A few days ago, I called a friend in Cuba to wish her a happy birthday. Her greeting had the familiar joy and ebullience characteristic of her personality. Without missing a beat, she then told me about her immediate situation. They were having another intended electricity blackout due to official plans to receive Pope Francis in late September, so electricity was being rationed while preparations were underway. The wireless landline we were talking on was working because it was connected to a temporary power source. “How long can this continue?” she asked exasperated, referring to the current blackout and to the endless problems of daily life in Cuba.

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