2010-06-29 / Jorge Olivera Castillo (Sindical Press) / Feature Article

Will Guillermo Fariñas Die?

It is increasingly likely that the answer will be the affirmative. A simple assessment of recent events is enough to arrive at this fatal conclusion. It might even be able to have a ... more

2010-05-11 / Ondrej Nezbeda / Feature Article

Cuba: A Report from a Country where Silence is Feared (Part II)

Granma is ruled by Granpa Raúl Castro has made promises about the issue of freedom of the press. So far, though, the only noticeable change has been the extension of the number of ... more

2010-07-29 / AFP - Agence France-Presse

Cuba weighs expanding small private businesses

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) -- Cuba's lawmakers on Wednesday mulled legalizing more small private businesses, perhaps expanding a limited program to include farm and food industries in the economically struggling communist nation, state media said.

Committees in the National Assembly were reviewing potential measures ahead of a keenly awaited address on Sunday by President Raul Castro.

The Cuban president, 79, is expected to outline social and economic policies, possibly including some significant changes.

In a country in which 95 percent of the economy is state-run, inefficiency is rampant and wages are woefully low, Cubans' hopes are running high that some change is coming to allow some economic opening in the Americas' only one-party communist regime.

Castro three months ago gave a green light for a test-run privatization of barber and beauty shops.       ...more

2010-07-29 / AP Wire Service

Paralyzed Cuban political prisoner headed to US

HAVANA — A recently freed Cuban political prisoner was preparing to board his Wednesday flight to the U.S from Havana's airport.

Ariel Sigler, 44 and paralyzed from the waist down, was released to his home in Matanzas province in June as part of a deal between Cuba's government and the island's Roman Catholic Church.

He obtained a U.S. visa quickly, and subsequently was given permission to leave the island by Cuban authorities.

Sigler was expected to board a special charter flight to Miami soon, without any relatives accompanying him.

"I'm going, looking to regain my health," he told reporters at the airport. "When I arrive in Miami ... they are waiting for me and will take me to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where I hope to regain my strength."

Sigler said he eventually planned to return to Cuba "because this government's days are numbered."       ...more

2010-07-29 / Nick Amies (Deutsche Welle)

Rebellious Spain stands firm in pursuit of change to EU Cuba policy

How does one solve a problem like Cuba? Even the United States, which has had a very clear Cuba policy for the past 50 years, finds it increasingly difficult to understand the real motives behind the contradictory actions and words coming from the regime in Havana. The political climate seems to change daily; strong hints of democratic reform and the upholding of human rights are often followed by a return to bellicose anti-capitalist statements and crackdowns.

Despite the ambiguous nature of Cuba's current international persona, the US position remains clear. Since April 2009, President Barack Obama has been implementing a less strict policy toward Cuba and has stated that he is open to dialogue with Havana. Some economic sanctions and travel restrictions have since been eased but the trade embargo, which has stood since 1960, will only end when Cuba shows real political change.

If only the European Union's stance was as clearly defined. Until recently, it looked as though it was. But in the last few months, divisions have started to appear and the bedrock on which Europe's Cuba policy is built has started to show some cracks.         ...more