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Cuba: A New Era
by Rhonda J Mangus | August 12, 2008 at 06:35 am | 448 views | 44 comments | 41 recommendations
Political change may not be on the agenda for this one party state, but improving Socialism seems to be a top priority for Cuban president, Raul Castro.
Restrictions on the purchase of electrical goods, such as mobile phones, microwaves, and DVD players have been lifted. Housing reforms will make it easier for state workers to own their own homes, even though buying and selling real estate is still prohibited. Wage limits have been removed, and Cuban's can now stay in hotels formerly reserved for foreigners. State land is also being lent to farmers, who now have more say in how to cultivate the land, including what to plant. The Cuban government is also paying higher prices to farmers for some agricultural products, such as potatoes.
There is a down-side however in that even though Cuba has signed on to the United Nations Human Rights Convention, Cuba continues to take a strong stance against "dissidents", even though they are jailing fewer of them.
There are an estimated 219 political prisoners currently held in Cuban jails, 15 fewer than in January this year.
But according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCHRNR) this does not represent a fundamental change in the treatment of dissidents under Raul Castro.
Instead, the latest half yearly report by this illegal but tolerated organisation points to a change in tactics, with a marked increase in what it calls arbitrary systematic detentions.
Instead of high profile arrests and imprisonment, opponents are picked up by police, often prior to planned meetings or rallies.
They are then released without charge, usually within 24 hours.
"The Cuban authorities deny that there are any political prisoners. Instead, they are referred to as mercenaries, paid by the United States to undermine the revolution."
August 12, 2008 at 06:35 am by Rhonda J Mangus, 448 views, 44 comments
Crowd Power
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (44)
at 07:01 on August 12th, 2008
Even though all prisoners are most likely not Mercenaries some could very well be!
Nice Post!
at 13:21 on August 12th, 2008
Hi Paschen, thank you for your comments and the Flag!
at 07:20 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. Its a really useful summary of where they stand now, although you don't say what the state of play is regarding that dirty, dirty word: profit! I read somewhere that previously carpenters for example were not permitted to buy the wood for making items for custyomers: the customer had to buy it so that carpenters did maker any profit, but merely charged for the time of construction!! There is a really interesting novel published last year which really describes how tyhe flotsam and jetsam of Havanna lives and all the scams they have to get up to, in order to make a living. Sorry cant remember the names but I found it fascinating!!
at 14:10 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you for your comments and the Flag, gerrypopplestone! Cuba's private sector (self-employment) is tightly controlled. Perhaps this article will answer some of your questions: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/bizfocus/archives/2008/02/24/2003402664 It could be the case that Cuba has its fair share of scams. If you remember the name of the book (or its author), please let me know. Thanks again!
at 14:45 on August 12th, 2008
at 02:39 on August 19th, 2008
Thanks for the reference, Rhonda. The book - Dirty Havanna Trilogy, by P J Gutierrez 1998, Faber & Faber. Sorry to take so long to reply but I desperately need to outsource some of my work to a good secretary! Any offers? Chaotic Gerry.
at 06:01 on August 19th, 2008
gerrypopplestone, I can't say that I have heard of the book. No need to apologize either; I certainly understand "overload":) and thank you for getting back with the title and author.
at 07:25 on August 12th, 2008
But we need to congratgulate Raul for having the courage to bring Cuba into the 21st century!
at 14:13 on August 12th, 2008
gerrypopplestone, I should have addressed this in my previous comment:) Nonetheless, it does seem appropriate to congratulate President Castro. Thank you!
at 07:44 on August 12th, 2008
Any progress is good!
I wonder how many "political prisoner" there are in US jails?
at 14:22 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you very much for your comments and the Flag! I am glad you asked, moonwolf! Here is a link that might be of interest to you: http://www.prisonactivist.org/pps+pows/pplist-alpha.shtml
at 14:46 on August 12th, 2008
Interesting! Thanks again Rhonda.
at 14:51 on August 12th, 2008
You are very welcome, moonwolf!
at 09:17 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:24 on August 12th, 2008
Thank you, tiha!
at 09:19 on August 12th, 2008
at 14:25 on August 12th, 2008
Vinny, thank you!
at 10:37 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I think it will take Cuba a while to develop any kind of a plan, but I like to see that they are at least walking that path.
Good post!
at 14:28 on August 12th, 2008
Hi Amy! Thank you for your comments and the Flag! "...I like to see [too] that they are at least walking that path." Thanks again!
at 10:51 on August 12th, 2008
All the citizens of Cuba are imprisoned. Raul has released them from solitary confinement to regular cell blocks. Kudos.....
at 14:48 on August 12th, 2008
hotelcal,
Maybe you should wake up and take a look around your own little gulag?
at 10:54 on August 12th, 2008
What a wonderful place. Maybe you ought to move and live amongst the people for awhile and report back.
at 14:50 on August 12th, 2008
bill,
You spring for the airfare and I'm gone! Salsa, Son, Sun and beeoootiful women, coupled with no inane American influence? Sounds like paradise!
at 15:01 on August 12th, 2008
Moonwolf. Once again, I see you have managed to slip a derogatory anti-American rambling into your daily comments. Thanks for labeling me and all the other thousands of Americans who participate on NowPublic. You are really upholding the image of your own country very well.
at 15:12 on August 12th, 2008
PlanMy Green,
Are you suggesting that all American influences are meaningful? I don't know about you, but up here we are awash in US advertising, music, radio, and TV, and from where I stand inane is often the most positive way of describing some of it, and having none of it for a couple of weeks would be very nice indeed. If you choose to see yourself in every phrase that includes the word American and some negative terminology go ahead, that's your choice, but if that's your criteria in looking out on the rest of the world today, you'll be feeling very insulted all the time.
And it's no secret that most Canadians do have, shall we say, a less than positive outlook on modern America. If that offends you so be it.
at 15:25 on August 12th, 2008
I am under no illusions that American is far from perfect, but when you clearing refer to "American influences" as inane, you are making no distinction between anything good that America does and the bad things that come from all of us here. I am insulted when thrown into pool by someone outside the country that looks on every action as negative. To refer to us as "inane" is extremely offensive, just as if I was to label Canadians as cannibals for what happened on the Greyhound bus a few weeks ago. It is ludicrous to judge an entire country on the bad things that have happened without looking at the good. Obviously, America has a great responsibility to do the right thing, as all eyes are always upon us. I have visited Canada many times and I find little difference in the attitudes of what I consider our closest neighbors. Less than 8 hours drive time to the Canadian border and many more to Washington, are you telling me that we are that different?
at 15:46 on August 12th, 2008
It is impossible to talk to someone who cannot separate themselves from other entities and takes everything personally.
"To refer to us as "inane" is extremely offensive, just as if I was to label Canadians as cannibals for what happened on the Greyhound bus a few weeks ago." -your words.
Nowhere did I say that Americans were inane. If I did show me where. I did say that I consider much of what is generated in American TV and media to be inane. It is difficult to see how you could insert your personal feelings into how I experience a TV program, but obviously you do. I also said I get sick of the volume of American signals and sources sometimes, a measure of our proximity, and I meant it.
I must also say that comparing the use of the word inane as a descriptor to the use of cannibal is circular "logic" and just plain, well, inane.
at 15:58 on August 12th, 2008
Alright, well, I will stop hijacking this article and let you continue to try to persuade every non-American that we are terrible people and our influences are evil. I look at us as a juvenile nation with great responsibility and much to learn, but one with great potential. And no where in your original comment that I responded to, did you mention a tv show, you stated "inane American influences". If your definition of influence is tv and media, than you apparently have a very shallow perception. Keep up the good fight of promoting hatred and misunderstanding, you are very good at what you do. I didn't realize you were just stating your opinions about an entity and didn't want any American to feel like they were a part of that entity. Unfortunately, I am an American, and take offense to those that label my fellow citizens unfairly. Just as I would if someone labeled Canadians or Mexicans by their personal opinion of their current administration. You beat me, congrats.
at 20:34 on August 12th, 2008
To Bill Hicks! I did live there and worked there for 8 month, and trust me I did like it! Nice people great country and rather pleasant to live there!
at 11:27 on August 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.