Havana, Cuba
Fidel Castro gave millions of Cuban workers two days off to watch on TV as the National Assembly made the socialist system “untouchable.” The lawmakers gathered to amend the constitution and protect the system from change. The government said 8 million people—99 percent of all voters—signed petitions supporting the plan. Dissidents said Castro was countering their own drive, known as the Varela Project. Eleven thousand people signed that petition, demanding a referendum to let voters decide whether to make Cuba more democratic. Former president Jimmy Carter touted the movement during his May visit to Cuba, and President Bush promised to ease economic sanctions if the Caribbean nation embraced reform.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Mickey 17: 'charming space oddity' that's a 'sparky one-off'The Week Recommends 'Remarkable' Robert Pattinson stars in Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi comedy
-
EastEnders at 40: are soaps still relevant?Talking Point Albert Square's residents are celebrating, but falling viewer figures have fans worried the soap bubble has burst
-
What will the thaw in Russia-US relations cost Europe?Today's Big Question US determination to strike a deal with Russia over Ukraine means Europe faces 'betrayal by a long-term ally'
