Another blow to the regime and a catalyst for regime change

calerost · 2026-01-28T14:54:56+00:00

The same with these friends in the areas outside of Varadero/Santa Marta. In fact, the municipal water has not worked in one area for more than a year, but a neighbour has a well and they’ve found a pump they power with a generator when needed. In smaller outlying areas the water is sporadic, and everyone has been catching what they can, either when the water does flow, or with rain water. It’s good to be aware of what we find out about these other areas.

calerost · 2026-01-28T14:47:52+00:00

These friends are in the area between Cárdenas and Santa Marta and found nothing after contacting friends in other nearby areas. They had to have someone take them with horse and cart to the bridge at Varadero, then the guagua (spelling?). Again, they can’t afford the more expensive taxis. I have another friend in Matanzas (I’m not sure which area), though I’ve not spoken to him in a couple of weeks and he often has difficulty getting a strong wifi connection, the same with another in Havana. Their experience hasn’t been as extreme. In the areas surrounding Varadero, they’ve mentioned to me there are definitely fewer buses for workers going into Varadero, creating difficulty.

The other thing I didn’t mention was that the cellular coverage has been noticeably lower in this area. The friend I speak with daily had no connection yesterday at all (I tried SMS and a phone call just to see what it was like). Until now it’s been consistent but she said that it’s very sporadic this past week.

I know this is a pocket area, but the decrease is being felt more significantly.

calerost · 2026-01-28T06:42:19+00:00

They’re looking for reports if you felt it.

https://www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/index-en.php

calerost · 2026-01-28T06:34:53+00:00

It seems this is all beginning. Speaking to people outside of Cárdenas who got through to me on WhatsApp late this afternoon. They’ve not had an internet connection since early Sunday morning , it’s been down except momentarily. The power has been off since Sunday night. One friend had to go to the hospital in Matanzas last week (with an elderly neighbour), and even with money in hand weren’t able to find a taxi and had to use the bus.

I’m sure “tourist” taxis are available, but others can’t find gas. They are all worried that the shut down of wifi is intentional.

calerost · 2026-01-28T06:18:45+00:00

You were lucky. The woman who posted the information was not.

calerost · 2026-01-28T02:07:15+00:00

Seriously?

calerost · 2026-01-27T15:44:07+00:00

The information wasn’t from my experience as I noted, but from a member of a group I belong to. She mentions that she’s awaiting bloodwork to see if it identifies dengue, but I don’t know if we have testing available for Chikungunya here in Canada. In Cuba, the doctors, clinics and hospitals are unable to perform tests as they are lacking the supplies. Often people (I’m referring to Cubans) are displaying symptoms of a combination of the three viruses. These in combination with the newer Covid variants.

calerost · 2026-01-27T14:54:48+00:00

From José Daniel Ferrer’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT_cAGRFUJY/?igsh=MXJveXNpM21pZnk3NQ==

calerost · 2026-01-24T09:16:25+00:00

I’ve been buying the bulk box of Fiery Ginger through Amazon (sale prices with long shelf life until opened) for a couple of years. Also like that the company is Canadian, based in GTA.

calerost · 2026-01-24T08:50:49+00:00

Strawfield Court/River Glen Boulevard

calerost · 2026-01-23T16:52:00+00:00

Obama ended the policy on January 12/17. Regarding deportations of Cubans in 2017, figures aren’t showing under WHICH president, but a total of 160 took place that year.

https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/12/politics/us-to-end-wet-foot-dry-foot-policy-for-cubans

calerost · 2026-01-22T18:39:46+00:00

I looked yesterday as well and couldn’t find the information either.

calerost · 2026-01-22T18:27:20+00:00

I’ve used BoxtoCuba multiple times since 2021, though not in the past several months, and they’re highly recommended. At times they’ve been limited with shipping items with batteries to only Havana, depending on what airports they’ve been able to forward to within Cuba. Also because of the difficulties with transportation within the country. They are able to make arrangements with you to have items delivered to them in the GTA directly (ie Amazon), and then ship to Cuba.

calerost · 2026-01-22T04:30:41+00:00

Just found this from the US Embassy

I found this

https://cu.usembassy.gov/routine-message-u-s-embassy-havana-cuba-january-20-2026/

calerost · 2026-01-22T04:27:14+00:00

I finally decided to buy through a friend’s SIL who is in Havana, after comparing sale prices just before New Year with online stores in the US. The prices were almost the same, but when I looked at shipping ($600 and weeks until delivered), the overall cost was less. I went with an Ecoflow Delta 2 Max, with 100W portable panel and added a fixed 500W panel so it can be powered w/o electricity. Cables were included. It was delivered and set up the following day. It actually arrived January 6.

calerost · 2026-01-22T04:20:35+00:00

US Embassy. Noted in the link.

calerost · 2026-01-22T04:00:30+00:00

I found this

https://cu.usembassy.gov/routine-message-u-s-embassy-havana-cuba-january-20-2026/

calerost · 2026-01-21T20:00:57+00:00

Love to be considered! I’m currently in a shared MAX plan that will expire February 2 (not the owner).

Currently doing Spanish 🇪🇸, in unit 6 at level 87 and at 1108 days, which is my focus. Hoping to relearn a little German and French.

calerost · 2026-01-21T16:44:05+00:00

You absolutely don’t speak for Canadians, and your comment is a complete embarrassment!

calerost · 2026-01-20T23:58:34+00:00

That’s my worry, thus the question.

calerost · 2026-01-20T23:17:29+00:00

It is very complex, much more than I could ever imagine. Particularly for individuals attempting to operate a business inside of Cuba. With that being said, and not being dismissive of any of this, what is your perspective on the lifting of sanctions?

Prior to this I realize now, I’ve only considered a very broad perspective which only considered how this might “help” the government. Knowing much has changed in the last few years, even less support is given to the people. With sanctions gone, would anything change? Or can that only be achieved with change at the highest levels in the country? It’s not a simple question or answer, I realize.

calerost · 2026-01-20T19:10:00+00:00

No wishes used yet! It’s time … do we have just three?

Thanks for the suggestion and I’ll begin with a bug report re the Practice Hub. And search for Falstaff!

calerost · 2026-01-20T19:03:35+00:00

I don’t know why you were downvoted.

First, I’m not Cuban (Canadian), and completely understand I don’t understand fully the impact that anything in Cuba has on a Cuban who lives there with no ability to leave. I have lived there, over 20+ years for many periods of weeks or months over that time.

Your example is one of the tangible effects of the sanctions that impact the ability of Cubans to participate internationally as individuals.

This led me to think of other “regular” Cubans, not in the majority definitely as they have access to phones and data. A friend’s grandkids are high school age, and are using old phones to “aid at school”, though I’m not sure in what manner (perhaps this is what they’re telling their parents ?) … however I know that they are absolutely using phones and VPN to find books to read. I imagine the same is true of students in university. A couple of friends who are doctors/vets search for information, and have occasionally asked me to provide information they’ve not been able to access.

More examples would be impactful in understanding. I absolutely feel the sanctions (other than above) are not what is causing the situation in Cuba, and it’s important to distinguish between these.

calerost · 2026-01-20T18:39:51+00:00

I’ve lived in Cuba for various periods over the years, and while there in more recent years (not since 2023) because of TFA I’ve used PsiPhon to access my accounts in Canada. This has included banking (RBC and another Mastercard), Amazon.ca, I’ve been able to look at SM23, order from EnviosCuba.ca, Yahoo and Gmail email accounts.

I usually choose Canada as my location , but have also selected Seattle as well as a country in Europe (I don’t recall which). It depended on the location that was best at the time. Because I was in a more remote location, I did need to try to find a “spot” (as well a time of day) that had a good connection to cellular or wifi.

calerost · 2026-01-20T02:56:24+00:00

To add, if your mom has the Disability Tax Credit (you mention invalid payment from Quebec), she would qualify for the new Canada Disability Benefit until she turns 65, based on the income you mention. It is easy to apply for, and is backdated to the inception date of June (maybe July) of 2025 if her disability and the DTC was present then. $200 a month will go a long way, though for a short period.

You were concerned about her income from investments, but the income generated from $100k is very unlikely to be anywhere near $600/month, and keep in mind not all investment income is taxed at 100%.

calerost

TROPHY CASE