Ileana Yarza es una cubana de 76 años que le escribió una carta a Barack Obama, cuando se enteró de que el Presidente estadounidense visitaría La Habana en marzo. A pocas horas de su llegada a Cuba, Obama contestó y envió su respuesta en el primer vuelo que restableció el correo postal entre Cuba y Estados Unidos, luego de casi medio siglo.
Foto: Whitehouse.gov
Escuche la conversación de Ileana Yarza con OnCuba:
La cubana invita al Presidente a tomar un café en su casa del Vedado, y él manifiesta el deseo de tener tiempo para aceptar la invitación, en la apretada agenda que ha previsto.
Entre sorprendida y feliz, sin idea de que recibiría respuesta, Ileana Yarza le dijo a OnCuba que quisiera agradecer personalmente a Obama por sus gestos, y encomendarle que termine de una vez el bloqueo a la Isla. El futuro, como lo ve Ileana, tiene que ser el que edifiquen los jóvenes sobre la base del amor, con las personas que aman y construyen.
“La historia pasa. El futuro de la humanidad no se hace con odio, sino nace del amor. Martí dijo que hay dos categorías de personas: los que odian y destruyen; y los que aman y construyen. El tiempo pasa, las ideas pasan. Las nuevas generaciones tienen su forma de ver la vida y tienen derecho a tomar decisiones. Seguir viviendo en el pasado es malo para todos, los de aquí y los de allá. Hay que vivir el presente y mirando el futuro. Así es como yo lo veo.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3pEfT3-KtU
Cartas cruzadas
Mr President,
I heard last night by telesur — not the Cuban broadcast news — that you will visit Havana in March. I could not be happier to hear this.
An American president finally taking this so much needed step, the second best one after your open admittance that the over half a century cruel embargo on this lovely, enduring and resilient little island just did not work. We Cubans believe it’s a black page on American history and geopolitics. Very sorry to say this…
Dear President Obama: I’ve followed your political career since you were running for office the first time. Then I drank to your victory at/with the CNBC Havana office that glorious night. I also celebrated your second term election with friends at home. I wish there would be a third, perhaps one day…
I’ve written you many times introducing myself. Also I have invited you to a cup of Cuban coffee at my place in Vedado, if and when you would finally come.
Please, please, do visit me. Give this 76 year old Cuban lady the gift of meeting you personally. I think there are not many Cubans so eager as I to meet you in person not as an important American personality but as a charming president whose open smile wins hearts.
Please understand I very much look forward to it.
I would also love for you to come with your wonderful, lovely wife.
God bless you son, also bless your family.
Ileana R. Yarza
……………
Dear Ileana:
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your support over the years, and I hope this note — which will reach you by way of the first direct mail flight between the United States and Cuba in over 50 years — serves as a reminder of a bright new chapter in the relationship between our two nations.
I am looking forward to visiting Havana to foster this relationship and highlight our shared values — and, hopefully, I will have time to enjoy a cup of Cuban coffee.
