Papushi: the Cuban king of Tex-Mex

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
Papushi. Photo: Taken from his Facebook profile.

In February, he won the Tejano Mundial Award in the Cumbia Pop Song of the Year category with his song “Te digo adiós.”

by Brenda González — OnCuba News

 May 5, 2025 in Music

Jorge Soto (Holguín, March 12, 1986) took his first steps in music in his native Holguín. At the beginning, he performed songs by world pop celebrities such as Ricky Martin and Chayanne.

In 2005, after moving to Havana in search of work opportunities, Papushi, as he is known in the artistic world, recorded his first two songs under the musical production of Ernesto Blanco.

“Sexy” was his debut song on Radio Cadena Habana, and Soy Papushi (2007) was his first solo album.

In 2009, he joined the roster of the Barbarito Diez Provincial Music Company of Las Tunas as a professional singer.

He then returned to Havana, where he recorded his second album, Como un niño bueno (2014).

Between those beginnings and his recent win at the Premio Tejano Mundial in the Cumbia Pop Song of the Year category (2025), there’s a long and arduous journey.

Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.

Your beginnings were filled with a lot of activity in terms of music and the places you visited throughout Cuba. What memories stand out from those early years?

It was 2002. I went to a disco bar in Holguín where they held karaoke competitions as part of a show. The friends I’d gone with told me to go ahead and sing; they knew I really liked music, but I’d never sung in public. I did so with the song “Laura no está,” a hit by the Italian singer Nek, and it was so well received that I returned to that place night after night, eager to sing again.

The decision I made when I moved to Havana, a place completely unknown to me and very different from Holguín, took me a little time to adapt to, but I had to do it. I wanted to begin my professional career in music. That was in April 2005.

If you had to briefly describe how your career has developed from the beginning to the present, what would you say?

It has been a journey of great perseverance, total dedication, and a lot of sacrifice. Music has been a dream that I have had to fight for practically alone, especially in the beginning.

Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee. 

You started singing house and pop songs, and composing ballads and rancheras. You ended up transforming Selena’s Tex-Mex into urban music with the 2018 release of the album Por siempre Selena. Why did you decide to venture into such different genres?

They were different stages of my life. I’ve been in music for 20 years now, and I initially wanted to experiment with dance and house, then urban, bachata, pop ballads, and others, until recently arriving at the Tex-Mex genre. The truth is, I like to test myself as a performer, to feel like I can do different genres. Maybe I was looking for the style I felt best with, but I’ve liked them all.

What musical genre do you prefer?

Without a doubt, Tex-Mex cumbia, which is what I’ve been doing for over a year. It was the first musical genre I became interested in as a child, through Selena’s music.

You’ve also written songs for singers like Yolie, Yenisey del Castillo, Rafael Espín and Leyanis López. They’ve become hits. Between writing and performing, which facet do you enjoy the most?

I love writing. It doesn’t matter if there are many songs already written that haven’t been recorded; composing is a form of expression that comes from my soul and heart. Almost everything I write I’ve lived and felt.

What do you consider to be the hallmark of your lyrics and performances?

Feeling. When I write and sing, I always try to give them that, since I almost always write about love or heartbreak.

Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.

Are there any differences in your creative process when you compose for another artist?

I usually write the song as if I were going to perform it myself. Then I suggest to the singer what I think would fit them. I did that from 2013 to 2021. After that, I dedicated myself more to writing for myself. Doing both at the same time took up a lot of my time; singers are very demanding.

Among the achievements you’ve reached during your two-decade career was the song “Bailando con Juana” (2017), a duet with Juana Bacallao. It became a radio hit, as well as number one on the Pistacubana website and the annual Los Lucas video. Has there been another moment like that that you consider a turning point in your career?

Yes; it was in 2015, when I achieved my first success composing for other artists in Cuba. The ranchera-pop ballad “Te borré de mi vida,” performed by Leyanis López, became a hit in Cuba, despite the fact that this musical genre isn’t very common on the island’s music scene. After two years writing songs for Cuban singers, that song gave me the recognition I needed as a composer.

Who have been the main musical influences, both Cuban and foreign, in your career?

I admire many Cuban and international artists, but Selena is the main inspiration in my music. There are also others like Celia Cruz, Benny Moré, Gloria Estefan, Paulo FG, Juan Gabriel, Polo Montañez, Madonna, Luis Miguel, Ricky Martin, and many more. Although they have different styles and eras, they are exemplary artists to follow in music.

What collaboration did you really want to achieve, and did it come to fruition?

I always wanted to unite my voice with Selena’s, because she is my inspiration in music, but she was no longer physically with me. But thanks to technology, in 2016, the first duet I made with her was released: her hit “Si una vez,” with music producer Carlos Lara “El Anarkiologo.”

Then came two more duets of the songs “Como la flor” and “No debes jugar”; in which we experimented with the urban genre. It was a dream come true, especially because of the acceptance it achieved.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced since beginning your career?

To never give up on anything or anyone, and to always defend what I believe in and what I want to achieve.

How do you long for public recognition?

As a Tex-Mex singer, I think I’m achieving it, both in Cuba and in Texas and Mexico.

After the release of albums like Por siempre Selena (2018) and El irrepetible (2020), you’ll release El rey del tex-mex in February 2024. On this compilation, you included the song “Te digo adiós,” which a few months ago received the Premio Tejano Mundial in the Cumbia Pop Song of the Year category (2025). What does it mean to you to be the first Cuban to win an award in this competition?

It’s very important. I still can’t believe it. It’s a sign that this is the path I should follow in music.

Do you feel it as a personal or collective victory?

Both. Personally, if I hadn’t decided to make this album, it wouldn’t have been released and I wouldn’t have won the award. But it’s also a collective victory. Music producer Carlos Cartaya did a great job on this album. Other people supported me and believed in me.

“Te digo adiós” was one of five songs nominated in the category during the fifth edition of the event, which recognizes Tejano music hits worldwide and was held in San Antonio, Texas, United States. What’s next for Papushi’s artistic career after achieving this triumph?

Finishing my album El rey del tex-mex, which I decided to name in honor of Selena, the queen. Then, I want to tour Texas and Mexico first, and maybe this year, perform a duet with Alicia Villarreal, the queen of Regional Mexicano, who knows my work and has shown admiration for it.

Brenda González

Brenda González

Next Post

Leave a Reply

Posted in Cultural | Leave a comment

Buena Vista Social Club Will Take the Music of Cuba Across the Country on a National Tour

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
The cast of “Buena Vista Social Club”
(Photo: Matthew Murphy)

by Darryn King • May 6, 2025 — Broadway.Com

Buena Vista Social Club, the musical telling of the story behind the landmark Afro-Cuban jazz album of the same name, will embark on a North American tour next year. The tour will launch in Buffalo in September 2026, with planned stops in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and many other cities. Casting, exact dates and additional cities will be announced at a later date.

“It is an incredible honor to bring Buena Vista Social Club to Shea’s Performing Arts Center as the first stop on its tour,” said Albert Nocciolino, President & CEO of NAC Entertainment, in a statement. “We’re proud that Buffalo audiences will be the first to experience this brilliant, electrifying production where live music is the heart of the show, and with exceptional performances that honor the Buena Vista Social Club legacy.”

Buena Vista Social Club is currently nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including for Best Musical. It features a book by Marco Ramirez and choreography by Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado. Saheem Ali directs.

Step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the sound of Havana is born—and one woman’s remarkable journey begins. A tale of survival, second chances and the extraordinary power of music, Buena Vista Social Club brings the Grammy-winning album to thrilling life and tells the story of the legends who lived it.

Posted in Cultural | Leave a comment

Vietnam, Cuba expand high-tech shrimp farming cooperation

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
Illustrative Image (Photo: VNA)

With continued support from Vietnamese experts, the “shrimp farming for hunger elimination” model is gradually taking shape in Cuba, creating jobs for thousands of local workers.

May 5, 2025

Havana (VNA) – Despite the geographical distance, the Vietnam–Cuba friendship has been continously fostered through practical cooperation projects, notably a high-tech intensive shrimp farming model in Camagüey province.

The initiative stands as a vivid testament to the comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, contributing not only to increased aquaculture productivity but also paving the way for sustainable development of Cuba’s fisheries sector.

Launched in 2024, the project’s first production cycle has yielded encouraging results. After just 121 days, five pilot ponds in Santa Cruz del Sur, Camagüey province, harvested 20 tonnes of shrimp or 4 tonnes per hectare, a significant achievement given the current challenges facing Cuba’s aquaculture industry.
Vietnamese expertise has played a key role in this success, with a team of four seasoned engineers working closely alongside Cuban technicians throughout project implementation.

Building on initial success, both sides are working to expand the model to 10 hectares in Camagüey, aiming to reach a yield of 45 tonnes in the second half of 2025. The project fully applies Vietnam’s advanced shrimp farming technology, including modern aeration and water filtration systems, along with high-quality feed and care protocols.

Miguel Antonio Manso Díaz, head of production at the Cultisur Unit in Santa Cruz del Sur, noted that the second production cycle began in late April on a 5-hectare site. They have prepared 10 out of 30 ponds, stocking at a density of 100 shrimps per square metre, targeting a productivity of 900 to 1,000 kg per hectare.

The model is being replicated beyond Camagüey in key provinces such as Villa Clara in central Cuba and Pinar del Río in the west, bringing practical benefits as Cuba strives to overcome sanctions-related challenges. The project not only boosts productivity but also facilitates comprehensive technology transfer, from cultivation techniques to production management.

This cooperation project is opening new prospects for Cuba’s aquaculture sector, addressing food security, while laying the groundwork to attract investment in high-tech agriculture. With continued support from Vietnamese experts, the “shrimp farming for hunger elimination” model is gradually taking shape, creating jobs for thousands of local workers.

Cuba is steadily mastering modern shrimp farming technology, moving toward sustainable and self-reliant aquaculture development. The success of the project once again underscores the enduring vitality of the traditional Vietnam–Cuba friendship and marks a new chapter in bilateral economic and technical cooperation based on mutual benefit and sustainable development./.

VNA

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Cuban delegation attends International Chemistry Olympiad

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

HAVANA, Cuba, May 5 (ACN) Cuba is attending the Mendeleev International Chemistry Olympiad, which began on Sunday and will last until May 13 in Belo Horizonte, capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

The competition is for high school students and is considered one of the most prestigious and oldest in its specialty, informed the Communication Department of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

It pointed out that four young people and a mentor will take part in representation of the guest country, and it is the second occasion of Cuban presence in the event – the first took place in 2004.

The competition will include two theoretical and one practical exams, the winners will receive medals and certificates, each team the official protocol of the competition and the overall winner a prize in memory of V. V. Lunin. Lunin, an eminent Russian chemist, it added.

For the first time, PhD. Gerardo Manuel Ojeda, head of the pre-selection and professor of the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Havana, is one of the experts invited to be part of the international jury.

Organized by the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Melnichenko Foundation, it is considered the most difficult chemistry event in the world.

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Prince Albert wrestlers take training to Cuba

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
Wrestlers from Prince Albert and a local wrestling school in Cuba pose together at the Cuban National Training Center. (Photo submitted/Roxanne Richards)

Five time Olympic Champion Joins PA wrestlers

By Nick Nielsen

May 5, 2025 – SASK NOW.com

While the sport of wrestling often gets overlooked by some of the bigger sports in North America, the athletes that compete are some of the most dedicated you will find.

In other countries though, wrestling is a much bigger sport, and that’s why 20 wrestlers from the Prince Albert Wrestling Club found it to be such an honour when they were invited to head down to Cuba to train with a wrestling school at the Cuban National Training Center training facility.

According to manager and one of the coaches for the club Roxanne Richards, it started with an email at the end of June last year from Canada Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals inviting them down south for a training opportunity in February of 2025. After a ton of fundraising and flight cancellations due to weather caused them to reschedule, they finally got to head down to Cuba for the Easter Break.

“I’m kind of that person that never says no to an opportunity, and I always tell my athletes, ‘if you have an opportunity presented to you, you say yes because you never know what you’re going to be giving up.’ So I said yes and I gathered up 20 athletes and a few coaches and we went down for a trip to Cuba. So what we did was since the end of June, we stepped into high gear and we did a lot of fundraising throughout the city. We did a raffle, we did barbecues, we we did all kinds of different types of fundraising to have enough money to go.”

The focus during the week long trip was mainly on wrestling and training, but the athletes also got to spend some time touring Havana, time on the beach, and some other touristy things to learn about the culture of Cuba. Still though, the wrestlers learned just as much about Cuban culture on the wrestling mats as they did around the community.

“The kids were able to connect with a lot of the Cuban athletes. That was absolutely amazing for them and eye-opening just to be able to go to a country like Cuba and learn what kind of life they have and what they experienced down there and the kinds of challenges that they have to face just to be able to train. The school that we trained with is a high performance wrestling school where they train three times a day and they go to school, so that’s really all they do, and most of the Cuban athletes were about 14 years old. Ours were a little bit older, but their level was a little step up from where we were. So it was really good training for us.”

The Cuban National Training Center is where the Cuban Olympic team trains, and it isn’t much. Just a cement building with four wrestling mats and a few flags on the walls, but it’s a building where some amazing athletes honed their craft. During their time there they got to meet a national hero in Mijaín López, a five time Olympic and five time World champion in Greco-Roman style wrestling.

López retired from the sport last year at the age of 41 as one of the most accomplished wrestlers of all time. The Giant of Herradura is the only athlete in the world to ever win gold in the same event in five consecutive Olympic games. He carried the Cuban flag for his country in all five Olympic Games he competed in, and so even though the Prince Albert wrestlers didn’t get a chance to train with him, having him stop by was still an amazing experience.

From left to right: Kalin Langford, Roxanne Richards, Cuban Olympic wrestling legend Mijaín López, Eric Honetshlager, and Conley McLeod. (Submitted photo/Roxanne Richards)

“He took pictures with us and he hung around for a few minutes and then he left, but it was pretty exciting to actually get a chance to meet him. To be able to be even in the building where he trained for the last 20-some years, it was pretty exciting. Even some of the Cuban coaches were crying when they saw him. This guy’s huge in Cuba obviously. It was a really, really great opportunity for the kids to be able to meet him.”

Even with the Prince Albert wrestlers being older and in theory stronger than the Cuban wrestlers they trained with, the difference in skill and experience heavily favoured the Cubans. With the Cuban wrestlers training three times a day, they didn’t get any sparring sessions in because of the skill difference, but Richards said that they were able to pick up a ton of lessons to bring back to Prince Albert.

“Our cardio level was pretty even because in Prince Albert, our head coach who is Cody Souter, he trains hard with their cardio. The part that we noticed that they do so much more than we do, and we are going to start changing that, is their agility level, their speed, their fast twitch motion, their ability to switch from one thing to the other. Some of the training that they did was so fast and so quick, and we were a little bit slow.”

While a lot was learned on the tours around Havana about the country’s history and culture, a lot more was learned about human connection. While Prince Albert’s wrestlers and the Cubans didn’t understand each other’s language, they were able to bond and have fun together through the one thing that connected them: the sport of wrestling.

“It was interesting because with the language barrier, you don’t get to explain where your hands should go or your arm or your leg. You have to show it, so some of our kids were laughing, they said, ‘it’s like having a full on game of charades’ because you have to just use your body to explain things and it was really challenging for them, but it was so good just to be able to to communicate that way which goes to show that you really don’t need the language. A wrestler is a wrestler no matter where you are.”

While the opportunity to return hasn’t been expressed yet, Richards said she would absolutely jump on the opportunity to take members of her team down south again.

—

nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

Posted in Exchanges | Leave a comment

Cuba Sparks ALBA-TCP Tourism Momentum with Focus on Multi-Destination Packages and Airline Integration

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Sunday, May 4, 2025 – Travel and Tour World

Cuba has ignited a fresh wave of tourism cooperation within the ALBA-TCP bloc by championing multi-destination travel packages and pushing for stronger airline integration among member nations. This strategic move aims to enhance regional connectivity, attract more international visitors, and position the alliance as a unified tourism corridor. By focusing on shared branding, sustainable development, and streamlined air travel, Cuba is driving a collaborative agenda that seeks to transform the bloc into a seamless, multi-country travel experience.

In a strategic push to revitalize regional tourism, Cuba is taking a lead role within the ALBA-TCP (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty) by spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing travel connectivity and destination integration across member nations. A high-level tourism-focused meeting concluded on Friday with a renewed commitment to forging a unified tourism identity, advancing sustainable tourism, and coordinating airline partnerships to enable seamless regional travel.

The gathering brought together key stakeholders from ALBA-TCP member states, who examined several mechanisms to accelerate tourism development in the region. The initiative underscores Cuba’s role as a tourism pioneer within the bloc, helping catalyze shared economic benefits while adapting to the evolving global travel landscape.

Regional Integration Through Tourism: A New Strategic Roadmap

At the center of the dialogue was the development of multi-destination tourism products, designed to attract international travelers interested in exploring multiple countries in one seamless itinerary. By leveraging the cultural, natural, and historical richness of ALBA-TCP member nations, the bloc is building packages that appeal to both leisure and business travelers.

Delegates worked on defining a comprehensive roadmap to bring this vision to life. The roadmap includes timelines, technical recommendations, and collaborative action points that will align national tourism policies with broader regional goals.

Creating a Collective Identity: The Tourism Brand for ALBA-TCP

One of the central initiatives introduced at the meeting involved crafting a distinct tourism identity that would represent ALBA-TCP nations collectively on the global stage. This unified brand aims to position the region as a unique, interconnected travel corridor offering distinctive experiences across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The brand would not only elevate the international visibility of lesser-known destinations but also establish a strong regional narrative built around themes of culture, nature, wellness, and social harmony. This effort is expected to resonate with global travelers seeking authentic, multi-layered experiences in emerging travel markets.

A robust communications campaign will accompany the branding initiative. This campaign is expected to include promotional videos, social media engagement, joint participation in international travel expos, and digital marketing strategies aimed at both traditional and non-traditional source markets.

Strengthening Sustainable Development Goals in Tourism

In line with global travel trends, sustainable development emerged as a core pillar of the discussions. ALBA-TCP member states reiterated their commitment to developing tourism that preserves natural resources, respects local cultures, and generates inclusive economic growth.

The strategy places particular emphasis on:

  • Eco-tourism and green infrastructure
  • Community-based tourism models
  • Carbon footprint reduction efforts
  • Education and training in sustainable practices

By integrating sustainability into the broader tourism agenda, the bloc aims to enhance long-term resilience while meeting rising consumer demand for responsible travel.

Expanding the Air Connectivity Network

A critical component of the proposed integration is the flexibilization of aeronautical policies and the creation of regional airline interconnections. Participants outlined several strategies to support this, including:

  • Coordinated route development among national carriers
  • Shared investment in regional airports
  • Open skies agreements within the bloc
  • The introduction of inter-bloc air passes and code-sharing arrangements

This push toward enhanced air connectivity is intended to lower travel costs, reduce transit time between destinations, and increase the accessibility of multi-country tourism packages.

In a forward-looking move, representatives from various airlines are set to participate in upcoming workshops and consultations, aimed at aligning operational capacities with tourism objectives. This collaboration is expected to produce a more integrated flight network that connects both major cities and remote attractions across the bloc.

Corporate and Social Tourism on the Agenda

The initiative also places renewed focus on corporate and social tourism, recognizing the untapped potential of business and institutional travel within and beyond the region. This segment includes:

  • Conferences and trade events
  • Educational exchange programs
  • Cultural and sporting events

ALBA-TCP countries plan to enhance infrastructure and services geared toward hosting such events, which often lead to high-value tourism and foster intergovernmental cooperation.

Proposals include:

  • Dedicated business tourism zones
  • Joint event calendars
  • Cross-border event incentives
  • Streamlined visa processes for business travelers

Interest From Non-Member Operators

Notably, the ALBA-TCP initiative has started attracting attention from tourism operators outside the bloc, particularly those already active in Cuba. Their interest lies in the growing potential for regional market expansion through partnerships that align with the bloc’s new vision.

While formal accession is not on the table, these external operators may participate in joint promotional campaigns or serve as strategic collaborators in implementing new tourism products and interconnection plans.

This widening circle of engagement signals increasing confidence in the bloc’s capacity to offer a compelling and coherent tourism proposition.

Strategic Objectives and Implementation Milestones

The momentum sparked by Cuba’s leadership is set to translate into tangible actions over the next 18 months. The agreed-upon roadmap includes key deliverables, such as:

  • Launching a pilot multi-destination package by the end of the current year
  • Finalizing the ALBA-TCP tourism brand and visual identity
  • Holding aviation policy workshops with key airline partners
  • Launching joint digital marketing campaigns targeting Europe, Asia, and the Americas
  • Hosting a regional tourism summit to present the integrated offering to global stakeholders

These milestones are designed to lay the groundwork for long-term tourism growth and provide a replicable model for other regional blocs.

Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

The ALBA-TCP nations acknowledge that while the integrated tourism framework holds significant promise, several challenges must be addressed:

  • Regulatory harmonization across borders
  • Infrastructure development in under-connected areas
  • Currency exchange limitations
  • Aligning private sector expectations with public policy goals

However, the commitment demonstrated at the recent meeting—and the interest from external tourism entities—points to a growing consensus that the bloc’s collective tourism potential outweighs individual limitations.

With Cuba at the helm, ALBA-TCP is charting a course that could redefine how regional tourism functions in Latin America and the Caribbean—through cohesion, cooperation, and connectivity.

The Broader Economic Impact

Tourism remains a vital economic engine for most ALBA-TCP countries. By combining efforts and presenting a shared destination portfolio, the bloc is aiming to:

  • Boost tourism revenues
  • Diversify national economies
  • Enhance cultural diplomacy
  • Reduce reliance on single-source markets

This collective push is expected to increase inbound visitation numbers, create new jobs in hospitality and transport, and stimulate foreign direct investment in the tourism and aviation sectors.

Furthermore, the shared marketing of diverse attractions—from Cuba’s beaches to Bolivia’s highland culture and Nicaragua’s volcanoes—offers travelers a compelling and varied regional experience.

Cuba is driving a new phase of tourism growth within ALBA-TCP by promoting multi-destination travel packages and enhancing regional airline connectivity. This approach aims to unify member nations under a cohesive tourism strategy that boosts accessibility, sustainability, and international appeal.

Cuba’s leadership in this renewed tourism strategy for the ALBA-TCP bloc is igniting a transformative vision for regional travel. Through multi-destination offerings, strengthened airline connectivity, a unified tourism brand, and sustainable development goals, the bloc is preparing to position itself as a competitive, cooperative, and culturally rich tourism region on the global stage.

As new frameworks take shape and pilot projects are launched, the ALBA-TCP’s tourism integration could serve as a model for other regions seeking to harness collective strength in a rapidly evolving global travel industry.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mexico is preparing a campaign: “An oil ship for Cuba”

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Mexico City, May 4 (Prensa Latina) The José Martí Association of Cuban Residents in Mexico is preparing a campaign to send an oil tanker to the island in support of the electrical system, the organization’s vice president, Olivia Garza, reported today.

In a conversation with Prensa Latina, he said the initiative will be officially presented on August 13, and will run until the same date in 2026, the centenary of the birth of Fidel Castro, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.

As detailed, the association has been working, with greater emphasis since the COVID-19 pandemic, on material contributions to the Caribbean country. While not very large, they contribute in some way to supporting the nation, especially its healthcare system.

“We want a greater effort and impact that will help the national energy system, which is so necessary for the development our people deserve. That’s why we decided to launch this campaign, resuming a previous initiative that took place during the Special Period,” he explained.

The Caribbean nation’s National Electric System, which has suffered significant damage in recent months, is suffering the consequences of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for more than six decades, a policy that has been intensified in recent years.

We plan to send a 400,000-barrel ship, which will require a significant effort and work, said Garza, announcing the invitation to the Mexican Movement of Solidarity with Cuba to join the initiative, so that both organizations can participate.

The campaign, he specified, is part of the activities of the Fidel, Eternal and Undefeated project, a tribute by the Association to mark the 100th anniversary of the Commander in Chief’s birth, which will begin on May 19 with the launch of a blog of the same name.

This weekend, Garza participated in the 29th National Meeting of Solidarity with the island, organized by the Movement and attended by 280 delegates from Mexico, as well as diplomatic representatives from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Vietnam, in addition to various organizations.

npg/las

Posted in The Blockade? | Leave a comment

Norwegian Songwriter Trio Teams Up with Latin Artists from Chicago and Cuba to Release the Summer Anthem ‘VAS A CAER’

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

May 02, 2025, 1:02 AM ET

Cover Art

Everyone brought a piece of their own culture to the table. ‘VAS A CAER’ is a true testament to collaboration, love, and friendship.”

— Tomas from Popkanon

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, May 2, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — Popkanon, an innovative songwriter trio from Norway, has teamed up with talented Latin artists RarriQUESO and MoodSWANG, both from Chicago, along with Cuba’s rising star Alejandra Tabita, to release their highly anticipated summer track, “VAS A CAER.” Adding depth and character to the track, the experienced producer Jack Flash has infused his unique touch, making this song an explosive hit.

“VAS A CAER” is already making waves on Scandinavia’s biggest Latin station, Radio Latin-Amerika (FM 105.8) in Oslo, Norway. It’s expected to dominate radio, clubs, and streaming platforms worldwide. Popkanon and RarriQUESO previously collaborated on the Latin hit “Bar Colombia,” which earned praise from music journalists and curators around the world and received heavy rotation on major radio stations during the summer of 2023.

This track is a perfect fusion of Pop Latino and Electronic Dance Music, featuring a pulsating beat and catchy, playful vocals that will keep listeners moving. It’s a track made for the dance floor.

The song represent cross-cultural and trans-Atlantic collaboration. The cover art reflects the cultural influences as well, incorporating the colors of the artists heritage and national flags — red, white, and blue from Norway, the United States and Cuba, and the centerpiece is a decorative poncho from Mexico.

Produced and mixed by Jack Flash at Rockwell Studios in Chicago, and mastered by the award-winning Slavic Livins from Chicago Audio Mastering, the song’s production quality is top-notch. Additionally, a music video for “VAS A CAER” is set to drop soon, filmed by Chicago-based filmmakers Tripp the God from 432 Production Studio and JBow tha Camera God. The video beautifully captures the urban landscape of Chicago alongside the scenic fjords of Oslo.

“VAS A CAER” is available for streaming on Spotify, iTunes, and all other major platforms. Click here to listen to the track.

About Popkanon:
Popkanon is a songwriting and production collective founded in 2020 by Paal Bay Braathen, Morten Collier Gabrielsen, and Tomas Jensen. Their mission is to inspire and excite fans through their music, working with both emerging and established artists to create songs that transcend cultures and genres.

Popkanon
Popkanon Sounds LLC
sounds@popkanon.com
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok
X
Other

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Posted in Cultural | Leave a comment

Solidarity event in Mexico: For Cuba and against the US blockade

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Anthony Brenner

Mexico City, May 3 (Prensa Latina) The 29th National Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba opened its doors today in Mexico, with calls to take action against the blockade imposed by the United States and to highlight the achievements of the island’s medical brigades.

At the opening of the two-day event in this capital, convened by the Mexican Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, Nelson Ocaña, Counselor at the Havana Embassy here, considered these events to be spaces for the articulation of solidarity at the regional level.

They also allow for impactful actions to be projected in response to the Washington-led siege against the people of the Caribbean nation and the island’s inclusion on “the arbitrary and unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism.”

The diplomat referred to the complex situation currently facing President Donald Trump, who during his first administration implemented a policy of maximum pressure, reinforcing the blockade with 243 additional measures, following his return to the White House for his second term.

“Since January 20, 2025, it has reversed previous easing of sanctions and reinstated economic and immigration sanctions. The new US approach seeks by all means to cut off sources of financing and intensify the genocidal blockade,” he noted.

Among the new measures are the updating and expansion of the list of restricted Cuban entities, the reactivation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, and the maximum limitation on the granting of visas for cultural, sports, academic, scientific, and other exchanges.

In addition, it decreed the restriction and suspension of visas for people linked to Cuban international cooperation programs, particularly those related to health.

“By threatening to deny visas to foreign officials, the United States government is trying to sabotage these Cuban medical missions. That’s why we cannot give up on our efforts to highlight the achievements of our wonderful army of white coats,” he emphasized.

During the opening ceremony, Julio Gerardo Padilla, a member of the Mexican Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, reaffirmed his rejection of the blockade imposed by Washington for more than six decades and the inclusion of Cuba “on the spurious and nefarious list of state sponsors of terrorism.”

“Showing solidarity with Cuba means showing solidarity with the countries of the world. These are just causes,” he emphasized.

For her part, Idania Ramos, head of Mexico at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), reaffirmed her immense gratitude toward the North American nation.

She considered the event, which began this Saturday at the Futurama Cultural Center, to have special significance as it is the prelude to the IX Continental Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, to be held from October 9 to 12 of this year, also in this capital, within the framework of the 65th anniversary of ICAP.

The event, which concludes tomorrow, is being attended by more than 230 delegates, including diplomats from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Vietnam, and representatives from organizations such as the Popular Socialist Party of Mexico, the Communist Party, the Communist Youth Front, and the Association of Cubans Residing in Mexico.

jcm/las

Posted in The Blockade? | Leave a comment

Cuba Project Brings to the Forefront the Joy of Volunteer Service to U.S. Adventists

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Anthony Brenner
Group of volunteers who served in Havana, Cuba, in April, together with student interpreters from the Adventist seminary and Maranatha leaders, at the foot of the famous Christ of Havana monument. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Marcos Paseggi,  Adventist Review – May 3, 2025

Marvin Wray was in his mid 20s when he thought he would die of a heart attack. After years of smoking and drinking, his health was in tatters. But one day Wray met a Seventh-day Adventist young woman who eventually led him to a new life in Jesus and the Adventist Church.

Now, at 78 and after more than a half century in Adventist ministry in the U.S. and overseas, on April 18 Wray was the first to volunteer to be lifted 15 feet up on the working platform of a skylift. From up there Wray, who pastors the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento, California, United States, helped sweep and scrape the walls of one of the buildings at Cuba Theological Adventist Seminary in Havana before repainting them.

“If I hadn’t met the Lord, I would probably be dead,” Wray said. “Now I have retired five times but keep going back to pastor as needed. And I can even volunteer for Maranatha!” he added, referencing supporting ministry Maranatha Volunteers International, which repairs and builds churches and schools around the world and was organizing the seminary repainting project in Cuba.

  • Volunteers move boxes with donated Bibles around inside the seminary cafeteria before applying wall putty, then sanding and repainting the building. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • John Thomas, retired General Conference associate secretary and the leader of the repainting of Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary, shares the work plan with Maranatha volunteers on April 17. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A group of Maranatha Volunteers International arrives at the working site on the campus of Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary on April 18. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A volunteer checks the inventory of tools that Maranatha and its donors brought for the seminary repainting project in Cuba. Almost every tool has been purchased abroad and sometimes sent in containers months in advance. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Volunteers move boxes with donated Bibles around inside the seminary cafeteria before applying wall putty, then sanding and repainting the building. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • John Thomas, retired General Conference associate secretary and the leader of the repainting of Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary, shares the work plan with Maranatha volunteers on April 17. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

John Thomas, retired General Conference associate secretary and the leader of the repainting of Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary, shares the work plan with Maranatha volunteers on April 17. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]


Meeting the Challenges

Marvin Wray and his wife, Ingrid, were two of approximately 30 Adventist lay professionals and retired church workers who volunteered in two projects in Havana April 17-27. In one of those projects they helped to give a new face to the seminary, which Maranatha built in mid-1990s in partnership with Adventist leaders and Cuba government officials.

Through the years Maranatha purchased a plot of land to enlarge the Adventist campus; built dorms, classrooms, and a cafeteria; and provided a state-of-the-art church building inaugurated by General Conference president Ted N. C. Wilson in 2011. Now, as an acute economic crisis sweeps the country, Maranatha has gone beyond their usual mandate and has shipped containers with food to feed the 90 young men and women who are preparing to pastor Cuba’s growing congregations. “We figured that since we had invested millions on this campus, we’d better help to keep it open,” said Maranatha president Don Noble. “And the only way of keeping the school open was to make sure students had food to eat.”

The crisis has not subsided. A recent shortage of natural gas across Cuba has forced the school cooks to resort to firewood and charcoal to cook the daily rice and beans that, together with some fresh produce, comprise most of the students and faculty diet. “Occasionally we get some gas,” a cook shared. “But most of the time we have to get up very early to get the fire going so students can have lunch.”

  • A Maranatha volunteer rolls paints one of the interior walls of the Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary cafeteria. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Two Maranatha volunteers, including Marvin Wray (right), scrape and sand the wall of one of the seminary buildings before repainting them. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Every student at Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary has mandatory hours of work. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Because of a nationwide shortage of natural gas, often the seminary cooks are forced to prepare meals in an open firewood fire so students and faculty can eat. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A Maranatha volunteer rolls paints one of the interior walls of the Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary cafeteria. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Two Maranatha volunteers, including Marvin Wray (right), scrape and sand the wall of one of the seminary buildings before repainting them. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Two Maranatha volunteers, including Marvin Wray (right), scrape and sand the wall of one of the seminary buildings before repainting them. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]


The Volunteer Model

Maranatha, which is donor-based and not part of the corporate Adventist organization, regularly invites volunteers to get involved in various kinds of mission trips around the world. Some initiatives are called “group projects”—a local Adventist church or school, for instance, gets together and lets Maranatha work on the logistics.

Other Maranatha initiatives cater to specific age groups. The popular Ultimate Workout projects take scores of 14- to 18-year-olds with chaperones to build churches and serve churches in India, Peru, or Zambia. Now in its thirty-fifth edition, it’s planning to take teenagers to build a church in Paraguay in July. Then there’s Catalyst, for 18- to 28-year- old volunteers. And popular family projects, which enlist grandparents, parents, and children in service initiatives around the world, usually around vacation times. Open projects, finally, create “impromptu” groups of volunteers who sometimes meet at the mission site for the first time. “There are different ways of getting involved,” Maranatha leaders said. “The model is not as important as the willingness to serve.”

  • La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana is one of more than 200 Adventist church buildings that Maranatha built or remodeled across Cuba. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A Maranatha volunteer power washes an exterior wall at the Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary on April 21. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A senior man who lives by the Adventist seminary campus in Havana, Cuba, tries reading glasses that Maranatha volunteers brought to distribute. The man, who lives alone, receives three free hot meals a day at the school. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Seminary staff and other neighbors could also access the free eye tests and reading glasses that Maranatha volunteers brought to distribute. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana is one of more than 200 Adventist church buildings that Maranatha built or remodeled across Cuba. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A Maranatha volunteer power washes an exterior wall at the Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary on April 21. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

A Maranatha volunteer power washes an exterior wall at the Cuba Adventist Theological Seminary on April 21. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]


Volunteering in Cuba

Serving in Cuba, however, demands specific logistical considerations. Even basic working tools are very hard to come by, so every step must be carefully considered before arriving in the country. But Maranatha has built a sound reputation after decades of organizing volunteer service trips to the most challenging places. “The key in any mission project is flexibility,” Maranatha vice president Kenneth Weiss said. “There are always ‘surprises’—things that don’t go as we had planned them. But we must adapt and go on.”

And what about volunteers? “It depends,” Weiss explained. “Every group is different. But through the years mission trips have helped develop lifelong friendships, and even some lifetime marriages.”

In the case of Cuba, the Maranatha-led initiative in April combined a group of mostly veteran volunteers for 10 days of service, led by John Thomas, retired General Conference associate secretary and former director of Adventist Volunteer Services. Some of the volunteers commented they had served in multiple Maranatha projects in four continents. (“This is my 29th volunteer project with Maranatha!” a volunteer and donor proudly announced on his first day in Cuba). Others had been in that Caribbean Island nation a dozen times since Maranatha arrived in the country in the mid-90s.

Still, there are those, including Wray and his wife, who were visiting Cuba for the first time, or volunteers who were not as acquainted with the “Maranatha model” until they arrived in Havana. “Don’t worry about how much you know about the rest of the volunteers, or your practical skill levels,” a Maranatha leader tells the group on the first organizing meeting on the eve of launching the initiative. “By the end of the project you will all know each other better. Some of you might have even become friends.”

  • Marvin Wray (left), pastor of the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento, California, United States, preaches the Word as Maranatha vice president Kenneth Weiss translates in Havana, Cuba, April 19. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Visiting Maranatha volunteers attend worship at La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, on April 19. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • A church member sings a special item together with a choir during the April 19 worship service at La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Marvin Wray (left), pastor of the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento, California, United States, preaches the Word as Maranatha vice president Kenneth Weiss translates in Havana, Cuba, April 19. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
  • Visiting Maranatha volunteers attend worship at La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, on April 19. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Visiting Maranatha volunteers attend worship at La Víbora Seventh-day Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, on April 19. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]


The Joy of Volunteering

The following day the seminary campus suddenly became a beehive of activity as volunteers started scraping and power-washing the exterior walls. Inside the cafeteria, volunteers moved boxes around before applying putty to holes and prepping the hall pillars for repainting. In a congenial mood, volunteers, some of them in their late 70s, seemed energized as they used masking tape to protect doors and windows, climb on the school chairs and ladders, and moved up to work closer to the ceiling junctures.

Outside, Thomas called for two volunteers to go up in the skylift working platform. It was then that Wray volunteered. Only hours later, when the tropical sun had reached its peak and volunteers were called to lunch, that he and his partner on the platform finally went down for a well-deserved break.

After a simple meal of rice, beans, and salad, the 78-year-old church pastor who seems unable to retire was ready to go on. “Where would I be if I hadn’t met the Lord?” he reflected. Then, giving the skylift operator a thumbs-up, he said to him, “Take me back up.”

Maranatha Volunteers International is a nonprofit supporting ministry that is not operated by the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Posted in Cultural | Leave a comment