Dear friends,

Around the world, the pandemic has opened conversations about what we want our societies to become. Challenges have been revealed and new ideas have emerged. Cuba is no exception. This week, we report the latest COVID19 numbers on the island and share current events, including updates on an important debate happening in Cuba about expression and participation. Wherever you are, we hope that your final month of 2020 will bring meaningful conversations and constructive dialogue.

Take care - Sarah, Justine, Mariakarla
 

COVID19 and Cuba

Last night, Cuba registered 79 new cases for a total of 614 active cases. 27 of these cases came from abroad (6 visiting foreigners and 21 returning Cubans). The 7-day average of new daily cases is 71.43 (55% increase from last week) or 0.65 cases per 100,000 people. Cuba continues operating under a “new normal,” and the new school year is set to start December 7 in Havana. 

A New Dialogue

In the last few weeks, a group of Cuban artists and activists “have opened a way to collectively think about a better country and demand more participation in it.” On November 27, a group of artists and intellectuals gathered for a sit-in in front of the Cuban Ministry of Culture. The demonstration - which is very unusual for Cuba - led to an agreement of tolerance toward independent art. Jorge Perugurría, a well-known actor who showed up for the demonstrations and participated in the dialogue with authorities explained, “It is time for dialogue and I think it is important for young people to be heard, and we are going to work for that.” 

While authorities agreed to engage in discussion on the day of the sit-in and in the future, the Government of Cuba has also condemned activists involved in the incidents that instigated the protest for links with U.S.-backed regime change initiatives. As of this morning, the Ministry of Culture published a note in the national newspaper saying: “For young people and for all those artists who came together in front of the MINCULT office who have not compromised their efforts by [working with] enemies of the Cuban nation, opportunities for dialogue remain open, as has been the historical practice of the cultural institutions of the Revolution.”

Economy

Conversation continues in Cuba around economic reforms, which are to include the elimination of the dual currency system. The unification of the peso and the convertible peso, known as CUC, will take place alongside a devaluation of the peso against the U.S. dollar and a steep increase in prices and salaries. The hope is that this will stabilize the economy and promote better access, which is a major concern in the current three-currency system. Authorities have recently established price caps on certain agricultural products and “flour derivatives” in order to minimize price spikes. 

Event Announcement

This Saturday and Sunday (December 5-6) the Club de Espendrú is hosting Culturas Caribeñas del Hip Hop, a curated virtual space designed to celebrate Hip Hop music as a tool utilized by the global afro-descendent community to promote social transformation and equity. Participants can join via their website, facebook page, or whatsapp group.