Readable, teachable news.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Fidel Castro was the most important political figure in Cuba from 1959 to 2006. In those nearly 50 years, Castro first held the position of Prime Minister (1959 – 1976) and later President (1977 – 2006).
However, many people would argue that a more appropriate title for Castro would be dictator. (A dictator is a political leader who holds unlimited power and does not allow opportunities for new governments to form, as in an election).
Diana Nyad stumbled out of the surf at Smathers Beach in Key West, Florida, on Monday, having completed an incredible 177-kilometre swim.
She had begun the swim 53 hours earlier, in Cuba.
Nyad is the only person ever to have made the treacherous swim without using a shark net, swim fins or a wetsuit. It was her fifth try in 35 years.
She told the waiting and excited crowd that she had three things to say.
“One is we should never, ever give up. Two is you never are too old to chase your dreams. Three is it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team.”
Sirens. Security alarms. Sales pitches: “Taxi? Good restaurant! Best music CD? My art studio?”
These are the new sounds of Havana, Cuba.
This is my sixth time in Cuba–I am here on vacation; this year, I hear and see change.
It is almost 55 years since Cuba became a socialist country. In Cuba, socialism means that each Cuban has the same rights, the same salary and the same education as everyone else in the country.
Fidel Castro, former President of Cuba, brought socialism to the country in 1959 when he and his rebel forces took over the government. Now Cubans receive free education, free health care and most jobs have been protected by the government.
But the Cuban government is running out of money to pay for everything.
Things have to change.
