Fidel Castro's latest "Reflections" columns, published in the Cuban press, have left many readers inside and outside the Island in a mild state of shock. Without exceeding a hundred words, the ex-president's most recent texts seem to be infected with the brief style of the Twitter social network. An undoubtedly great contrast, if we compare this conciseness with the extensive writings that have been published since he began his convalescence, after surgery in July 2006.
The man who was characterized by his habit of speaking for hours from the podium in the Plaza of the Revolution and in front of television cameras in the studio, now appears to be opting for minimalism. But that is not the only change operating in the commentaries coming out under his signature, his attention has also shifted from global to domestic affairs.
For six years the most recurring themes in the "Reflections of Comrade Fidel" had been the world crisis of capitalism, environmental problems, reproaches directed to the government of the United States, and the portent of a nuclear explosion. He has especially emphasized criticisms of Barack Obama's administration and the presence of American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
However, since the beginning of June his allusions to our own national events have occupied his brief lines, always appearing on the front page of the newspaper Granma. A timely obituary on the death of the boxer Teofilo Stevenson; his proposal to appoint former runner Alberto Juantorena as president of the Cuban Olympic Committee; these are some of the issues addressed lately.
Not only do we have the unaccustomed terseness in the former head of state, but some have even interpreted his writings as actual riddles and metaphors. Hunting for certainties, Cubans search among his phrases, looking in each letter for a key that will help them unravel what happens at the highest echelons of power. Lacking transparency of information, a simple syllable could constitute a clue.
Such was the case with the note where the Comandante en Jefe expressed his profound solidarity with Erich Honecker, whom he called "the most revolutionary German" he'd ever known. Many readers quickly established a parallel between Honecker, who "bitterly paid the debt contracted by someone who sold his soul to the devil for a few sips of vodka," and Fidel Castro, whose political ascendancy is shrinking with advancing age and the reforms drive by Raúl Castro.
It is, however, one of the latest reflections in this minimalist series that has provoked the most comments. In it he addressed the possibility of "massive" plantings in Cuba of "Moringa Oleífera and Mulberry," two types of trees. The first of these plants, native to India, has great nutritional value and, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, contains a high percentage of proteins and vitamins. Meanwhile mulberry leaves are the natural food of silkworms.
According to Fidel Castro, both trees are "inexhaustible sources of meat, eggs and milk" and their production could "provide work and shade, regardless of age or sex." His words have generated a certain unease among the inhabitants of a country where agriculture has suffered successive defeats after previous bets on intensive plantings of some miracle product.
So Monday morning, at the newsstand in a central Havana neighborhood, an old man looked with surprise at the box with 57 words, counting the title "Reflections." When asked why he was so surprised, the distressed gentleman could only come up with "he must be ill to have written so little." A lady was looking at the inside pages of the newspaper for the rest of the text, unable to accept that the box on the front page contained its entirety. After confirming that was the case, she mused in a whisper, "surely he's taking a break and will soon return with his more long-winded texts."
The truth is that in parallel to the distress caused in some by Fidel Castro's change in style, popular jokesters have had a field day with the already famous "moringa and mulberry." Cubans laugh as they express their fears that voluntarism will return and the Comandante en Jefe's plans will replace the pragmatism that -- bit by bit -- has been spreading through Cuban agriculture.
Follow Yoani Sanchez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yoanifromcuba
Could the inspiration be: Quorn (protein derived from a fungal growth process). Asclepias syrica (Milk Weed), Solanum melongena (Egg Plant). From tiny acorns mighty oaks do grow.
"opting for minimalism."
An excellent idea. With the quiescence of a matter, brevity is everything. If its but bullshine, the less time wasted on it the better.
"some have even interpreted his writings as actual riddles and metaphors."
Hmmm… much like dyslexic aliens and their corn circles?
"Hunting for certainties, Cubans search among his phrases, looking in each letter for a key"
What a pity Nostradamus didn’t foresee this happening?
"an old man looked with surprise at the box with 57 words"
Might the seventh age of man spur the Scrabble for solutions?
The network has grown tired of dealing with the Castro regime, which constantly sought to disrupt its reporting.
Earlier this year, Al Jazeera's Havana correspondent Moutaz Al Qaissia was chastised and threatened by the Cuban authorities pursuant to a story about dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez.
Things must be pretty bad in Havana when even Al Jazeera can't tolerate the censorship and repression of the Castro regime, as it's used to dealing with unsavory tyrants.
Also, makes you wonder just how much the remaining news bureaus in Havana are willing to put up with or acquiesce to.
In The Miami Herald:
Feds in Miami: Millions stolen from Medicare wound up in Cuban banking system
In a first, federal prosecutors have charged a Miami man with engaging in a massive money laundering scheme that moved millions stolen from the federal Medicare program into Cuban banks.
In an unprecedented case, federal prosecutors have charged a Miami man with engaging in a massive money laundering scheme that moved millions stolen from the federal Medicare program into Cuban banks.
Prosecutors in Miami say Oscar Sanchez, 46, was a key leader in a group that funneled more than $31 million in Medicare dollars into banks in Havana — the first such case that directly traces money fleeced from the beleaguered program into the Cuban banking system.
Prosecutors are asking a judge on Monday to deny a bond to Sanchez, who was indicted last week by a grand jury in Miami on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering.
“Oscar Sanchez was a financier for fraudsters and a capitalist for the Cuban banks,” Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Ron Davidson wrote in a court motion seeking to keep Sanchez in custody pending trial, due to the likelihood he would try to flee.
Once again, Cuba received the lowest ranking (Tier 3), as a country that does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
Here's the Report's Cuba summary:
CUBA (Tier 3)
Cuba is a source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Prostitution of children reportedly occurs in Cuba, and the country’s laws do not appear to penalize prostitution of children between the ages of 16 and 18. There have been past instances of Cuban citizens forced into prostitution abroad. There have also been allegations of coerced labor, particularly with Cuban work missions abroad. Some Cubans working abroad have stated that postings are voluntary and well paid; however, others have claimed that their passports have been withheld by Cuban authorities and movement restricted. The scope of trafficking involving Cuban citizens is particularly difficult to gauge due to the closed nature of the government and sparse non-governmental or independent reporting.
The exile community still standing safely out of range and waving their fists seems even more ridiculous as time goes on.
Cuba is much better off under Fidel than under the previous regime, but you will never admit it, will you, you will just cry that you can't get a Big Mac at the Plaza Revolucion.
We, the ones against castrofascism, always bring testimonial, graphical and documental proves to back our statements when we affirm Cuba before Castro-Batista regime were better than today...... can you please do the same when you in madness state that castrofascism is better???????....... I am sure you can’t afford a single link to back your false statements....... come on, be our guest!!!!!!!
"Nutrition and healthful employment
The conditions have been created for the country to begin massively producing Moringa Oleífera and mulberry, which are sustainable resources [for the production of] meat, eggs [and] milk, and silk fiber which can be woven by artisans, providing well-remunerated employment as an added benefit, regardless of age or gender."