The idiot is back

The authors of the Manual of the Perfect Latin American Idiot have released a new book where they criticize the return of left-wing populism in Latin America.

We Cubans

The Transition Menu: Can Cuba Order A Success Story?

For years now, the Cuban economic and political model seems to be lacking legitimacy among both common people and the elite—which relies increasingly on repression rather than ideology to delay the inevitable. When Cuban reformers (both outside and inside the regime) start to think of foreign models for the changes ahead, where will they turn to? Since the Cuban regime is a classic example of a Soviet-type socialist dictatorship, it would be logical to study the processes of change in Eastern Europe (some of them highly successful). However, because of geography and Cuba’s natural cultural and linguistic affinities, some reformers will likely be inclined to look for inspiration in Latin America.

Posada and Che Lived Parallel Lives

Luis Posada Carriles and Ernesto Guevara were born in 1928 in similar environments. Both were part of the upper middle-class. Both chose the sciences during their college years. Guevara studied medicine; Posada, chemistry. Both shared a bold and adventurous psychological makeup that would lead them to risk their lives and sacrifice the welfare of their families to defend -- violently -- their beliefs.

Fidel Castro joined these two personalities in parallel lives. After Batista's military coup in 1952, Castro became the most important figure of the armed opposition when he created the July 26 Movement to overthrow the dictator and achieve power. Che and Posada were in that organization. The Argentine, in the Sierra Maestra; the Cuban, in the clandestine struggle.

Bloggers begin to tell the realities of life in Communist Cuba

When  Yoani Sánchez, 32, wants to update her blog about daily life in Cuba, she dresses like a tourist and strides confidently into a Havana hotel, greeting the staff in German.


That is because Cubans like Sánchez are not authorized to use hotel Internet connections, which are reserved for foreigners.

Will Raul Castro Reform Cuba's Economy?

Cuba Policy Report
September 26, 2007

Talk to anyone who worked with Raul Castro, or anyone clued in to the process that produced Cuba’s economic reforms in the early 1990’s, and you get the same story: that he supported those reforms and is not averse to the use of market mechanisms to improve Cuba’s economy.

Cuban dissidents start push to change constitution

HAVANA (Reuters) - A prominent Cuban dissident group launched a campaign on Monday to push for constitutional reforms that would allow for democratic elections and greater respect for human rights in the communist country.

The campaign is the latest in a series of calls for political and economic changes by opposition groups on the island since Cuban leader Fidel Castro fell ill almost 11 months ago and temporarily handed over power to his younger brother, Raul.

The Old Road