Chronicle on male service sex in Havana, Cuba.

Cuban Emigration: The Last to Say Goodbye

Paco, a 78-year-old Cuban who recently suffered a stroke, reflects on his life and the emigration of his last son to the United States, leaving him behind. Despite his physical challenges, he is determined to demonstrate his ability to cope alone. The article contextualizes his story within the broader trend of Cuban emigration, noting that over 224,000 Cubans arrived in the United States during the fiscal year 2022, surpassing the combined numbers from the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and the 1994 rafter crisis.

It's not the cow's fault: photo essay from Cuba

Milk production in Cuba has been declining for a decade, making it increasingly difficult to obtain, even through illegal markets. Children up to seven years old and the elderly with medical diets, who are entitled to state-subsidized milk, are not receiving it regularly due to the scarcity. Access to milk in stores that accept freely convertible currency (MLC) requires a local bank card funded by foreign currency deposits or through the illegal market, but even these stores have been out of milk for months. The government blames the low production on Cuban cows and the limited resources available to their owners. The worst fluid milk production in the last 30 years was in 2005, and the downward trend began in 2012, reaching 455.3 thousand tons in 2020, which equates to 39.5 liters per inhabitant for the entire year, less than half a glass per day. This article is part of 'Los insaciables,' a transnational special by Cronos Lab's Situated Journalism Laboratory.

We are the trophy of the war against drugs

The Mexican state's war on drugs has resulted in over 350,000 deaths and nearly 100,000 disappearances. Contrary to the narrative of targeting major drug lords, prisons are filled with poor women involved in low-level, high-risk drug activities. The article highlights the story of Betty Maldonado, who was coerced into drug trafficking to pay off her husband's debt and was eventually imprisoned. The war on drugs has disproportionately increased the female prison population, with women often involved in drug-related activities due to poverty, marginalization, and discrimination. The article discusses the impact of policies like the 2009 Narcomenudeo Law and the Merida Initiative, the latter being a U.S.-funded anti-narcotics program. It also covers the challenges faced by women in prison, the failure of the amnesty law to effectively release women imprisoned for drug offenses, and the ongoing debate over cannabis regulation in Mexico. The text argues for a regulation that centers on the victims of the drug war and calls for a shift away from punitive policies towards a justice system that acknowledges the role of gender, class, and race in drug-related crimes.

El Hueco and the Life That Did Not Change

In El Hueco, a settlement on the outskirts of Santa Clara, Cuba, residents like Ricardo are finding their own ways to feed their families amidst scarcity. Ricardo makes casabe and grows beans, and despite the challenges such as pests and weather, he maintains a resilient attitude towards life. The community faces constant struggles with food availability, and individuals resort to various means of sustenance, including farming and fishing. The recent rains have filled the roads with water, but the spirit of the people remains unchanged, as they continue to adapt and survive in their environment.

Daily life in Cuba today: for children, meat is on the black market

In Cuba, the scarcity of beef and the reliance on the black market for meat are affecting the daily lives of families. Subsidized meat deliveries from the state are infrequent, leading people like Dr. Yasmín and Maribel to face difficulties in providing essential nutrients for their children. The black market thrives due to the state's inability to meet demand, and the legal protection of livestock leads to severe penalties for theft and illegal slaughter. Despite government claims of eliminating severe child malnutrition, the reliance on the black market and the unequal distribution of food subsidies across provinces highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate nutrition for all children.

Vida de manos callosas

El artículo narra la vida cotidiana de Rosa y su hijo Papelito en las afueras de Santa Clara. Rosa, una ama de casa que anteriormente se dedicaba a hacer postres, ahora vive en una zona precaria donde se prepara para las lluvias y subsiste con lo que produce en su pequeño terreno, como huevos de sus gallinas. Su hijo Papelito es aficionado a la pesca y aprovecha un pequeño embalse local para pescar. La historia refleja la dura realidad de la vida en esta región, marcada por la precariedad y la autosuficiencia. El proyecto fue apoyado por el programa de Microgrants Check Global COVID-19, lo que sugiere que la historia podría estar relacionada con los efectos de la pandemia en las comunidades locales.

Cuba's Doctor Export: 'Feeds the Dictatorship'

Cuban healthcare workers, including doctors, are being sent abroad to work in countries like Venezuela, generating significant revenue for the Cuban state, surpassing even the tourism industry. The United States has likened this to human trafficking, and countries like Brazil, under President Jair Bolsonaro, have criticized the treatment of Cuban doctors. The doctors often work in challenging conditions, receive only a fraction of the payment, and cannot bring their families. Criticism also extends to the Pan American Health Organization for allegedly profiting from the placement of low-paid Cuban doctors. Despite the economic benefits for Cuba, the program faces increasing scrutiny and legal challenges, while the Cuban healthcare system itself struggles with shortages and sanctions.