Dimitrov, Martin K. 2019. The Functions of Letters to the Editor in Reform- Era Cuba. Latin American Research Review 54(1), pp. 1–15. DOI: https://doi. org/10.25222/larr.232 POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The Functions of Letters to the Editor in Reform-Era Cuba Martin K. Dimitrov Tulane University, US
[email protected] On March 14, 2008, Granma started publication of a new section entitled Cartas a la dirección, which printed letters to the editor containing complaints, criticisms, and suggestions. The section rapidly grew in popularity and became the most closely read portion of the Friday paper. This essay engages with three related questions that have theoretical relevance beyond the specific case of Cuba. First, why would the flagship newspaper in a communist regime solicit citizen letters? Second, why would some of these letters be printed? And third, why would news media seek out responses to the letters and comment on unsatisfactory responses? This essay argues that in Cuba, as in other communist regimes, published complaint letters have two functions: the simple printing of select letters facilitates the collective letting off of steam, whereas the publication of responses to the letters by the authorities that were responsible for the infractions outlined in the initial complaint allows the regime to demonstrate that it takes popular input seriously. Therefore, Cartas a la dirección serves as a nonelectoral mechanism of accountability. El 14 de marzo de 2008, Granma inició la publicación de una nueva sección titulada Cartas a la dirección, que publicaba cartas conteniendo quejas, críticas y sugerencias. La sección rápidamente creció en popularidad y se convirtió en el segmento más leído del periódico del viernes.