
Holguin, July 2007
The three who were transferred are Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and Ramón Labañino.
Link: Along the Malecon's Spy vs. spy page
We need to strengthen energy cooperation in the region as well as we foster democracy and fair trade. And fostering democracy must include Cuba. We should reverse Bush policies restricting remittances and travel to visit loved ones – family reunification. Raúl Castro has started to make some overtures towards the United States. Let’s challenge him to show his sincerity by releasing Cuban political prisoners.After the speech, someone asked if the U.S. should lift economic sanctions. Richardson said:
Our most important objective with Cuba right now is how can we positively influence the transition to democracy? That should be short term. Do we take the embargo out now? No. But what I would do is I would challenge Cuba. Raúl Castro is sending messages: We want normalization of relations. Okay, here’s something that you might do: release political prisoners – journalists, dissidents. Those are the steps that I would take.But what I would also do is I would have a plan for that democratic transition. I hope the Bush administration has one. Because I believe as the Cuban people get more American contact and travel and all kinds of initiatives – I don’t understand the Bush administration saying, we’re going to cut down on travel – family travel and remittances. People-to-people contacts strengthen nations. So those are the steps that I would take. Taking the embargo off I believe is premature. I think there has to be a negotiation.I would get leaders of foreign – former presidents of Latin America to help me visualize a policy for a post-Castro Cuba where you push for a democratic transition, where you push for democracy, where you push for fair elections, where you push for long-term viability of that country and reintegrate it into the Americas.
Why would Richardson find it necessary to pay his own expenses? Either he is going legally and as part of his job and therefore the state should be paying, or he is going illegally! He wouldn't be "legal" unless he is going as a government official. Or is he traveling as a private citizen using the farmers' "business" license? This should be clarified for everyone else who wants to spend money in Cuba! (just to point out the continuing absurdity of the OFAC regulations . . .)I think Richardson may be paying his own way because Cuba is such a political lightning rod. Maybe, as it turns out, he's not feeling quite so bold. But at least he's making the trip. More American politicians should follow his example.
* State Agriculture Department Secretary I. Miley GonzalezThis is being touted as a trade mission and nothing more. But if anyone can make diplomatic inroads, it's Richardson.
* Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman
* Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Katherine Miller.
* Richardson Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos.
Burning calories
Cubans walk everywhere and it helps them stay fit. That must contribute to Cubans' average life expectancy - 75 years for men, almost 80 for women.
The average is 77.45 for men and women, ranking 55th in the world, according to the CIA's World Factbook. Life expectancy in the U.S. averages 78.11 and ranks 50th.
The woman and child shown above were walking past the Partagas Cigar Factory, behind the Capitolio.
Partagas, along Calle Industria, is reputed to be Cuba's oldest cigar factory.
A Wordle cloud showing how bloggers responded when asked about the future of blogs in Cuba.Aguaya, a prominent Cuban blogger, has released the results of a poll of more than 200 people who blog about Cuba. Among the findings: 75 percent of Cuba bloggers polled don't live on the island.
Something has to be done...they can't do this to us....let's not quit until they return Skype to us.
...You can utilize the VPN technology to by-pass the installed censorship filter and unblock Skype. You can either setup your own VPN server or buy VPN access from existing VPN service providers on the market. You can also strengthen the security while using VPN connection on the road because the communication between the VPN server and you is always encrypted.
Correa speaks in Havana on Jan. 8, the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's triumphant march into Havana after Fulgencio Batista fled the country.
Handwritten signs, posters and billboards throughout Cuba demands the return of five Cuban agents held in U.S. prisons. I took these photos in Holguín.
Cuba has world-class athletes in dozens of sports. Rollerblading isn't terribly common, at least not yet.
A September 2007 article in Juventud Rebelde said about 3,000 young Cubans practiced rollerblading, skateboarding and other "extreme sports." Coming up with enough money to pay for equipment is a problem, the newspaper quoted sports officials as saying.
We have no intention of participating for the moment in any international competition as we consider this discipline is 'inappropriate' for women.Below, pics of female boxers outside Cuba...
was released a couple of hours later with a promise that his request will be answered.
Almeida was arrested May 6 after attempting to flee in a boat and given supervised parole. Since 2006, he has asked the authorities repeatedly for an exit permit that would enable him to seek medical treatment abroad for a rheumatoid disease he has had for years. His wife and daughter live in the United States.Almeida's 82-year-old father is Vice President of the Council of State. He's one of the heroes of the Cuban revolution and led a rebel contingent in Santiago de Cuba.
Three leaders of the Cuban revolution. From left, Raul Castro, Juan Almeida and Fidel Castro. Source of photo: Spartacus EducationalWikipedia says Almeida is also head of Cuba's National Association of Veterans and Combatants of the Revolution. More photos of Almeida from his revolutionary days are here.