“That day, like the kids, I went out to play,” says El Sexto

"That day, like the kids, I went out to play," says El Sexto / 14ymedio,
Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 27 January 2017 — Since late last
November Danilo Maldonado, El Sexto, has lived a nightmare. He passed
from one police station to another until he reached the dreaded
Combinado del Este jail in Havana. His crime: to write on several walls
a graffiti that read "He left," a few hours after the death of former
President Fidel Castro.

Last Saturday the street artist was released. A few hours after chatting
with 14ymedio, on Thursday, the Office Immigration and Aliens renewed
his passport and announced that he could leave the country. This
Friday, El Sexto traveled to Miami in the company of his romantic partner.

14ymedio. How did the news of the death of Fidel Castro hit you?

El Sexto. That day they woke me up with the news and I could not believe
it. The musician Gorki Aguila called me first, then other friends and
then my sister who told me, "Hey, Fidel died, really."

I dressed and, like the children, I went out to play. First I painted on
a wall of a bodega in the corner of 23 and F, and also in other places
until I arrived at the Habana Libre Hotel where a person who was
connected to the Wi-Fi zone transmitted it live by Facebook. From then,
the moment I made a graffiti with the phrase "He left" on the wall, spread.

Soon I went to my house, it was almost dawn and everything was very
quiet. When I was lying down, the police opened the door of the room and
took me by force. They beat me and threw me into their patrol car.

14ymedio. Did they ever explain the reason for the arrest?

El Sexto. They did not give me any explanation during the arrest and
they moved me to a unit in La Lisa, then to Guanabacoa, where they took
my phone, which has not yet reappeared. There they talked to me about a
crime of "damages. They then took me to the Zapata and C station, and
later to Vivac. From there to the prison in Valle Grande where on the
weekend of December 10, Human Rights Day, they put me in an isolation cell.

Then came Combinado del Este, where they received me with blows. They
practically hanged me and took all the civilian clothes I had. I was
forced to wear prison clothes.

14ymedio. Did you have any special surveillance in jail?

El Sexto. Every time I spoke on the phone, I was monitored. A
re-educator told me they would release me soon, but I realized that it
was to keep me calm and silent.

14ymedio. How did the other prisoners react?

El Sexto. They showed incredible solidarity. I painted a lot and tried
to get my drawings out of the jail. It was also good to know that so
many people were watching my case. In particular, I want to thank Yulier
Rodríguez, the graffiti artist, who was aware of my situation.

14ymedio. What plans do you have for now that you are back on the street?

El Sexto. The most immediate thing is to do everything to be able see my
daughter. In addition, I want to compile some of the drawings I did in
prison and make a book with those short texts and illustrations. The
children need to see other beautiful things, different from what they
see in that dogma with which they learn to read.

Source: "That day, like the kids, I went out to play," says El Sexto /
14ymedio, Luz Escobar – Translating Cuba -
https://translatingcuba.com/that-day-like-the-kids-i-went-out-to-play-says-el-sexto-14ymedio-luz-escobar/

21 km for Cuban Political Prisoners

21 km for Cuban Political Prisoners / Luis Felipe Rojas

Luis Felipe Rojas, 21 January 2017 — This 29th of January I will be
running the Miami Half Marathon. It will be 21 kilometers of puffing and
panting while I think about the people who are in jail in Cuba because
of their opinions.

My legs and ankles will get unscrewed, my liver will tell me to stop
throughout the entire 13.1 miles of the run, which I will try to
survive. I come from an island where you are not allowed to criticise
whichever dictator happens to be there. Isn't 58 years a dreadfully long
time to dictate peoples' lives?

I am going to run for those who held up an anti-government
sign, those who uttered a slogan which clashed with the chorus of sheep
who say yes and think no. Also, for those who once took arms against the
oldest dictatorship in the west: the two Castro brothers.

I have spent exactly a year puffing away along the road for more than
two hours, in the stifling humidity of the Miami swamps, and the sun
which doesn't understand which season is which. Weights, treadmills,
long runs, speed runs, and running barefoot. I want to run through the
21 kilometers of this beautiful city and the endless alleys where you
can breathe the humidity of the Cuban jails.

I want to get to the 8 mile point, which will totally wear me out, like
somebody who gets put in the Guantánamo Penal Institution, "Combinado",
as it is known, the dismal jail in Boniato, Santiago de Cuba, or the
monstrous model prison at Km 8 in Camagüey.

I can do more, I know, but it's a gesture which will do for now. I only
want to invite you to watch the 15th Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. I
will run slowly, to savour and suffer every mile, every pace within the
pack of runners. This Sunday, more than a hundred Cuban political
prisoners will hear the shout Count! and some will be beaten.

The country that is Cuba which will be subdued by each kick, each
beating. A lock will be fastened. Someone will run along the road in
Miami to open it.

Translated by GH

Source: 21 km for Cuban Political Prisoners / Luis Felipe Rojas –
Translating Cuba -
https://translatingcuba.com/21-km-for-cuban-political-prisoners-luis-felipe-rojas/

In Cuba Everyone Expects Favors From Trump

In Cuba Everyone Expects Favors From Trump / Iván García

Ivan Garcia, 28 January 2017 — Betting political capital or relying on
such an erratic guy as Donald Trump is not good business. Only the
desperate, shameless and amoral could argue that the New York magnate is
a convinced altruist or humanist.

Expecting the enraged Trump to negotiate strategies that address the
inefficient Cuban economy, or open doors to unstoppable emigration, or
give a blank check to the local opposition, is like throwing dice in a
casino to get national prosperity.

Until Wednesday, 25 January, when Raul Castro spoke at the 5th CELAC
Summit in the Dominican Republic, and said he was willing to maintain a
respectful dialog with Donald Trump, "but without making concessions,"
no official statement had been released in Cuba about the attitude of
the new president of the United States.

The silence of the state media and government spokespeople in the face
of Trump's insane projects was already embarrassing.

That a president, like the unpresentable Maduro or grizzly Castro, who
present themselves as socialists and communists, as a political strategy
would shut up or celebrate (in the case of Venezuela when Trump took
possession) the most retrograde and conservative of US presidents in the
last 30 years, was a contradiction.

On the other hand, where is the so-called "Latin America solidarity"
towards a nation like Mexico, at this moment when it is experiencing an
authentic low-intensity war, unfounded accusations and threats on the
part of Donald Trump.

Much of the current Latin America Left now in power is a fraud with no
more ideology or convictions that those emanating from its corrupt power
and the looting of the public treasury. Which is why they remain silent.
They prefer to establish a friendship with Trump to please their ally
Vladimir Putin, with an imperial strategy without dissembling, that
defends his fake doctrines of "humanism and social justice."

The new tenant of the White House has overturned the world order. He has
discredited many institutions, in his own country and internationally,
except those of the Kremlin. He is a threat to everyone. For the
establishment, the Republican Party and for liberal trade agreements
like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Trump is not a Democrat. He is him. A great manipulator who has
conquered half of the American people with half truths and lies without
fundamentals. With his isolationism and protectionism, if he manages to
do it, the United States will regress to the level of Spain, at
least. His journey into the past is suicide.

People and societies grow. We no longer live in the stage of the
industrial revolution. The world has become a global village. Whether
Mr. Trump likes it or not.

A friend of mine who resides in Miami, a homeowner in the south of the
city, told me that she voted for Trump so that the clothing and toy
factories that once employed thousands would return to Florida.

To exemplify the horror of the new times, she mentioned that even the
fruit cocktail sold at Publix Supermarket is made in China. I am afraid
that this segment of deep America is rightly observing with dismay the
decapitalization of its cities and low wages.

But when the iPhone comes to be assembled in Cupertino, Apple's
California headquarters, and Fords are built in Detroit, then do not
complain about the skyrocketing prices. Global industries and brands
move to other countries because of the low costs.

Let's hope Trump solves the problem. Concerned as he is about fixing the
world in his own way and making America great again, he won't have much
room on his agenda for the Cuban issue.

Cuba is no longer a problem. Fidel Castro died and for decades the
regime has not subverted central America or Africa with arms and
guerrillas. The main ruling clan, five or six elders, who together have
been alive almost five hundred years, continue to hate "Yankee
imperialism" and bet on the end of modern capitalism.

They are by the book dictators. But power, money, family and the
biological factor have called them to change or come up with new
strategies. For one simple reason: if Cuba is still stranded between the
invasive marabou weed and lack of productivity, at some point social
conflicts will begin.

To pull the car forward you need a locomotive. Once it was Russia. Then
it was Chavez's petrodollars. Now they sigh for the green cash of the
former American enemy.

Meanwhile, on the Island, a wing of dissent is celebrating with the
arrival of Trump. With their political naivety they think that the new
president will increase the flow of dollars to the opposition and gain
them international recognition.

A serious error of not a few opponents: to believe that the problems in
Cuba can be solved by the United States. I tell you one thing: if we are
not able to conquer our universal rights, no one will do it for us.

Dependence always creates compromises. The fate of Cuba is a matter for
Cubans. Those of the diaspora and those of the island. No one else's. It
would be good for Trump to understand this.

Source: In Cuba Everyone Expects Favors From Trump / Iván García –
Translating Cuba -
https://translatingcuba.com/in-cuba-everyone-expects-favors-from-trump-ivn-garca/

Cuba Seeks to Have Defecting Physicians Return to Work in the Island

Cuba Seeks to Have Defecting Physicians Return to Work in the Island /
Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 27 January 2017 — With notable determination, the
Cuban government seeks to lure, or rather rope-in, physicians, nurses
and other healthcare workers who have defected while serving on medical
missions outside Cuba.

To this end, it has sent out a flyer in which it assures that the right
of return is guaranteed–just as long as they maintain a respectful
attitude toward the Revolution and have not joined counter-revolutionary
organizations.

Everyone knows that healthcare is a strategic factor in the development
and wellbeing of any society. The diplomacy of white coats, as the
export of medical services is also known, is among the principal revenue
sources of the Cuban state, and a very effective tool for political
influence.

Cuban medical doctors serve in remote areas. Cuba's contribution to the
fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa still resonates in the
memory of European, and even North American, politicians. For this
reason, any defection or escape poses a concern for the Island authorities.

A medical defector, besides becoming a bad investment for the country's
economy, also symbolizes the unquestionable link in the chain of
failures of the Cuban healthcare system. But a traitor who returns
signifies a social, economic and public relations triumph.

They must be induced to return. To this end–and to take advantage of the
tremendous uncertainty planted by the announced end of the "wet foot,
dry foot" policy and the Cuban medical professional parole program–the
government has started a campaign that covers every municipality of the
Island, visiting the families of every ungrateful malcontent health
worker, making them complete a form and using it as a communication link
or bait.

The form is as follows ("collaborator" in this case being a positive term):

Proposal to Exchange Information with Relatives of Ex-Collaborators

Date: Location:

Name and surnames of the ex-collaborator:

Name and surnames of the interviewed relative:

Relative's political affiliation:

Degree of kinship with the ex-collaborator:

Duty to Inform:

The family member is to inform the ex-collaborator regarding the Cuban
Government's disposition to guarantee the right of return to the
country, according to the requirements of the Migration Law, as long as
individual maintains an attitude of respect towards the Revolution, and
has not joined a counterrevolutionary organization.

Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: Cuba Seeks to Have Defecting Physicians Return to Work in the
Island / Juan Juan Almeida – Translating Cuba -
https://translatingcuba.com/cuba-seeks-to-have-defecting-physicians-return-to-work-in-the-island-juan-juan-almeida/

Ag to Trump - Help trade with Cuba

Ag to Trump: Help trade with Cuba
January 28, 2017 8:00 am • By Agriculture Coalition(0) Comments

On behalf of the undersigned U.S. agriculture, trade, commerce related
businesses and associations, we urge you to continue to show your
support for American agriculture by advancing the relationship between
the U.S. and Cuba and building on the progress that has already been made.

Net farm income is down 46 percent from just three years ago,
constituting the largest three-year drop since the start of the Great
Depression. This strain on the farm economy is felt across all sectors
of the industry and the thousands of small communities that make up
rural America.

The importance of trade to America's farmers and ranchers cannot be
overstated. The share of U.S. agricultural production exported overseas
is 20 percent by volume, with some sectors being much higher. For
example, exports account for over 70 percent of U.S. production of tree
nuts and cotton, over 60 percent of soybeans and over 50 percent of rice
and wheat. Positive farm income throughout America would not be possible
without increasing access to foreign markets, like Cuba.

Mr. President-elect, as an international business icon, you understand
how difficult it is to be competitive without the ability to extend
credit to your customers. We need the administration's support for
legislation that would remove these arbitrary and archaic restrictions
on extending credit for the purchase of agricultural commodities and
equipment.

Your support in removing outdated financing and trade barriers for
exporting agricultural products and equipment to our island neighbor
could significantly strengthen a U.S. industry which supports 17 million
jobs across the country, and can provide the Cuban people with
high-quality American-grown food.

Cuba imports nearly 80 percent of its food to feed a population of 11
million people and upwards of 3 million tourists annually. Cuba's $2
billion agriculture import market could provide tremendous benefits for
farmers across the country and help American agribusiness offset recent
losses.

In addition to the size of the Cuban market, its proximity to U.S. ports
allows for considerably lower shipping costs and shorter delivery times
than our foreign competitors. The logistical advantages alone should
make Cuba a common-sense partner for two-way commerce.

Instead, the federal government overreach has put American farmers at a
global disadvantage. U.S. agriculture continues to lose out to our
foreign competitors and our net sales have been steadily declining since
2009.

As a result of trade restrictions, the U.S. has fallen from its position
as the No. 1 supplier of agricultural products from 2003 to 2012, to now
the No. 5 supplier after the European Union, Brazil, Argentina and
Vietnam. The U.S. needs to be No. 1 again. Especially given many of
Cuba's imports, including rice, poultry, dairy, soy, wheat and corn,
make up more than 70 percent of what they import and they're all grown
right here in the U.S. by hardworking American farmers.

As a broad cross-section of rural America, we urge you not to take steps
to reverse progress made in normalizing relations with Cuba, and also
solicit your support for the agricultural business sector to expand
trade with Cuba to help American farmers and our associated industries.
It's time to put the 17 million American jobs associated with
agriculture ahead of a few hardline politicians in Washington.

We look forward to working closely with you and your team, and please
let us know if we can provide any assistance moving forward.

These comments are from a letter sent to President-elect Donald Trump by
a coalition of more than 100 U.S. organizations representing farmers and
agribusinesses. Full text of the letter is at http://bit.ly/2jFK3OL.

Source: Ag to Trump: Help trade with Cuba -
http://www.illinoisfarmertoday.com/news/opinion/ag-to-trump-help-trade-with-cuba/article_08c3d7b4-e3e5-11e6-a2b1-c7176da100df.html

Cuba Needs Urgent and Substantial Reforms

Cuba Needs Urgent and Substantial Reforms
January 28, 2017
By Angel Vazquez Mourenza

HAVANA TIMES — I'd wanted to go to Cuba for a long time now, and I
finally went. I would have liked to have gone a long time ago, 25 years
ago for example, when the country seemed to be living better times
thanks to their relationship with the Soviet Union founded on mutual
interest. I decided to go now, understanding that it was now or never,
given the fact that it will soon be full of McDonalds.

Even though I was trying to think positively and excuse or justify all
of the negative and unpleasant things I saw, it really is hard to do so.

It is undoubtedly a beautiful country; we got a glimpse of Havana,
Vinales, Trinidad, Remedios and the Cayos. We saw Centro Habana,
practically in ruins, as if it had been struck by war, entire streets
lifted up, magnificent buildings without doors and windows.

It's true that the squares in Old Havana have been renovated, as well as
the main streets that go off them, but when you venture a little off of
these, we were back into what's normal here, that is to say, a
semi-destroyed city which has only been partially fixed up for foreign
tourists.

From a social point of view, I found many similar realities to those I
experienced when I traveled to Beijing, a country which doesn't have
private property and is experiencing a fierce Capitalism. I'm sure the
US blockade and the disappearance of the USSR had a lot to do with
Cuba's current situation, but you can't blame everything on external
enemies. A land where a hotel bell boy earns in a day the same as a
hospital surgeon would in a month isn't a decent country.

My impression of Cuba was that it was very expensive, even for tourists,
and inaccessible to Cubans who don't work closely to foreign tourists,
or don't deal on the black market. Nonetheless, it's surprising to see
Cubans in hotels which cost 120 euros/night, or in restaurants where you
spend 20 euros for a meal, which would mean 15 days of work for a
university professor. There is clearly corruption and nepotism involved.

On the other hand, you can't really expect much from a regime, where the
majority of its subjects are longing to leave and head towards the
enemy, and this is the feeling I went away with. I'm sure that this
longing to leave the island has a lot to do with the Cuban people's
difficult prospects of survival. The only industry I saw was that which
exploits tourists, and its main sector is firmly rooted in the past,
without technology, working the land with plows pulled by oxen and
cutting sugar cane with machetes.

Ultimately, this country, which apparently has great potential, is in
desperate need of immediate change, with political reforms and in its
productive system. It would be ideal for these reforms to come about
from the Cuban people's own freedom, for their own well-being, and not
those which are imposed on them by whoever wants to transform it into
their colony, casino or brothel.

Source: Cuba Needs Urgent and Substantial Reforms - Havana Times.org -
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=123406

A look inside a growing private business in Cuba

A look inside a growing private business in Cuba
Packaging and printing company employs 35 workers, has provider in Hialeah
By Hatzel Vela - Reporter
Updated: 7:53 PM, January 27, 2017

HAVANA - A private business in Cuba is flourishing despite a lack in
materials.

Local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela visited the small printing shop this
week in the Boyeros neighborhood, just outside of Havana.

The streets are not even paved yet, but Ruben Valladares has been able
to expand his business, Adorgraf, within five years.

The small packaging and printing company employs 35 workers, who press
logos on bags, shirts or whatever else.

Valladares started the business out of his home with a handful of people.

Now his business caters to hundreds of customers, most of them
state-owned industries.

Private business is a new world on the island, and Valladares said it's
a satisfying feeling for him to be able to employ other Cubans.

Yojani Cristin, who works at the business, said he makes about $70 a
week, $280 a month.

The average monthly salary in Cuba is $24.

Cristin lives close to his job and his wife works in the same shop as well.

Valladares said several American companies have helped him in business.

One of the companies is based in Pennsylvania and Valladares considers
it a sister company that has guided them from the beginning, helping
them learn business strategy.

He has also sent some of his workers to the U.S. for training.

He said their challenge remains getting the basic materials. The U.S.
embargo makes it harder, but they manage to get small quantities of
materials from the U.S. -- some of it from Hialeah.

Just in bags and packaging, Adorgraf has produced about $200,000 to
$300,000 annually.

"What matters is doing it with love," Valladares said.

Valladares hopes to move his business to a bigger space down the street.

Source: A look inside a growing private business in Cuba -
http://www.local10.com/news/cuba/a-look-inside-a-growing-private-business-in-cuba