Sovereign for All - Cuba USA-Cuba Sonic Attacks? - Prensa Latina
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
YEAR XI
NO 3
MAR 5, 2021
HAVANA,
CUBA
ISSN 2224-5707
Price: 1.00 USD / 1.20 CAN
Sovereign for All
P. 3
Tourism Cuba USA-Cuba
Cayo Santa Maria, Havana Loves Peace Sonic Attacks?
a Beach Paradise Come On!
P.2 P.4 P.5
2 TOURISM
Cayo Santa Maria Beaches,
the World's 2nd Best
By TinoMANUEL Playa Norte(Isla Mujeres, Mexico), Seven
Mile (Grand Cayman), Bávaro (Dominican
Republic), Bournemouth (United Kingdom),
HAVANA.- Located on the central-northern Balos (Greece), Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica),
coast of Cuba, the beaches of Cayo Santa Nungwi (Tanzania), Elafonissi (Greece) and
Maria (Santa Maria Key) were listed the Santa Giulia (France) complete the list.
second best in the world by TripAdvisor, an North of the central Cuban Province of Villa
online travel research company. Clara, Cayo Santa Maria currently has 12,900
Varadero (western region), one of the hotel rooms, plus 883 in close by cities and
island's most popular beaches and worldly nature destinations.
renowned as well, is also included on that Santa Maria is a small, long islands of white
list, ranking 12th place. sand and crystal-clear waters, something
The famous tourism website published its that also characterizes not less famous keys
Traveler’s Choice 2021 Awards, dedicated in the vicinity such as Ensenachos and Las
to the top 25 beaches in the world, naming Brujas.
Santa Maria and Varadero among them. The best way to get there is crossing a
Australia’s Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday 48-km-long causeway that Cubans call
Island) tops the list, which also includes Pedraplen, which links Caibarien town, in
Fernando de Noronha (Brazil), Crace Bay northern Villa Clara, with the key.
(Turks and Caicos Islands), Saint Pete (Florida, Known as the White Rose of Jardines del
USA), Turquoise Bay (Australia), Eagle Beach Rey archipelago, Key Santa Maria is 13
(Aruba), and Spiaggia dei Conigli (Italy). kilometer long by two kilometer wide.
Other awards went to Ka´anapali (Hawaii), It’s considered the most important of
Baia dos Golfinhos (Brazil), Playa de Cofete that geographic group, with 18 square
(Spain), Praia da Falesia Olhos de Agua kilometers.
(Portugal), Maho Bay Beach (Saint Martin), Its beach area comprises eleven kilometers,
Cruz Bay, Seven Mile (Jamaica) and La featuring Perla Blanca, Las Caletas, Cañón
Concha (Spain). and Cuatro Punta Beaches.
PHOTOS: Prensa Latina.
. . .
.
SOCIETY HEALTH & SCIENCE POLITICS CULTURE
.
.
ENTERTAINMENT PHOTO FEATURE ECONOMY
SPORTS AND MORE
President: Luis Enrique González. Art Direction: Anathais Rodríguez Printing: Prensa Latina.
Information Vice President: Moisés Pérez Mok Graphic Designers: Fernando Fernandez Tito Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana,
Editorial Vice President: Lianet Arias Chief Graphic Editor: Francisco González Prensa Latina, S.A.
Chief Editor: Martin Hacthoun Assistant Staff: Yaimara Portuondo Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba.
English Editor: Mitra Ghaffari Advertising: René García Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578
Translation: Dayamí Interian/ Yanely Interián Circulation: Commercial Department. Fax: (53)7833-3068 E-mail: thr@prensa-latina.cu
CUBA-HEALTH
CUBA 3
Cuba Vaccines around the Corner
By LauraARBESÚ
HAVANA.- Two of the four COVID-19 vaccine candidates
developed in Cuba are proceeding to the human clinical
trial phase III in March, after successfully finishing the first
two stages.
Sovereign 2 vaccine by Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV) and
Abdala by the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Center (CIGB) are about to be ready for distribution,
drawing the attention of many countries.
The Cuban biopharmaceutical industry is engaging its
machinery to produce one million doses monthly, at an
estimated rate of 12,000 per hour.
Everything is gearing up for large-scale production. The
first batch of Sovereign 2 (150,000 doses) was delivered the Scientist checking the quality of antiCovid-19 vaccine at the A volunteer being checked after getting the
first days of February, while thousands of others are being Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana. vaccine in Phase III trials.
produced to ensure the amount needed for its clinical trial
phase III. objective to meet the needs of the country and of other
The two vaccines have successfully progressed through nations interested in the vaccines.
two previous trials. For the third phase, 150,000 people Tourists that come to the island and want to be vaccinated
are expected to be immunized in Cuba and Iran, while may well do so, announced the directors of BioCubaFarma,
Mexico is also in discussion to participate in this final the leading business group of Cuba’s Biopharmaceutical
stage. Industry.
If all goes as scientists hope for and the vaccines receive The commercialization strategy is a combination of
the regulatory approvals, then Cuba can inoculate its kindness and positive impact on world health, he upheld.
entire population, foreigners arriving to the island and IFV Director Vicente Vérez provided detailed information
begin exports abroad by the year's end. about the immunization program of this vaccine
Local health authorities and the scientific community candidate: three doses will be administered for 96 percent
stress that Cuba aims to vaccinate most of its population effectiveness. The third shot could be either Sovereign 2 or
this year with its own vaccines. A significant number of Sovereign 1, which will act as booster to induce immune
the shots that Cubans get right after they are born are response of virus neutralization. “Center of Molecular Immunology of Havana. PHOTOS: Courtesy of ACN.
produced domestically as well. The pediatric population will be administered these
The Cuban biotech sector makes 11 of the 13 vaccines vaccines as well, with the clinical trial on this population immune systems are exposed to other vaccines that they
administered to children on the island and exports group comprising patients between five and 18 years are administered during those stages of life.
vaccines to more than 30 countries. old. In the case of the Abdala vaccine, it completed phase II on
In the case of Sovereign 2, the first million doses will However, children still on a milk diet and those under volunteers from 18 to 80, and it is entering the third stage
be ready by April. According to its producers, it is their five years will not participate in the studies, because their from March until May 2021.
SOBERANA 02: A BRIDGE TO LIFE
HAVANA.- The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) believes UNIDO emphasizes that, “Cuba has signed a deal to carry out clinical trials in Iran
that in the face of current international bickering vaccines, Cuban Covid-19 vaccine in collaboration with the country’s Pasteur Institute, while Jamaica, Vietnam and
Soberana 02 (currently in Phase III trials) “can be the lifeline for developing countries.” Venezuela, among others, have expressed interest in obtaining the vaccine once
In a detailed article on Cuba's biotechnological development, UNIDO points out it passes the necessary safety and efficacy tests.
that, “as international squabbles over fair distribution grow amid charges that Cuba hopes to inoculate its entire population against Covid-19 with the
rich countries are hoarding supplies, a successful roll-out of Soberana 02 could domestically developed vaccine this year.
provide a potential lifeline to developing countries seeking to immunize their “The fact that the small Caribbean island is ahead of many more developed
populations against Covid-19.” countries in the race to find an effective vaccine may seem surprising,” UNIDO
Cuba has four candidates: “Soberana 01”, “Soberana 02”, “Abdala” and “Mambisa”. writer Jeremy Larsen underscores; “yet decades of experience and investment in
President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the results so far achieved encouraging, after Cuba’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, which in its early stages was
scientists working on the projects briefed him on their work. supported by UNIDO and other international organizations, have enabled the
The most advanced of the four is Soberana 02. “If it clears this final clinical step, industry to direct resources quickly and efficiently towards emergency vaccine
the Cuban vaccine will be the first to be developed in Latin America,” UNIDO development.”
acknowledged. He further adds, “Cuba’s success in creating a viable, domestic pharmaceutical
The small island has already produced 150,000 doses to complete the Soberana 02 manufacturing industry shows what can be achieved with targeted investment
clinical trials, scheduled for this March to May. Tens of thousands of volunteers will be and political will.”
immunized twice. So far, two doses of the vaccine, developed by the Havana-based Larsen describes that while organizations such as UNIDO have long argued for
Finlay Vaccine Institute IFV, has proved 91.8% effective and after a third shot, 95.7%. greater development of domestic industry in developing countries, the current
According to the IFV, 100 million doses could be supplied in 2021 for both crisis has shown more clearly than ever why local research, development and
domestic use and international export. production capacities are vital.
4 CUBA
Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held, too, in
Havana in January of 2014.
On that occasion, then Cuban President Raul Castro
clearly stated the island's stance in favor of peaceful
coexistence by saying, “peace and stability, the defense
of our people’s interests, and the right to sovereignty
and self-determination without any foreign interferences,
are essential elements for attaining the integration and
cooperation goals we are committed to.”
In December of that year, the European Union revoked the
Common Position policy imposed against Cuba after the
Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement was signed
between the island and the 28-member country block.
Since 2016, Havana has become a sort of political bridge,
welcoming a number of delegations headed by presidents
or prime ministers from all continents. During those official
Havana, “Pax Urbis”
visits they express their readiness to strengthen links with
the Cuban government.
Among them were the Prime Ministers of China, Japan and
Canada, together with the Presidents of Venezuela, Mongolia,
Iran, Vietnam, Portugal and Honduras. In addition, numerous
international meetings, conferences and conventions have
By MartinHACTHOUN Photos By José TitoMERIÑO been held here as well.
In fact, in November 2019, the 100 Cities for Peace Foundation
presented Havana with the International Pax Urbis Award,
HAVANA.- Many who seek peace find it in Havana. They find it The year 2016 was also marked by another big event: during a memorable act at the emblematic Plaza San Francisco
in its enchanting culture, kind people, and the government’s the historic visit by a U.S. president to the island after de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi Square).
willingness to offer a venue for talks and conferences that 88 years. Barack Obama arrived in Cuba on March 20, That same month, coinciding with the 500th anniversary
lead to consensus, reconciliation and conflict settlement. accompanied by his family, realizing a 48-hour official of Havana, UNESCO granted the capital the Creative City
In 2016, Cuba was the world’s peace capital. That year, visit. of Music award.
the island made international headlines for being the From June 2 to 4, the city hosted the 7th Summit of the Such diplomatic and political activity came to a standstill in 2020
epicenter of several events that marked transformations in Association of Caribbean States. That meeting ratified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the international
the history of Latin America and the world. the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as bonds were maintained, and Cuba once more showed its
On February 12, 2016, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the a Peace Zone, signed by the region’s Heads of State and humanistic vocation to the world by sending its doctors to
Russian Orthodox Church visited Havana to attend a historic Government during the 2nd Summit of the Community of some 40 countries to help them fight the deadly virus.
meeting facilitated by the Cuban government. A transcendental
statement for peace in the world was then signed.
The first meeting in centuries between the highest leaders of
the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church became
an unprecedented event in the history of relations between
the two religious institutions, following the Schism of 1054.
At the end of the nearly two-hour meeting, Pope Francis
thanked “the great people of Cuba and President Raul
Castro for their willingness to assist,” predicting that
Havana would become “the capital of unity.”
Later on, on August 24, delegations of the Armed Forces
of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the Colombian
government announced, in Havana, they had reached a
final agreement -comprehensive and definite- after four
years of peace talks. The fifty-year-long armed conflict in
that country had thus come to an end.
After fresh negotiations, a new agreement was reached
on November 13, which was approved by the Colombian
Congress. PHOTO: Martín Hacthoun.
25 cup
For 4 News Headlines per day for just $25.00 CUP / month, Send an SMS with the letters PL to 8100
CUBA-U.S. 5
CIA Linked to
Alleged Sonic Attacks
By ElizabethBORREGO “The cause of the injuries is currently
unknown. We do not know the
reasons for those incidents, nor when
HAVANA.- The alleged Sonic attacks they started nor who did it,” reads the
on U.S. diplomats in Cuba were document drawn up in 2018, after
used to hinder relations between four months of research.
the two countries, retired Major The report’s declassification points
General Fabián Escalante sustained. to a moment of change in U.S. policy
“You cannot find what does not exist; towards Cuba, with democrat Joe
those attacks were an operation of Biden’s arrival to power, Escalante
the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency noted.
(CIA),” the former head of Cuba’s However, the researcher considers
Intelligence Services, who is currently that the changes from the new
an analyst of Homeland Security administration will not be drastic in
Affairs, told The Havana Reporter. their objectives.
According to the analyst, the so- “The governmental mechanisms in
called Havana Syndrome resulted U.S. society are not as simple as they
Graphic taken from the website of the Cuban Embassy to the U.S. PHOTO: Internet. from a move by the government of seem to be, nor they are interested
former U.S. President Donald Trump to be,” Escalante commented.
The Helms-Burton Law,
(2017-2021) to break bilateral The Biden administration will try to
relations and asphyxiate the ease some measures with regards to
Caribbean country. topics such as remittances and the
25 Years Later The tycoon’s administration wanted
a pretext to break relations with
Cuba and justify the over 240
reopening of travel, the reopening
of consulates and embassies in both
countries, as well as the resumption
By OliverMARTIN public opinion which support mutually beneficial measures against the island that of some agreements like that against
economic and trade relations with Cuba. were approved over the course of drug-trafficking, Escalante described.
In fact, with the apparent desire of demanding his term, Escalante denounced. “At the same time, they try to ‘thaw’
HAVANA.- The Helms-Burton law enacted on March compensation or allowing lawsuits to be filed “How is it possible to emit a radio relations as part of the traditional
12, 1996, was designed to suffocate Cuba and topple on U.S. properties nationalized in Cuba, even wave that affects some people but psychological war against the island,”
its revolutionary government; however, 25 years against American companies, it really presented not others?” The expert wondered the analyst warned.
later it failed in its original intention and has left the itself against foreign investment and the island’s when referring to the incidents They use the empowerment of small
U.S. alone worldwide in its stubbornness of forcing economic growth. described by the diplomats. private businesses, which the Cuban
changes in the island 90 miles south of its borders. Their aims are unlawful and contrary to It was also confirmed in a recently government supports, to make the
“Instead, its extraterritorial extension of United States international law and the principles and purposes declassified report by the U.S. impression that links with the U.S.
sanctions against Cuba has provoked worldwide of the Charter of the United Nations, including Department of State, which ratifies cause economic improvement in the
protest from other countries’ governments and has the rules of the multilateral trading system, the the lack of evidence to connect Cuba country, when actually the goal of
led to a prolonged dispute between the United Cuban Foreign Ministry sustains. with the mysterious health problems the blockade policies are to destroy
States and Europe,” German academician Bert As concrete example of the implementation of that allegedly affected the U.S. the Cuban social model.
Hoffmann upholds. this title of the Helms-Burton Act is the lawsuit officials. In short, the U.S. government’s objective
Because of this, it has become popular to say filed against Carnival Cruise Line before the The text suggests that Trump’s order will continue to be to put an end to the
that the Helms-Burton law did not isolate Cuba, Florida Southern District Court (Miami), alleging to dismantle the Havana embassy at revolutionary government. For this, they
but the United States, the expert of the Latin "traffic" with the Havana Cruise Ship Terminal and the beginning of 2018 in response to take advantage of a moment marked by
American Institute at the Free University of Berlin, the Port of Santiago de Cuba. the 'sonic attacks' was a political move limited relations and new generations
adds in a special essay on the matter. Other suits were filed against Cuban enterprises plagued with bad management, lack to create confusion and try to attain
The Helms-Burton Act codified the blockade Gran Caribe, CUBANACAN S.A., Grupo de Turismo of coordination and unfulfillment of what they have failed to achieve so far,
against Cuba and strengthened its extraterritorial Gaviota S.A. and foreign companies Trivago procedure. the retired general warned.
scope. In addition to pursuing the imposition (Germany) and Booking.com (Holland) for their
of a government in Cuba that would be directly operations in Cuban tourist destinations Cayo
subordinated to the interests of Washington, Coco and Varadero.
this act sought to internationalize the blockade So far, none of the lawsuits has been successful.
by means of coercive measures against third Professor Hoffmann notes in his essay that in spite
countries, in order to hamper their trade and of its almost universal rejection the Helms-Burton
investment relations with Cuba. law in fact prove to be a quite functional instrument
Over the years since 1992, the General in the political logic of the U.S. reaffirming its claim
Assembly of the United Nations has passed, to political leadership in the world, and, any more
almost unanimously, a resolution condemning so, in what it calls its ”backyard”.
Washington's blockade on Cuba that has the It were precisely the threats and punitive measures
support of U.S. European allies. against third country business and trade with Cuba
Despite the world's rejection, the Trump that caused the most international troubles, but that at
administration enforced on May 2, 2019, Title III of the same time served most efficiently as a mechanism
the formally called Cuban Liberty and Democratic of pressure and intimidation on European countries,
Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act that opened U.S. courts the German academician points out.
to lawsuits against companies doing business on Besides all irrational aspects and particular
the island. interests involved in the case, there is a political
All this despite the opposition from members of logic and functionality to the Helms-Burton
Congress -including Republican lawmakers-, the law for the United States as a superpower with
business sector, different organizations, and U.S. hegemonic aspirations, the expert concludes. General Fabian Escalante. PHOTO: Emilio Herrera.
6 ECONOMY
CULTURE
Cuba Pushes E-Commerce Forward
By ClaudiaDUPEIRÓN
HAVANA.- Talking about e-commerce in Cuba today is
as common as talking about COVID-19, and as President
Miguel Diaz-Canel said, “it has come to stay.”
E-commerce has become one of the best responses to the
outbreak of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, as it helps to meet
the needs imposed by confinement.
When the Cuban platforms Transfermovil and EnZona
came to be in 2015 and 2019, respectively, their creators
couldn’t have imagined that COVID-19 would make their
market flourish. Miguel Gutierrez, Director of Computing Software at the
Information Sciences General Manager at the Cuban PHOTOS: Internet. Communications Ministry of Cuba. PHOTO: Emilio Herrera.
Ministry of Communications, Miguel Gutierrez, told The
Havana Reporter that e-commerce cannot be exclusively In this sense, one of the key objectives is to attain a larger order to create a more effective work culture among those
considered a technological issue. trade exchange among State enterprises by using the responsible for receiving orders.
He added that they are not pleased yet with the progress virtual platforms. Another essential aspect is that those who offer their services
made so far on this field; however, in 2020, there was an Gutierrez also noted that e-commerce must lead to a should encourage consumers by providing discounts and
improvement in access to virtual payment. reduction in prices and foster incentives in order to attract sales in each e-purchase made, the specialist added.
“We still need to reach higher stages and implement consumers. One of the priorities of the Cuban government regarding
online discounts that really motivate the public,” the expert Similarly, he affirmed that this year, the strategy is aimed the computerization of the society is to improve internet-
commented. at attaining better organization in those processes, in based payments, during and after the pandemic.
China to deepen friendship, cooperation with Latin America
Beijing._ China asserted that it will work China -he added- donated more than 34
with Latin America and the Caribbean million health materials and equipment to
to strengthen friendship and expand 30 Latin American and Caribbean nations,
mutually beneficial cooperation, and supplied anti-Covid-19 vaccines to 12 and
highlighted the stable development of its scientists shared experiences on the
bilateral ties 60 years after they were fight against the disease.
established. The Minister mentioned that in 2020, trade
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told turnover with the region exceeded 300
The Havana Reporer that the Covid-19 billion dollars for the third consecutive year
pandemic became a new front for support and exports from that area to the Chinese
and collaboration among our countries, market continued to rise.
through practical actions. "We can say that the pandemic (of Covid-19)
He recalled President Xi Jinping had did not obstruct cooperation between China,
contacts with leaders of the region to Latin America and the Caribbean, it brought
coordinate the fight against the pandemic the hearts and interests of our peoples
and foster sustainable development and closer," Wang summarized, ratifying Beijing's
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressing international issues.
economic recovery. willingness to strengthen mutual relations.
SPOTLIGHT 7
What is Cuban Cuisine?
By DanayGALLETTI This research comprised of 30 typical recipes,
including fried pork chunks; Cuban rice; Cuban
sandwich (typically made of pork, ham, pickles,
HAVANA.- Cuban culinary professionals butter and cheese), yucca with garlic sauce,
work hard to include the island's cuisine tostones (fried, mashed plantains), and fried fish.
as a cultural and tourist attraction, and to Fernandez explained that according to the
do so, they promote the idea of creating a study, the eastern area is characterized by
gastronomic route and giving visibility to the consumption of boiled products and
local ingredients. root vegetables, roasted pork, and congrí
Cuban cuisine has been largely influenced by its (rice and beans cooked together).
native people, Spanish and African cultures and In the central Camagüey province, the
to a lesser extent by Haitian, Chinese, Italian, consumption of beans in the afternoon is less
American, Mexican and French influence. The common as soup is preferred. Meanwhile, in
resulting mixture is what characterizes Cuban Havana (the west), people prefer fried food
cuisine’s authentic flavors. and recipes such as yellow rice with chicken –
“The aromas that motivated renowned a typical Sunday lunch.
Cuban historian Don Fernando Ortiz to “Thanks to popular knowledge, we hold onto
affirm that Cuba is a melting pot stem from grandmas’ recipes and know how to prepare
that rich mixture,” said the president of the dishes such as casabe (yucca bread), black bean
Cuban Culinary Federation (FCC), Chef Eddy soup, rabo encendido (oxtail, tomato, onion
Fernandez Monte. and pepper stew) and desserts such as buñuelo
In 2019, Cuban traditional cuisine was declared (yucca and sweet potato fritter), guava shells,
National Cultural Heritage because of their and atropellado matancero (a coconut and
long-standing traditions, collective preparation, pineapple mixture),” Fernandez added.
histories and familial and social links. The Federation, with more than 65,000
members, works directly with the public and
RECIPES AND REGIONS spreads methods of preservation and recipes
The FCC sponsored a study to differentiate based on the products most commonly
traditional dishes by region – Western, found in the markets. It also promotes
Central and Eastern – upon the basis of healthy food habits and conducts workshops
historical elements. on culinary topics for children and seniors. PHOTOS: Internet.
Flora Fong's New Series Dedicated to Cuban Women
Text and Photos MarlenSAAVEDRA Attracted by the female face, aesthetic expressiveness and plasticity, the artist also
includes elements of Caribbean scenery and the sea, in the six pieces comprising the
series to date, although she intends to keep adding to the collection.
HAVANA.- The visual artist Flora Fong is producing a new series of paintings called Fong, known for depicting the force of hurricanes after their passage, visually exhibits in the
'Nasobuqueñas' (Masked Women), featuring women’s portraits with an array of colorful 'Nasobuqueñas' series the development of the five CUBAN vaccine candidates against the
hand fans and reflecting on the landscape of current times. COVID-19 pandemic and a tribute to the cultural legacy of artists in various manifestations.
Fong’s recent work protagonizes women within Cuban art, just like Víctor Manuel's “Gitana "I liberally employ color in the pieces, although I maintain some patterns such as skintone.
Tropical” (Tropical Gypsy), highlighing the subjects’ striking eyes with concerned gazes, I intend to present the paintings next May as part of a group show and the whole set in a
peaking out under the masking fans. solo exhibit at the Museum of Decorative Arts of Havana,” Fong announced.
“As an artist, I could not evade this reality. I started with a small painting, then the face The paintings express emotion and spirit within each stroke and color, as art has become
mask became a fan and revealed intricacies of the Cuban landscape. In that ornament, a a refuge for Fong in these difficult times. She describes her life in Cuba as a source of
twilight or starry night can appear. It also substitutes the mask in an artistic way,” Fong told inspiration: "I always say that where I paint best is here, in my country and at home with
The Havana Reporter. my children and grandchildren," Fong concluded.
8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Pandemic Can’t Stop Cuba’s 2021
Salsa Festival
By YelenaRODRÍGUEZ organization of the event and institutional representatives,
as well as a tour of all five previous editions.
Blanco added that he is working on a new album, Enfocado,
HAVANA.-Cuba’s 2021 Salsa Music Festival will throw a which will be different than his previous productions,
special edition in March through digital platforms and coproduced by the Unicornio record company and the
TV, affirmed the festival’s director, singer and band leader Mexican MB Record label.
Maykel Blanco. He concluded that his intention is to reach a varied
Unlike previous years, no mass concerts nor other audience and show a new version of himself, thus making
public events will be held on this occasion because a higher contribution to culture and music in times of
of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the idea is not to anxiety and uncertainty due to COVID-19. Maykel Blanco playing live at 2020 Salsa Festival.
overlook an event that has become a pillar of the cultural
and musical movement in Cuba and abroad, the artist
explained.
Blanco, leader of the “Salsa Mayor” orchestra, affirmed that
about five TV programs will be recorded for broadcast at
the end of this month, at a date, time and channel still to
be determined.
In relation to virtual activities, he noted that hour-long
performances by emblematic Cuban salsa bands will be
fully available online.
“Salsa Mayor” will be the leading band but other artists will
also participate, such as Alexander Abreu, José Luis Cortés,
Giraldo Piloto, Alain Pérez, Haila, Elito Revé, Los Van Van,
and Pupi y los Que Son Son.
Music and dance workshops will also be conducted,
in addition to interviews with people involved in the PHOTOS: Internet.
ON THE TRACKS
BIS MUSIC PRESENTS
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
"Suelta, el Concierto" by Adrian Berazain and "Dos Lenguajes"
by Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
Live themes from the "Join my show" program by Miguel Nuñez and Polito
Ibañez
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
Live themes from the "Join my show" by Annie
Garces and Nelson Valdes
CULTURE 9
RumbaAllStars Continues Havana’s Musical Legacy
By ClaudiaMADEM RumbAllStars combines son, bolero, guaracha,
cha cha and mambo, proving the artistry and
mastery of musicologist, composer, conductor
HAVANA.-The RumbAllStars multimedia and flutist, José Loyola.
project, conceived to highlight Rumba At his 80 years of age, this teacher of
that declared UNESCO Cultural Heritage, generations brings experience and
exhibited the cultural wealth of Cuba professionalism to interdisciplinary artistic
and its people at the 35th Trieste Latin performance, which fuses musical styles and
American Film Festival. artistic forms, representative of the process
Over 20 years promoting Cuban culture of African of transculturation established in the nation
origin through musical content, artistic producer in the mid-nineteenth century.
Jose Luis Lobato launched RumbaAllStars as a The first multimedia product of RumbaAllStars, Master Jose Loyola, Musical Director of
new project to continue enhancing Havana’s entitled "Rumba en La Habana All Stars", RumbaAllStars project.
musical legacy in the world. combines traditional and contemporary artistic PHOTOS: Courtesy of Project Director Jose Luis Lobato.
"Rumba is a secular genre of Afro-Cuban content, including music, performing arts,
music involving dance, percussion and visual arts and cinema.
singing. It's full of energy, powerful and This 90-minute artistic program opens with
hypnotizing," Lobato said. Afro-Cuban mythology and transitions
RumbaAllStars represents the recognition through danzón, bolero, mambo, cha-cha,
of Cuban Rumba as UNESCO Cultural Latin Jazz, salsa and alternative rhythms.
Heritage and the integration of the arts in The artistic group is made up of well-
contemporary pop culture, the awarded established figures in Cuba’s musical scene,
intellectual pointed out. including renowned teachers. The musical
It is an artistic product that integrates director is the researcher, concert performer,
the best traditions of the African origins and composer Jose Loyola, a graduate of
of Cuban culture, especially Rumba, into the Chopin Conservatory, Titular Professor
various genres of music and dance, creating at the Cuban University of the Arts.
an authentic and unique Cuban sound that Juan Campo "Chan" Cardenas, an icon of
can be enjoyed in public and private spaces, Afro-Cuban culture with more than 50 years
locally and internationally. of work on various international stages, and
The audiovisual delivery showed it’s Ronald Gonzales, the undisputed leader of
international caliber, as it was nomitated Cuban rumba, together with a selection of
for the Latin World Award and highlighted other talented musicians and dancers from
the African influence in the soundscape of the musical groups Charanga de Oro and
the Caribbean island. Explosión Rumbera. PHOTOS: Jose Luis Lobato.
UPCOMING Fiesta del Tambor – Drum Fest
March 23 through 29
Venue: Karl Marx Theater
EVENTS General Director: Giraldo Piloto
7th Alternative Festival – Havana World Music
March 18 through 20
Venue: Club 500, 26th and 3rd Streets, Vedado, Havana
General Director: Eme Alfonso Valdés
www.havanaworldmusic.com
10 CYBERESPACE
ECONOMY
Prensa Latina Ranks as Cuban Website with Most Traffic
MADRID.-Prensa Latina News Agency's website is currently the Cuban site with the It also provides photo, video and radio reports, multimedia services and a series of 8
most traffic, the 'Digital 2021' study carried out by two major communication companies newspaper journals on political, economic, cultural, sports and science and technological
reveals. issues.
The research shows that the international online new source ranks third among the Additionally, Prensa Latina collaborates with around one hundred news agencies,
platforms with most navigation on the island , only surpassed by the global domains newspapers and communication organizations around the world.
Google (first) and YouTube (second). Facebook is in fourth place, according to the list The report highlights the eighth position reached by the Gob.cu domain, which provides
prepared by the firms We Are Social and Hootsuite on Internet consumption patterns information on governmental institutions and the recent increases achieved by sites
around the world. dedicated to e-commerce.
The number of residents in Cuba connected to the Internet grew to 7.7 million in 2021, The authors of the study indicated that their report shows that information
reaching 68 percent of the population, according to reports by We Are Social and Hootsuite. technology became an even more essential part of people's lives during the past
Prensa Latina has correspondent offices in more than 30 countries and its world news year, with social networks, e-commerce and video games demonstrating the
services offer around 400 daily news items in six languages. highest growth.
PHOTOS: Internet.LATIN AMERICA
PHOTO FEATURE 11
Ecuador’s Decisive Run-Off Perez's denunciations of alleged electoral With 3,033,753 votes in the first round, Arauz
to the mishandling of the health emergency
of COVID-19.
Others see Lasso as one of the people responsible
for the so-called Bank Holidays, a period that
caused the worst financial collapse in the history
By SinayCÉSPEDES
fraud, Andres Arauz and Guillermo Lasso will represents a coalition grouping over 300 of Ecuador. Hence, he is not seen as the right
move forward to the run-off. They will have social and political movements. Meanwhile, person to try to revitalize the economy.
QUITO.- Ecuador will elect its next president to convince the population and win the votes Lasso, with 1,830,045 votes, is connected Negotiating common interests and objectives
in the April 11 run-off, after a hard-fought first of the undecided during the March political with Ecuador’s most recalcitrant right wing. with the rest of the political organizations that
electoral round that involved 16 presidential campaign. UNES is confidently relying on the victory participated in the first round is one of the
candidates, in which the Andres Arauz-Carlos The big question now for the second round achieved in zones traditionally dominated by contenders’main tasks. In addition, they will have
Rabascall candidate for the Unity for Hope is what the rest of the political organizations the right-wing, such as Guayaquil City, while to captivate voters with their proposals on how
(UNES) alliance won the majority of votes. will do: which alliances will be established? CREO trusts its prevailing position in the capital. to deal with the health crisis and job creation.
Despite restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Which of the two candidates will they vote According to observers, Arauz and Rabascall, On April 11, Ecuador will witness an electoral
there was a massive turnout of 13,099,155 for? Two entirely opposing parties will face known as the Couple of Hope is the best fight that will end either with the return of
eligible voters on February 7 to elect the each other on April 11: one progressive, the choice to reactivate a country severely progressive ideas or the consolidation of
president, vice president, 137 members of the other classically neoliberal. affected by an economic crisis, worsened due neoliberalism.
National Assembly and five representatives
to the Andean Parliament.
Arauz and Rabascall of the progressive UNES
movement won 32.72 percent of the ballots,
a victory that most surveys had predicted.
The battle for the runner-up position was
a close one. Yaku Perez, candidate for the
Pachakutik movement, a political group
representing indigenous communities,
and banker Guillermo Lasso, of the central-
rightist coalition CREO, came out almost
tied. The latter took a very small lead of
19.74 against the 19.38 of the indigenous
leader.
With the results officially announced by Andres Arauz, candidate of Unity for Hope, and rival banker Guillermo Lasso, for right-wing Creating
the National Electoral Council and despite Opportunity Movement, CREO PHOTOS: Internet.12 LATIN AMERICA
Peace Adrift in Colombia forces which opposed the negotiation
in the first place and the signing of the
agreement would commit themselves to
its implementation,” Estrada noted.
After the initial consequences of the
By OdalysTROYA delayed and were needed to move bilateral and definite cessation of hostilities
forward toward the democratization of the and the laying down of weapons on the
Colombian society. part of FARC-EP, the current panorama of
BOGOTA.- The Colombian Peace Agreement a military solution for armed confrontation The agreement led to a redefinition the country is dramatic and worrysome
seems to be adrift due to its weak in Colombian. of forces and widened gaps in the because of the systematic violation of
implementation, forced displacements, In an interview with The Havana Reporter, leading power bloc, as a result of which human rights, he warned.
increasing assassinations of social leaders Estrada affirmed that those sectors profited the right started to clearly show its As of November 24, 2016, over one thousand
and former FARC-EP members, the surge of on war, increasing their power and wealth differences. At the same time, it created social leaders have been murdered, in
armed groups, and the killing of youth. and opposing the negotiation processes better conditions for the progressive, addition to over 259 former guerrilla
All hope is pinned on the agreement, signed that led to the historic event. democratic and popular field, the analyst members. Last year alone, 90 massacres
on November 24, 2016 by the government The agreement was in keeping with the explained. occurred and forced disappearances and
of Juan Manuel Santos in representation realities of the social, political and military displacements affected entire communities
of the State and the Revolutionary Armed correlation of the time in which the talks FAILED IMPLEMENTATION throughout Colombia.
Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC- were moved forward, as well as with With the victory of a right-wing political “Who is responsible for this? According
EP), to bring stable and lasting peace, but the regional geopolitical situation itself, project that allowed Ivan Duque to preside to our Constitution, the State and the
it seems to be going off course. stressed the university professor. over the republic, as of August 7, 2018, the government in particular, either for action
According to academic Jairo Estrada, In his opinion, it had important reformist implementation of the agreement began or for omission, essentially for the lack of
the signing of the Peace Agreement in purposes and the potential for true to deteriorate, the academic pointed out. guarantee of human rights in their totality,
Havana, after almost four years of talks, transformation, including a number of “The reason was logical and obvious. starting with the right to life,” Estrada
represented a defeat for those that pushed regulations that had been historically We couldn’t expect that the political concluded.
“Peace means NOT murdering peasants”. PHOTOS: Internet.
Excerpts of the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s
Statement on Peace in Colombia
“Cuba will rigorously fulfill its obligation, as Guarantor of murder and massacre of former guerrilla members, some point, the will to achieve peace, the legitimate
and Venue of the Peace Talks, to guarantee the safe return social leaders and human rights advocates in Colombia.” interest and self-determination of the Colombian people,
of the ELN Peace Delegation, established in the Protocol “Cuba has been patient and prudent. We hope that, at reason and good sense will prevail.”
of Rupture during those negotiations, agreed upon and
signed by the Colombian State and ELN, along with six
States, on April 5, 2016. As the Colombian government
is aware of, this position has broad support from the
international community, which has made direct
contact with the Colombian government calling for its
implementation.”
“Constant incitement to violate the agreements signed
opposes International Law.”
“Our country will maintain its rigorous and discreet action,
firmly adhering to principles and demonstrated over
decades of participation in peace efforts in Colombia. We
reaffirm our willingness and commitment to continue
cooperating with sectors searching for a negotiated
solution to the Colombian armed conflict in order to
achieve peace.”
“In that sense, we reiterate our concern regarding non-
compliance and unilateral attempts to modify the Peace President Juan Manuel Santos (left), FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias Timochenko (right), and President Raul Castro
Agreement with FARC-EP, as well as the growing number (center) after the signing of the Peace Agreement for Colombia in Havana, 2016. PHOTO: Internet.ECONOMY 13
Biological Advancements Improve Agriculture
By IsabelFABIÁN these innocuous products,” commented next; all of them as result of Cuba’s scientific yields, Nitrofix reduces the use of urea
Héctor La O, an executive from the Soil achievements. (highly aggressive nitrogen fertilizer
Institute. La O described that in addition to -$5,000 a ton) by 60 percent in sugarcane
HAVANA.- The use of biological methods First, they obtained over 200,000 litters of enhancing the root system of plants, their fields and between 30 and 50 percent in
in agriculture has become ever more Nitrofix bio-fertilizer. Gluticid fungicide resistance against pathogenic agents, other crops.
important in recent years in Cuba, due to and Bioenraiz phytohormone will come the conditions of the soil and increasing Another effort aimed at replacing imports
the high price of those products in the in the sector is the extensive use of
international market and the economic Agromenas-G, an organic fertilizer made
crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. with minerals such as zeolite, potassium,
The Cuban government promotes the phosphorite, magnesite, calcium carbonate
Program for Agricultural Use of Bio- and dolomite.
Products, which includes the production Those elements are mixed with chicken
of organic fertilizers and stimulants, thus manure and cachaça (a distilled spirit
replacing 25 to 50 percent of mineral made from fermented sugarcane juice).
fertilizers. The resulting mix helps to increase
The initiative also considers the possibility agricultural yields from 15 to 20 percent,
that 40 percent of chemical pesticides is explained Doctor Raciel Lima, Dean of the
replaced by bio-pesticides. Central University of Las Villas’ Faculty of
Around 827,000 hectares are planted with Agricultural Sciences.
crops and some 200,000 with sugarcane On the other hand, Nicosave stands out
every year in Cuba; but only one fifth of the among bio-pesticides and can be applied
total area is fertilized with bio-pesticides, to almost any crop. It is a semi-industrial
said Luis Gómez, General Director of the preparation made from tobacco and
Field treated with bioproducts. PHOTOS: Internet.
Soil Institute. produced by the
The director explained that the program Entomopathogen and Entomophagous
was conceived in three phases in order to Reproduction Center.
meet the current needs of local agriculture. Already exported to the Dominican
The first phase prioritizes the efficient use of Republic, that preparation was developed
existing functional capabilities. The second by the Cuban Research Institute on
is intended to recover establishments and Sugarcane Byproducts. Its objective is
create new ones, and the third to expand to strengthen the germination, growth,
the reach of the system. ripening and development processes of
National efforts to increase agricultural sugarcane and other crops.
supplies continue to grow. The most recent The use of biological pesticides, fertilizers
example was the inauguration of Cuba’s and stimulants not only helps protect
most modern and productive bio-pesticide the environment, but they are also made
plant in the eastern province of Santiago from materials found on the island that,
de Cuba. if used efficiently, guarantee adequate
“It is a strategic factory because rice, potato exploitation of soils. Directly linked to
and other root crops, grains, vegetables, production and boost productivity, as
sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, pastures, it is the only way to achieve economic
Biofertilizers plant in Santiago de Cuba.
fodder and other priority harvests need efficiency in the country.14 ECONOMY
International Hotel Chains Trust Cuba
By Roberto F. CAMPOS with foreign management, according to statistics by
the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). Cuba has over
72,000 hotel rooms in about 300 resorts throughout the
VARADERO.- Tourism in Cuba pushes forward despite the country.
many implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest Of those contracts, 87 were operational already, representing
shown by leading international hotel chains in investing on 43,863 rooms –54 percent of the country’s total. The remaining
the island is proof of that. eleven were related to loans, intended to obtain foreign
Despite the impact of the pandemic on tourism markets financing to restore and modernize building infrastructure.
around the world, Cuba is trying to boost this industry and In this regard, MINTUR pointed out that eleven of the 20
draws the attention of important global hotel chains that foreign companies present in Cuba are from Spain, and
confidently choose to invest on the island. they run 70 percent of the hotels operating in Cuba under
A recent example is Singapore’s MGM Muthu Hotels, which foreign management contracts.
recently began operating a hotel in Cayo Guillermo (Key The other companies are from Canada, France, Singapore,
Guillermo), in Cuba’s central-northern region. This reaffirms that tourism is a top priority sector for the Indonesia, Italy, the United States, India, Mexico and
Hotel Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo began functioning in Cuban economy and is among the strategic areas to attract Switzerland. Meliá, Iberostar and Blue Diamond are heading
Jardines del Rey in April 2021, a month before the date set foreign investment. the list with 64 percent of the total facilities.
for its inauguration, according to official sources. Before the pandemic broke out, statistics recorded an ever- Located in the country’s main tourist resorts, 65 percent of the
With a prime location along Pilar Beach, the all-inclusive increasing trend in the Cuban travel industry. hotels with foreign management contracts belong to the “sun
five-star hotel will initially offer 425 of its 500 rooms, until At the end of 2019 alone, 98 contracts were approved and beach” category, and 35 percent are within the “city” group.
construction is fully complete. in the country, for a total of 46,855 rooms in 124 hotels According to a report by Italy’s digital newspaper Caribbean
Travel Trade (TTC), 77 percent of those facilities are located
in Varadero, Havana, Villa Clara’s keys and Jardines del Rey.
The others are on the northern coast of Holguin, Gibara,
Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, Cayo
Largo del Sur and Jibacoa.
Tourism is the economic field that most generates business
opportunities for foreign investors in Cuba, said MINTUR General
Manager of Development, José Reinaldo Daniel Alonso.
The Cuban government approved a policy for the sector
that guarantees the completion of negotiation processes.
That policy is focused on development in association
with internationally renowned companies that had been
previously identified as potential investors, taking their
profile, financial capacity and international experience into
consideration, he noted.
With this goal in mind, Cuban authorities use different
modalities, such as hotel management and commercialization
PHOTOS: Internet. contracts.
Cuba’s Creation of Enterprises Expands Private Sector
By RaquelDÍAZ economic functioning in order to boost
sustainable development with social
guarantees, the Vice Prime Minister
HAVANA.- Cuba continues to make progress explained.
in the expansion and enhancement of Cuba’s Council of Ministers recently
self-employment (the private sector) and decided to increase the labor activities that
the creation of micro, small and medium self-employees can do from 127 to over
business initiatives (MSMEs), as part of a 2,000.
comprehensive development strategy, According to official statistics, more than
described Cuban Vice Prime Minister 600,000 Cubans are self-employed and
Alejandro Gil. foster private business. That number
Cuba needs self-employment because it accounts for 13 percent of employment on
complements the economy, generates the island -30 percent are young people
high-quality jobs and allows for productive, and 35 percent are women.
mutually beneficial relationships, stated The Cuban Minister of Labor and Social
Gil, who is also Minister of Economy and Security, Marta Elena Feitó, pointed out
Planning, in a television address. that the people’s opinions and suggestions
The Cuban government is bringing this were taken into consideration to increase
policy forward despite the world economic facilities for the private sector.
crisis caused by COVID-19 and the For his part, First Deputy Minister of
intensification of the economic, financial Finances and Prices, Vladimir Regueiro,
and commercial blockade imposed by the highlighted that the tax burden was not
United States, together with restrictions on increased for MSMEs that contribute
access to hard currencies. between 30 to 34 percent of territorial
It is a far-reaching program that implies budgets, revenues that will be largely used
redesigning the country’s entire in investments for local growth. PHOTOS: Internet.SPORTS 15
Cuban Paralympic
especially for this beautiful country,” the outstanding
sprinter told The Havana Reporter.
Other Cuban track and field athletes will try to qualify for
Athletes Out in Win in Tokyo
Tokyo at the Tunisia Grand Prix, to take place from March
18-20, including five-time Paralympic winner Yunidis
Castillo - T47 (upper-limb amputee).
After two years absent from track and field, Castillo – who
also won the Para-Pan-American championships on six
By AdriánMENGANA reoccurring champion in London 2012 and Rio 2016, occasions – returned to training with sights set on adding
javelin thrower Ulicer Aguilera, table tennis player Yunier other titles to her brilliant career.
Fernández, and Lorenzo Pérez, also gold champion Other athletes to compete in the abovementioned event
HAVANA.- Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, swimmer of the 2016 Rio Games. include 400m runner Cristian Carlos Guillén (T47/upper-
Cuban Paralympic athletes increase their training with the Without a doubt, Durand – five-time Paralympic champion limb amputee); sprinter Leinier Savón (T12); discus thrower
purpose of winning new titles at the Tokyo Paralympic and world record holder in 100, 200 and 400 meters in the Leonardo Díaz (F56/wheelchair), and javelin throwers
Games, to be held from August 24 to September 9. T12 category (visually-impaired athlete) – is at present the Guillermo Varona (F46 / upper-limb amputee), Uliser
Cuba has the potential to qualify 39 athletes and reach face of the Latin American Paralympic movement. A survey Aguilera (F13/visually- impaired player) and Gerdan Fonseca
the Paralympic podium through runners Omara Durand conducted by the International Paralympic Committee on (F64/lower-limb disabled player).
and Yunidis Castillo, swimmer Lorenzo Pérez and shooter social media named her the best athlete of the last decade. Cuba’s potential to increase the number of qualified athletes
Marino Heredia. “It gives me great satisfaction to know that have I set an largely relies on athletics, swimming, weightlifting, sport
A total of four athletes have so far qualified for the example for all athletes. The admiration of the Cuban shooting, archery, taekwondo, triathlon, cycling and judo,
Japanese games: Omara Durand, super-star sprinter and people fills me with pride and encourages me to go on, Cuban Paralympic Committee’s secretary Oscar Beltrán said.
Qualifying tournaments and other meetings will take place
in the first six months of this year. In these competitions,
athletes can test their physical and technical preparation
with sights set on the most important event in 2021: the
Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Cuba has participated in seven editions of the Paralympic
Games and has won 85 medals: 39 gold, 19 silver and 27
bronze.
In Rio 2016, Cuba’s 22-player Paralympic delegation
World and Olympic Champion and Record Holder Omara finished 18th among 160 countries, with 15 medals – 8
Durand. PHOTOS: Internet. Olympic Bronce Medallist Leonardo Diaz gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze.
Havana’s Grand Colossus
By YaimaraPORTUONDO protest against the then dictatorship of
Fulgencio Batista, headed by the former
university leader Jose Antonio Echeverria.
HAVANA.- Inaugurated 74 years ago, After professional baseball in Cuba was
in 1946, the Grand Stadium of Havana replaced by the National Series in 1962,
continues to be the Colossus of Cerro the stadium became the house of Havana’s
(municipality), home to historic games in iconic team Industriales, the most beloved
Cuban baseball, a sport that arouses great and hated nine in Cuban baseball.
passion in the country. Even when the game itself is a great sport
Currently named Latin American Stadium show, late Armandito “El Tintorero”, an
–popularly known just as El Latino (the emblematic cheerleader, helped liven the
Latin)- the building preserved its imposing show up even more, lifting the spirits of
image after its restoration and enlargement spectators and players alike.
for the 19th World Series in 1971. A bronze sculpture made by Cuban artist
Today it features a more colorful field of Villa Soberón was erected behind the “Home
impeccable green grass, together with blue Club” dugout to honor his memory, as he was PHOTO: Internet.
stands that symbolize the color of Havana’s one of the most loyal fans of Cuban baseball
team, The Lions. The environment is even and a regular visitor to El Latino.
more pleasant for spectators with a giant The energy of baseball captivates the
digital scoreboard that helps create a great audience, no matter where the person
sport show. is seated. Each game evokes emotion,
The field has 325 feet on both sides of the right adrenaline, enthusiasm, joy, deception and/
and left outfields and 400 feet in centerfield, or fanaticism, all stemming from the love of
where there is a 4-meter-high fence. Located baseball, which on the island is more than a
in the municipality of Cerro, the stadium can pastime; it's passion at its best.
pack up to 55,000 fans, though estimates With rumba from the left field stands to
bring the figure to 60,000 when people pile cheer the local team on and conga from
in along aisles in popular games. the right field stands to do so for the
It is a multipurpose stadium, as not only visiting team, El Latino has an contagiously
baseball games have been held there but energized, verging on overwhelming,
also rodeos, concerts and boxing matches, ambiance.
such as the one between world U.S. Just like baseball, the Colossus of Cerro
champion Joe Louis and Cuban Omelio is part of Cuban idiosyncrasy, closely
Agramonte, in March 1949. related to the history of the capital and
Before the triumph of the Cuban Revolution its teams Industriales, Havana Blues, or
in 1959, it was the venue for a student the Havana Lyons, as its fans call it. PHOTO: Vladimir Molina.You can also read
