Stories about Cuba from September, 2009
Cuba: Eye on Honduras
Writing at Havana Times, Circles Robinson posts an update on developments in Honduras, adding: “Here in Cuba, the parliament has taken a position of strong protest of the coup and the military repression, and the island’s media is closely watching developments.”
Cuba: Concert for Peace
The "Paz sin Fronteras" concert organized by the Colombian singer Juanes and celebrated on Sunday September 20, 2009, at iconic Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, ignited many passions and heated debates. Posts from Cuban bloggers, living in Cuba and in other countries, show the diversity of opinions on Cuba's political situation and future.
Cuba: underground punk
Octavo Cerco posts video and photos from a concert by a Cuban underground punk band. “It looks like this year Porno Para Ricardo has broken its record of concerts given, that happens when the authorities assume you do not exist publicly.”
Cuba: activist arrested and released
Uncommon Sense reports the arrest and subsequent release of Cuban activist and journalist Belinda Salas Tapanes in Havana. “Salas is president of the Federation of Latin American Women (FLAMUR), one of the more effective opposition groups in Cuba.”
Cuba: gift packages
The Cuban Triangle analyses the US Commerce Department's new regulations on sending gift packages to Cuba. “These regulations are another good, humane move…. It recognizes that Americans in general might have something positive to contribute.”
Cuba: “mistreating social property”?
Octavo Cerco reports on a confrontation with a minor bureaucrat at a bus station in Cuba. “With these people things can get very serious, they earn a pittance for a salary but have absolute power over five square meters and they apply it with … irreverence, force and abuse of...
Cuba: no substitute for beauty
“The economic crisis in Cuba forced us to find substitutes for almost everything, including cosmetics.” Generation Y reflects on the sacrifices ordinary Cubans once made “in their desire to look more beautiful.”
Cuba: “A Virtual Island”
“This will be the first time that an event from Cuba will be narrated live through Twitter. We hope that it works!”: Generation Y and Octavo Cerco look forward to seeing the results of the blog contest A Virtual Island.
Cuba: Antúnez Arrested
“No one should be surprised that Antúnez is again in jail,” writes diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense, as he blogs about the most recent arrest of the Cuban human rights activist.
Cuba: “Let Juanes Come!”
Generation Y takes to the streets of Havana to ask Cubans their views on the upcoming Juanes concert: “I’m glad to be in tune with my people. Let Juanes come!”
Cuba: Political Conscience
Uncommon Sense focuses the spotlight on one of many political prisoners who cannot attend the Juanes concert, saying: “Hopefully, Juanes will…come to understand that without justice for him and other Cubans imprisoned because of their commitment to their consciences, there will be no peace in Cuba.”
Cuba, U.S.A.: Obama's Order
Writing for Havana Times, Circles Robinson reports that U.S. President Obama has finally signed the order allowing Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba and send money more easily to family members – but adds: “Nonetheless, the Obama administration maintains the nearly 50-year economic blockade on Cuba that has greatly hurt the...
Cuba: Filtering Connections
Yoani Sanchez ruminates on the many changes September brings, including this surprise: “Since last Friday it is impossible to [connect] to Voces Cubanas from the Island. They have applied to it the same slow filter they use to block the connection to desdecuba.com for users in Cuba with very slow...
Cuba, U.S.A.: Sanctions & Human Rights
Along the Malecon and Repeating Islands both refer to an Amnesty International report which calls for the lifting of US sanctions against Cuba.
Cuba: National Team to Compete in Baseball World Cup
Mi Columna Deportiva [es] analyzes the roster for the Cuban national baseball team that will participate in the 2009 Baseball World Cup. Many of the players are returning from the Olympic and World Baseball Championship teams.