October 2009
1 post
4 tags
“May Cubans attend church?”
Belief: Cubans aren’t allowed to practice religion.
Fact or Myth: Myth
It’s not out of ignorance that people believe this. Karl Marx did define religion as the opium of the people, and even though the interpretation of this phrase remains to be quite controversial, communism has historically been regarded as atheistic. However, if history teaches us another lesson, let it be that Cuba is rather...
September 2009
2 posts
3 tags
"Do Cubans own their homes?"
Belief: Cubans don’t own their homes.
Fact or Myth: Myth, but…
The Cuban government confiscated the properties of those who fled the island after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. The nicer, more spacious homes were mostly kept for diplomatic missions in Havana, and today they house ambassadors, consuls, and in some cases even government officials. The others, mainly those occupied by...
4 tags
"Can I go to Cuba?"
Belief: Americans can’t go to Cuba.
Fact or Myth: Myth
Americans can go to Cuba. It’s not easy, but they can. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is the agency which regulates travel to Cuba, and as such reserves the right to grant a “travel license” to those who qualify for one. If you think you’re eligible for one, then contact OFAC and cross your fingers, because the process of...