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Contamos las historias de jóvenes como tú que se sienten protagonistas de esta Cuba que cambia; aquellos que transforman los barrios, que emprenden, dialogan y construyen iniciativas ciudadanas para su gente. Te mostramos cómo otros jóvenes superaron las barreras y hoy impulsan un proyecto propio.

The nationwide blackout that occurred on September 27th in Cuba has unleashed a wave of protests in various provinces of the country. The main ones have occurred in Havana, where several residents report up to 100 hours without electricity.The authorities insist that they are working “intensely to restore electricity to all customers” – saying that at noon Saturday 94% had service. However, in various parts of the city people took to the streets due to the lack of electricity, food spoilage, problems with the water supply that requires pumping, and the suspension of the liquefied gas service.On some streets and avenues, families blocked the way with tree branches and fires were reported at some roadblocks.State authorities have appeared at the protest zones to “explain” why they do not have service; however, in some cases the power has been restored after the protests or they have been promised incentives such as “bags of food”, according to what President Díaz-Canel told the residents of Batabano.At two in the afternoon on Saturday, four days were completed without electricity in the apartment building where journalist Luz Escobar lives. She works for the online newspaper 14yMedio. “When it comes to an apartment building with many floors, that needs to pump the water to the apartments on the upper floors, water is also scarce. It is not only that you do not have electricity and you cannot charge your cellphone, you also cannot refrigerate your food that rots and then you have nowhere to buy it. You simply don’t have water either, you can’t clean, you can’t take a shower, you can’t mop if you don’t look for water. If you have a source below, carrying it in buckets and other containers up eight floors, ten floors or more, is quite difficult. The scenes we are seeing make me very sorry,” Escobar wrote.Since September 29,&nbsp;<a href="https://proyectoinventario.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Proyecto Inventario</a>&nbsp;has registered about 30 protests in some 26 neighborhoods of Havana. On October first street closures were used as a strategy to attract attention, such as at Zapote and San Luis Streets in Havana’s Diez de Octubre municipality.However, Havana was not the province most affected by Hurricane Ian, which crossed the far west of the country as a category three storm on September 27, 2022. Where has the Cuban Government put the resources after the disaster caused by the hurricane? Pinar del Río was the most devastated province, but it has not been the top priority. Only 69 brigades are working to restore electricity in that province; however, 100 brigades work in Artemisa and 121 in Havana.According to data from the Cuban presidency, in Pinar del Rio, the westernmost of the Cuban provinces, 1.6% of electricity has been recovered, which represents some 3,700 customers; meanwhile they say in Artemisa, 38% of the electricity service has been restored, in Isla de la Juventud 98% and in Havana they say electricity is restored to 100%.The leak of a request from the Cuban government to its US counterpart has also drawn attention in recent hours. The news outlet The Wall Street Journal reported on a rare request for help from the Biden Administration after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. The newspaper assures that Washington is evaluating how much assistance the island needs, because apparently an exact amount was not requested, via email.On Saturday, users on social networks notified the cancellation of flights at the José Martí International Airport in Havana. CNN journalist Patrick Oppmann confirmed the cancellation of American Airlines flights between Miami and Havana at 5:03 p.m. (flight AA1345) and 6:58 p.m. (flight AA2699). Oppmann points out that the airlines informed the passengers that the reason for the suspension was “power issues” at the Havana airport.An El Toque collaborator from the Cuban capital shared information on the cancellation of flights AA838, scheduled for 6:15 p.m., AA2483, at 7:15 p.m., and AA2696, corresponding to 9:10 p.m. Likewise, flight PU895, from Plus Ultra to Brazaville, Congo, at 9:00 p.m., also appeared cancelled. However, Ecasa, a Cuban company in charge of caring for aircraft, passengers, and the facilities of the country’s airports, does not update its Telegram channel on the cancellation of flights. Its last publication dates from last September 28.<h2>Death due to injustice and new protests in Cuba</h2>On September 28, 2022, political prisoner Andy Reyes Cruz died in prison, reportedly after a prolonged hunger strike. New citizen protests are registered in the archipelago after the total blackout caused by the passage of Hurricane Ian.The almost total blackout of communications in Cuba on the nights of September 29 and 30, has been another of the recent difficulties. The .cu domain sites were totally out of service during the outages. This could be interpreted as a measure by the Cuban government to prevent the spread of protests and the public message of denunciation.“I dare to speculate that, if the Internet had not been cut off yesterday, [the protest] could have grown much more, especially because of what happened at Havana’s 31st (Avenida), which was a replay of July 11, 2021, not in terms of overturning patrols, but in terms of energy. They weren’t people standing still, I’m not going to say in a state of euphoria, but they seemed very aware of what they were doing. There were very determined people and that could go a long way”, reflects economist Miguel Alejandro Hayes.Although the Cuban authorities have always avoided the term “protest” and have tried to rename the events as riots or acts of vandalism, this time they were unable to avoid reality with qualifications that diminished the relevance of what happened.“I believe that protesting is a right, but it is a right when those responsible, the State and the Government, are failing to do what they are responsible for. However under the conditions we are talking about, yesterday’s protest, instead of helping, slow down the fulfillment of that mission and that desire we have to, to see a full recovery in the shortest possible time,” said Luis Antonio Torres, the top Communist Party official for Havana on the National TV News.As long as the leaders remain disconnected from the reality faced by the population and value the protests as an impediment to their functions without them having a vocation of service; as long as Etecsa (the telecommunications company) does not explain or offer reasons for the repeated Internet outages; while Cuba barely survives day to day, the fear of protesting will be less and the cry for freedom will be louder along with the demands that are repeated year after year.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/the-protest-demands-in-cuba-electricity-water-and-freedom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/electricidad-agua-y-libertad-demandas-de-protestas-en-cuba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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The Protest Demands in Cuba: Electricity, Water and Freedom

Among the most debated points regarding the&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/cuba-votes-on-same-sex-marriage-in-rare-referendum-on-sunday/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">September 25th referendum on the Family Code</a>&nbsp;in Cuba, is the reliability of the electoral system; the counting of the votes is one of the aspects that generates the most controversy.Cuban Electoral Law grants citizens the right to use a citizen oversight mechanism, at least, at the polling stations of each constituency. Although this does not guarantee that the figures compiled at other levels are immune to manipulation, it allows the count to be audited at the level closest to the voter.Article 5 of the Electoral Law in force states that citizens of legal age have the right to “witness the vote counting at the polling stations” at schools during elections and referendums.Protected by this possibility, supporters of a yes, no and abstention vote on the proposed new Family Code, have publicly stated their intention to go to their schools to verify the count once the polls close at 6:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday.As we did during the 2019 constitutional referendum, at elTOQUE we want to support this citizen oversight action. We invite all people who go to witness the vote counts to share the results of their precincts with the hashtag #ReportoVotoReferendo or mentioning us on social networks so that we can group the reports.The result of the collective oversight is not statistically binding, but it can function as a kind of “exit poll” that reflects trends based on anecdotes. In the absence of independent observation and digitized and automated mechanisms for public monitoring of voting, citizen participation is a necessary and useful tool.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/cubans-can-oversee-the-vote-count-in-sundays-referendum/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/ciudadanos-pueden-verificar-el-conteo-de-los-votos-en-el-referendo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Cubans Can Oversee the Vote Count in Sunday’s Referendum

Since 2021, El Toque provides a daily representative rate of foreign currency exchange on the informal market. The tool is one of our most visited sections today and has become a consulting tool amid a situation where inflation and the economic crisis are spiraling, both with government policy supporters and detractors.In order to improve this service, our team asked users how they use this rate. We asked people to anonymously fill in a Google form with their opinions. 302 responses were received.Out of the total number of people surveyed, 300 people said that they knew about the exchange rate published as a reference and 244 people said they had used it in the past three months to make financial decisions within their household. Another 73 said they had made business-related decisions based on this rate.Five trends of use were identified in the 302 responses. The first has to do with using the rate to learn about the economic situation in Cuba, taking note of the behavior of foreign currency and satisfying other information needs.A second group of users believe the rate is a useful tool to help them make personal decisions, plan their everyday finances, organize sending remittances, learn what the rate is when collecting foreign currency to emigrate, buying products (online or physically) and to buy at the government’s stores with products priced in US dollars.They also use the rate to define wages, value the work of private-sector workers or to establish bonus schemes; as well as to buy raw materials and supplies abroad. Individuals or business owners make up the majority of these two groups, who look at this rate before making a purchase of goods and services.The fourth trend is made up of the people who use this rate to fix sale prices of foreign currency and supplies. “[Using El Toque’s rate] I fix the prices of products we bring over from abroad,” a user said in the survey. “When I sell a product in USD, but the buyer only has Cuban pesos (CUP), I send them a screenshot of these rates for them to assess the price,” another person said.A smaller number of people use the El Toque rate as a way to compare it with their own currencies. When they “visit” Cuba, they use the rate to figure out the value of their currencies, informing themselves about “how much” money they need to bring to the island or to decide which currency they should bring for themselves and their families.The smallest group said they didn’t use it because they didn’t have access to foreign currency.Generally-speaking, survey respondents said that the rate gives them an “idea” about how the market is behaving and they use it as a reference when carrying out different operations.The form verified that people using the rate to sell foreign currency follow three key trends: they take the exact value, or increase and reduce prices of their transactions. “I look at the rate, add about two pesos to it and that’s the price in my town. I sell some of the money I get to be able to buy food on the informal market,” a user confessed. “Lots of the time, you need to convert USD into MLC (the magnetic only currency used at state stores) or regular Cuban pesos. That’s why I always put the ad out with your daily rate. It’s obviously always a little lower (than the real value) because as soon as I put up the ad, my phone doesn’t stop ringing,” a second user said.Another important use of this rate has to do with the decision to buy or sell. Many users said that they use El Toque’s rate to figure out when is the right time to change it for another currency. However, current numbers aren’t very promising for lots of people. “When I look at this information, the only choice I have is to wait for the number to drop,” a survey respondent said. Another user said that they decide whether to exchange it or not depending on the rate.In regard to reliability, most people who answered the survey said they found it to be reliable. It sticks to the reality of buying and selling prices of the groups it belongs to, and people feel the algorithm is clear and easy to understand.Nevertheless, some users explained that even though they use the rate as a reference, they prefer to check prices in buying/selling groups on online platforms, before making a decision. “I sell foreign currency. When I’m asked how much for, I tell them: “at the El Toque rate.”Two survey respondents said that they didn’t trust the rate. “I’ve set my own exchange rate,” one of the respondents said.In terms of adjusting values to the real rate, a user says that prices are higher in his province: “in Holguin, it’s always two or three pesos (or sometimes even more) above what you publish.”However, others say that the price published by El Toque is higher than “street” value. “I looked at the rate to sell MLC, and thought that selling it for a little bit less was the fair price.”A dozen people responded that the El Toque rate isn’t in keeping with real rates. “It’s really high,” one person said.It’s important to highlight that five people responded that they were aware that it is the Cuban Government’s job to sow seeds of doubt about the El Toque rate. “I use it so my mom’s money doesn’t lose any more value. Despite what many people complain about the rate not being allegedly correct on social media, these people don’t have the faintest idea about economics or are from the DSE (State Security) doing their job to discredit it,” one of the responses read.Only 20 survey respondents answered that they don’t consult economic data (exchange rates, prices, inflation, etc.) regularly to make decisions.185 users said that they could easily access this information on digital platforms, while 75 people responded “sometimes” and 50 answered they couldn’t.In this regard, a user said: “The El Toque rate is the easiest to find. I don’t have to go group by group looking for numbers. I guess everybody does the same thing. This leads me to the conclusion that the informal market isn’t setting the rate, but you are; which is just as unjust as Gil’s figure.”“There isn’t a better tool out there to know what the dollar’s like on the street. In fact, there isn’t anything. I make all of my exchange decisions and advise my family to do the same based on the El Toque rate,” a survey respondent answered.Generally-speaking, users surveyed agreed that the rate was easy to use and well presented.It also asked them if the economic data they needed to make decisions was publicly available. Out of the total, 44% answered “yes”, 26.4% said “no”, and 31.7% said “sometimes”.It’s interesting that in the following question, about what data would help them to make everyday and business-related decisions, the majority answered the El Toque rate or others, or that they had no idea.Another group answered that it would be useful to know the price of basic products (Food and Toiletries Basket), add values of trends and forecasts of the rate, and the fluctuation of these values over time. “[I’d like] a weekly forecast based on the history of change,” one of the answers read.Users also found maximum and minimum buying and selling rates useful, daily/weekly inflation levels, a reference of international exchange rates and historic prices of foreign currency in Cuba. “I’d like an index of consumer prices (IPC) for inflation, which could be broken down by geographical region and type of product; for example, meat, fruit, etc.,” a user suggested. Another said that they would like to see “how prices go up over time of basic products at the ration stores and on the illicit market.”Furthermore, many users said that an official rate is needed, issued by the Cuban Government to regulate the buying/selling price of foreign currency based on supply and demand prices.Answers also mentioned the importance of better transparency of how official data is handled. “[I’d like to know about] the number of tourists who come to Cuba and the amount of money sent to the island in remittances…”, one user asked. “For the ONEI to publish price indexes for consumers, levels of rent, [Gini] index, foreign debt, etc.,” another user asked. “Data linked to corruption,” a third user suggested.Regarding whether El Toque has an impact on inflation, most survey respondents agreed that the publication wasn’t responsible for inflation. According “(…) to the way I see things, inflation can only be stopped with a change to the country’s economic strategy,” one of the responses read.Users also left many suggestions about new services and tools that could be integrated. These include a mobile and computer app, which was the most repeated. They also suggested other functions beyond the daily rate: the historic rate, comparing international rates and even the chance to update the real prices of transactions collaboratively – with the audience’s participation.The most-requested services include a locator/monitor of existence/price of basic goods and a price calculator which is updated daily. “A list of basic products and services and others, like the price of a ticket to Nicaragua or a night’s stay in a national hotel, which gives you an idea of the disaster in Cuba,” a user added.Other suggestions included the publication of a table with taxes, rates, equations, and official contact information for MSMEs in every municipality.El Toque would like to thank everyone who kindly gave their time to answer the form and for the collective information deducted from them.Some of your ideas reaffirm the importance of many projects launched and the team assures you that it is willing to implement as many suggestions as it can as soon as possible. This was a relevant exercise of listening to the community, who we always come back to so we can continue to grow.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/what-is-el-toques-currency-rate-watch-good-for/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/para-que-sirve-la-tasa-de-eltoque" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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What is El Toque’s Currency Rate Watch Good For?

The gesture of protest and solidarity of different artists after the forced closure of Xel2, the graphic humor supplement of elTOQUE, continued again this past week. Artists kept sending their creations so that graphic humor would remain alive in the independent Cuban press.The works become in themselves a denunciation against censorship and against the totalitarian power of the Cuban State, which tries to suffocate the voices that it does not control and that oppose repression and the government’s failed socioeconomic model.Among the illustrators featured this week are Gustavo Rodríguez «Garrincha», Nativ, Elosmalol, Ogbe, Ramsés Morales, Isra Moya and Fabian Sotolongo.El Toque also launched a survey for readers to help build the new space for graphic humor that will be published every Sunday. The goal is for users to select the name and logo they believe to be the most appropriate and suggestive.Faced with the growing threats against our team, we respond with more of our work.<figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Ogbe_CENSURA_1_1d8a764bab.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Ogbe_CENSURA_1_1d8a764bab.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_3_e27345045f.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_3_e27345045f.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_2_3b3fac841e.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_2_3b3fac841e.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Garrincha_CENSURA_5962de473d.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Garrincha_CENSURA_5962de473d.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Elosmalol_CENSURA_2_856cb1d7f8.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Elosmalol_CENSURA_2_856cb1d7f8.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Garrincha_CENSURA_2_550da9975a.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Garrincha_CENSURA_2_550da9975a.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_2_8ac74c44f2.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Nativ_CENSURA_2_8ac74c44f2.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Elosmalol_CENSURA_1_ff9987df1f.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Elosmalol_CENSURA_1_ff9987df1f.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Moya_Isra_CENSURA_e5ecb09673.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Moya_Isra_CENSURA_e5ecb09673.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/22_09_Sotolongo_Fabian_CENSURA_2_4f009a4e65.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/22_09_Sotolongo_Fabian_CENSURA_2_4f009a4e65.jpg" alt=""></a></figure> <blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/graphic-humor-faces-off-against-censorship/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/contra-la-censura-continua-la-denuncia-tras-cierre-de-xel2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">Spanish</a>.</blockquote> &nbsp;

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Graphic Humor Faces Off Against Censorship

The&nbsp;Frente de Concertacion Democratica&nbsp;(Democratic Consensus Movement), D Frente, was founded on September 7, 2022. Six organizations, over 80 members and others who have expressed their interest in joining, make up this initiative that seeks inclusion, political pluralism and civil sovereignty in Cuba.“We are a democratic movement of different Cuban civil-society and political actors – individual and institutional – who share a common vision for Cuba, looking to reestablish the Republic, under Marti’s motto “With everyone and for everyone’s wellbeing,” the founding document reads.The pillars of the organization were presented during a press conference broadcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r86wAb2CM-E&amp;ab_channel=CubaPr%C3%B3xima" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Cuba Proxima’s YouTube channel&nbsp;</a>and Facebook. The presentation was given by Elena Larrinaga, a member of the Coordinating Committee; Ileana de la Guardia, a representative from the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba in D Frente’s Assembly; and Jorge Masetti, a representative from the French Association for Democracy in Cuba.Lawyer and member Michel Fernandez explained that D Frente has emerged without a structure that has been entirely defined because they decided that members would contribute to its creation. The coordinating team is provisional for now, and has four members: Elena Larrinaga, Manuel Cuesta Morua, Boris Gonzalez Arenas and Michel Fernandez.The six principles that will guide the work of this new coalition are:1-&nbsp;Prevalence of respect for a person’s and the population’s dignity, and for all their human rights.2-&nbsp;Condemn every form of violence, especially State violence, and promote a dialogue and national reconciliation.3-&nbsp;Exclusive commitment to peaceful social and political activism, resistance, and negotiation all at the same time, to make the changes needed for a system that respects all Human Rights and recognizes every form of pluralism, including political pluralism, and reestablishing financial, social, and family wellbeing.4-&nbsp;Respect for every political, ideological, creed, religious and identity inclination within this common movement, with the mission to reestablish the Republic, under Marti’s motto “with everyone and for everyone’s wellbeing”; and support for actions outside of this movement that defend these principles and objectives.5-&nbsp;Support and solidarity for every Cuban, especially those who have and continue to put their freedom on the line in the struggle against totalitarianism.6-&nbsp;Respect for national sovereignty and the principle of non-interference; and rejection of unilateral actions of States that go against International Law, as well as support for international solidarity based on universal Human Rights.Fernandez said that even though this is an ambitious route, and may seem pretty much impossible to accomplish because of the many obstacles in Cuba today, “if we outline the effort from the smallest to the biggest actions, we can bring about a transition in this country.”The Movement will include a membership system that will allow coordinators to know who members are and to ensure their participation in the collective creation process. If you’re interested in joining, please send an email to:&nbsp;dfrentecuba@gmail.com.&nbsp;The coordinators explained that this isn’t a partisan platform, nor is it guided by any ideology, but rather accepts anyone who respects democratic ideals, fullstop.However, the initiative has appeared amidst controversy because members include relatives of political prisoners who weren’t notified beforehand, which has caused grievance and forced coordinators to withdraw the names of those who hadn’t given their consent.In a statement issued by the Coordinating Committee, they explained how the process had been to include individual signatures and that this would be up to the Association of Families and Mothers of political prisoners to check with each of its members that this was OK.“Until the confirmation process of this Association’s members isn’t completed, we’ll removed their names. D Frente confirms that one of its key objectives is the release of every political prisoner on the island,” the statement dated September 8, 2022 reads.“Cubans have spent many years thinking – without the right to bring this about and this mentality has stopped us from understanding another person’s view – that there are other ways and paths for our political and cultural lives, which are perfectly compatible and respectable (…) That’s where our fear for dialogue, a pact, speaking comes from, because we have already spent years listening to speeches we haven’t been able to respond to and we feel defeated before a discussion and dialogue has even begun,” Elena Larrinaga explained.According to Jorge Masetti, the way D Frente “puts the fight for political prisoners’ release, the fight for amnesty for prisoners as a priority(…)” is key. On the other hand, he points out that a roadmap has been traced that “opens up the way for real democracy, where everybody participates, where nobody is rejected, excluded.”In addition to freedom for political prisoners, the independent group has set out on working to decriminalize dissent, ending repression of civilians, and reinstating the rights of Cubans living abroad.In terms of popular and civil sovereignty, they are advocating to eliminate the one-party system of the Cuban Communist Party, and to promote a new provisional Electoral Law that allows for a free and direct election of the country’s leadership. However, specific actions, other than a debate, have yet to be announced.“Our coalition, with its six organizations (Asociación de madres y familiares de los presos políticos por la Amnistía, Consejo para la Transición Democrática en Cuba, Cuba Próxima, Archipielago, Asociacion Francesa por la Democracia en Cuba and Movimiento San Isidro) having discussed principles and objectives, proves that there is a way to reach a pact coming from differences,” Ileana de la Guardia said, “everyone has their own political, religious position and it is with these differences that we are able to build a union and stand up to the great problems we face here in Cuba to transition.”D Frente emerged during a time of critical political repression that affects the practice of independent journalism and different voices to report about a Cuba that goes beyond the official version. The Movement’s principles encapsulate the longing for a democratic country and reconciliation that many of us wish for but have never known.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/d-frente-initiative-for-reconciliation-democracy-in-cuba/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/d-frente-una-iniciativa-por-la-conciliacion-y-la-democracia-en-cuba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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D Frente: Initiative for Reconciliation & Democracy in Cuba

Diss tracks have sought refuge in two music genres, this new century. Hip hop and then, later, reggaeton (and its bastard child,&nbsp;reparto&nbsp;– slum reggaeton) have been the stage where we’ve seen this face-off of verses the most between two (or more) artists. In a kind of coliseum where the best takes it all. “Beef” – as these face-offs are known – is a key part of hip hop culture. The idea of a face-off as a way to win a battle is something the genre has embraced since the very beginning (maybe inspired by one of the cultural idols of the time – actor/fighter Bruce Lee).So, it comes as no surprise that diss tracks have become a mainstay in Cuba as an expression of some artists’ unease with other artists’ attitudes.&nbsp;Although the marketing aspect of this needs to be highlighted, as it sparks fans’ and the general public’s curiosity and interest.Like in most of the Latin American world, many of Cuba’s reggaeton artists emerged from the hip hop talent pool. Many rap artists and fans saw this as a betrayal, which led to a fair share of controversy. “La cancion numero 9” is a classic case of this, released in the early noughties. Bian Oscar Rodriguez Gala (El B) dedicates the track to “Insurrecto” (a name you hear quite a bit around here) and to those who made the transition to the new music genre.But if you’re talking about Los Aldeanos, it’s other face, Aldo Rodriguez Baquero (Al2) is the leading “disser” on Cuba’s hip hop scene. Al2’s diss tracks all share a common feature: his pleasure in egging on the face-off with a sublimation of his political differences with his adversaries. He not only regularly calls them out for a lack of talent, but also accuses them of working for the Cuban Government. From his sacred position as a MC (master of ceremonies), Al2 often attacks different reggaeton artists, such as Insurrecto, Osmani Garcia, Yomil, El Taiger.A very interesting feature of these diss tracks, which also marks the phenomenon somewhat in the past decade, is the role social media has played as a stage to further expand and amplify these battles. It turns them into a priceless source of entertainment for a society that is hungry for content. A good example of this is the exchange of Al2’s Livestreams with El Taiger and Yomil on different platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.This all feeds the audience’s intrigue. In addition to the various motives for artists to engage in these assaults, there’s no doubt that Aldo gaining greater visibility by these means is an excellent marketing strategy. The rapper has suddenly entered the sights of other artists’ fans, as well as in the turbulent sensationalist press that relishes in these kinds of conflicts.But the icing on the cake of diss tracks is that reggaeton artists are taking center stage. In a genre that inherits many of its characteristics and expressions from gangster rap, these kinds of crossovers aren’t strange. Especially given the fact Cuban culture is quite machista. Here, success is determined by being (or appearing or believing you are) better than your counterparts. If there’s been one incident that proves the tenor of diss tracks in Cuba it’s the affair which involved Clan 537 members (Baby Lores, Insurrecto and El Chacal). It was an exchange that exposed the performance of the phenomenon. A show to get the masses gossiping, who go to their concerts with the hope of hearing some kind of attack, as if they were in a remote boxing fight.When Internet access on the island was still scarce, and music was distributed from hand to hand, the stage was a meeting point for face-offs that became the stuff of urban legend. With iconic scenes such as the funeral Baby Lores and El Chacal gave Insurrecto in Havana’s Rio Cristal Park, bidding him farewell and throwing a coffin into a swimming pool; or the end of this conflict with the legendary 100 CUC (USD) concert in the Red Room at the Capri, where Baby Lores and Insurrecto agreed a ceasefire and buried the most popular conflict between artists of the genre up until that point.However, the story doesn’t end there, at least not when it comes to iconic diss tracks. That’s because&nbsp;reparto&nbsp;(reggaeton from poor areas) has continued the tradition – like any good son – with its key figure leading the way, Chocolate MC. “Bajanda”, the most characteristic song of the genre, can be considered a diss track in which Chocolate declares himself the King of the&nbsp;Reparteros.&nbsp;The cat that flaunts its crown and wipes the floor with all the mice and rats. This didn’t go unnoticed by his counterparts, of course. The song “A la carandanda”, by El Kamel, is one of the hit responses to that first taunt from the self-proclaimed king.As a result, anything after “Bajanda”&nbsp;can be understood as a succession of attacks on the El Choco fortress. Wave after wave, his contemporaries and emerging artists have dissed him, or have been victim of his attacks, turning diss tracks into an indisoluble part of the genre. Harryson recently released three songs against Chocolate and not a week goes by when the latter doesn’t publish a more or less hidden tirade against a reggaeton/repartero artist.Filling in the whole picture, Chocolate MC shared a photo on social media in recent weeks where he appears alongside Al2, probably in Al2’s studio. We’ll soon discover what came out of this union between two of the most talented and controversial figures of Cuban urban music.&nbsp;Playlist: Iconic diss tracks on Cuba’s urban scene&nbsp;La canción #9 /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">El B vs. Insurrecto</a>Relajo con el cadáver /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Aldo vs. Insurrecto</a>Aldastasia /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Insurrecto vs. Aldo</a>Trastón /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Aldo vs. Yomil</a>Cal2 /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Yomil vs. Aldo</a>Felina /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Aldo vs. El Taiger</a>R.I.P. Al2 /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">El Taiger vs. Aldo</a>Auuuh /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Baby Lores ft. El Chacal vs. Insurrecto</a>La bala /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Insurrecto ft. Gente de Zona vs. Baby Lores</a>Bajanda /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Chocolate MC</a>A la carandanda /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">El Kamel vs. Chocolate MC</a>R.I.P. /&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">Harryson vs. Chocolate MC</a><blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/iconic-diss-tracks-on-cubas-urban-scene/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/tiraderas-iconicas-de-la-escena-urbana-en-cuba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Iconic Diss Tracks on Cuba’s Urban Scene

The repressive offensive by Cuban State Security Organs against the elTOQUE team reached a new level of aggressiveness this week. The interrogation and blackmail method, together with the use of travel restrictions on several of our colleagues residing in Cuba, has led thus far to 16 members of our team putting in their resignations.&nbsp;The pressure has even led to the suspension of the weekly graphic humor supplement Xel2. The project has published uninterruptedly since its premiere in February 2019. The artist, Iran Hernandez, and the director, Wimar Verdecia, have announced this week their decision to stop disseminating their art through the elTOQUE platform or any other independent space outside the control of the Cuban Communist Party.The most worrying thing these days, however, has been the sick insistence of State Security agents to obtain video “confessions” from our colleagues. The harassment and psychological torture to which they are subjected does not end until they agree to be filmed in protocol houses of the Ministry of the Interior. There, following the instructions of the interrogators, they must “confirm” the central ideas of a fallacy: elTOQUE receives financing from “enemy” organizations and has the mission, as a mercenary entity, of “destabilizing” the Cuban government.We warn Cuban and international public opinion, and our readers, that we are on the verge of a new propaganda attack against our media on Cuban State TV and other platforms. It is clearly evident that they are preparing to use manipulated videos, taken out of context, and statements obtained under duress, to “construct” one of those “accusations” presented as “reasons” for a country to “defend itself.”We want to remind the repressors, and all the people who will be exposed to these messages, that a video obtained under this type of coercion is nothing more than evidence that the Cuban State commits psychological torture. We do not recognize any validity in the messages that will be broadcast through the hijacked voices and faces of our colleagues.We are sadly witnessing the end of Xel2, one of the most challenging creative experiences we have ever experienced and through which we learned to build consensus and respect the diversity of opinions. During 190 issues, the members of the artistic group have accompanied and reflected the vicissitudes of the Cuban citizenry every week with their works.On the agenda of the Sunday supplement, which is already a benchmark, they have taken on human rights violations against activists, artists and journalists that have become more frequent and visible in recent years; the injustices against the protesters and political prisoners of July 11, 2021 (11J); the increase in dollarization, the economic crisis in our country and its consequences; the exodus of so many Cubans, the excesses of the Etecsa telecommunications monopoly; and pointing out bureaucratism and Cuban bureaucrats…Convinced of the value of this work, we ensure that graphic humor will continue to be present on our platform. We will take advantage of the unwanted pause to think and build a new project that continues the commitment to political satire and the reflection of reality through graphic art.elTOQUE has been a space to rescue vernacular graphic humor; the one that drinks from our best-known artists of the pre-revolution past, and which was instrumentalized for years by state propaganda. We will not cease due to the whims of repressors.We have been in critical situations before. Doing journalism for Cuban audiences is a risky act that has its costs and today we must pay them.Trust this team. They will not silence us.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/attacks-on-el-toque-continue-xel2-humor-forced-to-suspend/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/xel2-es-obligado-a-recesar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Attacks on elTOQUE Continue: Xel2 Humor Forced to Suspend

Some twenty graphic artists —Cuban and foreign— responded to a call by El Toque, in response to the denunciation of the closure of the Sunday graphic humor supplement Xel2, due to pressure from the State Security Organs.The El Toque request broadcast on social networks stated: “We ask you to help us so they don’t get away with it this time, that they do not block the publishing of graphic humor in the independent Cuban press.”&nbsp;The works refer to artistic censorship, the closure of Xel2 and the defense of spaces for creativity and freedom of expression. They came to us through our email (audiencias@eltoque.com) and social networks.Among the best-known Cuban illustrators who have offered their works are Lázaro Saavedra (Cuban National Prize for Plastic Arts 2014), Gustavo Rodríguez “Garrincha” and Angel Boligan “Boligan”, all with important national and international recognition.The members of Xel2 who are outside of Cuba also responded to the call: Ramsés Morales, Fabián Sotolongo, Brady Izquierdo and Alen Lauzán.International collaboration came from Mexico through the Veracruz artist Gogo, who is dedicated to illustration and design.Artists from other artistic manifestations —such as the visual arts (Yulier Rodriguez «YulierP», Camila Lobón, Hamlet Toledo and Julio Llopiz-Casal)—, also sent their works.The State Security Organs of the Cuban Government will not be able to silence the creative freedom of Cuban artists with harassment, threats, or blackmail.Enjoy this great virtual exhibition, which is a gesture of protest and solidarity.<figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Boligan_54bd4e9340.jpg" alt="" caption="Incarcerated young man" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Boligan_54bd4e9340.jpg" alt=""></a>Incarcerated young man</figure> <figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Garrincha_1_adc35491be.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Garrincha_1_adc35491be.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Hernan_A_c411315c87.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Hernan_A_c411315c87.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Strsindrome_3d586d39d0.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Strsindrome_3d586d39d0.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Colette_R_b1a061a3dd.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Colette_R_b1a061a3dd.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Yulier_P_3_b2897e2e10.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Yulier_P_3_b2897e2e10.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Yulier_P_1_b7c5368659.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Yulier_P_1_b7c5368659.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/3stilla_4b080e31b4.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/3stilla_4b080e31b4.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Ramses_1_a5e1ec1121.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Ramses_1_a5e1ec1121.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Julio_Llopiz_Casal_2_f662b7264c.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Julio_Llopiz_Casal_2_f662b7264c.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_2_661bf5f8a1.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_2_661bf5f8a1.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Yulier_P_2_f190d97d65.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Yulier_P_2_f190d97d65.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Julio_Llopiz_Casal_1_0bb2d42235.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Julio_Llopiz_Casal_1_0bb2d42235.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Igna_Rodes_05c57b2bf9.jpg" alt="" caption="Politically incorrect" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Igna_Rodes_05c57b2bf9.jpg" alt=""></a>Politically incorrect</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_3_06971d1d2b.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_3_06971d1d2b.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Christian_H_d723857a76.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Christian_H_d723857a76.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Garrincha_2_b575e90f07.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Garrincha_2_b575e90f07.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Cabra_df9c48ac81.jpg" alt="" caption="Goat with a machete" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Cabra_df9c48ac81.jpg" alt=""></a>Goat with a machete</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Garrincha_4_d1bcb9b3e9.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Garrincha_4_d1bcb9b3e9.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Helbert_L_b3284a9256.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Helbert_L_b3284a9256.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Garrincha_3_476c8d2cab.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Garrincha_3_476c8d2cab.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Lauzan_1_56fbdc7e8b.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Lauzan_1_56fbdc7e8b.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Gogo_1_aa273a617d.jpg" alt="" caption="Art is not a crime" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Gogo_1_aa273a617d.jpg" alt=""></a>Art is not a crime</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Ramses_2_bb7bb3f4cf.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Ramses_2_bb7bb3f4cf.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Gogo_2_ebf531eb7e.jpg" alt="" caption="Freedom" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Gogo_2_ebf531eb7e.jpg" alt=""></a>Freedom</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Lazaro_Saavedra_637660ba6a.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Lazaro_Saavedra_637660ba6a.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_1_838b1ca805.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Fabian_Sotolongo_1_838b1ca805.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Camila_Lobon_a203c44da6.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Camila_Lobon_a203c44da6.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Boligan_2_662d14ea50.jpg" alt="" caption="Still with the apple on his head" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Boligan_2_662d14ea50.jpg" alt=""></a>Still with the apple on his head</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Hamlet_Toledo_68f0b87890.jpg" alt="" caption="Silence has the word" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Hamlet_Toledo_68f0b87890.jpg" alt=""></a>Silence has the word</figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Brady_Izquierdo_e9b976e806.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Brady_Izquierdo_e9b976e806.jpg" alt=""></a></figure><figure class="image-ql" src="/uploads/Lauzan_2_6e14b99444.jpg" alt="" caption="" width="50" style="width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; cursor: pointer;" link="" contenteditable="false"><a href="" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-image-inner-post"><img src="/uploads/Lauzan_2_6e14b99444.jpg" alt=""></a></figure>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/art-for-freedom-more-cartoons-illustrations-after-xel2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/arte-por-la-libertad-mas-caricaturas-e-ilustraciones-tras-cierre-de-xel2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">Spanish</a>.

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Art for Freedom: More Cartoons & Illustrations after Xel2 

Some of you might know their names: Aleiny, Jose Leandro, Meilin, Mauro; but they are not the only ones. They are four of the nine members of the El Toque team who have recently resigned from their work due to direct and indirect pressure from Cuban State Security organs.We speak now, out of our commitment with these colleagues. These young journalists have been able to give a demonstration of civility, despite the pressures to which they are subjected. They are afraid —we all are—, but even so they have refused to testify against their colleagues and have clearly pointed out the repressor.Since we denounced the arbitrary act of prohibiting six of our colleagues from leaving the country, who were on their way to the Media Party of Argentina —the most important media innovation conference in Latin America—, the blackmail and threats against our collective have only escalated.We are living days of great sadness and indignation. It generates a great emotional conflict for us when team members are forced to stop working, for no other reason than that of unaccountable authoritarianism. These Cuban colleagues, who have contributed their talent and dedication to making El Toque a media that serves, in every sense of the word, are today forced to abandon the exercise of independent journalism.We are outraged by the arsenal of punishments that the repressors have deployed against such young people.The demand that they resign from work (and do so publicly, without naming State Security, as if it were a ghost) is not the only condition that the political gendarmes have imposed. The confiscation of basic work equipment and the prohibition to leave the country to anyone who is part of the collective are announced as steps on a path that will lead to prosecution under the new Penal Code. All types of threats have been made during repeated interrogations at police stations, State Security “protocol” houses or in invasions of the personal space of colleagues, using family and friends as messengers (and, therefore, inflicting collateral damage).The tactic is not exclusive against El Toque journalists. We read more and more frequent reports of colleagues from other independent media who had to stop their work due to the weight of the demands placed on them. Likewise, that of so many others, such as Ismario Rodríguez, from Periodismo de Barrio, or Luz Escobar, from 14yMedio, who resist despite all the damage they receive.These are practices of harassment that a growing number of Cuban citizens suffer if they dare to express their discontent on social networks, participate in pots-and-pans protests or show solidarity with political prisoners and exiles after the social explosion of July 11, 2021.Let’s call things by their name. The repressive episodes —which are not new but are becoming more frequent— and the strategy of State Security to silence dissent, are consistent with the definition of “psychological torture” described in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the United Nations Organization, of which Cuba is a signatory.Cuban society has suffered an escalation of repression for months and our journalism has reported it. The editorial by El Toque today responds to the context of a Cuba in which police and state violence repress any-and-all types of dissent. Meanwhile, the lack of political, social. and economic freedoms keeps the country mired in a deep crisis.In these circumstances, advocating for human rights, social justice, the rule of law, prosperity, and the construction of a true republic in our land are not a matter for impartiality. We have changed, evolved, and will continue to do so.What response is expected in the face of the lies, slander and threats made by shadowy officials from the Ministry of the Interior at the service of the government of Miguel Diaz-Canel and the Communist Party? How to react when a young person is told they cannot leave Cuba if they do not film a video accusing their colleagues. That, otherwise, the island will become their prison, taking away the possibility (and the right) of going abroad to study, visit or live in other countries?&nbsp;How to remain unscathed when you are accused of being a mercenary and unpatriotic for showing a reality that those in power need to hide?Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu said that if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. We’ve stated it before too: our journalism is truthful, not neutral. Our effort is focused on facts, on data, on reflecting what the state propaganda machinery wants to hide, and what is lost in the biased narrative of political interests of any kind. No one should expect from us a fatuous and cowardly impartiality. Cuba suffers and it is not primarily or only because of the US embargo. For Cuba that suffers, as Martí wrote, it will always be our first word.To our colleagues who resist, to those who have had to abandon independent journalism and to those who will have to, we express our gratitude and admiration. Know, as Oswaldo Paya’s phrase evokes, that the night will not be eternal.In Havana, Madrid, Miami, Toronto, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Lausanne, and Guayaquil, we sign, on August 31, 2022.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/editorial-the-night-will-not-be-eternal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/editorial-la-noche-no-sera-eterna" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Editorial: “The Night Will Not Be Eternal”

This Thursday, August 25, 2022, authorities from the Ministry of the Interior prevented six young journalists from elTOQUE from boarding Aerolineas Argentinas flight AR1327, bound for Buenos Aires, at Havana's José Martí International Airport.Our colleagues were going to participate in the <a href="https://www.mediaparty.info/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Media Party</a>, the most important media innovation conference in Latin America. For three days, between August 25 and 28, representatives of large global companies, the regional media ecosystem and journalists, entrepreneurs and software developers from local communities will meet in the Argentine capital to work together for the future of the media.&nbsp;What would be an unparalleled opportunity of improvement and knowledge for them, the State Security officers -under the cover of Emigration officials- turned it into an attack on the freedom and rights of the young colleagues.&nbsp;Without explanations and under the discretionality allowed by Cuban legislation, our colleagues have been "limited", and <a href="https://www.connectas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Regulados-2019-mar-2020-Hoja1-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">they join the long list</a> of those who suffer the violation of their most elementary rights for political reasons. Under assumptions as generic, as spurious and immoral, "reasons of Defense, National Security and public interest", today our colleagues, as before other independent journalists, activists and citizens pay with the limitation of their freedom of movement the cost of pretending to exercise their rights and their profession.&nbsp;The long arm of repression tries to break them for the simple reason of wanting to exercise free journalism in a dictatorship.&nbsp;It has been an arbitrary and recurrent practice of the Cuban regime to prevent political activists, human rights defenders, independent journalists and other civil society actors who are uncomfortable for them from participating in events abroad or leaving the country for personal purposes.&nbsp;An investigation by the journalistic platform Connectas <a href="https://www.connectas.org/regulados-en-cuba-prision-a-cielo-abierto/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">revealed</a> that "245 residents in Cuba were or remain regulated from January 2019 through March 22, 2020 for political reasons."Human Rights Watch's 2021 <a href="https://www.hrw.org/es/world-report/2021/country-chapters/377428" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">report</a> on Cuba denounces how the Cuban government has used restrictions on the ability to travel as a form of repression and punishment of any form of dissent and public criticism.&nbsp;"The [2013 immigration] reforms gave the government broad discretion to restrict the right to travel on grounds of "National Defense and Security" or "other reasons of public interest." Authorities have continued to selectively deny departure to individuals who express criticism of the Government," the report notes. Almost 10 years later, and as evidenced by the sanctioning of our colleagues today, that reality has not changed.For security reasons, we have decided not to reveal the identities of the six journalists who have suffered this flagrant violation of their rights. They have been subjected to interrogation and blackmail since previous days and we prefer to continue protecting them to the best of our ability. But with this denunciation we would like to ask colleagues, international organizations and people in solidarity to help us to spread new evidence of the repressive nature of the government that controls the destinies of Cuba.

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Cuban government prevents six elTOQUE journalists from participating in Argentina's Media Party

Cuba’s minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernandez, announced on Monday August 22nd that the Cuban Government will begin selling foreign currency to individuals. Coming into effect on August 23rd, the measure upholds the 120 CUP: 1 USD exchange rate, with a difference between buying and selling prices due to commercial margins imposed by banks.&nbsp;Applying foreign exchange margins, anyone can buy USD for 123.60 Cuban pesos and sell it for 110.40. In the case of Euros, the selling price stands at 125.11 pesos, while the buying rate is 116.70 pesos. Both rates are below the representative rate on the illicit market, which valued both currencies at 140 Cuban pesos on August 22nd 2022.&nbsp;Starting today, Cuban citizens wanting to buy EUR, USD, CAD, GBP or MXN, can go to any of the 37 Change Bureaus (CADECA) in the country – mainly located in provincial capitals and some municipalities, except for on the Isle of Youth, where transactions are made at the Banco Popular de Ahorro. Foreign currency sales will only be made in cash because CADECA can’t connect operations to bank accounts, the Government has explained.However, it won’t be an easy process. The minister/president of the Cuban Central Bank, Marta Sabina Wilson Gonzalez, said that any individual customer will only be able to buy a maximum of 100 USD or the equivalent in any other currency. This is “so more people can access this market and satisfy existing demand, which is much greater than the available foreign currencies,” she explained.Wilson didn’t clarify whether the 100 USD cap refers to a single purchase or is the sum of purchases made over a period of time, a day, week or month. Even so, she explained that custormers buying USD won’t be able to deposit them in their bank accounts; she highlighted “this is a limitation we have right now and while we work on a solution, this situation will continue.”&nbsp;The official expressed that foreign currency sales will be limited by “banking authorities’ purchasing power” and will depend on the amount of foreign currency purchased the day before. Given the absence of a transparent information tool, the head of the BCC explained that managers of CADECA branches will be responsible for “explaining to the population how many people will be able to buy foreign currency on the day that they offer services.”Wilson has already said that foreign currency won’t be sold at airports, because they believe “they need to boost and facilitate more Cubans’ access to this foreign currency market“ and that, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as non-agricultural cooperatives, won’t be able to access this kind of market for the time being.&nbsp;Regarding the last point, Cuban economist Mauricio de Miranda&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/will-selling-dollars-in-cuba-halt-or-benefit-the-illicit-market/blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(40, 157, 204);">explained</a>&nbsp;that there isn’t a significant reason to stop micro, small and medium-sized business owners from buying foreign currency from the very beginning. “Shortages are the only possible reason. They are expecting to sell foreign currency in dribs and drabs,” he said.In regard to sale and buying rates, the measure – protected by the BCC’s Resolution 437/2022 – establishes that sales of foreign currency in cash (except for USD) will have a 5% margin, while sales operations of USD in cash will have a 3% margin.“If the dollar is the currency we have the most problems with for exports, the idea is that people demand this dollar and we encourage purchases in dollars that we already have at one of our bureaus de change,“ said Wilson.While it’s still too early to predict what will happen in the future, many users are wondering what effect buying/selling foreign currency will have on the illicit market.Economist Pedro Monreal speculated on Twitter that the State’s new exchange market might “ironically“ boost the informal market.&nbsp;“The “low” buying rate of USD at 110.4 [CUP] has a very high trade difference at 10.7%. Up until now, the illicit market seemed to be operating with a trade difference of approximately 5%, which will create room for this informal market to buy and sell USD for a better rate than the State, keeping the 5% difference,” the economist added.Monreal added that the State’s difference is 10.7% (123.6-110.4). However, with an informal market with a 5% difference, they can buy USD for 119.7 pesos and sell them for 126 pesos. Thus, these two rates are better on the illicit market than on the State’s.Last but not least, minister Alejandro Gil recalled that “the 1:24 rate will continue for all the other basic economic operations, such as buying goods for the Basic Food Basket, paying gas, electricity bills, etc., and for wages.” According to Mauricio de Miranda, this regulation isn’t right as the 1:24 exchange rate has no economic basis.&nbsp;“They’re still making the same mistake. They admitted they were wrong. And yes, they improvised. The “Economic Reforms process” didn’t work and it was a mistake. There has been strict willfulness and they are holding onto their key decisions,” De Miranda concluded.&nbsp;<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/will-selling-dollars-in-cuba-halt-or-benefit-the-illicit-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English&nbsp;</a>from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/venta-de-divisas-en-cuba-freno-o-beneficio-para-el-mercado-informal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Will Selling Dollars in Cuba Halt or Benefit the Illicit Market?

Deputy Foreign Trade &amp; Investment Minister, Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga, ratified on August 15, 2022, that the “State monopoly” on Cuban foreign trade will be maintained.During the announcement on the Mesa Redonda TV program of a new package of economic measures that aims to alleviate the deep crisis suffered by the island, Gonzalez appealed to the “strategic errors” mentioned by Raul Castro during the VIII Congress of the Communist Party, when he referred to allowing private commercial importation to establish a non-state trading system.“There are limits that we cannot exceed because it would lead to the destruction of socialism, because the consequences would be irreversible and would lead to strategic errors and the destruction of socialism; and, therefore, of the sovereignty of the nation”, Raul Castro had declared in April 2021.Regarding the possibility that “non-state economic actors” import directly from abroad, the deputy minister indicated that this activity will be authorized only to “a group determined by the authorities” and “under the control of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (Mincex)”.The rules for the “exceptional status”, according to Gonzalez, will be determined by the capacity of private companies to produce goods and services with export possibilities, especially those related to the informatics industry. Likewise, the import powers will be granted to those private entities that “can market their products and services with better prices to Cuban society.”Another element pointed out by the official is that non-state companies authorized to import “have their own differentiated and executable flows (funds) for import and export, so that they do not exert additional pressure on the country’s demand for foreign exchange.” In other words, that they can independently obtain the foreign currency they need for their economic activities without resorting to state agencies.In this regard, the Cuban economist Mauricio De Miranda described Mincex’s monopoly over all foreign trade activities on the island as an error.“The deputy minister says that it is not a whim to maintain the monopoly on foreign trade. Likewse, she does not accept that there is a non-state trade. She appeals to Raul’s words about “strategic errors”. In my opinion, it is a strategic error to maintain the state monopoly,” said De Miranda on the social network Twitter.Ana Gonzalez announced some new measures adopted for foreign investment and domestic and foreign trade in Cuba.Among them, the following stand out: “promote the development of businesses that promote wholesale trade through foreign investment and, selectively, the creation of joint (state-private) ventures to carry out retail trade activities.”The objective is that these foreign investment businesses “are destined, fundamentally, to the sale of raw materials, inputs, equipment, and other goods that can contribute to promoting the development of national production. In addition, to the supply of finished goods such as food and cleaning products, and the installation of electricity generation systems with renewable energy sources.”Likewise, it was approved “to allow that these entities pre-finance national producers with the capacity to become suppliers.”Another of the announced measures is the application in these entities of a differentiated financial scheme that guarantees the stability of the supply chain. “This scheme must include the authorization to make sales in MLC” (the US dollar magnetic currency), noted Gonzalez.Regarding the possibility of foreign investment in non-agricultural cooperatives and other forms of non-state management, the head of Internal Trade Betsy Diaz Velazquez only stated that the answers to these questions “are found on the Ministry’s website.”According to Mauricio De Miranda, with these measures “the Cuban government insists on deepening the dollarization of the domestic market amid a high level of discretion in decisions. “Mixed companies are authorized for wholesale trade, but the monopoly on retail sales and foreign trade is not broken.”<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/investment-foreign-trade-in-cuba-the-monopoly-continues/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/inversion-en-el-comercio-exterior-el-monopolio-sigue-en-manos-del-estado-cubano" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Investment & Foreign Trade in Cuba: The Monopoly Continues

The Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil, announced on August 3rd, the first measures for the start of a foreign exchange market in the country. As of Thursday, the purchase of US dollars from individuals will begin at banks and change houses with a reference value of 120 Cuban pesos (CUP) for one US dollar. The official rate had been 24 x 1 until today, while the informal market had been hovering around 115-120 x 1.The exchange however is one way. The government wants to compete with the illicit market for the dollars but does not sell them at any price. The measure will apply to the purchase of various foreign currencies such as the euro, the Canadian dollar, the pound sterling and the Mexican peso.A week ago, economist Miguel Alejandro Hayes, anticipated the creation of a foreign exchange market where its main function would not be to sell but only to buy (foreign currencies).“The Government responds to a fact: cell phone recharges are no longer attractive from abroad (Gil affirmed it) and foreign tourists change their money in cash in the informal market. The Government stops collecting all that money directly and a simple way to capture it is to offer an attractive rate for tourists to change in state institutions,” Hayes predicted.According to Alejandro Gil, the exchange rate of 120 CUP for one dollar is only for buying. “When we start the purchase-sale, a balanced exchange rate will be set.” However, Gil did not clarify when the Cuban State will launch the sale of foreign currency to individuals, through its banking institutions.Regarding this last point, Gil, also the deputy prime minister, announced that when the sale of foreign currency begins, limits will be set due to the high demand that exists.Gil noted that the foreign exchange market cannot operate at the 1×24 exchange rate, “because it requires an amount of foreign currency that the country does not have. In addition, to do so it would be necessary to allocate foreign currency that today has another purpose in the economy”.Cuban economist Mauricio de Miranda said that Alejandro Gil’s statements about the impossibility of establishing a single (buy-sell) exchange rate for the entire economy are erroneous. In the expert’s opinion, a single exchange rate is needed since the strength of the markets lies in its transparency.De Miranda emphasized the importance of establishing an exchange rate governed by the market and not by a fixed exchange rate that will bring distortions in the country’s economy.During the Round Table TV program —in which the news was revealed—, the president of the Central Bank of Cuba, Marta Sabina Wilson Gonzalez, explained that the foreign exchange market will work for all individuals, who will be able to sell foreign currency to the banks. Customers will be able to decide if the Cuban pesos they receive are transferred to a magnetic card or delivered in cash.“People can sell through transfers they receive from abroad. If you receive a foreign transfer and need national currency, you can indicate that it be credited to your CUP peso account. In the same way, it can be done in cash”, stressed Wilson Gonzalez.However, Gonzalez pointed out that commercial margins will be more favorable for electronic transactions over cash.The implementation of these commercial margins constitute a “contribution” of the Cuban monetary authorities, explained Mauricio de Miranda.“The margins that are established in the foreign exchange markets elsewhere are those that exist between the purchase and sale exchange rate. In that difference is the usefulness of the banking exchange rate. This is not what happens in Cuba. Applying that margin and selling at 110 pesos in cash, the only thing it means is the recognition of the informal market exchange rate that they had criticized for so long,” said De Miranda.The director of the Central Bank of Cuba clarified that foreign currency purchase operations will be implemented in bank branches in all provinces, except in 40 municipalities where the conditions for it do not yet exist. The branches are located depending on the population level and the potentialities of the banking system.Alejandro Gil pointed out that this measure “does not affect the State business system, where the 1×24 exchange rate is maintained. The imports that enter do so with that exchange, as well as the exports that are generated in the country”.The economy minister concluded saying that the ultimate goal of these measures is to achieve a society with the greatest equity and social justice possible. However, this is quite unlikely.As Miguel Alejandro Hayes explains, Cuban citizens are aware of the Government’s investment priorities: hotels. “If you collect a lot of currency, you will have to pay debts… and if you collect too much…, no, that doesn’t happen. He asked, once the (same) government had enough foreign currency, did the purchasing power of wages increase?“In the brief boom period at the end of Obama’s term, the increase in foreign currency did not represent an improvement in the living conditions of people not linked to tourism, nor did it significantly increase social assistance or state wages, but, both in 2015 and 2016, for example, food shortages in the country increased. It will not increase buying power now either, it does not have to, nothing forces it to. On the contrary, the Government made new laws to protect itself while serving the interests of the economic power of the Cuban elite),” Hayes explained.Mauricio de Miranda assures that the function of a state shouldn’t be to accommodate the markets according to the interests of the authorities. “In reality, the economic authorities have the fundamental responsibility of ensuring the development of a country, while recognizing the objective nature of economic laws.” Something that the Cuban Government does not seem to understand.This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/features/cuba-ups-its-official-purchase-rate-for-us-dollars-by-500/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">English</a>&nbsp;from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/gobierno-comprara-dolares-a-120-pesos-cubanos-y-ahora-que-viene" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">Spanish</a>.

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Cuba Ups Its Official Purchase Rate for US Dollars by 500%

You need to be informed in order to make decisions. Hiding or standing in the way of access to public information today only violates civil rights stipulated by international Law. It also limits conversation and action regarding circles of power. Opacity and lack of transparency are regular practices in closed regimes, like in Cuba.The right to information has been studied and indexed for the “crucial” capacity it gives citizens to question their representatives and make them answer for their leadership. Many countries within the region have public policies that regulate and facilitate this right, but Cuba isn’t one of them.How the State budget is invested, beyond graphs being presented with general headings on the&nbsp;Mesa Redonda&nbsp;program, should be public knowledge. Having data about how many Cuban women are victims of femicide or contact information for key public officials should be accessible.Advocating for access to quality information, a group of Cuban media projects has joined the Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information and has presented a joint campaign&nbsp;“Derecho a Saber”, in favor of citizens’ right to public information.CubaNet, Alas Tensas, Arbol Invertido, Diario de Cuba, El Estornudo, elTOQUE, Hypermedia, Periodismo de Barrio, Rialta and Tremenda Nota have joined efforts and resources to warn about the little awareness of people’s right to information and, also, about the deregulated use bodies responsible for ensuring this right have over it. For example, in Cuba, “matters of national security” are constantly brandished to deny information.Users will be able to find visual resources, graphics, animations under a Creative Commons license on an attractive website, so they “can be freely used by any person or organization interested in reproducing them, without the need for previous authorization.”Freedom of Information is recognized in Article 53 of the Cuban Constitution, but this recognition isn’t enough.In order to demand information, its publication and establish control mechanisms – beyond accountability of a lawmaker that might only raise concerns – we need laws, but also skills and knowledge that will allow Cubans to pass from being spectators to becoming decision-makers in their own lives and public policies.“Citizens have the right to know where and how they can receive public services, to know what the State budget is being invested in, and what decisions are being made that affect their everyday lives. It is the State’s duty to provide this information,” the campaign’s press release reads.According to this tool for citizens, “the Cuban Government is working with UNESCO on a Law about information transparency and access to information, but it will only be promulgated in October 2022.”In the meantime, it’s important to demand that the entire process linked to the draft and approval of this law is truly public knowledge and accessible for everyone.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/opinion/cuba-needs-a-freedom-of-information-act/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English&nbsp;</a>from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/derecho-a-saber-por-el-acceso-la-informacion-publica-y-transparente-en-cuba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>

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Cuba Needs a Freedom of Information Act

This Friday, July 1, 2022, Division General Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja died in Havana at the age of 62, because of a cardiorespiratory arrest, according to official media reports.Although more details of his death are unknown, unofficial sources assure that he suffered from lung cancer. Faced with the unexpected news, many people wonder who will inherit all the positions and powers that Raul Castro’s right-hand man had.Son of Gen. Guillermo Rodriguez del Pozo, who was head of the National Civil Defense General Staff, and former son-in-law of Raul Castro, Lopez-Calleja career and power were marked by his relationship with the Castro family. Although he kept a low profile and the state media did not report on his activities, he was publicly presented as an adviser to the President during an official visit by Miguel Díaz-Canel to Mexico in September 2021.Lopez-Calleja was known for directing the Grupo Empresarial de Administración S.A. (Gaesa), belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and which has under its control the Tiendas Caribe Chain; various import/export companies such as Tecnotex, Tecnoimport, Cubagro and Ecasol; and real estate companies such as Almest, Caribe and Aurea.For several years, Cuban and foreign analysts have warned about Gaesa’s excessive control over the Cuban economy, which intensified after Raul Castro assumed the presidency of the country in 2008.Within the business group, one of the fundamental pieces is the Cimex S.A. Corporation, which in turn manages a large part of the internal commerce and under whose control are the Pan-American Stores, the Photoservice, the Cupet-Cimex Servicentros, Coral Negro Jewelry , Fincimex, Banco Financiero Internacional, Havanatur, Havanautos, Melfi Marine and the Specialized Logistics and Trade Zone (ZELCOM S.A.). Universal Stores S.A. with the Mariel Zone and the Gaviota Tourism Group are other Gaesa jewels.Gaesa is also a 44.2% shareholder of Etecsa, Cuba’s telecommunications monopoly. Investigations by the Miami Herald, ADN Cuba and Diario de Cuba have shown that Gaesa officials or people close to Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja, such as his brother Guillermo Faustino Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja, manage companies outside of Cuba. The lack of transparency characterizes all of Gaesa’s activity, leaving the public without access to the information of the holding company nor ways to demand accountability.Lopez-Calleja was born on January 19, 1960, in Santa Clara, Villa Clara. In October 2021 he was elected deputy to the National Assembly of People’s Power for the Villa Clara municipality of Remedios. According to the local Vanguardia newspaper, the vote that elected Lopez-Calleja as a member of the Cuban Parliament was held to fill a vacancy after the death of another deputy, Antonio Perez Santos.The possibility of filling vacancies is carried out by the municipal delegates, even though in theory it is a right recognized to the citizenry: that of directly electing the members of the National Assembly. On the other hand, the election of deputies for a territory other than where they reside is a common practice in Cuban politics; those are the cases, for example, of Miguel Diaz-Canel and Raul Castro.One of the concerns of citizens at the time that Lopez-Calleja was elected deputy was rooted in the untimely, not unexpected, election. However, that designation as a deputy of the late leader of Gaesa seemed to respond to the power that the Council of State has to define when and which vacancies in Parliament are filled. This is a convenient power from the political point of view, since it allows those who control the electoral panorama to have mechanisms that legitimize processes of empowerment or access to public positions in the highest spheres, for which it is essential to be a deputy.When during the official visit of the Cuban delegation to Mexico on the anniversary of that nation’s independence, Lopez-Calleja was presented as advisor to the Cuban president. Such inferred that his appointment as a deputy responded to the logic of public empowerment of high-ranking Cuban officials.He became a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee in 2011 and its Politburo in 2021, after the 8th PCC Congress.The profile on Lopez-Calleja on the Cuban Parliament’s website reflects that, since before 1990, he had a work relationship with the upper echelons of power in Cuba. He worked in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and was the liaison for the FAR minister, Raul Castro at that time, with the direction of Foreign Trade Economic Collaboration. In 1990 he joined the Military Counterintelligence and carried out an internationalist mission in Angola.He held the position of Head of Section and of the V Department of the Armed Forces which, according to former Counterintelligence agents, controls the economic, accounting, and financial part of the Armed Forces. Since 1996 he directed the Business Administration Group.Lopez-Calleja has been a member of the PCC’s Political-Economic Commission since its creation in August 2006. Since 2011 he heads the Government’s commission for attention to the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM). According to an investigation by El Nuevo Herald, the general was considered the “main interlocutor” of the Cuban government. Currently, the general director of the ZEDM is Ana Teresa Igarza Martínez, a former military judge, who was the legal director of Gaesa.In October 2011, Luis Alberto Rodríguez was appointed president of the Cuban Institute for the Coordination of Collaboration and Investments with Angola; country to which Gaesa’s control extends through the Antillean Export Corporation (Antex) which, in turn, manages six companies in Angolan territory with businesses ranging from the export of professional services to investments in construction.<blockquote>This article was translated into&nbsp;<a href="https://havanatimes.org/news/raul-castros-right-hand-man-dies-in-cuba/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">English&nbsp;</a>from the original in&nbsp;<a href="https://eltoque.com/fallecio-luis-alberto-rodriguez-lopez-callejas-presidente-ejecutivo-de-gaesa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a>.</blockquote>