Posted on Monday, 12.02.13
U.S.-Cuba money transactions could get more complicated
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuba travel agency owner Vivian Mannerud says she tried for three years
to find a bank that would hold an account for her money remittance
business, which was fully licensed by the U.S. government.
"Not one would do it. I tried several banks, and not just here, in
Nevada, in Texas. And I showed them all my licenses," said Mannerud,
owner of Miami-based Airline Brokers. All of them said no.
The difficulties in transferring funds between the U.S. and Cuba have
sparked broad concerns in the wake of M&T Bank's decision to stop
processing accounts for the Cuban diplomatic mission in Washington.
Because the bank would no longer handle its business, the Cuban
Interests Section said last week it would stop processing visa, passport
and other such requests — just as the peak holiday season for travel to
Cuba approaches.
Cuba experts say they are now starting to worry that other banks may
stop handling other Cuba transactions, such as remittances or payments
for hotel bookings and airport landing fees that are legal despite the
U.S. embargo against Cuba.
"Obviously this is creating havoc, and a heck of a mess may be on the
horizon if things don't get sorted out," said Washington attorney Robert
Muse, who closely follows the Cuba travel industry.
U.S. government officials said last week that the Buffalo-based M&T
Bank, which had a Treasury Department license to handle Cuba's accounts,
had notified clients more than a year ago that it had decided to stop
servicing all diplomatic missions.
But some supporters of easing U.S. sanctions on Havana blamed Cuba's
inclusion on the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of
international terrorism for M&T's decision.
"This banking issue is all about Cuba being on the list of state
sponsors of terrorism," Richard Feinberg, a senior fellow at the
Brookings Institution in Washington, was quoted as saying in a Reuters
wire service report last week.
But Muse said the M&T decision was due more to the profusion of U.S.
laws and regulations that require detailed reporting and cut into the
profits of all banks that handle foreign transactions — not just those
that handle Cuban accounts.
"Cuba has been on that terror list since 1982. So why, 30-plus years
later, does that designation come up just now to bite the banks in the
butt?" Muse asked. Iran, Sudan and Syria are also on the State
Department's list.
Washington attorney Lonnie Pera, who advises Cuba travel companies, said
U.S. banks are finding it too difficult to handle foreign accounts
because of the combination of laws against money laundering, fraud,
terrorist financing and other crimes.
There's the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Patriot Act, the Bank
Secrecy Act, the Antiterrorism Act of 1996 and the Trading with the
Enemy Act, which covers the half-century-old U.S. trade embargo as well
as the U.S. terror list.
"All these things impose onerous screening, record-keeping and reporting
requirements on banks," said Pera, "But many banks do not have the staff
or the technology that can perform those tasks."
Mannerud said her remittance business, now closed, had to deal with
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Controls, which enforces U.S.
sanctions on foreign countries; the Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network; the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and the
State of Florida's Office of Financial Regulation.
The three federal agencies have often conflicting requirements that
undermine the Obama Administration policy of promoting increased
contacts between the U.S. and Cuban peoples, she said, "and every year
it's been getting worse and worse."
About 476,000 Cuban residents of the United States traveled to the
island to visit relatives last year. Havana claimed another 98,000
non-Cuban Americans also went to the island on "people-to-people" trips
authorized by the Obama administration.
Tom Popper, whose New York-based Insight Cuba Company arranges
people-to-people trips, said he expects any concerns over how his
clients will pay for their visas will be fixed in a few days — likely by
having them pay in Havana rather than in Washington.
But the issue with the Cuban-Americans is more complicated because they
will need to renew their Cuban passports, and the Cuban government has
been screening them before they board planes for the island for security
reasons.
Source: "U.S.-Cuba money transactions could get more complicated - Cuba
- MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/02/3793228/us-cuba-money-transactions-could.html
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Cuba won't budge on jailed American contractor, insists on prisoner swap
Cuba won't budge on jailed American contractor, insists on prisoner swap
By Mary Murray, NBC News
Cuba's government on Wednesday continued to tie the fate of an American
contractor jailed there for four years to the release of four Cuban
spies imprisoned in the U.S. since 1998.
Responding to renewed calls for Havana to free 64-year-old American
contractor Alan Gross, Director General of Cuba's Foreign Ministry,
Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, said in a statement that the government is open
to negotiations for a swap of prisoners.
"The Cuban government reiterates its readiness to immediately establish
a dialogue with the United States government to find a solution to the
case of Mr. Gross on a reciprocal basis, and which addresses the
humanitarian concerns of Cuba relating to the case of the four Cuban
anti-terrorist fighters in prison in the United States," she said.
Ferreiro was referring to four remaining members of the "Cuban Five"
held in U.S. prisons after being convicted of conspiracy to commit
espionage and other charges in 1998. The prisoners -- Gerardo Hernández,
Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González -- are national
heroes in Cuba, and the governments of Raul Castro and Fidel Castro
before him have made winning their freedom a priority. The fifth member
of the group, René González, was released in October 2011 and
subsequently returned to Cuba.
"(The Cuban prisoners) … serve long and unjust prison sentences for
crimes they did not commit and which were never proved," Ferreiro said
in the statement. "Their imprisonment has a high human cost to them and
their families. They have not seen their children grow, they have lost
mothers, fathers and brothers, face health problems, and have been
separated from their families and their homeland for over 15 years now."
Gross, an Agency for International Development contractor, was arrested
on Dec. 3, 2009, and accused of smuggling sophisticated satellite and
other telecommunications equipment to Cuba's tiny Jewish community.
Gross has said he was only trying to increase internet access in Cuba.
But he was convicted by a Cuban court in March 2011 of crimes "against
the independence and territorial integrity of the state" and sentenced
to 15 years.
Since then, he has lost more than 100 pounds in the Cuban prison where
he is being held, according to his wife, Judy, and supporters.
President Barack Obama's spokesman, the U.S. State Department and 66
U.S. senators used the fourth anniversary of Gross' arrest on Tuesday to
urge Cuba to free him.
"Mr. Gross is a 64-year-old husband, father, and dedicated professional
with a long history of providing aid to underserved communities in more
than 50 countries," the State Department said in a statement Monday. "We
reiterate our call on the Cuban government, echoing foreign leaders and
even Cuba's allies, to release Alan Gross immediately and unconditionally."
Gross also marked the anniversary, penning a letter to Obama pleading
for his "personal involvement" to secure his release.
Source: "Cuba won't budge on jailed American contractor, insists on
prisoner swap - Investigations" -
http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/04/21759843-cuba-wont-budge-on-jailed-american-contractor-insists-on-prisoner-swap
By Mary Murray, NBC News
Cuba's government on Wednesday continued to tie the fate of an American
contractor jailed there for four years to the release of four Cuban
spies imprisoned in the U.S. since 1998.
Responding to renewed calls for Havana to free 64-year-old American
contractor Alan Gross, Director General of Cuba's Foreign Ministry,
Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, said in a statement that the government is open
to negotiations for a swap of prisoners.
"The Cuban government reiterates its readiness to immediately establish
a dialogue with the United States government to find a solution to the
case of Mr. Gross on a reciprocal basis, and which addresses the
humanitarian concerns of Cuba relating to the case of the four Cuban
anti-terrorist fighters in prison in the United States," she said.
Ferreiro was referring to four remaining members of the "Cuban Five"
held in U.S. prisons after being convicted of conspiracy to commit
espionage and other charges in 1998. The prisoners -- Gerardo Hernández,
Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González -- are national
heroes in Cuba, and the governments of Raul Castro and Fidel Castro
before him have made winning their freedom a priority. The fifth member
of the group, René González, was released in October 2011 and
subsequently returned to Cuba.
"(The Cuban prisoners) … serve long and unjust prison sentences for
crimes they did not commit and which were never proved," Ferreiro said
in the statement. "Their imprisonment has a high human cost to them and
their families. They have not seen their children grow, they have lost
mothers, fathers and brothers, face health problems, and have been
separated from their families and their homeland for over 15 years now."
Gross, an Agency for International Development contractor, was arrested
on Dec. 3, 2009, and accused of smuggling sophisticated satellite and
other telecommunications equipment to Cuba's tiny Jewish community.
Gross has said he was only trying to increase internet access in Cuba.
But he was convicted by a Cuban court in March 2011 of crimes "against
the independence and territorial integrity of the state" and sentenced
to 15 years.
Since then, he has lost more than 100 pounds in the Cuban prison where
he is being held, according to his wife, Judy, and supporters.
President Barack Obama's spokesman, the U.S. State Department and 66
U.S. senators used the fourth anniversary of Gross' arrest on Tuesday to
urge Cuba to free him.
"Mr. Gross is a 64-year-old husband, father, and dedicated professional
with a long history of providing aid to underserved communities in more
than 50 countries," the State Department said in a statement Monday. "We
reiterate our call on the Cuban government, echoing foreign leaders and
even Cuba's allies, to release Alan Gross immediately and unconditionally."
Gross also marked the anniversary, penning a letter to Obama pleading
for his "personal involvement" to secure his release.
Source: "Cuba won't budge on jailed American contractor, insists on
prisoner swap - Investigations" -
http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/04/21759843-cuba-wont-budge-on-jailed-american-contractor-insists-on-prisoner-swap
What to Make of the Cuba Handshake
What to Make of the Cuba Handshake
Posted: 12/12/2013 9:59 am
For as much as the media made of the handshake between President Obama
and Cuban President Raul Castro, it's not nearly as juicy as other
aspects of the U.S.-Cuba relationship.
The handshake itself is small potatoes. President Obama was right not to
have snubbed a handshake at a memorial for Nelson Mandela, which would
have turned into an even bigger story.
The reality is that there are much more important developments in the
U.S.-Cuba relationship, and strong potential for principled engagement
to further benefit the Cuban people and America's national interest.
As for the current situation, David Adams of Reuters reports that there
appears to be a new climate of pragmatism in the bilateral relationship
on issues ranging from granting asylum to Edward Snowden to resuming
direct mail service. In Bali last week, I watched as new World Trade
Organization Director-General Roberto Azevedo deftly helped Cuba and the
United States work out a compromise in a business-like manner to smooth
passage of a major trade pact, which was characterized by less-caustic
rhetoric and without the kind of posturing than has historically been
associated with U.S.-Cuba interactions.
To the extent that a business-like atmosphere can persist between the
two countries, there are other areas where principled U.S. engagement
can achieve real results. In particular, further changes to U.S. policy
could help support the kinds of entrepreneurs and small businesses that
are emerging in Cuba. Beyond pursuing discrete bilateral talks on issues
like mail service and emergency response, further relaxing licensing
requirements for travel to Cuba could enable more Americans to support
entrepreneurs there. The administration could get even more creative,
licensing internet platforms and financial service and shipping
providers to offer Cuban entrepreneurs an opportunity to market and sell
their products to U.S. consumers.
While Congress has enacted laws that limit the ability to get rid of the
embargo in its entirety, the president has significant leeway under his
licensing authority to get creative to support the Cuban people.
Last month, in cooperation with the Center for Democracy in the
Americas, the National Foreign Trade Council hosted several Cuban
entrepreneurs, including the owner of a family-owned restaurant and the
owners of Nostalgicar, a Havana-based service that rents out classic
Chevys to visitors. Both of these businesses would benefit tremendously
from the increased flows of Americans that could result from more
purposeful trips to Cuba, and there are many others that would be
empowered by the kind of access to the global digital marketplace that
the United States could enable.
Source: "What to Make of the Cuba Handshake | Jake Colvin" -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jake-colvin/what-to-make-of-the-cuba-_b_4428187.html
Posted: 12/12/2013 9:59 am
For as much as the media made of the handshake between President Obama
and Cuban President Raul Castro, it's not nearly as juicy as other
aspects of the U.S.-Cuba relationship.
The handshake itself is small potatoes. President Obama was right not to
have snubbed a handshake at a memorial for Nelson Mandela, which would
have turned into an even bigger story.
The reality is that there are much more important developments in the
U.S.-Cuba relationship, and strong potential for principled engagement
to further benefit the Cuban people and America's national interest.
As for the current situation, David Adams of Reuters reports that there
appears to be a new climate of pragmatism in the bilateral relationship
on issues ranging from granting asylum to Edward Snowden to resuming
direct mail service. In Bali last week, I watched as new World Trade
Organization Director-General Roberto Azevedo deftly helped Cuba and the
United States work out a compromise in a business-like manner to smooth
passage of a major trade pact, which was characterized by less-caustic
rhetoric and without the kind of posturing than has historically been
associated with U.S.-Cuba interactions.
To the extent that a business-like atmosphere can persist between the
two countries, there are other areas where principled U.S. engagement
can achieve real results. In particular, further changes to U.S. policy
could help support the kinds of entrepreneurs and small businesses that
are emerging in Cuba. Beyond pursuing discrete bilateral talks on issues
like mail service and emergency response, further relaxing licensing
requirements for travel to Cuba could enable more Americans to support
entrepreneurs there. The administration could get even more creative,
licensing internet platforms and financial service and shipping
providers to offer Cuban entrepreneurs an opportunity to market and sell
their products to U.S. consumers.
While Congress has enacted laws that limit the ability to get rid of the
embargo in its entirety, the president has significant leeway under his
licensing authority to get creative to support the Cuban people.
Last month, in cooperation with the Center for Democracy in the
Americas, the National Foreign Trade Council hosted several Cuban
entrepreneurs, including the owner of a family-owned restaurant and the
owners of Nostalgicar, a Havana-based service that rents out classic
Chevys to visitors. Both of these businesses would benefit tremendously
from the increased flows of Americans that could result from more
purposeful trips to Cuba, and there are many others that would be
empowered by the kind of access to the global digital marketplace that
the United States could enable.
Source: "What to Make of the Cuba Handshake | Jake Colvin" -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jake-colvin/what-to-make-of-the-cuba-_b_4428187.html
Cuba’s American hostage
Posted on Monday, 12.09.13
MIAMI HERALD | EDITORIAL
Cuba's American hostage
OUR OPINION: Alan Gross should not be swapped for Cuban spies
HERALDED@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Alan Gross began his fifth year as a prisoner of Cuba's unjust "justice"
system last week, a symbol of the continuing estrangement between that
island nation and the United States, and, more important, the
fundamentally unchanged nature of the governing regime.
Mr. Gross, for anyone who needs reminding, is a 64-year-old husband and
father who was surprisingly detained in December of 2009 by Cuban
authorities. He was summarily tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison
for the "crime" of delivering a portable computer and a cellphone to
Cuba's small and isolated Jewish community, an action not normally
considered a crime except by a handful of repressive regimes around the
world, including, of course, Cuba.
Since his arrest, Mr. Gross has lost more than 100 pounds. He suffers
from degenerative arthritis and his health continues to deteriorate.
Even worse is the emotional toll that four years of incarceration and
separation have taken on him and his family. For these reasons — and
because his severe punishment is in no way commensurate with his alleged
transgression — he should be released immediately and unconditionally.
On the anniversary of his arrest, Mr. Gross' wife, Judy, made a dramatic
plea for President Obama to "do whatever it takes to bring Alan home."
The Obama administration, for its part, has said, without releasing
details, that it is holding behind-the-scenes talks with the Cubans on
the topic, even though officials have repeatedly called for his release
without the need for negotiations.
Unfortunately, the Cuban government has other plans. Where the rest of
the world sees a victim of an arbitrary and unfair government, Cuba's
leaders see a human pawn that can be used to advance their own selfish
political objectives.
The regime said last week that it was ready to hold talks over Mr.
Gross' freedom, but that any such dialogue must include the situation of
the four imprisoned spies who have been held in this country since 1998.
In fact, the Cuban government has repeatedly declared that it would be
prepared to exchange Mr. Gross for the four so-called "anti-terrorist
fighters" in U.S. jails.
The Obama administration would be wrong to give in to this blackmail
because the two cases are totally distinct. Alan Gross is a hostage; the
Cubans committed espionage. The four Cuban spies (a fifth was released
after completing his sentence and now lives in Cuba) were sentenced for
spying not on Cuban exile organizations, but on U.S. military
installations and for their part in the downing of airplanes belonging
to Brothers to the Rescue in 1996.
Mr. Gross, in contrast, was arrested when he was sent as a private
contractor by USAID with equipment that could be used by Cuba's tiny
Jewish community to connect to the Internet. The Cubans were involved in
espionage activities that had fatal consequences. Alan Gross was part of
an effort to increase the freedom of communication — which may be a
crime in Cuba, but not in the rest of the civilized world. The two cases
could not be more different.
Mr. Gross' wife has pleaded that he should not be left to die in prison.
Releasing him would be the humanitarian thing to do, especially
considering he committed no crime. It's up to the Cuban government to
demonstrate that it's capable, just this once, of doing the right thing.
Source: "Cuba's American hostage - Editorials - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/09/3808805/cubas-american-hostage.html
MIAMI HERALD | EDITORIAL
Cuba's American hostage
OUR OPINION: Alan Gross should not be swapped for Cuban spies
HERALDED@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Alan Gross began his fifth year as a prisoner of Cuba's unjust "justice"
system last week, a symbol of the continuing estrangement between that
island nation and the United States, and, more important, the
fundamentally unchanged nature of the governing regime.
Mr. Gross, for anyone who needs reminding, is a 64-year-old husband and
father who was surprisingly detained in December of 2009 by Cuban
authorities. He was summarily tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison
for the "crime" of delivering a portable computer and a cellphone to
Cuba's small and isolated Jewish community, an action not normally
considered a crime except by a handful of repressive regimes around the
world, including, of course, Cuba.
Since his arrest, Mr. Gross has lost more than 100 pounds. He suffers
from degenerative arthritis and his health continues to deteriorate.
Even worse is the emotional toll that four years of incarceration and
separation have taken on him and his family. For these reasons — and
because his severe punishment is in no way commensurate with his alleged
transgression — he should be released immediately and unconditionally.
On the anniversary of his arrest, Mr. Gross' wife, Judy, made a dramatic
plea for President Obama to "do whatever it takes to bring Alan home."
The Obama administration, for its part, has said, without releasing
details, that it is holding behind-the-scenes talks with the Cubans on
the topic, even though officials have repeatedly called for his release
without the need for negotiations.
Unfortunately, the Cuban government has other plans. Where the rest of
the world sees a victim of an arbitrary and unfair government, Cuba's
leaders see a human pawn that can be used to advance their own selfish
political objectives.
The regime said last week that it was ready to hold talks over Mr.
Gross' freedom, but that any such dialogue must include the situation of
the four imprisoned spies who have been held in this country since 1998.
In fact, the Cuban government has repeatedly declared that it would be
prepared to exchange Mr. Gross for the four so-called "anti-terrorist
fighters" in U.S. jails.
The Obama administration would be wrong to give in to this blackmail
because the two cases are totally distinct. Alan Gross is a hostage; the
Cubans committed espionage. The four Cuban spies (a fifth was released
after completing his sentence and now lives in Cuba) were sentenced for
spying not on Cuban exile organizations, but on U.S. military
installations and for their part in the downing of airplanes belonging
to Brothers to the Rescue in 1996.
Mr. Gross, in contrast, was arrested when he was sent as a private
contractor by USAID with equipment that could be used by Cuba's tiny
Jewish community to connect to the Internet. The Cubans were involved in
espionage activities that had fatal consequences. Alan Gross was part of
an effort to increase the freedom of communication — which may be a
crime in Cuba, but not in the rest of the civilized world. The two cases
could not be more different.
Mr. Gross' wife has pleaded that he should not be left to die in prison.
Releasing him would be the humanitarian thing to do, especially
considering he committed no crime. It's up to the Cuban government to
demonstrate that it's capable, just this once, of doing the right thing.
Source: "Cuba's American hostage - Editorials - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/09/3808805/cubas-american-hostage.html
Russia gives Cuba debt bailout
Russia gives Cuba debt bailout
Dec 13, 2013 By W. Alejandro Sanchez
In a major development in Cuban foreign affairs (more meaningful than
the recent feature story of a handshake between President Obama and
President Castro), the Russian Federation has forgiven 90% of Cuba's
debt with Moscow. The agreement, which was announced this past Tuesday,
December 10, means that the debt has been reduced from $32 billion to
$3.2 billion.
Moscow-Havana Relations
Throughout the Cold War, the Cuban regime (then under the rule of the
iconic Fidel Castro) was the Soviet Union's closest ally in the Western
Hemisphere, which translated into Moscow providing significant amounts
of economic and military assistance to the Castro Regime.
Nevertheless, the dissolution of the USSR and its economic meltdown
meant that Havana could no longer support the Cuban economy.
Unsurprisingly, the Cuban economy collapsed and a harsh period of
austerity followed. The 1990s are known in Cuba as the "lost decade."
In recent years, Cuba's economy has slowly improved while the Castro
brothers, particularly Raul, have made timid attempts at liberalizing
the economy, allowing for the growth of a middle class and the private
ownership of businesses.
In 2007, this author published a comprehensive analysis in the academic
journal Cuban Affairs, in which Cuban-Russian relations were discussed
in the post-Cold War era. In the article, I argued that Russia's
relations with Cuba in modern times resembled a capitalist relationship
more than an ideological one.
In other words, Russia will gladly provide Cuba with whatever goods and
services it needs, so long as Havana has the finances to pay for them.
The era of major financial assistance based on grounds of a common
political ideology between the two countries is over.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spelled out as much in his July 2012
meeting with President Castro in Moscow.
Putin stated that "our relations have gone through various periods […]
Today, they are becoming more pragmatic [...]" The lack of a common
ideology notwithstanding, friendliness between the two governments does
exist. Moreover, Russia wants to capitalize in the near future off the
still Moscow-friendly (and Washington-indifferent) government in Havana.
This is perhaps best exemplified by the diplomatic meetings that Russian
officials routinely make to the Caribbean island; take, for example,
Putin's visit to Cuba in 2001. This trip was memorable because the
Russian leader closed Russia's radar base in Lourdes, which had been a
beacon of USSR espionage operations on the U.S. during the Cold War.
More recently, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the island this
past February, in which the debt deal was discussed.
Additionally, two Russian warships, the "Moskva" and the "Vice Admiral
Kulakov," docked in Havana's port this past August as part of a mission
to improve bilateral security ties.
As for trade initiatives, the Russian news agency Russia Today praised
bilateral ties, stating "Cuba remains a strong ally of Russia, with
trade between the two countries at about $200 million last year."
In other words, while Cuban-Russian relations over the past decade can
at most be described as "modest," as no major initiatives have been
orchestrated (apart from the debt deal), Havana has not been fully
forgotten by Moscow.
Future Expectations
The question now becomes: how should the Russian-Cuban agreement be
interpreted? Cuba now has a decade to pay off the remaining three
billion. Under the new debt deal, Cuba will have to pay $320 million
annually for the next decade.
This amount is still quite significant for the Cuban economy. The
country's 2012 GDP was estimated at around $121 billion (according to
the CIA Factbook), so this new debt is much more manageable.
To be fair, it should be noted that Cuba still owes billions in foreign
debt to other nations and the Cuban government is trying to improve its
international financial credibility by re-structuring its debt.
If Raul Castro does leave the Cuban presidency in 2018, thanks to these
deals, he will leave the next generation of Cuban leaders a country in a
better economic situation.
The Russian legislative will now have to vote on the deal, probably
early in 2014. Given that President Putin seems to approve it, there is
no reason to believe that Putin's Duma will not follow suit.
With that said, it is necessary to wonder if this deal has additional
elements that have not been made public. Offshore oil exploration is the
first thing that comes to mind.
For years, several companies, including Russia's Zarubezhneft, have been
searching for oil in Cuba's waters, but nothing has been found so far.
It is widely regarded that if major quantities of oil are found, this
could be a game changer for the Cuban economy and will make the company
in charge of extraction very rich.
Russia's pardoning of most of Cuba's debt could be a sign of greater
things to come and a more lasting Russian influence in the Caribbean
state, apart from dollars and cents in debt.
Source: "Russia gives Cuba debt bailout | Voxxi" -
http://voxxi.com/2013/12/13/russia-gives-cuba-debt-bailout/
Dec 13, 2013 By W. Alejandro Sanchez
In a major development in Cuban foreign affairs (more meaningful than
the recent feature story of a handshake between President Obama and
President Castro), the Russian Federation has forgiven 90% of Cuba's
debt with Moscow. The agreement, which was announced this past Tuesday,
December 10, means that the debt has been reduced from $32 billion to
$3.2 billion.
Moscow-Havana Relations
Throughout the Cold War, the Cuban regime (then under the rule of the
iconic Fidel Castro) was the Soviet Union's closest ally in the Western
Hemisphere, which translated into Moscow providing significant amounts
of economic and military assistance to the Castro Regime.
Nevertheless, the dissolution of the USSR and its economic meltdown
meant that Havana could no longer support the Cuban economy.
Unsurprisingly, the Cuban economy collapsed and a harsh period of
austerity followed. The 1990s are known in Cuba as the "lost decade."
In recent years, Cuba's economy has slowly improved while the Castro
brothers, particularly Raul, have made timid attempts at liberalizing
the economy, allowing for the growth of a middle class and the private
ownership of businesses.
In 2007, this author published a comprehensive analysis in the academic
journal Cuban Affairs, in which Cuban-Russian relations were discussed
in the post-Cold War era. In the article, I argued that Russia's
relations with Cuba in modern times resembled a capitalist relationship
more than an ideological one.
In other words, Russia will gladly provide Cuba with whatever goods and
services it needs, so long as Havana has the finances to pay for them.
The era of major financial assistance based on grounds of a common
political ideology between the two countries is over.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spelled out as much in his July 2012
meeting with President Castro in Moscow.
Putin stated that "our relations have gone through various periods […]
Today, they are becoming more pragmatic [...]" The lack of a common
ideology notwithstanding, friendliness between the two governments does
exist. Moreover, Russia wants to capitalize in the near future off the
still Moscow-friendly (and Washington-indifferent) government in Havana.
This is perhaps best exemplified by the diplomatic meetings that Russian
officials routinely make to the Caribbean island; take, for example,
Putin's visit to Cuba in 2001. This trip was memorable because the
Russian leader closed Russia's radar base in Lourdes, which had been a
beacon of USSR espionage operations on the U.S. during the Cold War.
More recently, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the island this
past February, in which the debt deal was discussed.
Additionally, two Russian warships, the "Moskva" and the "Vice Admiral
Kulakov," docked in Havana's port this past August as part of a mission
to improve bilateral security ties.
As for trade initiatives, the Russian news agency Russia Today praised
bilateral ties, stating "Cuba remains a strong ally of Russia, with
trade between the two countries at about $200 million last year."
In other words, while Cuban-Russian relations over the past decade can
at most be described as "modest," as no major initiatives have been
orchestrated (apart from the debt deal), Havana has not been fully
forgotten by Moscow.
Future Expectations
The question now becomes: how should the Russian-Cuban agreement be
interpreted? Cuba now has a decade to pay off the remaining three
billion. Under the new debt deal, Cuba will have to pay $320 million
annually for the next decade.
This amount is still quite significant for the Cuban economy. The
country's 2012 GDP was estimated at around $121 billion (according to
the CIA Factbook), so this new debt is much more manageable.
To be fair, it should be noted that Cuba still owes billions in foreign
debt to other nations and the Cuban government is trying to improve its
international financial credibility by re-structuring its debt.
If Raul Castro does leave the Cuban presidency in 2018, thanks to these
deals, he will leave the next generation of Cuban leaders a country in a
better economic situation.
The Russian legislative will now have to vote on the deal, probably
early in 2014. Given that President Putin seems to approve it, there is
no reason to believe that Putin's Duma will not follow suit.
With that said, it is necessary to wonder if this deal has additional
elements that have not been made public. Offshore oil exploration is the
first thing that comes to mind.
For years, several companies, including Russia's Zarubezhneft, have been
searching for oil in Cuba's waters, but nothing has been found so far.
It is widely regarded that if major quantities of oil are found, this
could be a game changer for the Cuban economy and will make the company
in charge of extraction very rich.
Russia's pardoning of most of Cuba's debt could be a sign of greater
things to come and a more lasting Russian influence in the Caribbean
state, apart from dollars and cents in debt.
Source: "Russia gives Cuba debt bailout | Voxxi" -
http://voxxi.com/2013/12/13/russia-gives-cuba-debt-bailout/
'Floating university' carrying US students arrives in Cuba
'Floating university' carrying US students arrives in Cuba
Rob Lovitt NBC News contributor
Dec. 9, 2013 at 4:38 PM ET
While Cuba remains off-limits to most U.S. travelers, the arrival of a
ship full of American college students in Havana on Monday is being
greeted as a milestone event in the half-century of contentious
relations between the two countries.
Operated by the Institute for Shipboard Education at the University of
Virginia, the MV Explorer will spend three days in the communist-run
country as part of the Institute's Semester at Sea program, arriving
nine years after its last visit.
"It's a unique opportunity for the students to see the country and
interact with locals," said Lauren Judge, the Institute's director of
public affairs. "This is also our 50th anniversary voyage, so it's a
milestone for the program."
The voyage, which started in August, offers 568 students a combination
of onboard academic classes and visits to 15 countries over the course
of a 115-day sailing.
Cuba wasn't originally on the itinerary, but when the Institute received
a U.S. Treasury license allowing a visit to the island-nation in May,
the organization decided to make a stop.
"The voyage was set to end in Fort Lauderdale, so we were able to add
Cuba since we'd be going right near there," said Judge.
That hasn't been an option since 2004, when the U.S. government
suspended most American travel to Cuba, five years after previous
restrictions had been loosened under the auspices of "people to people"
exchange programs designed to promote cross-cultural relations between
Americans and Cubans.
That suspension was lifted in early 2011 and officially sanctioned trips
— for example, those not dependent on traveling to Cuba via a third
country — resumed that summer.
"It's always a positive outcome when you have foreigners go to a country
where there's been little exchange," said Tom Popper, president of
Insight Cuba, a leading provider of people-to-people travel to Cuba.
"It's an incredible experience for Americans to travel to a country that
maybe they've only read about, and the opportunity for Cubans to meet
Americans is uplifting for them."
For the students on board the MV Explorer, those interactions will
include visits with Cuban families in a Havana barrio, tours of coffee
and tobacco plantations and the chance to experience salsa dancing,
local arts and a professional baseball game.
Along the way, they may also gain a better understanding of the history
that's defined U.S.-Cuba relations over the last half-century.
"Students look at Cuba through a completely different lens [than older
people]," said Popper. "A lot of us experienced the Cuban Missile
Crisis, the Bay of Pigs as they unfolded. For these guys, those events
are found in history books."
Today, says Popper, they're traveling during a time of significant
change, both in terms of U.S. policy toward Cuba and life on the island
itself.
"These kids have a different perspective growing up and may provide a
different perspective to people on the island," said Popper. "And young
people are the ones who facilitate change on so many levels."
Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is
as important as the destination.
Source: "'Floating university' carrying US students arrives in Cuba -
NBC News.com" -
http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/floating-university-carrying-us-students-arrives-cuba-2D11717411
Rob Lovitt NBC News contributor
Dec. 9, 2013 at 4:38 PM ET
While Cuba remains off-limits to most U.S. travelers, the arrival of a
ship full of American college students in Havana on Monday is being
greeted as a milestone event in the half-century of contentious
relations between the two countries.
Operated by the Institute for Shipboard Education at the University of
Virginia, the MV Explorer will spend three days in the communist-run
country as part of the Institute's Semester at Sea program, arriving
nine years after its last visit.
"It's a unique opportunity for the students to see the country and
interact with locals," said Lauren Judge, the Institute's director of
public affairs. "This is also our 50th anniversary voyage, so it's a
milestone for the program."
The voyage, which started in August, offers 568 students a combination
of onboard academic classes and visits to 15 countries over the course
of a 115-day sailing.
Cuba wasn't originally on the itinerary, but when the Institute received
a U.S. Treasury license allowing a visit to the island-nation in May,
the organization decided to make a stop.
"The voyage was set to end in Fort Lauderdale, so we were able to add
Cuba since we'd be going right near there," said Judge.
That hasn't been an option since 2004, when the U.S. government
suspended most American travel to Cuba, five years after previous
restrictions had been loosened under the auspices of "people to people"
exchange programs designed to promote cross-cultural relations between
Americans and Cubans.
That suspension was lifted in early 2011 and officially sanctioned trips
— for example, those not dependent on traveling to Cuba via a third
country — resumed that summer.
"It's always a positive outcome when you have foreigners go to a country
where there's been little exchange," said Tom Popper, president of
Insight Cuba, a leading provider of people-to-people travel to Cuba.
"It's an incredible experience for Americans to travel to a country that
maybe they've only read about, and the opportunity for Cubans to meet
Americans is uplifting for them."
For the students on board the MV Explorer, those interactions will
include visits with Cuban families in a Havana barrio, tours of coffee
and tobacco plantations and the chance to experience salsa dancing,
local arts and a professional baseball game.
Along the way, they may also gain a better understanding of the history
that's defined U.S.-Cuba relations over the last half-century.
"Students look at Cuba through a completely different lens [than older
people]," said Popper. "A lot of us experienced the Cuban Missile
Crisis, the Bay of Pigs as they unfolded. For these guys, those events
are found in history books."
Today, says Popper, they're traveling during a time of significant
change, both in terms of U.S. policy toward Cuba and life on the island
itself.
"These kids have a different perspective growing up and may provide a
different perspective to people on the island," said Popper. "And young
people are the ones who facilitate change on so many levels."
Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is
as important as the destination.
Source: "'Floating university' carrying US students arrives in Cuba -
NBC News.com" -
http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/floating-university-carrying-us-students-arrives-cuba-2D11717411
In Cuba’s Press, Streets and Living Rooms, Glimmers of Openness to Criticism
In Cuba's Press, Streets and Living Rooms, Glimmers of Openness to Criticism
By VICTORIA BURNETT
Published: December 7, 2013
MEXICO CITY — It is a rare day in Cuba when the Communist Party's
triumphalist newspaper suggests that the government — just maybe —
messed up. Or when the party's chief ideologist renounces government
secrecy. Or a salsa star, performing at an official concert, calls for
the freedom to vote and to smoke marijuana.
But such gestures of openness are becoming more common.
Glasnost it is not, say Cuban intellectuals and analysts. But glimpses
of candor in the official news media and audacious criticism from people
who, publicly at least, support the revolution suggest widening
tolerance of a more frank, if circumscribed, discussion of the country's
problems.
"There is more space for debate," said Armando Chaguaceda, a Cuban
political scientist and blogger who lives in Mexico. "People are more
outspoken."
For decades, Cuba's garrulous citizens discussed politics sotto voce and
barely referred to Fidel and Raúl Castro by name, even in their own
living rooms.
But in recent years, especially in Havana, Cubans have begun talking
more openly about the economy, the political leadership and the
restrictions they resent. As they taste new freedoms and, increasingly,
discuss their problems online, they are pushing the boundary between
what can and cannot be said.
"What people can get away with has changed," said Ted Henken, a
professor at the City University of New York.
Much of this comes down to President Raúl Castro's style, said Carlos
Alberto Pérez, a self-described "revolutionary" blogger. Since Mr.
Castro took over from his ailing brother in 2006, he has invited Cubans
to give their opinions on the economy and called on the state-run news
media to be more incisive.
"People in Cuba want to debate, argue, listen and be listened to," said
Mr. Pérez, whose website covers issues ranging from the difficulty of
getting a body cremated to public transport.
Overhauls allowing limited private-sector activity and more freedom to
travel have loosened the state's grip on Cubans' lives and led them to
question more openly a political system that has kept the same people in
power for more than five decades.
In September, the Catholic Bishops' Conference made a bold, if oblique,
bid for a more democratic system, calling in a pastoral letter for an
"updating" of the political model and saying Cuba should be a "plural"
society.
Meanwhile, the Internet — despite being out of reach for most Cubans —
has broken the state's monopoly on information and allowed for a
spectrum of opinion, bloggers and analysts say. Bloggers, including many
who support the Communist system, have written about economic
mismanagement, the timidity of changes, corruption, bureaucracy, the
lack of Internet connectivity and the passivity of the state-run news
media. Blogs and Facebook posts often spur streams of blunt online comment.
"It's revealing that people who are supposedly on the inside are making
the same criticisms as people on the outside," Professor Henken said.
There are still limits. While the government preaches frankness, it
continues to crush opposition, and those who step over the fickle line
between loyal criticism and dissent risk ostracism, loss of employment,
harassment or jail.
The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an
independent group that tracks treatment of activists, said there were
761 short-term arrests of dissidents in November, one of the highest
figures in the past two years. And in October, five independent
journalists were detained for several days, according to Reporters
Without Borders.
"It's ambiguous," said Mr. Chaguaceda, the political scientist. "It
depends who you are, how you say things, where you say them."
In the middle of a nationally televised concert in September, the jazz
singer Robertico Carcassés surprised the nation by calling for the right
to elect the president, the legalization of marijuana and freedom of
information. Even more shocking was the authorities' reaction: After
barring Mr. Carcassés from performing in state-owned venues, meaning
most of them, they backed down after Silvio Rodríguez, a famous
revolutionary singer, stuck up for his colleague's right to speak out.
The state-run media, which comprises virtually all press, television and
radio in Cuba, has publicly embraced what it calls the "battle against
secretiveness" and made efforts, however tepid, to shake up its
coverage. In September, the state-run television news introduced a
segment, "Cuba Dice," or Cuba Says, in which Cubans on the street are
interviewed about issues including alcoholism, housing problems and the
high price of fruit and vegetables.
In October, Col. Rolando Alfonso Borges, chief of ideology for the
Communist Party, told a summit meeting of the Cuban Journalists' Union
that the party rejected secrecy. Last month, Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez,
first vice president of the Council of State, met with journalists in
the provinces to urge them to be more polemical.
In a highly unusual show of flexibility, Granma, the party's official
newspaper, wrote in November that public opinion seemed to be against a
recent ban on private 3-D cinemas. Noting the "rich" online debate, the
article said Cubans supported regulating and reopening the movie
theaters and hinted that the decision might be reversed.
Indeed, blogs have won high-level readers. The reform-minded blog La
Joven Cuba was blocked for several months last year after it published
several critical articles. These days, however, "we bump into officials,
and they tell us, 'Oh, I was just reading your article,' " said Harold
Cárdenas Lema, 28, one of the blog's founders.
The Internet, coupled with greater traffic between the island and the
Cuban diaspora, has smudged the divisions that have defined life in Cuba
since Fidel Castro's 1961 dictum, "Within the revolution, everything;
against the revolution, nothing."
"Cuba is a country where for years there was nothing but extremes," Mr.
Cárdenas Lema said. "But we've managed to achieve a more nuanced reality."
Some dismiss the changes as window-dressing or a tactic to co-opt
internal dissent.
Arturo López Levy, a former intelligence analyst with the Cuban
government who lectures at the University of Denver, says the push for a
more critical official news media is partly an attempt to control a
debate that is already happening in social media and elsewhere.
"Faced with the challenge of a more open environment, the government
would prefer to channel complaints and debates through its own
mechanisms," he said.
Mr. López Levy likened the task of pushing for change from within in
Cuba to the punishment of Sisyphus, rolling a stone up a hill only to
watch it roll to the bottom.
"But sometimes," he acknowledged, "the stone comes to rest in a
different position."
Source: "In Cuba's Press, Streets and Living Rooms, Glimmers of Openness
to Criticism - NYTimes.com" -
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/world/americas/within-cubas-revolution-glimmers-of-tolerance-for-voices-of-dissent.html?_r=0
By VICTORIA BURNETT
Published: December 7, 2013
MEXICO CITY — It is a rare day in Cuba when the Communist Party's
triumphalist newspaper suggests that the government — just maybe —
messed up. Or when the party's chief ideologist renounces government
secrecy. Or a salsa star, performing at an official concert, calls for
the freedom to vote and to smoke marijuana.
But such gestures of openness are becoming more common.
Glasnost it is not, say Cuban intellectuals and analysts. But glimpses
of candor in the official news media and audacious criticism from people
who, publicly at least, support the revolution suggest widening
tolerance of a more frank, if circumscribed, discussion of the country's
problems.
"There is more space for debate," said Armando Chaguaceda, a Cuban
political scientist and blogger who lives in Mexico. "People are more
outspoken."
For decades, Cuba's garrulous citizens discussed politics sotto voce and
barely referred to Fidel and Raúl Castro by name, even in their own
living rooms.
But in recent years, especially in Havana, Cubans have begun talking
more openly about the economy, the political leadership and the
restrictions they resent. As they taste new freedoms and, increasingly,
discuss their problems online, they are pushing the boundary between
what can and cannot be said.
"What people can get away with has changed," said Ted Henken, a
professor at the City University of New York.
Much of this comes down to President Raúl Castro's style, said Carlos
Alberto Pérez, a self-described "revolutionary" blogger. Since Mr.
Castro took over from his ailing brother in 2006, he has invited Cubans
to give their opinions on the economy and called on the state-run news
media to be more incisive.
"People in Cuba want to debate, argue, listen and be listened to," said
Mr. Pérez, whose website covers issues ranging from the difficulty of
getting a body cremated to public transport.
Overhauls allowing limited private-sector activity and more freedom to
travel have loosened the state's grip on Cubans' lives and led them to
question more openly a political system that has kept the same people in
power for more than five decades.
In September, the Catholic Bishops' Conference made a bold, if oblique,
bid for a more democratic system, calling in a pastoral letter for an
"updating" of the political model and saying Cuba should be a "plural"
society.
Meanwhile, the Internet — despite being out of reach for most Cubans —
has broken the state's monopoly on information and allowed for a
spectrum of opinion, bloggers and analysts say. Bloggers, including many
who support the Communist system, have written about economic
mismanagement, the timidity of changes, corruption, bureaucracy, the
lack of Internet connectivity and the passivity of the state-run news
media. Blogs and Facebook posts often spur streams of blunt online comment.
"It's revealing that people who are supposedly on the inside are making
the same criticisms as people on the outside," Professor Henken said.
There are still limits. While the government preaches frankness, it
continues to crush opposition, and those who step over the fickle line
between loyal criticism and dissent risk ostracism, loss of employment,
harassment or jail.
The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an
independent group that tracks treatment of activists, said there were
761 short-term arrests of dissidents in November, one of the highest
figures in the past two years. And in October, five independent
journalists were detained for several days, according to Reporters
Without Borders.
"It's ambiguous," said Mr. Chaguaceda, the political scientist. "It
depends who you are, how you say things, where you say them."
In the middle of a nationally televised concert in September, the jazz
singer Robertico Carcassés surprised the nation by calling for the right
to elect the president, the legalization of marijuana and freedom of
information. Even more shocking was the authorities' reaction: After
barring Mr. Carcassés from performing in state-owned venues, meaning
most of them, they backed down after Silvio Rodríguez, a famous
revolutionary singer, stuck up for his colleague's right to speak out.
The state-run media, which comprises virtually all press, television and
radio in Cuba, has publicly embraced what it calls the "battle against
secretiveness" and made efforts, however tepid, to shake up its
coverage. In September, the state-run television news introduced a
segment, "Cuba Dice," or Cuba Says, in which Cubans on the street are
interviewed about issues including alcoholism, housing problems and the
high price of fruit and vegetables.
In October, Col. Rolando Alfonso Borges, chief of ideology for the
Communist Party, told a summit meeting of the Cuban Journalists' Union
that the party rejected secrecy. Last month, Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez,
first vice president of the Council of State, met with journalists in
the provinces to urge them to be more polemical.
In a highly unusual show of flexibility, Granma, the party's official
newspaper, wrote in November that public opinion seemed to be against a
recent ban on private 3-D cinemas. Noting the "rich" online debate, the
article said Cubans supported regulating and reopening the movie
theaters and hinted that the decision might be reversed.
Indeed, blogs have won high-level readers. The reform-minded blog La
Joven Cuba was blocked for several months last year after it published
several critical articles. These days, however, "we bump into officials,
and they tell us, 'Oh, I was just reading your article,' " said Harold
Cárdenas Lema, 28, one of the blog's founders.
The Internet, coupled with greater traffic between the island and the
Cuban diaspora, has smudged the divisions that have defined life in Cuba
since Fidel Castro's 1961 dictum, "Within the revolution, everything;
against the revolution, nothing."
"Cuba is a country where for years there was nothing but extremes," Mr.
Cárdenas Lema said. "But we've managed to achieve a more nuanced reality."
Some dismiss the changes as window-dressing or a tactic to co-opt
internal dissent.
Arturo López Levy, a former intelligence analyst with the Cuban
government who lectures at the University of Denver, says the push for a
more critical official news media is partly an attempt to control a
debate that is already happening in social media and elsewhere.
"Faced with the challenge of a more open environment, the government
would prefer to channel complaints and debates through its own
mechanisms," he said.
Mr. López Levy likened the task of pushing for change from within in
Cuba to the punishment of Sisyphus, rolling a stone up a hill only to
watch it roll to the bottom.
"But sometimes," he acknowledged, "the stone comes to rest in a
different position."
Source: "In Cuba's Press, Streets and Living Rooms, Glimmers of Openness
to Criticism - NYTimes.com" -
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/world/americas/within-cubas-revolution-glimmers-of-tolerance-for-voices-of-dissent.html?_r=0
The Cuban connection
Cuban relations with North Korea
The Cuban connection
Dec 15th 2013, 6:15 by Economist.com
THIS is not the best time to be a confidante of Jang Sung Taek, the
uncle of Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, who was executed in
Pyongyang this week. One man who is apparently already counting the cost
of close association with Mr Jang is the North Korean ambassador to Cuba.
Ambassador Jon Yong Jin is a veteran diplomat who boasted what were
considered, until very recently, impeccable credentials: he is married
to Mr Jang's elder sister. South Korean officials say he was ordered
back home on around December 6th. (Another diplomat to be recalled to
Pyongyang was North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, a nephew of Mr
Jang's.) Mr Jon's appointment in February 2012, together with a
high-profile five-day visit in June 2013 to Havana by the head of the
North Korean army's general staff, General Kim Kyok Sik, had been seen
as a sign of closer alliance between two enduring communist powers.
Despite a broadly-shared ideology, Cuba and North Korea have had their
differences. President Kim Il Sung, a proponent of the non-aligned
movement, was apparently unimpressed by Fidel Castro's admiration of the
Soviet Union. Castro only visited Pyongyang once, in 1986. His decision
that no statues to living persons (ie, himself) would be put up in Cuba
appeared to be an attempt to distance Cuba's version of communism from
the personality cults of North Korea. In the 1980s Cuba did receive
(apparently for free) 100,000 AK47s from North Korea, but trade had been
minimal until recently.
Under Raul Castro (who formally took over the Cuban presidency in 2008),
military and commercial co-operation appears to have increased. The
nature of the relationship was dramatically exposed in July, when the
Panamanian authorities intercepted a North Korean ship carrying arms
from Cuba. The ship had plied the same route at least once before. Cuba
initially described the intercepted cargo as nothing more than aid in
the form of sugar. When weapons were discovered under the bags of sugar,
the authorities in Havana then attempted to dismiss the cache as
"obsolete" items that were en route to North Korea for repairs (the UN
prohibits all arms transfers to North Korea).
But a thorough inspection suggests that was not the case. The vessel was
carrying 25 shipping containers with military equipment inside. The
cargo included two Mig-21 jet fighters. The jet fuel inside their tanks,
along with maintenance logs, indicated that they had recently been
flown. Ammunition and 15 apparently new MiG engines were also
discovered. Panama's foreign minister, Fernando Nuñez Fabrega, says he
believes the shipment was "part of a major deal" between the two
countries. The United Nations is preparing a report on the episode.
Shortly after the ship's interception, General Kim Kyok Sik, the army
chief who had met Raul Castro in August, was dismissed (although some
reports suggest his appointment was always temporary). In its
unprecedented character assassination of Mr Jang before his summary
execution, North Korea said, among other things, that he "stretched his
tentacles" into areas where he should not have been interfering. Whether
the arms deal with Cuba was an example of that may never be known. But
it does seem likely that North Korea will need a new man in Havana.
Source: "Cuban relations with North Korea: The Cuban connection | The
Economist" -
http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/12/cuban-relations-north-korea
The Cuban connection
Dec 15th 2013, 6:15 by Economist.com
THIS is not the best time to be a confidante of Jang Sung Taek, the
uncle of Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, who was executed in
Pyongyang this week. One man who is apparently already counting the cost
of close association with Mr Jang is the North Korean ambassador to Cuba.
Ambassador Jon Yong Jin is a veteran diplomat who boasted what were
considered, until very recently, impeccable credentials: he is married
to Mr Jang's elder sister. South Korean officials say he was ordered
back home on around December 6th. (Another diplomat to be recalled to
Pyongyang was North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, a nephew of Mr
Jang's.) Mr Jon's appointment in February 2012, together with a
high-profile five-day visit in June 2013 to Havana by the head of the
North Korean army's general staff, General Kim Kyok Sik, had been seen
as a sign of closer alliance between two enduring communist powers.
Despite a broadly-shared ideology, Cuba and North Korea have had their
differences. President Kim Il Sung, a proponent of the non-aligned
movement, was apparently unimpressed by Fidel Castro's admiration of the
Soviet Union. Castro only visited Pyongyang once, in 1986. His decision
that no statues to living persons (ie, himself) would be put up in Cuba
appeared to be an attempt to distance Cuba's version of communism from
the personality cults of North Korea. In the 1980s Cuba did receive
(apparently for free) 100,000 AK47s from North Korea, but trade had been
minimal until recently.
Under Raul Castro (who formally took over the Cuban presidency in 2008),
military and commercial co-operation appears to have increased. The
nature of the relationship was dramatically exposed in July, when the
Panamanian authorities intercepted a North Korean ship carrying arms
from Cuba. The ship had plied the same route at least once before. Cuba
initially described the intercepted cargo as nothing more than aid in
the form of sugar. When weapons were discovered under the bags of sugar,
the authorities in Havana then attempted to dismiss the cache as
"obsolete" items that were en route to North Korea for repairs (the UN
prohibits all arms transfers to North Korea).
But a thorough inspection suggests that was not the case. The vessel was
carrying 25 shipping containers with military equipment inside. The
cargo included two Mig-21 jet fighters. The jet fuel inside their tanks,
along with maintenance logs, indicated that they had recently been
flown. Ammunition and 15 apparently new MiG engines were also
discovered. Panama's foreign minister, Fernando Nuñez Fabrega, says he
believes the shipment was "part of a major deal" between the two
countries. The United Nations is preparing a report on the episode.
Shortly after the ship's interception, General Kim Kyok Sik, the army
chief who had met Raul Castro in August, was dismissed (although some
reports suggest his appointment was always temporary). In its
unprecedented character assassination of Mr Jang before his summary
execution, North Korea said, among other things, that he "stretched his
tentacles" into areas where he should not have been interfering. Whether
the arms deal with Cuba was an example of that may never be known. But
it does seem likely that North Korea will need a new man in Havana.
Source: "Cuban relations with North Korea: The Cuban connection | The
Economist" -
http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/12/cuban-relations-north-korea
Give capitalism a chance to change Cuba
Give capitalism a chance to change Cuba
By Fareed Zakaria
In the midst of the extraordinary spectacle of Nelson Mandela's funeral
– in a stadium with some 90,000 mourners, including more than 90 heads
of government – a small gesture caught the world's attention. President
Barack Obama moved to greet Dilma Rousseff, the president of Brazil. On
his way, he shook hands with the person to Rousseff's right. The
photograph of that handshake ricocheted around the world.
Understandably, because the man Obama shook hands with was Raul Castro,
president of Cuba.
Remember, the United States does not have diplomatic relations with
Cuba, and has a tight trade embargo in place against the island nation.
So, many wondered whether this handshake was the beginning of a great
shift in policy.
I hope so. Let's begin by asking whether the existing policy is working.
In 1960, the United States enacted an embargo against Cuba. Its purpose
was simple and explicit: regime change. Did it work? Well, until he
retired from the presidency in 2008, Fidel Castro was the longest
serving head of government in the world. Surely that's about as powerful
evidence as one can get that the policy did not work and is not working.
The truth is that Cuba's miserable economy is almost entirely its own
fault. The Castro regime has coupled political repression with communist
economic policies and the result, predictably, has been total failure
and stagnation. But things are changing in Cuba. The government has been
experimenting with opening up elements of the economy. By some estimates
about 20 percent of the Cuban economy is now in the private sector.
The best path forward for Washington is one that has been recommended by
many experts, from Jorge Casteneda, the former Mexican foreign minister
to Human Rights Watch. The United States should shift from a policy of
regime change in Cuba, which has not worked, to one that promotes reform
and human rights aggressively.
President Obama should offer the Cuban government a series of steps that
would relax restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba – but only if
they are matched by real economic and political reforms in Cuba. Let the
Cuban people know, for example, that if its government were to free all
political prisoners, the United States would be willing to relax the
embargo.
Americans should have greater faith in the power of markets, trade and
travel to eat away at the Cuban dictatorship, strengthen Cuban civil
society, including private business, and thus change the character of
the country. Washington has tried isolation, sanctions, and embargoes
against Cuba for more than five decades with dismal results. Why not try
capitalism for five years?
Source: "Give capitalism a chance to change Cuba – Global Public Square
- CNN.com Blogs" -
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/14/give-capitalism-a-chance-to-change-cuba/
By Fareed Zakaria
In the midst of the extraordinary spectacle of Nelson Mandela's funeral
– in a stadium with some 90,000 mourners, including more than 90 heads
of government – a small gesture caught the world's attention. President
Barack Obama moved to greet Dilma Rousseff, the president of Brazil. On
his way, he shook hands with the person to Rousseff's right. The
photograph of that handshake ricocheted around the world.
Understandably, because the man Obama shook hands with was Raul Castro,
president of Cuba.
Remember, the United States does not have diplomatic relations with
Cuba, and has a tight trade embargo in place against the island nation.
So, many wondered whether this handshake was the beginning of a great
shift in policy.
I hope so. Let's begin by asking whether the existing policy is working.
In 1960, the United States enacted an embargo against Cuba. Its purpose
was simple and explicit: regime change. Did it work? Well, until he
retired from the presidency in 2008, Fidel Castro was the longest
serving head of government in the world. Surely that's about as powerful
evidence as one can get that the policy did not work and is not working.
The truth is that Cuba's miserable economy is almost entirely its own
fault. The Castro regime has coupled political repression with communist
economic policies and the result, predictably, has been total failure
and stagnation. But things are changing in Cuba. The government has been
experimenting with opening up elements of the economy. By some estimates
about 20 percent of the Cuban economy is now in the private sector.
The best path forward for Washington is one that has been recommended by
many experts, from Jorge Casteneda, the former Mexican foreign minister
to Human Rights Watch. The United States should shift from a policy of
regime change in Cuba, which has not worked, to one that promotes reform
and human rights aggressively.
President Obama should offer the Cuban government a series of steps that
would relax restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba – but only if
they are matched by real economic and political reforms in Cuba. Let the
Cuban people know, for example, that if its government were to free all
political prisoners, the United States would be willing to relax the
embargo.
Americans should have greater faith in the power of markets, trade and
travel to eat away at the Cuban dictatorship, strengthen Cuban civil
society, including private business, and thus change the character of
the country. Washington has tried isolation, sanctions, and embargoes
against Cuba for more than five decades with dismal results. Why not try
capitalism for five years?
Source: "Give capitalism a chance to change Cuba – Global Public Square
- CNN.com Blogs" -
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/14/give-capitalism-a-chance-to-change-cuba/
Cuban pastor says he was denied permission to travel abroad
Posted on Thursday, 12.12.13
Cuban pastor says he was denied permission to travel abroad
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
A Cuban pastor who has been harshly critical of the government says he
was denied permission to travel abroad last month for a religious
gathering even though his passport and visa were all in order.
Bernardo de Quesada Salomón said he was checking in at the Havana
airport Nov. 27 for a flight to the Dominican Republic when immigration
officials told him his computer records showed he had a "limitation" and
could not leave the island.
Authorities never told him the reasons for the block, de Quesada said,
but State Security officials in his hometown of Camagüey told neighbors
that it was because he had illegally added a bathroom to a house he was
turning into a church.
Cuba's government lifted a widely hated requirement for an exit permit
on Jan. 14, but retained the power to block any travel abroad for a
blanket "national interest" that has never been detailed.
Others blocked from traveling abroad have included another pastor in de
Quesada's Apostolic Movement Fire and Dynamics, Mario May Medina, and a
dozen former political prisoners paroled before completing their long
sentences.
The London-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), an organization
that advocates religious freedom and human rights and was sponsoring the
conference in the Dominican Republic, urged the Cuban government to lift
the "limitation."
De Quesada's participation in the conference "cannot seriously be
considered a threat to national security," Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas
said in a statement Thursday. "CSW is concerned that this may open the
door to the Cuban government arbitrarily banning other religious leaders
from traveling out of the country."
De Quesada, 48, an Evangelical pastor, said he was arrested, harassed
and blocked from traveling abroad several times from 2003 to this year
because of his work with the Apostolic Movement Fire and Dynamics and
the New Apostolic Reform in Cuba.
He is not a dissident, he said, but his efforts to "preach the biblical
truth have put me against this communist government," he told El Nuevo
Herald on Thursday in a phone interview from Camagüey.
De Quesada said he made two trips abroad this year, the last one in
October, but apparently angered State Security officials in Camagüey
when scores of his supporters greeted him at the city's airport on this
last return.
Source: "Cuban pastor says he was denied permission to travel abroad -
Americas - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/12/3814559/cuban-pastor-says-he-was-denied.html
Cuban pastor says he was denied permission to travel abroad
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
A Cuban pastor who has been harshly critical of the government says he
was denied permission to travel abroad last month for a religious
gathering even though his passport and visa were all in order.
Bernardo de Quesada Salomón said he was checking in at the Havana
airport Nov. 27 for a flight to the Dominican Republic when immigration
officials told him his computer records showed he had a "limitation" and
could not leave the island.
Authorities never told him the reasons for the block, de Quesada said,
but State Security officials in his hometown of Camagüey told neighbors
that it was because he had illegally added a bathroom to a house he was
turning into a church.
Cuba's government lifted a widely hated requirement for an exit permit
on Jan. 14, but retained the power to block any travel abroad for a
blanket "national interest" that has never been detailed.
Others blocked from traveling abroad have included another pastor in de
Quesada's Apostolic Movement Fire and Dynamics, Mario May Medina, and a
dozen former political prisoners paroled before completing their long
sentences.
The London-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), an organization
that advocates religious freedom and human rights and was sponsoring the
conference in the Dominican Republic, urged the Cuban government to lift
the "limitation."
De Quesada's participation in the conference "cannot seriously be
considered a threat to national security," Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas
said in a statement Thursday. "CSW is concerned that this may open the
door to the Cuban government arbitrarily banning other religious leaders
from traveling out of the country."
De Quesada, 48, an Evangelical pastor, said he was arrested, harassed
and blocked from traveling abroad several times from 2003 to this year
because of his work with the Apostolic Movement Fire and Dynamics and
the New Apostolic Reform in Cuba.
He is not a dissident, he said, but his efforts to "preach the biblical
truth have put me against this communist government," he told El Nuevo
Herald on Thursday in a phone interview from Camagüey.
De Quesada said he made two trips abroad this year, the last one in
October, but apparently angered State Security officials in Camagüey
when scores of his supporters greeted him at the city's airport on this
last return.
Source: "Cuban pastor says he was denied permission to travel abroad -
Americas - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/12/3814559/cuban-pastor-says-he-was-denied.html
Cuban police free the last of the dissidents detained on Human Rights Day
Posted on Thursday, 12.12.13
Cuban police free the last of the dissidents detained on Human Rights Day
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuban police have freed the last of the more than 150 dissidents
detained during International Human Rights Day, including Estado de SATS
founder Antonio G. Rodiles and rocker Gorky Aguila.
Opposition activists, meanwhile, said they worried about a member of the
Ladies in White who underwent emergency surgery for what a doctor
described as a hernia and the woman complained was the result of a
police beating.
Rodiles, 41, said he was freed late Wednesday along with Aguila, blogger
Walfrido Lopez, journalist Calixto Martínez and artists Kizzy Macías and
Aldito Menéndez, all hauled away by police after a scuffle earlier in
the day outside Rodiles' home in Havana.
The independent Estado de SATS movement was hosting the last day of the
First Congress on Human Rights in the home when security officials
organized a group of children to write pro-government slogans on the
sidewalk, Rodiles said.
He and his girlfriend went outside to look at the slogans, a government
photographer shoved a camera in her face and he intervened, Rodiles
said. The other men came out of the house, a shoving match ensued and
police hauled away the six men.
Five American students from the Semester At Sea program aboard the MV
Explorer cruise ship, docked in Havana, spent nearly two hours in the
home speaking with dissidents and were "shocked" by what they saw, he
added. He did not get their names.
Police and State Security agents had sealed off the streets leading to
Rodiles house since early on Tuesday, the 65th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in an attempt to disrupt the
two-day Estado de SATS conference.
Authorities also planned a concert outside the home by the band Arnaldo
y su Talismán but cancelled it because of rain, he added. U.S. Rep.
Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican, said he had a report that the
band planned some U.S. appearances, and urged the State Department to
revoke their visas.
Authorities carried out more than 150 brief detentions on Tuesday to
avert or break up planned marches and other protests against Cuba's
human rights record, according to human rights activists on the island.
José Daniél Ferrer, leader of the opposition Cuban Patriotic Union
(UNPACU), meanwhile, said Arlenis Pérez Alarcón, a member of the Ladies
in White in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, had emergency surgery
after a confrontation with police Tuesday.
Ferrer said a report from the Military Hospital in Santiago that he
received from Perez' daughter, Yudileisi Mendoza Perez, said the surgery
was for a hernia caused by a "brusque movement."
But Perez claims she was repeatedly kicked during the confrontation
between police and about 20 Ladies in White on Tuesday, Ferrer said.
"She says the only thing brusque was the stomping she received," he said.
The daughter also complained that the hospital discharged Perez late
Wednesday, despite the seriousness of the surgery, under pressure from a
State Security officer, according to Ferrer.
Repeated El Nuevo Herald calls to Mendoza Perez's telephone rang
continually busy.
The State Department, meanwhile, issued a statement noting that the
crackdown on pro-democracy activists came on the same day that President
Barack Obama famously shook hands with Cuban ruler Raúl Castro.
"We note with strong concerns that on the same day, International Human
Rights Day, the Cuban government detained more than 20 members of the
Ladies in White in Havana and dozens more peaceful ... activists across
Cuba, in come cases using violence," it said.
"We condemn the use of force against citizens peacefully exercising
their human rights, and we support the rights of all Cuban citizens to
freely express themselves … (and) determine their own future," the
statement added.
Source: "Cuban police free the last of the dissidents detained on Human
Rights Day - Americas - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/12/3815095/cuban-police-free-the-last-of.html
Cuban police free the last of the dissidents detained on Human Rights Day
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuban police have freed the last of the more than 150 dissidents
detained during International Human Rights Day, including Estado de SATS
founder Antonio G. Rodiles and rocker Gorky Aguila.
Opposition activists, meanwhile, said they worried about a member of the
Ladies in White who underwent emergency surgery for what a doctor
described as a hernia and the woman complained was the result of a
police beating.
Rodiles, 41, said he was freed late Wednesday along with Aguila, blogger
Walfrido Lopez, journalist Calixto Martínez and artists Kizzy Macías and
Aldito Menéndez, all hauled away by police after a scuffle earlier in
the day outside Rodiles' home in Havana.
The independent Estado de SATS movement was hosting the last day of the
First Congress on Human Rights in the home when security officials
organized a group of children to write pro-government slogans on the
sidewalk, Rodiles said.
He and his girlfriend went outside to look at the slogans, a government
photographer shoved a camera in her face and he intervened, Rodiles
said. The other men came out of the house, a shoving match ensued and
police hauled away the six men.
Five American students from the Semester At Sea program aboard the MV
Explorer cruise ship, docked in Havana, spent nearly two hours in the
home speaking with dissidents and were "shocked" by what they saw, he
added. He did not get their names.
Police and State Security agents had sealed off the streets leading to
Rodiles house since early on Tuesday, the 65th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in an attempt to disrupt the
two-day Estado de SATS conference.
Authorities also planned a concert outside the home by the band Arnaldo
y su Talismán but cancelled it because of rain, he added. U.S. Rep.
Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican, said he had a report that the
band planned some U.S. appearances, and urged the State Department to
revoke their visas.
Authorities carried out more than 150 brief detentions on Tuesday to
avert or break up planned marches and other protests against Cuba's
human rights record, according to human rights activists on the island.
José Daniél Ferrer, leader of the opposition Cuban Patriotic Union
(UNPACU), meanwhile, said Arlenis Pérez Alarcón, a member of the Ladies
in White in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, had emergency surgery
after a confrontation with police Tuesday.
Ferrer said a report from the Military Hospital in Santiago that he
received from Perez' daughter, Yudileisi Mendoza Perez, said the surgery
was for a hernia caused by a "brusque movement."
But Perez claims she was repeatedly kicked during the confrontation
between police and about 20 Ladies in White on Tuesday, Ferrer said.
"She says the only thing brusque was the stomping she received," he said.
The daughter also complained that the hospital discharged Perez late
Wednesday, despite the seriousness of the surgery, under pressure from a
State Security officer, according to Ferrer.
Repeated El Nuevo Herald calls to Mendoza Perez's telephone rang
continually busy.
The State Department, meanwhile, issued a statement noting that the
crackdown on pro-democracy activists came on the same day that President
Barack Obama famously shook hands with Cuban ruler Raúl Castro.
"We note with strong concerns that on the same day, International Human
Rights Day, the Cuban government detained more than 20 members of the
Ladies in White in Havana and dozens more peaceful ... activists across
Cuba, in come cases using violence," it said.
"We condemn the use of force against citizens peacefully exercising
their human rights, and we support the rights of all Cuban citizens to
freely express themselves … (and) determine their own future," the
statement added.
Source: "Cuban police free the last of the dissidents detained on Human
Rights Day - Americas - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/12/3815095/cuban-police-free-the-last-of.html
Czech ambassador says his country’s experiences may be useful to Cuba’s transition to democracy
Posted on Wednesday, 12.11.13
Czech ambassador says his country's experiences may be useful to Cuba's
transition to democracy
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
For the Czech Republic's ambassador to the United States, Petr
Gandalovic, Cuba's future might well follow the path of his country's past.
His European nation of 10 million people lived under Communist rule from
1948 to 1989, when the Velvet Revolution led by dissident and playwright
Vaclav Havel ushered in a peaceful, if at times, rocky transition to
democracy.
"One day when Cubans get their freedom they will face the same
challenges," Gandalovic said during a meeting Wednesday with editors and
reporters at the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. "We have a lot of
experience to offer."
Cuban ruler Raúl Castro's recent economic reforms have been positive, he
said, "but we have no illusions that things have changed significantly"
in the government's respect for human rights.
The Czech Republic and its prior incarnation as Czechoslovakia have long
been strong supporters of Cuba's dissident and civil society groups,
hosting training sessions for them in Prague and giving them access to
the Internet at the embassy in Havana.
Several of the dissidents allowed to travel abroad after the Jan. 14
easing of Cuba's migration controls were received in Prague by Foreign
Minister Jan Kohout and his predecessor, Karel Schwarzenberg.
Gandalovic was in Miami for Tuesday's kick-off of the Vaclav Havel
Initiative for Human Rights and Diplomacy as part of Florida
International University's School of International and Public Affairs.
The Initiative, designed to provide training, study programs, research
and policy analysis on democratic transitions around the world, is
headed by the former Czech ambassador to the United States, Martin Palous.
Its first project will be "Preparing Miami for democratic transition in
Cuba," funded with a two year grant from the Knight Foundation,
according to an FIU announcement.
Tuesday's kickoff included a performance of the multimedia play
Anticodes, based on a collection of Havel's poetry and performed by the
Czech Republic's famous Laterna Magika theater troupe.
Gandalovic also joined a ceremony in Miami on Tuesday where the Cuban
Democratic Directorate awarded the "Pedro Luis Boitel Freedom" prize for
2013 to four anti-Castro activists, including one jailed for 37 years
and a former Bacardi president.
• Jose Manuel Rodriguez Navarro, an activist in the Eastern Democratic
Alliance, based in the eastern towns of Guantánamo and Baracoa, who was
arrested in October and sentenced to four years in prison for "social
pre-dangerousness."
• Armando Sosa Fortuny, who was jailed for fighting against the Castro
dictatorship from 1960 to 1978. He went into exile in Miami but returned
in 1994 with four other armed exiles and was captured after a shootout
in which one Cuban was killed. Sosa Fortuny was sentenced to 30 years.
• Havana activist Julián Enrique Martínez Báez, secretary general of the
Cuban Human Rights Party, freed in 2006 after serving three years in prison.
• Manuel Jorge Cutillas, a former president of Bacardi Limited and
descendant of the company's founder who was active for years in Cuban
democracy campaigns. He died in November at the age of 81.
The Boitel prize, created in 2001 by the Directorate and seven
independent groups from Eastern and Central Europe, is named after a
Castro opponent who was jailed in 1961 and died alter a lengthy
jailhouse hunger strike in 1972.
Source: "Czech ambassador says his country's experiences may be useful
to Cuba's transition to democracy - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/11/3812606/czech-ambassador-says-his-countrys.html
Czech ambassador says his country's experiences may be useful to Cuba's
transition to democracy
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
For the Czech Republic's ambassador to the United States, Petr
Gandalovic, Cuba's future might well follow the path of his country's past.
His European nation of 10 million people lived under Communist rule from
1948 to 1989, when the Velvet Revolution led by dissident and playwright
Vaclav Havel ushered in a peaceful, if at times, rocky transition to
democracy.
"One day when Cubans get their freedom they will face the same
challenges," Gandalovic said during a meeting Wednesday with editors and
reporters at the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. "We have a lot of
experience to offer."
Cuban ruler Raúl Castro's recent economic reforms have been positive, he
said, "but we have no illusions that things have changed significantly"
in the government's respect for human rights.
The Czech Republic and its prior incarnation as Czechoslovakia have long
been strong supporters of Cuba's dissident and civil society groups,
hosting training sessions for them in Prague and giving them access to
the Internet at the embassy in Havana.
Several of the dissidents allowed to travel abroad after the Jan. 14
easing of Cuba's migration controls were received in Prague by Foreign
Minister Jan Kohout and his predecessor, Karel Schwarzenberg.
Gandalovic was in Miami for Tuesday's kick-off of the Vaclav Havel
Initiative for Human Rights and Diplomacy as part of Florida
International University's School of International and Public Affairs.
The Initiative, designed to provide training, study programs, research
and policy analysis on democratic transitions around the world, is
headed by the former Czech ambassador to the United States, Martin Palous.
Its first project will be "Preparing Miami for democratic transition in
Cuba," funded with a two year grant from the Knight Foundation,
according to an FIU announcement.
Tuesday's kickoff included a performance of the multimedia play
Anticodes, based on a collection of Havel's poetry and performed by the
Czech Republic's famous Laterna Magika theater troupe.
Gandalovic also joined a ceremony in Miami on Tuesday where the Cuban
Democratic Directorate awarded the "Pedro Luis Boitel Freedom" prize for
2013 to four anti-Castro activists, including one jailed for 37 years
and a former Bacardi president.
• Jose Manuel Rodriguez Navarro, an activist in the Eastern Democratic
Alliance, based in the eastern towns of Guantánamo and Baracoa, who was
arrested in October and sentenced to four years in prison for "social
pre-dangerousness."
• Armando Sosa Fortuny, who was jailed for fighting against the Castro
dictatorship from 1960 to 1978. He went into exile in Miami but returned
in 1994 with four other armed exiles and was captured after a shootout
in which one Cuban was killed. Sosa Fortuny was sentenced to 30 years.
• Havana activist Julián Enrique Martínez Báez, secretary general of the
Cuban Human Rights Party, freed in 2006 after serving three years in prison.
• Manuel Jorge Cutillas, a former president of Bacardi Limited and
descendant of the company's founder who was active for years in Cuban
democracy campaigns. He died in November at the age of 81.
The Boitel prize, created in 2001 by the Directorate and seven
independent groups from Eastern and Central Europe, is named after a
Castro opponent who was jailed in 1961 and died alter a lengthy
jailhouse hunger strike in 1972.
Source: "Czech ambassador says his country's experiences may be useful
to Cuba's transition to democracy - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/11/3812606/czech-ambassador-says-his-countrys.html
Cuban dissidents say police detained more than 150 on Human Rights Day
Posted on Wednesday, 12.11.13
Cuban dissidents say police detained more than 150 on Human Rights Day
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuban police carried out more than 150 detentions of dissidents Tuesday
on International Human Rights Day and followed up Wednesday by carting
off the founder of a group that was holding a rare human rights
congress, according to activists in Havana.
Antonio Rodiles, founder of the group Estado de SATS, was taken away by
police Wednesday around 11 a.m. as he watched a group of children write
graffiti on the sidewalk in front of his home, activist Elizardo Sanchez
Santa Cruz said.
Dissident blogger Regina Coyula, who was in Rodiles' house participating
in the First Congress for Human Rights, told reporters that Rodiles was
detained when he intervened with police who were harassing his
girlfriend for taking photos of the children.
Yohandry Fontana, a pro-government blogger widely believed to be a State
Security official, tweeted Wednesday: "I confirm the detention of
Antonio Rodiles for attacking and insulting children."
Estado de SATS and two other independent groups sponsored the Congress,
which started Tuesday on the anniversary of the U.N.'s Universal
Declaration on Human Rights and was to end Wednesday night with a
musical concert.
Sanchez Santa Cruz, head of the illegal but tolerated Cuban Commission
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, said he had information on
more than 150 detentions on Tuesday and was still receiving new reports
as of Wednesday evening.
All but a handful had been released by Tuesday night after so-called
"short-term arbitrary detentions for political motives," usually
designed to intimidate or harass dissidents and keep them from attending
opposition gatherings.
"That's not counting the harassment and other acts of vandalism because
there was a lot of violence by the forces of repression along the entire
country," Sanchez Santa Cruz said by phone from Havana.
Reports of more detentions were still arriving at his Havana office
Wednesday because government security forces shut down the cellular and
home phones of several hundred activists for much of Tuesday, he said.
The dissident group Ladies in White said its members alone suffered
about 130 detentions as they tried to stage street protests — not
tolerated by the government — in downtown Havana and the eastern city of
Santiago de Cuba, the country's second largest city.
Others were detained as they tried to reach Rodiles' home to participate
in the two days of panel discussions, video programs and art shows,
according to dissidents. Also detained were several members of the Cuban
Patriotic Union, an opposition group most active in the eastern part of
the island.
UNPACU founder Jose Daniel Ferrer said more than 130 UNPACU and Ladies
in White members were detained Tuesday in eastern Cuba alone amid a
string of protest meetings, marches and distributions of anti-government
leaflets and posters.
Several dissidents were injured when government-organized mobs and State
Security agents threw rocks at them, Ferrer said. Mob members and police
also made off with cameras, cell phones and cash taken from many of the
opposition activists.
Source: "Cuban dissidents say police detained more than 150 on Human
Rights Day - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/11/3812885/cuban-dissidents-say-police-detained.html
Cuban dissidents say police detained more than 150 on Human Rights Day
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuban police carried out more than 150 detentions of dissidents Tuesday
on International Human Rights Day and followed up Wednesday by carting
off the founder of a group that was holding a rare human rights
congress, according to activists in Havana.
Antonio Rodiles, founder of the group Estado de SATS, was taken away by
police Wednesday around 11 a.m. as he watched a group of children write
graffiti on the sidewalk in front of his home, activist Elizardo Sanchez
Santa Cruz said.
Dissident blogger Regina Coyula, who was in Rodiles' house participating
in the First Congress for Human Rights, told reporters that Rodiles was
detained when he intervened with police who were harassing his
girlfriend for taking photos of the children.
Yohandry Fontana, a pro-government blogger widely believed to be a State
Security official, tweeted Wednesday: "I confirm the detention of
Antonio Rodiles for attacking and insulting children."
Estado de SATS and two other independent groups sponsored the Congress,
which started Tuesday on the anniversary of the U.N.'s Universal
Declaration on Human Rights and was to end Wednesday night with a
musical concert.
Sanchez Santa Cruz, head of the illegal but tolerated Cuban Commission
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, said he had information on
more than 150 detentions on Tuesday and was still receiving new reports
as of Wednesday evening.
All but a handful had been released by Tuesday night after so-called
"short-term arbitrary detentions for political motives," usually
designed to intimidate or harass dissidents and keep them from attending
opposition gatherings.
"That's not counting the harassment and other acts of vandalism because
there was a lot of violence by the forces of repression along the entire
country," Sanchez Santa Cruz said by phone from Havana.
Reports of more detentions were still arriving at his Havana office
Wednesday because government security forces shut down the cellular and
home phones of several hundred activists for much of Tuesday, he said.
The dissident group Ladies in White said its members alone suffered
about 130 detentions as they tried to stage street protests — not
tolerated by the government — in downtown Havana and the eastern city of
Santiago de Cuba, the country's second largest city.
Others were detained as they tried to reach Rodiles' home to participate
in the two days of panel discussions, video programs and art shows,
according to dissidents. Also detained were several members of the Cuban
Patriotic Union, an opposition group most active in the eastern part of
the island.
UNPACU founder Jose Daniel Ferrer said more than 130 UNPACU and Ladies
in White members were detained Tuesday in eastern Cuba alone amid a
string of protest meetings, marches and distributions of anti-government
leaflets and posters.
Several dissidents were injured when government-organized mobs and State
Security agents threw rocks at them, Ferrer said. Mob members and police
also made off with cameras, cell phones and cash taken from many of the
opposition activists.
Source: "Cuban dissidents say police detained more than 150 on Human
Rights Day - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/11/3812885/cuban-dissidents-say-police-detained.html
Cuba drops in corruption index
Posted on Thursday, 12.05.13
Cuba drops in corruption index
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuba slipped five places on an international corruption ranking,
reinforcing the perception that bribery is a growing problem in a
country caught between its Soviet-styled economy and its push toward
market reforms.
The Germany-based Transparency International's Corruption Perception
Index (CPI) for 2013 ranked Cuba in 63rd place among 177 countries and
territories — tied with Ghana and Saudi Arabia — and five spots lower
than in the previous year.
Uruguay held the top spot in Latin Americanat 19th place, followed by
Chile in 22nd, Puerto Rico in 33rd and Costa Rica in 49th. Following
Cuba were all other Latin American nations, with Mexico in 106th and
Venezuela in 160th — the region's worst and tied with Eritrea and Cambodia.
The CPI, published annually since 1995, uses at least four and up to 10
independent surveys to assign a score to each country and territory from
one to 100. Denmark and New Zealand tied for first, the United States
tied in 19th and Somalia, Afghanistan and North Korea tied for last.
The drop in Cuba's ranking was "so small that it's hard even to guess
what caused it, or whether the move was due to changes in perceptions of
other countries or of Cuba," said Phil Peters, head of the Cuba Research
Center in Alexandria, Va., and an advocate of improved U.S. relations
with the island.
Corruption has long been a problem in Cuba, however, with workers
pilfering from state stockpiles in order to make up for their low
salaries, and foreign companies paying bribes to officials who handle
multi-million dollar deals but earn as little as $30-$40 a month.
A 2006 report by U.S. diplomats in Havana alleged Cuba was "rife with
corrupt practices" up to Fidel Castro's "closest advisors." It quoted a
Swiss businessman as saying that in Cuba, "just like everywhere in the
world, a million-dollar contract gets you $100,000 in the bank."
But the government of Raúl Castro launched a crackdown after he
succeeded ailing brother Fidel in 2008, branding corruption as "one of
the principal enemies of the revolution" and saying that it was
undermining his push for market economic reforms.
Castro created the post of comptroller general to audit government
offices and state-run enterprises, and appointed his son Alejandro, an
Interior Ministry officer who also serves as his top security advisor,
to supervise and enforce the anti-corruption campaign.
Some of the bigger scandals unearthed involved Cuba's
telecommunications, aviation, nickel, cigar and construction industries,
and reportedly led to the discreet arrests or dismissals of scores of
government officials.
Also caught in the roundups were two foreigners who administered Coral
Capital Group, a British firm that had plans to invest $1 billion on the
island. They were jailed for two years, tried and sentenced to time served.
Canadian Sarkis Yacoubian was sentenced to nine years in prison in June
for a corruption scheme that involved several Cuban officials. His
cousin and business partner, Krikor Bayassalian, a Lebanese citizen, was
sentenced to four years.
Still awaiting trial are another Canadian, Cy Tokmakjian, arrested in
2011, and Nessim Abadi, a Panamanian businessman in his 70s who was
arrested in August 2012. Both men sold foreign made machinery and other
goods to the Cuban government.
Cuba's government-controlled news media has not reported on the
corruption cases involving foreign businessmen.
Source: "Cuba drops in corruption index - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/05/3797318/cuba-drops-in-corruption-index.html
Cuba drops in corruption index
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
Cuba slipped five places on an international corruption ranking,
reinforcing the perception that bribery is a growing problem in a
country caught between its Soviet-styled economy and its push toward
market reforms.
The Germany-based Transparency International's Corruption Perception
Index (CPI) for 2013 ranked Cuba in 63rd place among 177 countries and
territories — tied with Ghana and Saudi Arabia — and five spots lower
than in the previous year.
Uruguay held the top spot in Latin Americanat 19th place, followed by
Chile in 22nd, Puerto Rico in 33rd and Costa Rica in 49th. Following
Cuba were all other Latin American nations, with Mexico in 106th and
Venezuela in 160th — the region's worst and tied with Eritrea and Cambodia.
The CPI, published annually since 1995, uses at least four and up to 10
independent surveys to assign a score to each country and territory from
one to 100. Denmark and New Zealand tied for first, the United States
tied in 19th and Somalia, Afghanistan and North Korea tied for last.
The drop in Cuba's ranking was "so small that it's hard even to guess
what caused it, or whether the move was due to changes in perceptions of
other countries or of Cuba," said Phil Peters, head of the Cuba Research
Center in Alexandria, Va., and an advocate of improved U.S. relations
with the island.
Corruption has long been a problem in Cuba, however, with workers
pilfering from state stockpiles in order to make up for their low
salaries, and foreign companies paying bribes to officials who handle
multi-million dollar deals but earn as little as $30-$40 a month.
A 2006 report by U.S. diplomats in Havana alleged Cuba was "rife with
corrupt practices" up to Fidel Castro's "closest advisors." It quoted a
Swiss businessman as saying that in Cuba, "just like everywhere in the
world, a million-dollar contract gets you $100,000 in the bank."
But the government of Raúl Castro launched a crackdown after he
succeeded ailing brother Fidel in 2008, branding corruption as "one of
the principal enemies of the revolution" and saying that it was
undermining his push for market economic reforms.
Castro created the post of comptroller general to audit government
offices and state-run enterprises, and appointed his son Alejandro, an
Interior Ministry officer who also serves as his top security advisor,
to supervise and enforce the anti-corruption campaign.
Some of the bigger scandals unearthed involved Cuba's
telecommunications, aviation, nickel, cigar and construction industries,
and reportedly led to the discreet arrests or dismissals of scores of
government officials.
Also caught in the roundups were two foreigners who administered Coral
Capital Group, a British firm that had plans to invest $1 billion on the
island. They were jailed for two years, tried and sentenced to time served.
Canadian Sarkis Yacoubian was sentenced to nine years in prison in June
for a corruption scheme that involved several Cuban officials. His
cousin and business partner, Krikor Bayassalian, a Lebanese citizen, was
sentenced to four years.
Still awaiting trial are another Canadian, Cy Tokmakjian, arrested in
2011, and Nessim Abadi, a Panamanian businessman in his 70s who was
arrested in August 2012. Both men sold foreign made machinery and other
goods to the Cuban government.
Cuba's government-controlled news media has not reported on the
corruption cases involving foreign businessmen.
Source: "Cuba drops in corruption index - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/05/3797318/cuba-drops-in-corruption-index.html
A sudden surge in Cuban migrants
Posted on Monday, 12.09.13
emailprintcommentreprints
CUBA
A sudden surge in Cuban migrants
BY ALFONSO CHARDY AND JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
BY THE NUMBERS:
• 44,000 migrants arrived in the United States in the fiscal year that
ended Sept. 30, the highest total since 1994 and 10 percent higher than
the estimated 40,000 arrivals in the previous year.
• 24,727 arrived with U.S. visas or permits as migrants, refugees or
parolees in FY13, compared to 26,720 in FY12.
• 29,927 received U.S. visitor visas during FY13, compared to 14,362 in
FY12.
• 226,877 traveled abroad in the first 10 months after the Jan. 14
migration reforms in Cuba, compared to 167,684 in the same period in 2012.
• Cuban refugee arrivals recorded by Florida Department of Health
clinics in Miami-Dade increased 20 percent in June 2013, compared to
that month's average over the previous three years.
SOURCE: Figures gathered by El Nuevo Herald from Cuban and U.S.
government reports, state of Florida officials and news reports.
It was mid-July, and a public health clinic in Miami was facing such a
sharp spike in new Cuban migrants walking in for their required health
screenings that it had to expand its hours of operations in a hurry.
The number of Cubans going to the Florida State Department of Health
clinic had surged by 20 percent that June, compared to the three-year
average for the month, and experts around South Florida were seeing
similar spikes in arrivals.
By the end of August the clinic had returned to its regular hours and
Keyler Rodriguez, 27, a hospital worker from Santa Clara who arrived in
Miami one month ago, got her health screening last week without any delays.
"I think all Cubans want to leave," joked Rodriguez, who flew from Cuba
to Ecuador one month ago and joined the clandestine stream that takes
undocumented Cubans by land through Central America to the U.S. border
with Mexico.
Cuban migrant arrivals in South Florida have now subsided. But at least
44,000 arrived in the United States in the fiscal year that ended Sept.
30 (FY13) — the highest total since 1994 and 10 percent higher than the
estimated 40,000 arrivals in FY12.
Fueling the spike was a brew of factors: Hikes in U.S. visas issued to
Cubans; rumors that U.S. benefits for Cuban migrants might be cut;
Spain's economic crisis; Cuba's easing of its migration rules on Jan.
14; and a crackdown on Cubans living in Ecuador.
The U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana issued 24,727 immigrant visas in
FY13, a slight drop compared to 26,720 in FY12, according to U.S.
government figures obtained by El Nuevo Herald. Washington promised to
issue at least 20,000 migrant visas to Cubans per year after the 1994
"Rafter Crisis," which saw 35,000 migrants take to homemade boats, to
discourage such risky voyages.
But the number of tourist visas issued in the same periods more than
doubled, from 14,362 to 29,927, the figures showed. U.S. officials say
that on average, 20 percent of tourist visa recipients remained in the
United States in recent years, indicating that about 6,000 of the 29,927
visitors will become migrants.
The increase in tourist visas, sought mostly by elderly Cubans who want
to visit U.S. relatives, came as consular staffers cleared away a huge
backlog of old applications and processed an increased number of
requests after the Jan. 14 reforms.
The second largest group of Cuban migrants came over the border with
Mexico, without U.S. visas but under "dry-foot, wet-foot," the policy
that allows Cubans who set foot on U.S. land to stay but returns most of
those intercepted at sea.
Mexico border arrivals totaled 13,122 in the 11 months that ended Aug.
31, according to the latest available Customs and Border Protection
figures. That was the highest total since FY05 and a 27 percent hike
over the 10,315 reported for all of FY12.
Among the border arrivals were many who started out from Ecuador, where
friendly immigration rules allowed more than 40,000 Cubans to settle
there by 2010, but recent sweeps against undocumented migrants persuaded
some to head north.
"Things turned bad in Ecuador," said Yuraldi Medina, 41, who lived in
the South American nation for four years before he left earlier this
year, traveling by land to Mexico without proper travel permits and
crossing the border four months ago.
NO PLACE TO WORK
Another group of Cuban migrants, whose size is unknown but is widely
believed to be growing, has been arriving from Spain, where a deep
economic crisis and a 26-percent unemployment rate have been driving out
some of the 125,000 Cubans who live there.
"There's no work for anyone over there," said Havana native Varinia
Colunga, 40, who lived in Spain for 23 years. Using her Spanish
passport, she flew to Miami as a tourist in July and will receive
residency after one year under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA).
An estimated 100,000 Cubans obtained Spanish citizenship in recent years
under a Madrid law to benefit the descendants of Spanish migrants.
Although many remain living in Cuba, all can enter the United States as
tourists and obtain residency under the CAA.
Havana hairdresser Lazaro Aguilar, 40, said he migrated to Spain three
years ago and later decided to move to South Florida. Lacking a Spanish
passport, he used a European Union travel document to fly to Mexico
City, then went by land to the U.S. border.
One category of migrants that shrank involved Cubans who arrived by sea,
from 423 in FY12 to 359 in FY13 — perhaps because of tight U.S. Coast
Guard patrols or because it's easier to leave the island legally after
the Jan. 14 migration reforms.
Havana officials reported 226,877 Cubans made personal trips abroad in
the first 10 months of this year, a sharp increase from 167,688 in the
same period in 2012. The average from 2000 to 2011 was 82,000 per year,
a stunningly low figure for a nation of 11 million people.
The numbers show why the migration reforms have become the most popular
changes enacted by Cuba ruler Raúl Castro since he officially succeeded
ailing brother Fidel Castro in 2008.
He removed the hated government exit permit known as the white card;
ended the confiscation of properties of those who emigrate; and expanded
from 11 to 24 months the time that Cubans can remain abroad without
losing benefits such as free healthcare. That means they can live in the
United States for one year, obtain U.S. residency under the CAA and
return to the island in time to preserve their Cuban residence.
PROMPTED BY TALK
Experts on Cuban migration said part of the FY13 spike was triggered by
the talk in Miami and Washington in late 2012 and early 2013 about the
possibility of tightening the CAA. Then-U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fl.,
at one point proposed denying or delaying U.S. residency to any Cuban
who returned to the island for visits.
"Our numbers started going up … August-September" of 2012, said Hiram
Ruiz, head of the Florida Department of Children and Families' refugee
program, which manages services for Cuban migrants. "They continued to
go up — January, February March … we're like wow! Our numbers this year
are going to be astronomical."
But then the numbers began to fall, and by the end of FY13 his agency
had assisted 26,850 Cuban arrivals, only about 1,015 more than in the
previous fiscal year, Ruiz said. His numbers cover only those Cubans who
come to Florida to receive benefits.
But some of the arrivals have been settling in cities with better job
opportunities and lower costs of living than Miami, such as Houston,
Dallas, Fort Worth, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Peter Stranges of Catholic Charities in Houston, one of several agencies
that assist Cuban migrants in that part of Texas, said his agency alone
assisted 600 Cubans in the one-year period ending in May 2013, compared
to 150 in the previous period.
In a back-of-the-envelope calculation, Teo Babun, executive director of
EchoCuba, which helps independent churches in Cuba, estimated that each
migrant arriving in South Florida costs taxpayers $19,000 for housing,
health insurance and other services.
However, Randolph P. McGrorty, of Catholic Charities Legal Services of
Miami, said that South Florida over the years has built an efficient
intake system capable of handling large numbers of Cuban migrants. "I
don't see signs of any strain," he said.
Source: "A sudden surge in Cuban migrants - Miami-Dade -
MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/07/v-fullstory/3804476/a-sudden-surge-in-cuban-migrants.html
emailprintcommentreprints
CUBA
A sudden surge in Cuban migrants
BY ALFONSO CHARDY AND JUAN O. TAMAYO
JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM
BY THE NUMBERS:
• 44,000 migrants arrived in the United States in the fiscal year that
ended Sept. 30, the highest total since 1994 and 10 percent higher than
the estimated 40,000 arrivals in the previous year.
• 24,727 arrived with U.S. visas or permits as migrants, refugees or
parolees in FY13, compared to 26,720 in FY12.
• 29,927 received U.S. visitor visas during FY13, compared to 14,362 in
FY12.
• 226,877 traveled abroad in the first 10 months after the Jan. 14
migration reforms in Cuba, compared to 167,684 in the same period in 2012.
• Cuban refugee arrivals recorded by Florida Department of Health
clinics in Miami-Dade increased 20 percent in June 2013, compared to
that month's average over the previous three years.
SOURCE: Figures gathered by El Nuevo Herald from Cuban and U.S.
government reports, state of Florida officials and news reports.
It was mid-July, and a public health clinic in Miami was facing such a
sharp spike in new Cuban migrants walking in for their required health
screenings that it had to expand its hours of operations in a hurry.
The number of Cubans going to the Florida State Department of Health
clinic had surged by 20 percent that June, compared to the three-year
average for the month, and experts around South Florida were seeing
similar spikes in arrivals.
By the end of August the clinic had returned to its regular hours and
Keyler Rodriguez, 27, a hospital worker from Santa Clara who arrived in
Miami one month ago, got her health screening last week without any delays.
"I think all Cubans want to leave," joked Rodriguez, who flew from Cuba
to Ecuador one month ago and joined the clandestine stream that takes
undocumented Cubans by land through Central America to the U.S. border
with Mexico.
Cuban migrant arrivals in South Florida have now subsided. But at least
44,000 arrived in the United States in the fiscal year that ended Sept.
30 (FY13) — the highest total since 1994 and 10 percent higher than the
estimated 40,000 arrivals in FY12.
Fueling the spike was a brew of factors: Hikes in U.S. visas issued to
Cubans; rumors that U.S. benefits for Cuban migrants might be cut;
Spain's economic crisis; Cuba's easing of its migration rules on Jan.
14; and a crackdown on Cubans living in Ecuador.
The U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana issued 24,727 immigrant visas in
FY13, a slight drop compared to 26,720 in FY12, according to U.S.
government figures obtained by El Nuevo Herald. Washington promised to
issue at least 20,000 migrant visas to Cubans per year after the 1994
"Rafter Crisis," which saw 35,000 migrants take to homemade boats, to
discourage such risky voyages.
But the number of tourist visas issued in the same periods more than
doubled, from 14,362 to 29,927, the figures showed. U.S. officials say
that on average, 20 percent of tourist visa recipients remained in the
United States in recent years, indicating that about 6,000 of the 29,927
visitors will become migrants.
The increase in tourist visas, sought mostly by elderly Cubans who want
to visit U.S. relatives, came as consular staffers cleared away a huge
backlog of old applications and processed an increased number of
requests after the Jan. 14 reforms.
The second largest group of Cuban migrants came over the border with
Mexico, without U.S. visas but under "dry-foot, wet-foot," the policy
that allows Cubans who set foot on U.S. land to stay but returns most of
those intercepted at sea.
Mexico border arrivals totaled 13,122 in the 11 months that ended Aug.
31, according to the latest available Customs and Border Protection
figures. That was the highest total since FY05 and a 27 percent hike
over the 10,315 reported for all of FY12.
Among the border arrivals were many who started out from Ecuador, where
friendly immigration rules allowed more than 40,000 Cubans to settle
there by 2010, but recent sweeps against undocumented migrants persuaded
some to head north.
"Things turned bad in Ecuador," said Yuraldi Medina, 41, who lived in
the South American nation for four years before he left earlier this
year, traveling by land to Mexico without proper travel permits and
crossing the border four months ago.
NO PLACE TO WORK
Another group of Cuban migrants, whose size is unknown but is widely
believed to be growing, has been arriving from Spain, where a deep
economic crisis and a 26-percent unemployment rate have been driving out
some of the 125,000 Cubans who live there.
"There's no work for anyone over there," said Havana native Varinia
Colunga, 40, who lived in Spain for 23 years. Using her Spanish
passport, she flew to Miami as a tourist in July and will receive
residency after one year under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA).
An estimated 100,000 Cubans obtained Spanish citizenship in recent years
under a Madrid law to benefit the descendants of Spanish migrants.
Although many remain living in Cuba, all can enter the United States as
tourists and obtain residency under the CAA.
Havana hairdresser Lazaro Aguilar, 40, said he migrated to Spain three
years ago and later decided to move to South Florida. Lacking a Spanish
passport, he used a European Union travel document to fly to Mexico
City, then went by land to the U.S. border.
One category of migrants that shrank involved Cubans who arrived by sea,
from 423 in FY12 to 359 in FY13 — perhaps because of tight U.S. Coast
Guard patrols or because it's easier to leave the island legally after
the Jan. 14 migration reforms.
Havana officials reported 226,877 Cubans made personal trips abroad in
the first 10 months of this year, a sharp increase from 167,688 in the
same period in 2012. The average from 2000 to 2011 was 82,000 per year,
a stunningly low figure for a nation of 11 million people.
The numbers show why the migration reforms have become the most popular
changes enacted by Cuba ruler Raúl Castro since he officially succeeded
ailing brother Fidel Castro in 2008.
He removed the hated government exit permit known as the white card;
ended the confiscation of properties of those who emigrate; and expanded
from 11 to 24 months the time that Cubans can remain abroad without
losing benefits such as free healthcare. That means they can live in the
United States for one year, obtain U.S. residency under the CAA and
return to the island in time to preserve their Cuban residence.
PROMPTED BY TALK
Experts on Cuban migration said part of the FY13 spike was triggered by
the talk in Miami and Washington in late 2012 and early 2013 about the
possibility of tightening the CAA. Then-U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fl.,
at one point proposed denying or delaying U.S. residency to any Cuban
who returned to the island for visits.
"Our numbers started going up … August-September" of 2012, said Hiram
Ruiz, head of the Florida Department of Children and Families' refugee
program, which manages services for Cuban migrants. "They continued to
go up — January, February March … we're like wow! Our numbers this year
are going to be astronomical."
But then the numbers began to fall, and by the end of FY13 his agency
had assisted 26,850 Cuban arrivals, only about 1,015 more than in the
previous fiscal year, Ruiz said. His numbers cover only those Cubans who
come to Florida to receive benefits.
But some of the arrivals have been settling in cities with better job
opportunities and lower costs of living than Miami, such as Houston,
Dallas, Fort Worth, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Peter Stranges of Catholic Charities in Houston, one of several agencies
that assist Cuban migrants in that part of Texas, said his agency alone
assisted 600 Cubans in the one-year period ending in May 2013, compared
to 150 in the previous period.
In a back-of-the-envelope calculation, Teo Babun, executive director of
EchoCuba, which helps independent churches in Cuba, estimated that each
migrant arriving in South Florida costs taxpayers $19,000 for housing,
health insurance and other services.
However, Randolph P. McGrorty, of Catholic Charities Legal Services of
Miami, said that South Florida over the years has built an efficient
intake system capable of handling large numbers of Cuban migrants. "I
don't see signs of any strain," he said.
Source: "A sudden surge in Cuban migrants - Miami-Dade -
MiamiHerald.com" -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/07/v-fullstory/3804476/a-sudden-surge-in-cuban-migrants.html
Campaña para regular alternativas a la Posición Común de la Unión Europea
Campaña para regular alternativas a la Posición Común de la Unión Europea
[13-12-2013]
Redacción de Misceláneas de Cuba
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- Gran número de disidentes residentes en la
isla han sumado su firma a la "Declaración de Activistas Pro Democracia
de Cuba", que tiene como objetivo normar una eventual colaboración entre
el gobierno cubano y países miembros de la UE que quieran establecer
convenios bi- o multilaterales con Cuba. Lea la declaración íntegra aquí
debajo:
DECLARACIÓN DE ACTIVISTAS PRO DEMOCRACIA DE CUBA
Los abajo firmantes, luchadores pro democracia, combatientes por los
Derechos Humanos y otros activistas independientes cubanos, que firmamos
en orden alfabético al pie, emitimos el presente documento para plantear
lo siguiente:
La Unión Europea (UE) avanza hacia la elaboración de un convenio que
norme las relaciones entre ese bloque político y Cuba, análogo a los
suscritos con otros países. En definitiva, ese documento reemplazaría a
la actual Posición Común de la UE sobre Cuba.
No tenemos objeciones de principio que hacerle a ese propósito, siempre
que en el convenio se plasmen compromisos concretos de la Parte Cubana
en el respeto y cumplimiento irrestricto de todos los Derechos Humanos
internacionalmente reconocidos (incorporando de ese modo los principios
que informan la actual Posición Común) y siempre que se creen mecanismos
para garantizar que se respete lo acordado al respecto y se contemple la
aplicación de una Cláusula de Suspensión en caso de incumplimiento. Una
cuestión diferente es si resulta oportuno o no acometer esas gestiones
en la actual coyuntura.
Es cierto que las autoridades cubanas excarcelaron años atrás a los
presos de conciencia y a otros cautivos políticos, y que han realizado
pequeñas reformas positivas en el terreno económico; pero también es
verdad que se mantiene la cruel represión contra los activistas
independientes. Lo anterior incluye nuevos encarcelamientos, la sujeción
de los presos de conciencia del Grupo de los 75 que permanecen en Cuba a
una licencia extrapenal que pudiera ser revocada en cualquier momento,
golpizas, "actos de repudio" y detenciones arbitrarias, cuyo número
crece de modo alarmante. También vale la pena destacar que el gobierno
cubano, con ocasión del segundo Examen Periódico Universal realizado
este mismo año en el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, rechazó
tajantemente constructivas recomendaciones formuladas por distintos
países democráticos, en particular del Viejo Continente.
En ese contexto:
Nos complace en extremo que la UE y sus países miembros hayan ratificado
de manera repetida que los Derechos Humanos y las libertades
fundamentales permanecerán en el centro de las relaciones entre Cuba y
la UE.
Constatamos que, por desgracia, la violencia política que ejerce el
actual gobierno cubano y los arrestos arbitrarios y otras violaciones de
los Derechos Humanos que él perpetra de manera masiva y sistemática,
siguen constituyendo obstáculos —a nuestro juicio insuperables— en el
proceso de crear la necesaria confianza que dé credibilidad al proceso
de elaboración del convenio bilateral. Mientras no se modifique
sustancialmente esta situación, los objetivos de la Unión Europea no
podrán ser alcanzados.
Expresamos nuestra plena identificación con todos los principios
fundamentales plasmados en el Marco Estratégico de la UE y el Plan de
Acción de Derechos Humanos y la Democracia, y creemos que esos
principios deben ser aplicados plenamente con respecto a Cuba.
En La Habana, a los diez días del mes de diciembre del 2013, Aniversario
LXV de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos.
RELACIÓN INICIAL DE FIRMANTES DEL DOCUMENTO
Publicada el jueves 12 de diciembre de 2013
(en orden alfabético)
Armando Abascal Serrano
William Acevedo Roque
Maritza Acosta Perdomo
Nelson Acosta Ríos
Alexánder Aguilar Sosa
Juan José Alonso Ronduela
José Alberto Álvarez Bravo
Sonia Álvarez Campello
Pável Arcia Céspedes
Bernardo Rogelio Arévalo Padrón
Jorge Luis Aveleira Rodríguez
Sirley Ávila León
Ramón Bolaño Martín
Veizant Boloy González
Félix Antonio Bonne Carcassés
José Ramón Borges Serrano
Rídel Luis Brea Alcántara
Emilio Bringas Dévora
Caridad Burunate Gómez
Rubisdelvis Cala Merencio
Víctor Campa Almenares
Belkis Cantillo Ramírez
Asunción Carrillo Hernández
Sixto Manuel Cobas de la Rosa
Asdrúbal Delgado Pérez
Gisela Delgado Sablón
Eduardo Díaz Fleitas
Jesús Díaz Morales
Lázaro Díaz Sánchez
Laritza Diversent Cámbara
Víctor Manuel Domínguez García
Dunieski Domínguez González
Tania Echevarría Menéndez
Bárbara Estrabao Bichilí
Guillermo Fariñas Hernández
Yudaimys Fernández Martínez
José Daniel Ferrer García
Yaremis Flores Marín
Héctor Ramón Forés Sánchez
Aimée Garcés Leiva
Mayra García Álvarez
Alejandrina García de la Riva
Juan del Pilar Goberna Hernández
René Gómez Manzano
Roberto González Feria
Julia Silvia González Fundora
Juan Carlos González Leiva
Diosdado González Marrero
Eglis Guilarte Aranda
Iriades Hernández Aguilera
Iván Hernández Carrillo
José Hernández López
Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez
Martín Isaac Sánchez
Odalis Jardines Aguilera
Librado Linares García
René Lázaro López Benítez
Roberto Arsenio López Ramos
Wilfredo Márquez de Armas
Ovidio Martín Castellanos
Alexéis Martínez Vaillant
Héctor Fernando Maseda Gutiérrez
Yosmany Mayeta Labrada
Yenisleydis Millo González
María Elena Mir Marrero
Arcelio Molina Leyva
Ángel Juan Moya Acosta
Saylí Navarro Álvarez
Félix Navarro Rodríguez
Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez
Carlos Oliva Riverí
Carlos Arnel Oliva Torres
Jorge Olivera Castillo
Carlos Olivera Martínez
Maybell Padilla Pérez
Héctor Palacios Ruiz
Adrián Pérez Mendoza
Félix Pérez Palenzuela
Adalberto Pérez Reina
Yúnior Puentes Beruvides
Karina Quintana Hernández
Leticia Ramos Herrería
Francisco Rangel Manzano
Daniel Reina Montano
Yusmila Reyna Ferrera
Raúl Luis Risco Pérez
Orlando Rodríguez Rodríguez
Ana Celia Rodríguez Torres
Nelson Ruiz Alonso
Elizardo Sánchez Santa Cruz
Gerardo E. Sánchez Santa Cruz
Nota de www.unpacu.org: Esta declaración NO es una declaración de la
UNPACU ni auspiciada sólo o de forma protagonista por la UNPACU.
Únicamente está difundida por la UNPACU como contribución al sentido de
la misma, y es obra y causa de las personas físicas arriba firmantes,
sean de la organización que sean.
Quien desee firmar el documento formando parte igualitaria del mismo,
siempre que sea desde la disidencia activa interna pro-democrática y
pacífica en Cuba, puede hacerlo poniéndose en contacto con René Gómez
Manzano en los siguientes teléfonos:
Celular/Móvil: +53 78 30 2803
Teléfono Fijo: +53 52 42 7834
Source: "Campaña para regular alternativas a la Posición Común de la
Unión Europea - Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad2d33a682e11d09d5bb9
[13-12-2013]
Redacción de Misceláneas de Cuba
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- Gran número de disidentes residentes en la
isla han sumado su firma a la "Declaración de Activistas Pro Democracia
de Cuba", que tiene como objetivo normar una eventual colaboración entre
el gobierno cubano y países miembros de la UE que quieran establecer
convenios bi- o multilaterales con Cuba. Lea la declaración íntegra aquí
debajo:
DECLARACIÓN DE ACTIVISTAS PRO DEMOCRACIA DE CUBA
Los abajo firmantes, luchadores pro democracia, combatientes por los
Derechos Humanos y otros activistas independientes cubanos, que firmamos
en orden alfabético al pie, emitimos el presente documento para plantear
lo siguiente:
La Unión Europea (UE) avanza hacia la elaboración de un convenio que
norme las relaciones entre ese bloque político y Cuba, análogo a los
suscritos con otros países. En definitiva, ese documento reemplazaría a
la actual Posición Común de la UE sobre Cuba.
No tenemos objeciones de principio que hacerle a ese propósito, siempre
que en el convenio se plasmen compromisos concretos de la Parte Cubana
en el respeto y cumplimiento irrestricto de todos los Derechos Humanos
internacionalmente reconocidos (incorporando de ese modo los principios
que informan la actual Posición Común) y siempre que se creen mecanismos
para garantizar que se respete lo acordado al respecto y se contemple la
aplicación de una Cláusula de Suspensión en caso de incumplimiento. Una
cuestión diferente es si resulta oportuno o no acometer esas gestiones
en la actual coyuntura.
Es cierto que las autoridades cubanas excarcelaron años atrás a los
presos de conciencia y a otros cautivos políticos, y que han realizado
pequeñas reformas positivas en el terreno económico; pero también es
verdad que se mantiene la cruel represión contra los activistas
independientes. Lo anterior incluye nuevos encarcelamientos, la sujeción
de los presos de conciencia del Grupo de los 75 que permanecen en Cuba a
una licencia extrapenal que pudiera ser revocada en cualquier momento,
golpizas, "actos de repudio" y detenciones arbitrarias, cuyo número
crece de modo alarmante. También vale la pena destacar que el gobierno
cubano, con ocasión del segundo Examen Periódico Universal realizado
este mismo año en el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, rechazó
tajantemente constructivas recomendaciones formuladas por distintos
países democráticos, en particular del Viejo Continente.
En ese contexto:
Nos complace en extremo que la UE y sus países miembros hayan ratificado
de manera repetida que los Derechos Humanos y las libertades
fundamentales permanecerán en el centro de las relaciones entre Cuba y
la UE.
Constatamos que, por desgracia, la violencia política que ejerce el
actual gobierno cubano y los arrestos arbitrarios y otras violaciones de
los Derechos Humanos que él perpetra de manera masiva y sistemática,
siguen constituyendo obstáculos —a nuestro juicio insuperables— en el
proceso de crear la necesaria confianza que dé credibilidad al proceso
de elaboración del convenio bilateral. Mientras no se modifique
sustancialmente esta situación, los objetivos de la Unión Europea no
podrán ser alcanzados.
Expresamos nuestra plena identificación con todos los principios
fundamentales plasmados en el Marco Estratégico de la UE y el Plan de
Acción de Derechos Humanos y la Democracia, y creemos que esos
principios deben ser aplicados plenamente con respecto a Cuba.
En La Habana, a los diez días del mes de diciembre del 2013, Aniversario
LXV de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos.
RELACIÓN INICIAL DE FIRMANTES DEL DOCUMENTO
Publicada el jueves 12 de diciembre de 2013
(en orden alfabético)
Armando Abascal Serrano
William Acevedo Roque
Maritza Acosta Perdomo
Nelson Acosta Ríos
Alexánder Aguilar Sosa
Juan José Alonso Ronduela
José Alberto Álvarez Bravo
Sonia Álvarez Campello
Pável Arcia Céspedes
Bernardo Rogelio Arévalo Padrón
Jorge Luis Aveleira Rodríguez
Sirley Ávila León
Ramón Bolaño Martín
Veizant Boloy González
Félix Antonio Bonne Carcassés
José Ramón Borges Serrano
Rídel Luis Brea Alcántara
Emilio Bringas Dévora
Caridad Burunate Gómez
Rubisdelvis Cala Merencio
Víctor Campa Almenares
Belkis Cantillo Ramírez
Asunción Carrillo Hernández
Sixto Manuel Cobas de la Rosa
Asdrúbal Delgado Pérez
Gisela Delgado Sablón
Eduardo Díaz Fleitas
Jesús Díaz Morales
Lázaro Díaz Sánchez
Laritza Diversent Cámbara
Víctor Manuel Domínguez García
Dunieski Domínguez González
Tania Echevarría Menéndez
Bárbara Estrabao Bichilí
Guillermo Fariñas Hernández
Yudaimys Fernández Martínez
José Daniel Ferrer García
Yaremis Flores Marín
Héctor Ramón Forés Sánchez
Aimée Garcés Leiva
Mayra García Álvarez
Alejandrina García de la Riva
Juan del Pilar Goberna Hernández
René Gómez Manzano
Roberto González Feria
Julia Silvia González Fundora
Juan Carlos González Leiva
Diosdado González Marrero
Eglis Guilarte Aranda
Iriades Hernández Aguilera
Iván Hernández Carrillo
José Hernández López
Jesús Arístides Hernández Pérez
Martín Isaac Sánchez
Odalis Jardines Aguilera
Librado Linares García
René Lázaro López Benítez
Roberto Arsenio López Ramos
Wilfredo Márquez de Armas
Ovidio Martín Castellanos
Alexéis Martínez Vaillant
Héctor Fernando Maseda Gutiérrez
Yosmany Mayeta Labrada
Yenisleydis Millo González
María Elena Mir Marrero
Arcelio Molina Leyva
Ángel Juan Moya Acosta
Saylí Navarro Álvarez
Félix Navarro Rodríguez
Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez
Carlos Oliva Riverí
Carlos Arnel Oliva Torres
Jorge Olivera Castillo
Carlos Olivera Martínez
Maybell Padilla Pérez
Héctor Palacios Ruiz
Adrián Pérez Mendoza
Félix Pérez Palenzuela
Adalberto Pérez Reina
Yúnior Puentes Beruvides
Karina Quintana Hernández
Leticia Ramos Herrería
Francisco Rangel Manzano
Daniel Reina Montano
Yusmila Reyna Ferrera
Raúl Luis Risco Pérez
Orlando Rodríguez Rodríguez
Ana Celia Rodríguez Torres
Nelson Ruiz Alonso
Elizardo Sánchez Santa Cruz
Gerardo E. Sánchez Santa Cruz
Nota de www.unpacu.org: Esta declaración NO es una declaración de la
UNPACU ni auspiciada sólo o de forma protagonista por la UNPACU.
Únicamente está difundida por la UNPACU como contribución al sentido de
la misma, y es obra y causa de las personas físicas arriba firmantes,
sean de la organización que sean.
Quien desee firmar el documento formando parte igualitaria del mismo,
siempre que sea desde la disidencia activa interna pro-democrática y
pacífica en Cuba, puede hacerlo poniéndose en contacto con René Gómez
Manzano en los siguientes teléfonos:
Celular/Móvil: +53 78 30 2803
Teléfono Fijo: +53 52 42 7834
Source: "Campaña para regular alternativas a la Posición Común de la
Unión Europea - Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad2d33a682e11d09d5bb9
Los viajes de “persona-a-persona” solo benefician al régimen
Los viajes de "persona-a-persona" solo benefician al régimen
[13-12-2013]
Jaime Suchlicki
Director del Instituto de Estudios Cubanos y Cubano-Americanos de la
Universidad de Miami
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- La semana pasada me reuní en la
Universidad de Miami con un grupo de 15 estudiantes de Wabash College de
Indiana que regresaban de un viaje a Cuba de tres días.
Durante la estadía en Cuba fueron escoltados por una señora del
Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP), organización que
pertenece al Ministerio del Interior (institución de seguridad y
espionaje en la isla). Los jóvenes se quejaron de que la presencia de la
señora era "asfixiante". En el único momento que ella no los acompañó
fue cuando los estudiantes visitaron la Sección de Intereses de los
Estados Unidos en La Habana.
La visita fue organizada y programada para evitar cualquier tipo de
contacto con el cubano de a pie. Los estudiantes estaban limitados a
visitar varios departamentos del gobierno, institutos, museos,
bibliotecas, etc.
Los estudiantes, y los profesores que los acompañaban, regresaron
decepcionados por lo limitado que estaban. Aunque algunos querían
visitar a disidentes, el programa no se lo permitió.
La idea de que estos tipos de viajes de supuesto contacto de
"persona-a-persona" tiene un impacto en los cubanos es completamente
ridícula. El único beneficio es para el gobierno de Cuba que recibe
dólares y que tiene la oportunidad de influenciar a los estudiantes con
propaganda contra el embargo. Uno de los estudiantes comentó que a ellos
les decían constantemente que "los problemas de Cuba son por causa del
bloqueo americano".
Hay que ser realista. A menos que la estrategia de estos programas de
viaje se cambie para verdaderamente poder penetrar a la sociedad cubana,
los americanos que viajan solo benefician al régimen de los hermanos Castro.
_________________________________________________
*Jaime Suchlicki es Emilio Bacardi Moreau Catedrático y Director,
Instituto de Estudios Cubanos y Cubano-Americanos, Universidad de Miami.
Es autor de Cuba: From Columbus to Castro, Mexico: From Montezuma to the
Rise of the PAN y de Breve Historia de Cuba.
Source: "Los viajes de "persona-a-persona" solo benefician al régimen -
Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad9c03a682e11d09d5bbc
[13-12-2013]
Jaime Suchlicki
Director del Instituto de Estudios Cubanos y Cubano-Americanos de la
Universidad de Miami
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- La semana pasada me reuní en la
Universidad de Miami con un grupo de 15 estudiantes de Wabash College de
Indiana que regresaban de un viaje a Cuba de tres días.
Durante la estadía en Cuba fueron escoltados por una señora del
Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP), organización que
pertenece al Ministerio del Interior (institución de seguridad y
espionaje en la isla). Los jóvenes se quejaron de que la presencia de la
señora era "asfixiante". En el único momento que ella no los acompañó
fue cuando los estudiantes visitaron la Sección de Intereses de los
Estados Unidos en La Habana.
La visita fue organizada y programada para evitar cualquier tipo de
contacto con el cubano de a pie. Los estudiantes estaban limitados a
visitar varios departamentos del gobierno, institutos, museos,
bibliotecas, etc.
Los estudiantes, y los profesores que los acompañaban, regresaron
decepcionados por lo limitado que estaban. Aunque algunos querían
visitar a disidentes, el programa no se lo permitió.
La idea de que estos tipos de viajes de supuesto contacto de
"persona-a-persona" tiene un impacto en los cubanos es completamente
ridícula. El único beneficio es para el gobierno de Cuba que recibe
dólares y que tiene la oportunidad de influenciar a los estudiantes con
propaganda contra el embargo. Uno de los estudiantes comentó que a ellos
les decían constantemente que "los problemas de Cuba son por causa del
bloqueo americano".
Hay que ser realista. A menos que la estrategia de estos programas de
viaje se cambie para verdaderamente poder penetrar a la sociedad cubana,
los americanos que viajan solo benefician al régimen de los hermanos Castro.
_________________________________________________
*Jaime Suchlicki es Emilio Bacardi Moreau Catedrático y Director,
Instituto de Estudios Cubanos y Cubano-Americanos, Universidad de Miami.
Es autor de Cuba: From Columbus to Castro, Mexico: From Montezuma to the
Rise of the PAN y de Breve Historia de Cuba.
Source: "Los viajes de "persona-a-persona" solo benefician al régimen -
Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad9c03a682e11d09d5bbc
Derroche arbitrario de materiales de construcción
Derroche arbitrario de materiales de construcción
[13-12-2013]
María Cristina Labrada Varona
Dama de Blanco
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- En el municipio de Centro Habana, se
encuentra ubicado en la calle San José, lo que un día fue un centro
laboral, y ahora está parcialmente derrumbado; pero en este local, vale
destacar que hay materiales de construcción, sin ninguna custodia y
derrochándose, a pesar de que muchas familias carecen de ellos para
poder arreglar y reparar sus viviendas.
Hay muchas personas que recogen cualquier material constructivo en las
basuras, en las calles, en casas que se derrumban, etc., y mientras que
no pueden arreglar sus viviendas duermen a la intemperie o en
funerarias, terminales de ómnibus, hospitales, etc.
Source: "Derroche arbitrario de materiales de construcción - Misceláneas
de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad15d3a682e11d09d5bb8
[13-12-2013]
María Cristina Labrada Varona
Dama de Blanco
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- En el municipio de Centro Habana, se
encuentra ubicado en la calle San José, lo que un día fue un centro
laboral, y ahora está parcialmente derrumbado; pero en este local, vale
destacar que hay materiales de construcción, sin ninguna custodia y
derrochándose, a pesar de que muchas familias carecen de ellos para
poder arreglar y reparar sus viviendas.
Hay muchas personas que recogen cualquier material constructivo en las
basuras, en las calles, en casas que se derrumban, etc., y mientras que
no pueden arreglar sus viviendas duermen a la intemperie o en
funerarias, terminales de ómnibus, hospitales, etc.
Source: "Derroche arbitrario de materiales de construcción - Misceláneas
de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52aad15d3a682e11d09d5bb8
Carros clásicos, una posesión costosa
Carros clásicos, una posesión costosa
[12-12-2013]
José Antonio Sánchez Santoyo
Periodista Independiente
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- La Habana. Mi ciudad está llena de
vehículos americanos, pero la mayoría están rodando con motores
petroleros y con cajas de velocidad adaptadas de otros vehículos o
camiones, pero también existen los llamados carros clásicos que son
vehículos norteamericanos con todos sus accesorios y piezas originales.
Muchos de ellos con pintura de fábrica y vestidura, su precio oscila
entre el millón y millón y medio de pesos cubanos, pero su mantenimiento
y conservación también resulta un gasto por encima de las posibilidades
de cualquier persona acomodada, muchos dueños de estos vehículos han
tenido que divorciarse de sus mujeres por estarse dedicando por entero a
estos autos.
También existe en esta gran ciudad, vehículos norteamericanos que ruedan
gracias al ingenio de los chapistas que han logrado crear híbridos de
diferentes modelos en uno solo, haciendo difícil a cualquier conocedor
identificar su marca y año de fabricación.
Cosas como estas se ven a diario en esta capital, una de un museo
rodante de automóviles, pues hay rodando en la actualidad más de 100.000
mil vehículos de diferentes épocas y forma, con un tiempo que oscila
entre los 60 y 70 años, los llamados clásicos están regidos por
disposiciones del ministerio del transporte, como fuerte, ya que a sus
propietarios se le prohíbe la venta de los mismos por considerarlos
patrimonios, y solo pueden ser vendidos al museo del automóvil dirigido
por el camarada Leal historiador de la ciudad, cosa que resulta un abuso
y una posición inaceptable.
Los llamados almendrones no entran en esa disposición pues como dije
antes son híbridos, compuesto por motores modernos, de camiones y
también porque no con motores de tractor agrícola, aunque su posesión no
es del todo costosa, tampoco puede decirse que tenerlo sea barato,
porque su gasto de aceite y petróleo es considerable.
En una ciudad como ésta esa nota de estos vehículos constituye a ojos
vista la reminiscencia de un pasado y el sueño actual de la nueva
juventud de poseer en que sea uno de estos, aunque más adelante le
proporcione un inmenso dolor de cabeza y una fuente de problemas como a
los poseedores de los clásicos, sin importarles perder a sus jevas por
un vehículo como estos.
LA VOZ DE LA FRONTERA EN EXPANSIÓN
Source: "Carros clásicos, una posesión costosa - Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52a99cc13a682e128c21ae4a
[12-12-2013]
José Antonio Sánchez Santoyo
Periodista Independiente
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- La Habana. Mi ciudad está llena de
vehículos americanos, pero la mayoría están rodando con motores
petroleros y con cajas de velocidad adaptadas de otros vehículos o
camiones, pero también existen los llamados carros clásicos que son
vehículos norteamericanos con todos sus accesorios y piezas originales.
Muchos de ellos con pintura de fábrica y vestidura, su precio oscila
entre el millón y millón y medio de pesos cubanos, pero su mantenimiento
y conservación también resulta un gasto por encima de las posibilidades
de cualquier persona acomodada, muchos dueños de estos vehículos han
tenido que divorciarse de sus mujeres por estarse dedicando por entero a
estos autos.
También existe en esta gran ciudad, vehículos norteamericanos que ruedan
gracias al ingenio de los chapistas que han logrado crear híbridos de
diferentes modelos en uno solo, haciendo difícil a cualquier conocedor
identificar su marca y año de fabricación.
Cosas como estas se ven a diario en esta capital, una de un museo
rodante de automóviles, pues hay rodando en la actualidad más de 100.000
mil vehículos de diferentes épocas y forma, con un tiempo que oscila
entre los 60 y 70 años, los llamados clásicos están regidos por
disposiciones del ministerio del transporte, como fuerte, ya que a sus
propietarios se le prohíbe la venta de los mismos por considerarlos
patrimonios, y solo pueden ser vendidos al museo del automóvil dirigido
por el camarada Leal historiador de la ciudad, cosa que resulta un abuso
y una posición inaceptable.
Los llamados almendrones no entran en esa disposición pues como dije
antes son híbridos, compuesto por motores modernos, de camiones y
también porque no con motores de tractor agrícola, aunque su posesión no
es del todo costosa, tampoco puede decirse que tenerlo sea barato,
porque su gasto de aceite y petróleo es considerable.
En una ciudad como ésta esa nota de estos vehículos constituye a ojos
vista la reminiscencia de un pasado y el sueño actual de la nueva
juventud de poseer en que sea uno de estos, aunque más adelante le
proporcione un inmenso dolor de cabeza y una fuente de problemas como a
los poseedores de los clásicos, sin importarles perder a sus jevas por
un vehículo como estos.
LA VOZ DE LA FRONTERA EN EXPANSIÓN
Source: "Carros clásicos, una posesión costosa - Misceláneas de Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52a99cc13a682e128c21ae4a
Se agrava estado de salud de preso político David Piloto Barceló
Se agrava estado de salud de preso político
[12-12-2013]
Dania Virgen García
Cuba por Dentro. Corresponsal de Misceláneas de Cuba
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- El asesor de la Comisión de Atención a
Presos Políticos y sus Familiares, Daniel Anselmo González Gómez dijo a
esta reportera que en visita que realizó el pasado 10 de diciembre, Día
de los Derechos Humanos, a Odalys Piloto, hermana del preso político
David Piloto Barceló, enfermo de Tuberculosis, recluido en la prisión
1580, del municipio San Miguel del Padrón, en la Habana, ella le dijo
que su hermano se encuentra en grave estado.
Le expuso que su hermano estuvo dos meses en celda de castigo, en
condiciones infrahumanas, comiendo solamente la comida que ella le
llevaba, porque tiene miedo de que lo envenenen.
El 25 de noviembre cuando lo sacaron de la celda de castigo, después que
fue obligado a ponerse el uniforme de preso, comenzó a vomitar sangre y
el médico de la prisión Ariel Peña Rosales, con número 136213, manifestó
que no lo atendería por ser un contrarrevolucionario, que por él se
podía morir.
También le están negando la asistencia de un especialista en
oftalmología, por lo que está perdiendo la vista.
El jefe de la prisión, Reinaldo Villarrueta Vargas, prohibió que le
surtieran la dieta especializada que le toca al preso político por su
enfermedad.
Source: "Se agrava estado de salud de preso político - Misceláneas de
Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52a994883a682e128c21ae47
[12-12-2013]
Dania Virgen García
Cuba por Dentro. Corresponsal de Misceláneas de Cuba
(www.miscelaneasdecuba.net).- El asesor de la Comisión de Atención a
Presos Políticos y sus Familiares, Daniel Anselmo González Gómez dijo a
esta reportera que en visita que realizó el pasado 10 de diciembre, Día
de los Derechos Humanos, a Odalys Piloto, hermana del preso político
David Piloto Barceló, enfermo de Tuberculosis, recluido en la prisión
1580, del municipio San Miguel del Padrón, en la Habana, ella le dijo
que su hermano se encuentra en grave estado.
Le expuso que su hermano estuvo dos meses en celda de castigo, en
condiciones infrahumanas, comiendo solamente la comida que ella le
llevaba, porque tiene miedo de que lo envenenen.
El 25 de noviembre cuando lo sacaron de la celda de castigo, después que
fue obligado a ponerse el uniforme de preso, comenzó a vomitar sangre y
el médico de la prisión Ariel Peña Rosales, con número 136213, manifestó
que no lo atendería por ser un contrarrevolucionario, que por él se
podía morir.
También le están negando la asistencia de un especialista en
oftalmología, por lo que está perdiendo la vista.
El jefe de la prisión, Reinaldo Villarrueta Vargas, prohibió que le
surtieran la dieta especializada que le toca al preso político por su
enfermedad.
Source: "Se agrava estado de salud de preso político - Misceláneas de
Cuba" -
http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/52a994883a682e128c21ae47
La Unión Europea deja para 2014 la decisión sobre las negociaciones con La Habana
La Unión Europea deja para 2014 la decisión sobre las negociaciones con
La Habana
AGENCIAS | Bruselas | 11 Dic 2013 - 8:06 pm.
REDDIT
Los países de la Unión Europea (UE) dejarán finalmente para comienzos
del próximo año la aprobación de un mandato para negociar con La Habana
un acuerdo bilateral, una decisión que, en un principio, tenían previsto
tomar en la reunión de ministros de Exteriores del próximo lunes en
Bruselas, reporta EFE.
El retraso se debe a que los Veintiocho están aún "discutiendo
cuestiones técnicas", dijeron fuentes diplomáticas, que no quisieron
precisar cuándo el asunto podrá ser llevado ante los ministros.
La intención de los Veintiocho, en todo caso, es cerrar el acuerdo "lo
antes posible", señalaron.
La primera reunión de los titulares de Exteriores tras el parón navideño
está prevista para el 20 de enero, también en la capital belga.
Los Veintiocho deben dar el visto bueno al borrador planteado por el
Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior para negociar con La Habana un
acuerdo bilateral que permita normalizar las relaciones y que, en el
futuro, llevaría a eliminar la Posición Común que desde 1996 rige la
política hacia la Isla.
Ese paso, criticado por la disidencia y el exilio cubanos, además de
organizaciones de derechos humanos, se produciría algo más de un año
después de que los ministros europeos abriesen la puerta a un
acercamiento con el régimen.
En noviembre de 2012, los responsables de Exteriores de la UE encargaron
a la jefa de la diplomacia comunitaria, Catherine Ashton, que explorara
las posibilidades para negociar un acuerdo bilateral.
Pese a la disposición a un acercamiento, la intención de los Veintiocho
es mantener por ahora la Posición Común, que condiciona las relaciones
al respeto a los derechos humanos y medidas a favor de la democracia en
la Isla.
El Gobierno cubano considera la Posición Común una injerencia en sus
asuntos internos y la señala como obstáculo para la normalización de las
relaciones.
Source: "La Unión Europea deja para 2014 la decisión sobre las
negociaciones con La Habana | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1386788778_6304.html
La Habana
AGENCIAS | Bruselas | 11 Dic 2013 - 8:06 pm.
Los países de la Unión Europea (UE) dejarán finalmente para comienzos
del próximo año la aprobación de un mandato para negociar con La Habana
un acuerdo bilateral, una decisión que, en un principio, tenían previsto
tomar en la reunión de ministros de Exteriores del próximo lunes en
Bruselas, reporta EFE.
El retraso se debe a que los Veintiocho están aún "discutiendo
cuestiones técnicas", dijeron fuentes diplomáticas, que no quisieron
precisar cuándo el asunto podrá ser llevado ante los ministros.
La intención de los Veintiocho, en todo caso, es cerrar el acuerdo "lo
antes posible", señalaron.
La primera reunión de los titulares de Exteriores tras el parón navideño
está prevista para el 20 de enero, también en la capital belga.
Los Veintiocho deben dar el visto bueno al borrador planteado por el
Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior para negociar con La Habana un
acuerdo bilateral que permita normalizar las relaciones y que, en el
futuro, llevaría a eliminar la Posición Común que desde 1996 rige la
política hacia la Isla.
Ese paso, criticado por la disidencia y el exilio cubanos, además de
organizaciones de derechos humanos, se produciría algo más de un año
después de que los ministros europeos abriesen la puerta a un
acercamiento con el régimen.
En noviembre de 2012, los responsables de Exteriores de la UE encargaron
a la jefa de la diplomacia comunitaria, Catherine Ashton, que explorara
las posibilidades para negociar un acuerdo bilateral.
Pese a la disposición a un acercamiento, la intención de los Veintiocho
es mantener por ahora la Posición Común, que condiciona las relaciones
al respeto a los derechos humanos y medidas a favor de la democracia en
la Isla.
El Gobierno cubano considera la Posición Común una injerencia en sus
asuntos internos y la señala como obstáculo para la normalización de las
relaciones.
Source: "La Unión Europea deja para 2014 la decisión sobre las
negociaciones con La Habana | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1386788778_6304.html
Las Cámaras de Comercio españolas creen que los 'cambios' en la Isla prometen 'oportunidades'
NEGOCIOS
Las Cámaras de Comercio españolas creen que los 'cambios' en la Isla
prometen 'oportunidades'
AGENCIAS | La Habana | 13 Dic 2013 - 6:35 pm.
Directivos de 26 empresas de transporte, energía, telecomunicaciones y
construcción e infraestructuras asisten a una reunión con el Gobierno
cubano.
El presidente del Consejo Superior de Cámaras de Comercio de España,
Manuel Teruel, opinó este viernes que los "cambios" detectados en la
economía cubana abren la puerta a nuevas oportunidades de comercio e
inversión para las empresas españolas, reporta Europa Press.
Teruel participó en la inauguración en La Habana de la XIX Reunión del
Comité Bilateral Hispano-Cubano. El directivo encabeza una delegación de
26 empresas españolas de los sectores de transporte, energía,
telecomunicaciones y construcción e infraestructuras.
Durante el desarrollo de la reunión, las empresas españolas escucharán
la versión del Gobierno de Raúl Castro sobre las reformas económicas en
marca.
Aunque España continúa teniendo una posición privilegiada en cuanto a
inversiones en la Isla, actualmente compite directamente con países como
Canadá, Italia, Venezuela y China, según Europa Press.
Source: "Las Cámaras de Comercio españolas creen que los 'cambios' en la
Isla prometen 'oportunidades' | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1386956119_6340.html
Las Cámaras de Comercio españolas creen que los 'cambios' en la Isla
prometen 'oportunidades'
AGENCIAS | La Habana | 13 Dic 2013 - 6:35 pm.
Directivos de 26 empresas de transporte, energía, telecomunicaciones y
construcción e infraestructuras asisten a una reunión con el Gobierno
cubano.
El presidente del Consejo Superior de Cámaras de Comercio de España,
Manuel Teruel, opinó este viernes que los "cambios" detectados en la
economía cubana abren la puerta a nuevas oportunidades de comercio e
inversión para las empresas españolas, reporta Europa Press.
Teruel participó en la inauguración en La Habana de la XIX Reunión del
Comité Bilateral Hispano-Cubano. El directivo encabeza una delegación de
26 empresas españolas de los sectores de transporte, energía,
telecomunicaciones y construcción e infraestructuras.
Durante el desarrollo de la reunión, las empresas españolas escucharán
la versión del Gobierno de Raúl Castro sobre las reformas económicas en
marca.
Aunque España continúa teniendo una posición privilegiada en cuanto a
inversiones en la Isla, actualmente compite directamente con países como
Canadá, Italia, Venezuela y China, según Europa Press.
Source: "Las Cámaras de Comercio españolas creen que los 'cambios' en la
Isla prometen 'oportunidades' | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1386956119_6340.html
Activistas piden a la UE que su acuerdo con el régimen incluya 'compromisos concretos' en derechos humanos
Activistas piden a la UE que su acuerdo con el régimen incluya
'compromisos concretos' en derechos humanos
DDC | La Habana | 13 Dic 2013 - 12:40 pm.
También 'mecanismos para garantizar que se respete lo pactado' y una
'cláusula de suspensión' en caso de incumplimientos.
Activistas de la disidencia interna hicieron pública una declaración en
la cual piden a la Unión Europea (UE) que un eventual acuerdo con La
Habana incluya "compromisos concretos" en derechos humanos y "una
cláusula de suspensión en caso de incumplimiento".
"La Unión Europea (UE) avanza hacia la elaboración de un convenio que
norme las relaciones entre ese bloque político y Cuba, análogo a los
suscritos con otros países. En definitiva, ese documento reemplazaría a
la actual Posición Común de la UE sobre Cuba", dicen los activistas en
la declaración.
"No tenemos objeciones de principio que hacerle a ese propósito, siempre
que en el convenio se plasmen compromisos concretos de la parte cubana
en el respeto y cumplimiento irrestricto de todos los Derechos Humanos
internacionalmente reconocidos (incorporando de ese modo los principios
que informan la actual Posición Común) y siempre que se creen mecanismos
para garantizar que se respete lo acordado al respecto y se contemple la
aplicación de una cláusula de suspensión en caso de incumplimiento",
añaden en el texto, fechado el 10 de diciembre, Día Internacional de los
Derechos Humanos.
No obstante, expresan escepticismo sobre la credibilidad de un convenio
con La Habana y el logro de los objetivos de la UE, debido al
comportamiento del régimen en materia de derechos humanos.
Los disidentes destacan que, aunque el Gobierno de Raúl Castro excarceló
presos políticos en los últimos años (la mayoría forzados al exilio) y
ha realizado "pequeñas reformas positivas en el terreno económico",
mantiene una "cruel represión contra los activistas independiente".
"Lo anterior incluye nuevos encarcelamientos, la sujeción de los presos
de conciencia del Grupo de los 75 que permanecen en Cuba a una licencia
extrapenal que pudiera ser revocada en cualquier momento, golpizas,
'actos de repudio' y detenciones arbitrarias, cuyo número crece de modo
alarmante", advierten.
Mencionan, por otra parte, que durante el segundo Examen Periódico
Universal, al que se sometió La Habana este año en el Consejo de
Derechos Humanos de la ONU, el régimen "rechazó tajantemente
constructivas recomendaciones formuladas por distintos países
democráticos, en particular del Viejo Continente".
Los activistas recuerdan que los miembros de la UE han "ratificado de
manera repetida que los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales
permanecerán en el centro de las relaciones" con La Habana.
"Constatamos que, por desgracia, la violencia política que ejerce el
actual Gobierno cubano y los arrestos arbitrarios y otras violaciones de
los derechos humanos que él perpetra de manera masiva y sistemática,
siguen constituyendo obstáculos —a nuestro juicio insuperables— en el
proceso de crear la necesaria confianza que dé credibilidad al proceso
de elaboración del convenio bilateral", señalan los disidentes.
"Mientras no se modifique sustancialmente esta situación, los objetivos
de la Unión Europea no podrán ser alcanzados", alertan.
Entre los firmantes de la declaración, que aparecen ordenados
alfabéticamente, están las Damas de Blanco Belkis Cantillo Ramírez,
Caridad Burunate Gómez y Saylí Navarro Álvarez ; la exdelegada del Poder
Popular Sirley Ávila León; los abogados independientes René Gómez
Manzano, Laritza Diversent Cámbara, Yaremis Flores Marín y Veizant Boloy
González; los opositores Elizardo Sánchez Santa Cruz, Félix Antonio
Bonne Carcassés, Guillermo Fariñas Hernández, Gisela Delgado Sablón,
Juan Carlos González Leiva, Ovidio Martín Castellanos y María Elena Mir
Marrero.
Además, los exprisioneros políticos del Grupo de los 75 José Daniel
Ferrer García, Eduardo Díaz Fleitas, Diosdado González Marrero, Iván
Hernández Carrillo, Librado Linares García, Ángel Juan Moya Acosta,
Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Jorge Olivera Castillo y Héctor Palacios Ruiz.
Source: "Activistas piden a la UE que su acuerdo con el régimen incluya
'compromisos concretos' en derechos humanos | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/1386934827_6335.html
'compromisos concretos' en derechos humanos
DDC | La Habana | 13 Dic 2013 - 12:40 pm.
También 'mecanismos para garantizar que se respete lo pactado' y una
'cláusula de suspensión' en caso de incumplimientos.
Activistas de la disidencia interna hicieron pública una declaración en
la cual piden a la Unión Europea (UE) que un eventual acuerdo con La
Habana incluya "compromisos concretos" en derechos humanos y "una
cláusula de suspensión en caso de incumplimiento".
"La Unión Europea (UE) avanza hacia la elaboración de un convenio que
norme las relaciones entre ese bloque político y Cuba, análogo a los
suscritos con otros países. En definitiva, ese documento reemplazaría a
la actual Posición Común de la UE sobre Cuba", dicen los activistas en
la declaración.
"No tenemos objeciones de principio que hacerle a ese propósito, siempre
que en el convenio se plasmen compromisos concretos de la parte cubana
en el respeto y cumplimiento irrestricto de todos los Derechos Humanos
internacionalmente reconocidos (incorporando de ese modo los principios
que informan la actual Posición Común) y siempre que se creen mecanismos
para garantizar que se respete lo acordado al respecto y se contemple la
aplicación de una cláusula de suspensión en caso de incumplimiento",
añaden en el texto, fechado el 10 de diciembre, Día Internacional de los
Derechos Humanos.
No obstante, expresan escepticismo sobre la credibilidad de un convenio
con La Habana y el logro de los objetivos de la UE, debido al
comportamiento del régimen en materia de derechos humanos.
Los disidentes destacan que, aunque el Gobierno de Raúl Castro excarceló
presos políticos en los últimos años (la mayoría forzados al exilio) y
ha realizado "pequeñas reformas positivas en el terreno económico",
mantiene una "cruel represión contra los activistas independiente".
"Lo anterior incluye nuevos encarcelamientos, la sujeción de los presos
de conciencia del Grupo de los 75 que permanecen en Cuba a una licencia
extrapenal que pudiera ser revocada en cualquier momento, golpizas,
'actos de repudio' y detenciones arbitrarias, cuyo número crece de modo
alarmante", advierten.
Mencionan, por otra parte, que durante el segundo Examen Periódico
Universal, al que se sometió La Habana este año en el Consejo de
Derechos Humanos de la ONU, el régimen "rechazó tajantemente
constructivas recomendaciones formuladas por distintos países
democráticos, en particular del Viejo Continente".
Los activistas recuerdan que los miembros de la UE han "ratificado de
manera repetida que los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales
permanecerán en el centro de las relaciones" con La Habana.
"Constatamos que, por desgracia, la violencia política que ejerce el
actual Gobierno cubano y los arrestos arbitrarios y otras violaciones de
los derechos humanos que él perpetra de manera masiva y sistemática,
siguen constituyendo obstáculos —a nuestro juicio insuperables— en el
proceso de crear la necesaria confianza que dé credibilidad al proceso
de elaboración del convenio bilateral", señalan los disidentes.
"Mientras no se modifique sustancialmente esta situación, los objetivos
de la Unión Europea no podrán ser alcanzados", alertan.
Entre los firmantes de la declaración, que aparecen ordenados
alfabéticamente, están las Damas de Blanco Belkis Cantillo Ramírez,
Caridad Burunate Gómez y Saylí Navarro Álvarez ; la exdelegada del Poder
Popular Sirley Ávila León; los abogados independientes René Gómez
Manzano, Laritza Diversent Cámbara, Yaremis Flores Marín y Veizant Boloy
González; los opositores Elizardo Sánchez Santa Cruz, Félix Antonio
Bonne Carcassés, Guillermo Fariñas Hernández, Gisela Delgado Sablón,
Juan Carlos González Leiva, Ovidio Martín Castellanos y María Elena Mir
Marrero.
Además, los exprisioneros políticos del Grupo de los 75 José Daniel
Ferrer García, Eduardo Díaz Fleitas, Diosdado González Marrero, Iván
Hernández Carrillo, Librado Linares García, Ángel Juan Moya Acosta,
Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Jorge Olivera Castillo y Héctor Palacios Ruiz.
Source: "Activistas piden a la UE que su acuerdo con el régimen incluya
'compromisos concretos' en derechos humanos | Diario de Cuba" -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/1386934827_6335.html
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