Last Monday was a peculiar day, full of silences. When the retirees bought -- to resell -- their several copies of the newspaper Granma, they noticed that there was almost no reference to the Venezuelan elections. That same morning, at all the gas stations in the country, the administrators found a sealed envelope with the new gasoline prices. They could only open it after learning that Hugo Chavez's party had not reached two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly. The operation to raise fuel prices was organized with total secrecy, and when the drivers came to fill their tanks, they discovered they would have to pay up to twenty percent more. People quickly drew the link between the entry of the opposition into Venezuela's most powerful branch of government, and this sudden increase. Within a few hours, some even started to stockpile tens of liters of diesel, unsure if the price might not go even higher in the coming days.
Although the seats gained by the two parties, the PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) and the MUD (Democratic Unity Coalition), received scant attention in the official press, in Havana's streets there was a sense of apprehension. Even elementary school children understand that without the unconditional support of this neighbor who sells us oil at subsidized prices, the national energy system could collapse at any moment. But we also know that if the Venezuelan president -- from his office in Miraflores Palace -- continues sending so much support, the Cuban government will not feel pressured to expand the paths to the economic and even political openings. Not only is the future of Venezuela decided in its ballot boxes, but also our future. Thus, the results were felt immediately all around us, even though the official media did not reflect the thrill -- a mix of fear and relief -- that ran through the Island, from one end to end.
Follow Yoani Sanchez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yoanisanchez
(http://www.puenteinfocubamiami.org/NoticiasSINA/Cuban%20News%20December%2008%202006.htm#a1).
But I am not convinced that Venezuela's practice of selling oil cheap explains the Cuban regime's hold on power.
After all, Cuba is in the process of liberalizing its economy with the sacking of 500,000 govt employees and the introduction of much needed economic reforms.
On the political front, Cuba is emptying its prisons of political prisoners.
Just read today's El Pais, a left-leaning Spanish daily.
CUBA PREPARA OTRA EXCARCELATION DE PRISIONEROS
políticoshttp://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Cuba/prepara/excarcelacion/masiva/prisioneros/politicos/elpepuint/20101005elpepiint_3/Tes
Moreover, Castro has made a number of comments critical of his own regime as well as of such Chavez friends as Iranian dictator Ahmadinejad.
All this without asking or informing the erstwhile Venezuelan caudillo!
Having said all this, unless I am mistaken, you live in Cuba. As such, we would all like to hear more from you about conditions there and how they are (or are not) evolving.
Hasta luego !
Castrofascism is not emptying jails of political prisoners. Cuba before castrofascism had only 6 jails, now there are almost 400 jails. This increasing was caused by the amount of economics activities that regime transformed in illegal activities because of regime’s politic-ideological dogmas. There are millions of people in jail because those political-ideological dogmas made them fall into the illegality but they are in fact political prisoners. By other side there are thousands of political prisoners that are not in the list of any international organization because they simply don’t know those international organizations exists, such is the control of the information regime has.
First, your claim that "millions" of Cubans are in jail for engaging in normal economic activities.
The CIA says that the population of Cuba is 11.4 million as of 2010. "Millions" seems like a very, very high number to me. But you can erase my skepticism if you provide bproof.
Second, you say that "thousands" of political prisoners are in Cuban jails, but they are "not in the list of any international organisation".
If no international organization knows of these thousands of political prisoners, how do YOU know?
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=350054&CategoryId=10717
Around 500 Cuban doctors have defected to the United States while serving on aid missions in Venezuela.
The doctors serving in those countries are essentially under surveillance all the time and any change in their plans not consistent with the orders given from Havana invariably lead to the involvement of police or paramilitary security forces. It is no wonder that many physicians in such missions defect to freedom. About 6,000 health workers, many of them physicians, have left Cuba in the last eight years.
As for Chavez being a dictator, the elections in Venezuela are always free and fair and technologically more advanced than the USA. there is a paper trail behind the Electronic voting.
I would also like to point out that a large percentage of the world's population including Americans believe that G. Bush jnr did not " Win " the 2000 election !
But you comparison between conditions in Cuba or even Venezuela with the United States are totally off th mark.
AS far as I know, Columbia is either a city in Maryland and a University. Perhaps you mean Colombia.
IMAfraid you're the one needs new glasses
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/oct/03/chavez-civilian-militia-should-be-armed-full-time/?latest
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/4/worldupdates/2010-10-03T223930Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-519100-1&sec=Worldupdates
I can't help but suspect that Chavez is out to punish and intimidate the people of Venezuela for supporting the opposition. It's going to get uglier before it gets better.
Neither the Castros or Chavez have ever truly had more in mind than holding onto power at whatever price---that they can gouge out of their citizens.
Send us a postcard and tell us all about tyranny, OK?
If you think Castro doesn't care for the Cuban people, you know nothing of Castro. You're clueless.
And not actually human beings?
Interesting observation!!! Totally accurate, but still interesting!!!
And yes, it makes perfect sense for Cuba to provide medical support cheaply in exchange for cheap oil.
Having said that, Cuba is still a totalitarian regime, albeit one of the mildest in the world, comparatively speaking, and it is only normal that people want to leave the island.
Your refusal to support an end of the embargo is a disgrace. Sorry, but the Cuban people need help, not punishment!
Moreover, the embargo has only served to prop up Castro these many long year!
Still, I must admit that there is something to be said for maintaining the embargo: that way European, Asian and Latin American businesses and individuals can more fully participate in Cuba's move toward a freer economy and political system!
For your info, Venezuela paid for Barrio Adentro, supplied it and managed it. The Cubans just show up to do what they can with their limited knowledge, and hope they don't kill the patient.
However, Cuba shoiuld be lauded from bringing medical attention to the poor who constitute the vast majority of people in many Latin American countries.
And despite your dismissive comments, the Cuban doctors have a good reputation in Latin America as competent professionals. If I were in the Cuban countryside, I would be happy to know that they are there!!
I know you like proves, well, here is the UN attesting it.
http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu/FACTS_Web/Cuba%20Facts%20Issue%2043%20December.htm
Hola Yoani, I know you can't reply to this comment. I know that your situation has gotten worse, since we met in Havana. However, I feel I need to say something regarding the quote above, where you say that Venezuela sells oil to Cuba at subsidized prices. When the citizens of Venezuela and Cuba see any evidence of a balance of payment, we will then be able to conclude that, indeed, Venezuela sells oil to Cuba at subsidized prices. Since that's not the case, I think it is misleading to argue such a thing: our oil does go to Cuba, in quantities that only Chavez and Castros closest circles know, alas our country does not get a dime from Cuba. For the payment is in kind: segurosos, intelligence, protection, support, etc. That being the case, the word subsidized is misleading.
Calculate how many Cubans work in VZ, estimate an average annual "wage," and come up with your total.
Now, estimate how many barrels go to Cuba daily, calculate at $75 a barrel, multiply by 365, and come up with your total.
You will find the value of oil travelling from VZ to Cuba dwarfs the true "value" of Cuban health workers working in VZ, based on their actual pay.
Now for those in the gallery that still support communism, Castro, and Chavez, the "exchange" is not problematic, as someone above commented, people for oil, now that's what I call fair trade!