the
"international community" work directly with the people. We should
emphasize educational and cultural exchanges, along with limited trade
and investment. President Dwight Eisenhower took this approach with the
Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War.
Above all, we should avoid directly attacking the regime. Previous
aggressive interventions were highly counterproductive, and for many
years have provided the Castro brothers with the benefit of blaming all
problems on the Yankee superpower to the north.
In the past, Cuba has been extremely important in U.S. presidential
politics. Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kennedy fanned
the flames of hostility to Castro in the 1960 contest with Republican
Vice President Richard Nixon.
This year, some Republicans have strongly denounced the rapprochement
with Cuba, but Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona joined President
Obama's delegation. A bipartisan congressional delegation visited Cuba
in February.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence used the occasion of Fidel Castro's
passing to underscore hope for a democratic Cuba. Today foreign
trade/investment, education and information are keys to that objective.
Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage College and
author of "After the Cold War." Contact him at acyr@carthage.edu.
Source: Kenosha News -
http://www.kenoshanews.com/opinion/cuba_after_fidel_castro_490877366.php
Published December 4, 2016
By Arthur I. Cyr
The death of Cuban revolutionary and dictator Fidel Castro is a major
moment in the midst of important economic changes. Acknowledging his
importance as an epic Machiavellian survivor in no way minimizes the
ruthlessness of his regime.
In May 2015, the United States removed Cuba from the list of states
sponsoring terrorism. This greatly facilitates interchange between the
two sides. Of particular significance, banking restrictions were lifted.
Last March, President Barack Obama visited Cuba. President Calvin
Coolidge was the last U.S. chief executive to visit the island nation,
in early 1928.
Slowly but also surely, the ruthless dictatorship that controls Cuba has
been forced to face the reality of economic failure of communism. Fidel
Castro began transition of power to younger brother Raul Castro in 2006.
Four years later, Fidel suddenly re-emerged in the media spotlight and
proceeded dramatically to lament the shambles of the nation's economy.
At the same time, the Cuban government announced layoffs of 500,000
workers, combined with liberalization designed to encourage small
business and foreign purchases of real estate. This was admission of
failure by Cuba's committed communist leaders. Havana now courts foreign
investment, while maintaining political controls.
In 2009, the U.S. loosened extremely tight restrictions on travel and
financial remittances. Additionally, telecommunications companies were
allowed to pursue licensing agreements.
The Soviet Union, vital subsidy source, collapsed a quarter century ago.
Venezuela provided limited aid, but that economy is now a wrecked basket
case.
Enemies as well as admirers agree Fidel Castro demonstrated strong
leadership before age and illness led him to retire. After taking power
in early 1959, enforcer brother Raul handled bloody mass executions with
efficient dispatch.
Fidel highlighted his alliance with the Soviet Union by joining Nikita
Khrushchev in a 1960 visit to the United Nations in New York. The Soviet
premier was wildly disruptive at UN sessions, while the Cuban delegation
provided a media sideshow, based at a Harlem hotel.
The Eisenhower administration began a clandestine effort to overthrow
the regime, including a CIA project to assassinate Castro. The successor
Kennedy administration vastly escalated efforts.
Cuba became an active far-reaching revolutionary force. The U.S.
aggressively intervened against perceived threats, notably in Chile in
the 1970s, where East Germany was influential. Cuban troops served as
Soviet proxies in various Africa wars.
When Fidel stepped down, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice endorsed
"peaceful, democratic change" in that nation and suggested that the
"international community" work directly with the people. We should
emphasize educational and cultural exchanges, along with limited trade
and investment. President Dwight Eisenhower took this approach with the
Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War.
Above all, we should avoid directly attacking the regime. Previous
aggressive interventions were highly counterproductive, and for many
years have provided the Castro brothers with the benefit of blaming all
problems on the Yankee superpower to the north.
In the past, Cuba has been extremely important in U.S. presidential
politics. Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kennedy fanned
the flames of hostility to Castro in the 1960 contest with Republican
Vice President Richard Nixon.
This year, some Republicans have strongly denounced the rapprochement
with Cuba, but Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona joined President
Obama's delegation. A bipartisan congressional delegation visited Cuba
in February.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence used the occasion of Fidel Castro's
passing to underscore hope for a democratic Cuba. Today foreign
trade/investment, education and information are keys to that objective.
Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage College and
author of "After the Cold War." Contact him at acyr@carthage.edu.
Source: Kenosha News -
http://www.kenoshanews.com/opinion/cuba_after_fidel_castro_490877366.php
Cuban President Raul Castro faces deep problems in 2017
Cuban President Raul Castro faces deep problems in 2017
Castro must manage economic and diplomatic challenges during a year of
transition
Published: 16:15 December 26, 2016
AP
Havana: Alex Romero was delighted when President Barack Obama came to
Havana in March bearing the promise of a bright new future.
Like so many other Cubans, the 42-year-old state photography shop
employee thrilled at the president's vision of restored ties between the
US and Cuba. Families would reunite. A flood of American business would
lift the stagnant centrally planned economy, fuelling its slow path
toward reform. Even as Obama spoke, an 80 per cent surge in US visitors
was drenching state-run and private businesses with hundreds of millions
of desperately needed dollars.
Nine months later, the world seen from Havana looks very different.
President Raul Castro faces what could be his toughest year since he
took power in 2006. 2017 brings a possible economic recession and a US
president-elect who has promised to undo Obama's normalisation unless
the Cuban government makes new concessions on civil rights. Resistance
to pressure from Washington is a founding principle for the Cuban
communist system, making domestic concessions in exchange for continued
détente a virtual impossibility.
"People expected that after Obama came there would be changes in the
relationship between the US and Cuba but that we could keep the best of
what we have, the benefits for the people," Romero said. "Trump's not
going to be able to get what he wants, another type of Cuba. If the
world's number one power takes us on, 2017 is going to be really bad for
us."
Castro must manage these twin economic and diplomatic challenges during
a year of transition. The 85-year-old general has promised to hand over
the office in early 2018 to a successor, widely expected to be Miguel
Diaz-Canel, a 56-year-old official with neither the Castro name nor
revolutionary credentials. The change will occur without Castro's older
brother Fidel, the revolutionary leader whose largely unseen presence
endowed the system he created with historical weight and credibility in
the eyes of many Cubans before he died last month at 90.
"Even if those two events hadn't taken place — Trump's victory and
Fidel's death — 2017 was going to be a very difficult year for Cuba,"
said Cuban economist Omar Everleny Perez, a visiting professor at Keio
University in Tokyo.
Cuba publishes few credible economic statistics, but experts expect the
country to end this year with gross domestic product growth of 1 per
cent or less. It maintained a rate close to 3 per cent from 2011-2015.
One bright spot is tourism, booming since Obama and Castro's December
17, 2014, détente announcement set off a surge in overall visitor
numbers, up more than 15 per cent in 2015 and again this year.
"I've never seen as many tourists as I have this year," said Magalys
Pupo, a street-corner pastry vendor in Old Havana. "They're everywhere
and they're the income that we need in this country."
The slowness of macroeconomic growth despite a surge of interest in
foreign investment and the greatest tourism boom in decades attests to
both long-term mismanagement of the Cuban economy and the depth of the
crisis in other sectors, particularly aid from Venezuelan in the form of
deeply subsidised oil.
Analysts believe that as Venezuela's Cuba-inspired socialist economy has
disintegrated, exports to Cuba has dropped from 115,000 barrels daily in
2008 to 90,000 in recent years to 40,000 a day over the last few months.
Venezuela was the prime destination alongside Brazil for Cuban doctors
and other professionals whose salaries go directly to the Cuban
government, providing another vital source of hard currency believed to
be slackening in recent years. Nickel, another of Cuba's main exports,
has seen a sharp price drop this year.
The revenue drop may be creating a vicious cycle for Cuba's state-run
industries. Experts say cutbacks in imported industrial inputs this year
will lead to lower productivity in Cuba's few domestic industries in
2017 and make zero growth or recession highly likely.
"Raul Castro's government has a year left and it should be planning what
needs to be done," said Pavel Vidal, a Cuban economist at the
Universidad Javeriana in Cali, Colombia. "Above all, it will be managing
a crisis."
The government cut back summer working hours and gas rations for
state-owned vehicles and has so far avoided any sustained power outages.
But a crackdown on black-market gasoline sales to taxi drivers led them
to increase prices, causing drivers to raise their prices, squeezing
many Cubans already struggling to get by on state salaries of about $30
(Dh110) a month. Many Cubans say, however, that worsening conditions
could drive them to rally around the government rather than against it.
"It's going to be a tough year," said Antenor Stevens, a 66-year-old
retired public water specialist. "We're a people who've suffered a lot.
We've felt a lot of need, but there's still a revolutionary consciousness."
One cushion will be remittances from Cuban expatriates in the United
States and other countries, estimated by some experts to be in excess of
$3 billion a year and rising as Cubans flood to the United States in
fear that they may soon lose special immigration privileges.
Another bright spot is Cuba's growing private sector, particularly
businesses boosted by increased demand from tourists.
While rising food prices are a constant problem for ordinary Cubans,
many of those investing in food production are finding success.
Fernando Funes, owner of a farm that supplies vegetables to about 30
private restaurants in Havana, most with tourist clienteles, has nearly
doubled his workforce from 12 to 20 in recent years, all earning about
$25 a week. Five have begun cultivating their own plots of land
alongside to produce food for sale to similar clients.
"We have a lot more opportunities to start projects these days," Funes
said. "Personally I'm optimistic about 2017."
Source: Cuban President Raul Castro faces deep problems in 2017 |
GulfNews.com -
http://gulfnews.com/news/americas/cuban-president-raul-castro-faces-deep-problems-in-2017-1.1951921
Castro must manage economic and diplomatic challenges during a year of
transition
Published: 16:15 December 26, 2016
AP
Havana: Alex Romero was delighted when President Barack Obama came to
Havana in March bearing the promise of a bright new future.
Like so many other Cubans, the 42-year-old state photography shop
employee thrilled at the president's vision of restored ties between the
US and Cuba. Families would reunite. A flood of American business would
lift the stagnant centrally planned economy, fuelling its slow path
toward reform. Even as Obama spoke, an 80 per cent surge in US visitors
was drenching state-run and private businesses with hundreds of millions
of desperately needed dollars.
Nine months later, the world seen from Havana looks very different.
President Raul Castro faces what could be his toughest year since he
took power in 2006. 2017 brings a possible economic recession and a US
president-elect who has promised to undo Obama's normalisation unless
the Cuban government makes new concessions on civil rights. Resistance
to pressure from Washington is a founding principle for the Cuban
communist system, making domestic concessions in exchange for continued
détente a virtual impossibility.
"People expected that after Obama came there would be changes in the
relationship between the US and Cuba but that we could keep the best of
what we have, the benefits for the people," Romero said. "Trump's not
going to be able to get what he wants, another type of Cuba. If the
world's number one power takes us on, 2017 is going to be really bad for
us."
Castro must manage these twin economic and diplomatic challenges during
a year of transition. The 85-year-old general has promised to hand over
the office in early 2018 to a successor, widely expected to be Miguel
Diaz-Canel, a 56-year-old official with neither the Castro name nor
revolutionary credentials. The change will occur without Castro's older
brother Fidel, the revolutionary leader whose largely unseen presence
endowed the system he created with historical weight and credibility in
the eyes of many Cubans before he died last month at 90.
"Even if those two events hadn't taken place — Trump's victory and
Fidel's death — 2017 was going to be a very difficult year for Cuba,"
said Cuban economist Omar Everleny Perez, a visiting professor at Keio
University in Tokyo.
Cuba publishes few credible economic statistics, but experts expect the
country to end this year with gross domestic product growth of 1 per
cent or less. It maintained a rate close to 3 per cent from 2011-2015.
One bright spot is tourism, booming since Obama and Castro's December
17, 2014, détente announcement set off a surge in overall visitor
numbers, up more than 15 per cent in 2015 and again this year.
"I've never seen as many tourists as I have this year," said Magalys
Pupo, a street-corner pastry vendor in Old Havana. "They're everywhere
and they're the income that we need in this country."
The slowness of macroeconomic growth despite a surge of interest in
foreign investment and the greatest tourism boom in decades attests to
both long-term mismanagement of the Cuban economy and the depth of the
crisis in other sectors, particularly aid from Venezuelan in the form of
deeply subsidised oil.
Analysts believe that as Venezuela's Cuba-inspired socialist economy has
disintegrated, exports to Cuba has dropped from 115,000 barrels daily in
2008 to 90,000 in recent years to 40,000 a day over the last few months.
Venezuela was the prime destination alongside Brazil for Cuban doctors
and other professionals whose salaries go directly to the Cuban
government, providing another vital source of hard currency believed to
be slackening in recent years. Nickel, another of Cuba's main exports,
has seen a sharp price drop this year.
The revenue drop may be creating a vicious cycle for Cuba's state-run
industries. Experts say cutbacks in imported industrial inputs this year
will lead to lower productivity in Cuba's few domestic industries in
2017 and make zero growth or recession highly likely.
"Raul Castro's government has a year left and it should be planning what
needs to be done," said Pavel Vidal, a Cuban economist at the
Universidad Javeriana in Cali, Colombia. "Above all, it will be managing
a crisis."
The government cut back summer working hours and gas rations for
state-owned vehicles and has so far avoided any sustained power outages.
But a crackdown on black-market gasoline sales to taxi drivers led them
to increase prices, causing drivers to raise their prices, squeezing
many Cubans already struggling to get by on state salaries of about $30
(Dh110) a month. Many Cubans say, however, that worsening conditions
could drive them to rally around the government rather than against it.
"It's going to be a tough year," said Antenor Stevens, a 66-year-old
retired public water specialist. "We're a people who've suffered a lot.
We've felt a lot of need, but there's still a revolutionary consciousness."
One cushion will be remittances from Cuban expatriates in the United
States and other countries, estimated by some experts to be in excess of
$3 billion a year and rising as Cubans flood to the United States in
fear that they may soon lose special immigration privileges.
Another bright spot is Cuba's growing private sector, particularly
businesses boosted by increased demand from tourists.
While rising food prices are a constant problem for ordinary Cubans,
many of those investing in food production are finding success.
Fernando Funes, owner of a farm that supplies vegetables to about 30
private restaurants in Havana, most with tourist clienteles, has nearly
doubled his workforce from 12 to 20 in recent years, all earning about
$25 a week. Five have begun cultivating their own plots of land
alongside to produce food for sale to similar clients.
"We have a lot more opportunities to start projects these days," Funes
said. "Personally I'm optimistic about 2017."
Source: Cuban President Raul Castro faces deep problems in 2017 |
GulfNews.com -
http://gulfnews.com/news/americas/cuban-president-raul-castro-faces-deep-problems-in-2017-1.1951921
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