Cuba: Fury over ‘disgusting’ windscreen stickers
Smutty windscreen stickers in taxis are unsettling Cuba’s establishment, it seems.
An editorial in Granma, the Havana government’s official newspaper, complains of “unimaginable” messages like “crazy girls have no masters,” and “young girls and alcohol are my thing” emblazoned across the island’s cars. Many of Cuba’s taxis are classic American cars, pre-dating the 1959 Communist revolution, and are a huge draw for tourists. But, for writer Felix Lopez, the experience is ruined by stickers quoting “disgusting” lyrics from reggaeton music, the blend of Caribbean beats and rap that’s popular across much of the region.
Lopez writes: “How many visitors have wondered what those messages mean? Why have local governments not issued regulations banning those types of messages?” He calls on the country’s 46,311 self-employed transportation workers to “do something useful for the society” by instead carrying messages such as “only love works wonders” and “I patch up broken hearts”. The number of licensed taxis has increased since restrictions on car use were relaxed in 2009. Granma – named after the boat in which revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro arrived on the island to topple the Batista dictatorship – is widely held to represent the ruling Communist party’s views.
PHOTO: Cuba’s classic American cars are a massive draw for tourists – GETTY IMAGES
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