U.S.-Cuba Relations

US prone to life Cuba embargo by 2010
The chairman of the House of Representatives has declared that the Democratic majority in Congress is willing to push for a removal of the embargo.

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Cuba farm export bill being readied
The Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus, is preparing legislation that will allow U.S. farmers easier access to exporting goods to Cuba. The bill is expected to be announced sometime this week.

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[Tiana]

People restless as Cuba digs in

HAVANA -- Throngs of people who gathered in front of the government headquarters for the annual May Day celebration sent a clear orchestrated message Friday: The Cuban government isn't planning to go away anytime soon.

Cuban leader Raúl Castro, in a guayabera and straw hat, did not speak -- he let the event do the talking for him. The unspoken message was that no matter the hype about increased talks with Washington, the hemisphere's last communist government has no immediate plans for change.

''Let us raise our flags and voices so that -- from one pole to the other on this planet, from one continent to another -- the unwavering decision of these extraordinary and combative people to build socialism under the direction of the Communist Party of Cuba, of Raúl and Fidel, will resound,'' said Cuban government labor union leader Salvador Valdés, the only official speaker at the International Worker's Day parade.

But as Valdés, other top officials and 2,000 international guests assembled with tens of thousands of people at the Plaza of the Revolution, a photo taken from the crowd roared perhaps even louder: A beaming young woman in dark sunglasses went to the Cuban May Day parade waving an enormous U.S. flag.

Cubans on the island, widely considered supporters of President Barack Obama, applaud his recent decision to let U.S. residents visit and send cash to relatives on the island as often as they wish.

Friday's May Day celebration took place amid weeks of speculation that Washington and Havana could begin to bury their 50-year-old hatchet. When Obama lifted long-standing restrictions that kept people from visiting relatives on the island, he let Castro know that if he expected more moves like that one, Cuba had to make the next move.

Both Castros have rejected that notion.

''Never should the adversary be under the illusion that Cuba will surrender,'' former dictator Fidel Castro wrote in his regular newspaper column, ''Reflections,'' published Friday.

''Today they are willing to forgive us if we resign ourselves to return to the fold, as slaves who after experiencing freedom once again accept the whip and the yoke,'' he said. `` . . . There are still some who believe that peoples can be manipulated like puppets.''

At a meeting of non-aligned nations Wednesday in Havana, Raúl Castro said Obama's move was too small.

''Cuba is not the one that needs to make gestures,'' he said. ``Cuba is not the one that stops its country's businessmen from doing business with ours. Cuba is not the one punishing financial transactions by U.S. banks.''

Several Cubans interviewed in Havana said Friday's parade seemed out of touch with the bitter daily reality of a country where the monthly wage is about $20.

''The way things are, I don't think this is the right time,'' said Yovanni, 28, a bicycle taxi driver. ``Those who need to work don't have time for parades.''

The Cuban government reported that more than 2,000 people flew to Cuba from 70 different nations to attend the event. Granma, the Communist Party's newspaper, included more than a dozen articles on its web site about the annual gathering, and featured photos of people like the daughter of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto ''Che'' Guevara.

Internationally known Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez wrote in a web posting last week that she planned to use the occasion to hold a nighttime pot-banging rally to protest Cubans' inability to travel freely. The protest, known as a cacerolazo, was scheduled for evening, but it was not known Friday if it took place.

Polo, 60, traveled 400 miles from Las Tunas to Havana so people at work would not be suspicious of him missing the government-promoted event. Laborers are given the day off to attend but Polo was not enthusiastic.

''The revolution doesn't sing in your ear anymore,'' he said. ``Sometimes, I don't even have one peso to buy tobacco. The crisis has spread to the whole world, but it has always been in Cuba.''

Leaning on a concrete wall covered with posters of Fidel and Che Guevara, Polo said he hopes for better times. His words and gestures contrasted with the nearby singing of a group of young men from the La Corona cigar factory, who improvised ribald lyrics.

Unwilling to join them was Lázaro, 70, a psychologist who worked in schools and universities as long as he could. He said that he no longer has the faith or the energy to celebrate May Day.

''There was talk of changes, and so far -- nothing,'' he said. ``Under those circumstances, it's hard to wait.''

Lázaro believes that a solution is attainable but that the obstacle is ''upstairs'' -- the government, where few officials accept the reality of the times.

''It's as if everything were decomposing,'' Lázaro said, adding that the hand of the authorities in Havana is not doing what it should.

''It has turned,'' he said, ``into a closed fist.''

This story was written by Miami Herald staff writer Frances Robles with contributions from an El Nuevo Herald correspondent in Havana whose name -- as well as the surnames of those interviewed -- were withheld because the reporter lacked the journalists' visa required by the Cuban government.

-http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1028987.html

-amanda

U.S.-Cuban Relations

Raul Castro: Onus not on Cuba for US relations
Raul Castro dismissed President Obama's recent policy changes as the bare minimum, since the embargo is still in tact. He claims that the embargo has not political or moral pretext, and thus, Cuba should not be forced to politically or morally restructure itself in order to have the embargo removed.

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US farmers, ranchers push for greater Cuba access
The farm lobby is pushing Congress to ease trade restrictions with Cuba, so that the US can continue exporting goods to Cuba. A 2005 interpretation of the embargo required that Cuban importers pay before the goods are shipped; an interpretation that has "severly restricted sales." 15 US Senators are now supportive of revisiting the trade embargo.

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30 inmates cleared to leave Guantanamo, Holder says
US Attorney General Eric Holder has stated that about 30 inmates at Guantanamo Bay have been cleared for release. Holder has been speaking with many different European countries in an attempt to establish where the detainees will be released to. Holder also noted that the US plans to cooperate with Spain's investigation into whether or not the Bush administration violated international torture laws.

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[Tiana]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/world/americas/27cuba.html?_r=2&hp

U.S. Plans Informal Meetings With Cuba

-amanda

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1016809.html

Forum on Guevara just part of U.S. rebranding

A U.S.-sponsored discussion of the branding of Ernesto ''Che'' Guevara signaled a new approach to Latin America.

-amanda

Obama urges Cuba to take concrete steps

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1007619.html

-amanda

Fidel Castro:Obama 'misinterpreted' Raul's words

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1011393.html

-amanda

http://www.miamiherald.com/579/story/997678.html

President Obama announced that all gift and travel restrictions for Cuban American's will be lifted.
-amanda

U.S.-Cuban Relations

U.S. lawmakers meet with Cuban foreign minister
Lawmakers Barbara Lee, Bobby Rush and Mel Watt all met with Cuban's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, in Havana in order to work to improve U.S.-Cuban relations.

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U.S. Congress members meet Cuba's Fidel Castro
A delegation of three congressmen and women met with both former Cuban president Fidel Castro and current Cuban president Raul Castro. The delegation reported that it was sure that the new Cuban government wants to work to end the embargo against them.

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http://havanajournal.com/business/entry/pro-business-cuba-trade-expo-wraps-in-miami/

cuban trade expo = pro business

attendees learned about various US Cuba business related topics such as US Cuba relations, business in Cuba today, tourism, agriculture, energy, real estate, investing in Cuba’s future and the effects of recent changes to the US Embargo against Cuba.

Protesters are only handful of senior citizens which might have been the Cuban elite exiles who left cuba in the early 60's

Event organizer Jonathan Bedard is considered the first Cuban trade expo to be a success and he is already planning the 2010 Cuba Trade Expo.

http://www.miamiherald.com/1460/v-fullstory/story/987681.html

U.S -Cuba policy takes center stage as summit nears

-Amanda

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,913118,00.html

Mafia Spies in Cuba

-Amanda

U.S.-Cuban Relations

Lawmakers push to open travel to Cuba
Many lawmakers are pushing to remove the travel restrictions to Cuba, and ultimately, to remove the trade embargo that has been in place for over half a century. The bill, which is titled the Dorgan Bill, would allow American's the right to travel to Cuba, only to be stopped by the President in times of war or if there's an "imminent danger."

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Biden says no plans to scrap trade embargo
Contradictory to moves being made by legislators towards the removal of the U.S.-Cuban trade embargo, Vice President Joe Biden stated that the Obama Administration isn't going to overturn the trade embargo.

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Fidel Castro criticizes Biden for embargo support
In response to Biden's statement, Fidel Castro criticizes the American Government for refusing to move forward in its trade relations with Cuba.

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U.S.-Cuba Relations

Shock Cabinet Shakeup jolts core of Cuba's leadership
http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20090307com3.html


Congress votes to ease Cuban travel
Congress passed the bill which makes it easier for Cuban Americans to visit their families in Cuba. The bill removes limitations on the amount of time that Cuban Americans can spend in Cuba, restrictions that were previously put in place by the Bush Administration.

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Cuba policy 'showdown' is far from over
This article looks at the controversy brewing over the passage of the bill that allows Cubans to visit Cuba without time limitations. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner along with two Senators Menendez and Nelson, promised to "interpret the law so strictly that it would be rendered ineffective." Whereas, House Rep. Serrano promised to not allow those in opposition to the bill behave "'just like the Bush Administration did.'"

Clikc here to read the article


Cuban official rules out any Obama preconditions for improved relations
Cuba says they're willing to talk, but makes it very clear that they're unwilling to take any U.S. preconditions. Josefina Vidal Ferrerio, the director of the North American division of the Cuban Foerign Ministry, speaks on what it is that Cuba needs and wants from the U.S.

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Online radio show on Cuba and the U.S.
On this episode of WorldFocus, the history of U.S.-Cuban relations is discussed along with the future of U.S.-Cuban relations. The speakers include the director for the Cuban division of the Center for International Policy, and a former political analyst for the Cuban government.
Click here to listen to the radio session.

U.S.-Cuba Foreign Policy

Cuba bill opens Obama-Menendez rift

This article discusses Senator Robert Menendez's attempts to prevent the U.S. from relaxing it's travel restrictions on Cuban Americans who wish to visit Cuba, by holding up two of Obama's nominations. Menendez, who is the only Cuban-American Democrat in the Senate, asserts that passing this bill would be "extending a hand while the Castro regime maintains its iron-handed clenched fist."

Click here to read the article.

Cuba shake-up raises questions about US relations

This article examines Raul Castro's decision to replace the Cuban foreign minister and Cabinet Secretary, both of whom are labeled "Fidel loyalists," and the impact that might have on future relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/cuba/AP/story/921053.html

talks about the first time people were able to read a book that was not allowed in the country after 50 years of authority intervention. The book is called "Boring Home" by Orlando Pardo

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/cuba/AP/story/916233.html

Sen. Lugar says US must rethink Cuba embargo

http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/917891.html

Raul Castro marks first year as Cuba's leader

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/cuba/story/918881.htmlalmail.berkeley.edu/

Cuba awaits its oil boom and runs short on cash

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/cuba/story/918854.html

Congress easing restrictions on Cuba Travel

U.S.-Cuba Trade Relations

Outlook good for U.S. rice to Cuba

This article is about the possibility of Cuba restoring trade with the U.S. It focuses specifically on the impact of Cuba importing rice, and how that has the potential to benefit the U.S. rice business.

Click here to read


Cuba distributes more than 45,000 land parcels

Contrary to the previous article, President Raul Castro just distributed more than 45,000 land parcels composed of unused state lands to citizens (mostly farmers), in an attempt to revitalize Cuba's agriculture business. This article also talks about how he plans on cutting Cuba's imports. So, we'll see how the whole trade-with-Cuba-while-it-becomes-independent-of-trade thing plays out.

Click here to read


Guatemala apologizes to Cuba for Bay of Pigs

A little more recently, the Guatemalan President, Alvaro Colom, apologized for his role in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 (a failed CIA attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro). Seeing as how the US has recently expressed interest in restoring trade relations with Cuba, I wonder if this incident, since it's recently resurfacing, will play a role in preventing the restoration of U.S.-Cuban trade relations.

Click here to read

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-05-voa52.cfm



Fidel Castro criticizes Obama demanding Guantanamo bay back to the Cuban people. And Obamas promise of US energy independence.

Castro wants Guantanamo returned to Cuba (En Español)

This article is a column written by Fidel Castro, in which he claims that the U.S. Government is illegally occupying Guantanamo, and demands that the property be returned to Cuba. Castro also claims that Obama supports the Israeli genocide against the Palenestian people.

Click here to read.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/22/cuba.castro/index.html#cnnSTCText

Fidel Castro praises Obama

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/world/europe/31castro.html?scp=3&sq=cuba&st=cse

Russia and Cuba revive their bond

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/26/gitmo.next/index.html

this is an article speaking to President Obama's next actions with Guantanamo Bay

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/26/gitmo.next/index.html

Welcome to US-Cuba/Miami Student Watch Group

In this blog, students will post links to news and blogs to US-Cuba issues.