Progreso returns to weekly format
Since the beginning of the decade of the 1990s, Francisco Aruca and a very small group of collaborators began a radio program, “Ayer en Miami (translated: Yesterday in Miami)”, where he discussed the Cuba issue, Cubans on the Island, and about emigration. The objectives were to emphasize everything that united both sides and to promote a realistic policy between Washington and Havana based on mutual respect and family unity.
That radio adventure, known as Radio Progreso, at its premise broadcasted six hours a day on Miami’s Union Radio station. [Aruca would later also add a one hour talk show in English, Babel’s Guide, which became wildly successful, but which had to be nixed when the radio station he broadcast from was suddenly sold to a mysterious group who turned it into a sports channel… right before Jeb Bush’s second gubernatorial election, a tough one against former attorney general Janet Reno.]
Then in 2001, Progreso Weekly / Semanal, a bilingual, internet-based publication was born offering articles and opinion pieces with a focus on Cuba, Miami, Washington, D.C. and our mangled relationships.
Times changed: Cuba was going through the most serious economic crisis in its history and relations with the United States reached a freezing point; Cuba defended itself, while its neighbor closed the door. At that moment Progreso Weekly / Semanal increased its presence, diversified its channels and upped its team of collaborators.
On December 17, 2014, a window of wisdom was opened giving life to the desires and expectations of many who had worked hard for this day to come. To name all persons involved in this accomplishment is almost impossible, but we allow ourselves to recognize that among the endeavored visionaries was our founder Francisco Aruca, and the media products he created like Progreso Weekly / Semanal, and Radio Progreso.
Recounting, reporting and analyzing that process on a daily basis and from both sides, became our leitmotiv since then.
But the times, faithful to the dialectic of life, changed again. Cuba is on the verge of a new historic moment, the economy of the Island shows extenuating indicators, its ally Venezuela continues in a serious sociopolitical crisis and faces the right-wing influences from most of the rest of Latin America, and the United States has closed doors again.
In this scenario Progreso Weekly understands that our aim must be refined, and that, at the same time, explaining the context of events occurring is now more vital than ever. That is why from this moment forward we will start publishing, as when we first started, once a week, in a reorganization that allows us to make better use of our knowledge, strengths and resources. And although a weekly, we will update content on our site immediately or daily when the situation requires it.
So, dear reader, wait for us every week as we keep progressing.
