Viewing from August 2015
Celac Calls for Return of Guantanamo Territory to Cuba
News from Cuba | Monday, 31 August 2015
The regional body met to discuss how member states will move forward with the 2020 Agenda. The return of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base territory to Cuba and a call for dialogue of various sectors over the political crisis in Guatemala were two of the statements released by representatives of the ... read more
Cuban medical brigade departs for Dominica to treat victims of Erika
News from Cuba | Monday, 31 August 2015
Dr. Norberto Ramos, leading the brigade, noted that they have been equipped with all the necessary medicine and equipment to deal with the effects of the intense rain and flooding on the island A 16-strong Cuban medical brigade including doctors, nurses and epidemiologists, together with three construction engineers and two electrical ... read more
Was it a mistake to reject Cuba's offer of Katrina medical help?
News from Cuba | Thursday, 27 August 2015
WASHINGTON – Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, President Barack Obama's spokesman was asked whether the administration's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba might lead to a different response then when the Bush administration rejected Cuban President Fidel Castro's offer of medical assistance. "Others have sent money; we are offering to save ... read more
President of Liberia recognises impact of Cuban collaboration
News from Cuba | Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Liberia.— President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, expressed her gratitude to the Cuban government for their generous support during the Ebola crisis, sending 53 health professionals to combat the epidemic and granting scholarships to Liberians to study in Cuba, in particular careers in medicine. Johnson Sirleaf recalled her meeting with ... read more
Long and contentious history stands in the way of normalisation
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 25 August 2015
President Obama’s surprise announcement last December to normalise relations with Cuba has produced a flurry of media interest in this island nation that has been off-limits to Americans for more than half a century. Much of the coverage has focused on the arduous negotiations that have transpired in the effort ... read more
U.S.-Cuba relations have always been far from 'normal'
News from Cuba | Monday, 24 August 2015
U.S.-Cuba relations are still far from normal - and may never be. Secretary of State John Kerry has heralded the renewal of diplomatic ties, symbolized by the formal reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as a step “to restoring fully normal relations between the United States and Cuba.” But there are ... read more
Raúl congratulates Cuban women on FMC’s 55th anniversary
News from Cuba | Monday, 24 August 2015
President Rául Castro sent heartfelt congratulations to women across the island on the 55th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women BAYAMO, Granma— President Rául Castro sent heartfelt congratulations to women across the island on the 55th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women’s founding (FMC). His message was conveyed by the ... read more
American Airlines Opens Direct Route to Havana from Los Angeles
News from Cuba | Wednesday, 19 August 2015
The move follows the formal reopening last week of the American embassy in Havana. American Airlines announced Wednesday that it will begin weekly charter flights between Los Angeles and Havana starting in December. The statement comes less than a week after the United States reopened an embassy in Cuba as part of ... read more
New relationship is a greater challenge to Obama than to Havana
News from Cuba | Wednesday, 19 August 2015
During the five decades of confrontation between the United States and Cuba, there were periods of top-secret contacts and meetings, periods ruled by an absolute freeze, and times when the threats of the hemispheric power rose and even became violent. There were moments so critical that Gen. Alexander Haig, a notable ... read more
U.S. Raises Flag in Cuba After 54 Years, Prisoner Exchanges and "Stork Diplomacy"; Embargo Remains
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 18 August 2015
A special report on the openinf of the US Embassy in Havana by Democracy NowWatch the video here or read the transcript below The United States and Cuba are taking the next step in restoring diplomatic relations with each other as Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Havana Friday to ... read more
Bruno Rodríguez and John Kerry hold joint press conference
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Following the opening of the US Embassy in Havana on 14 August, Cuban Foreign Secretary, Bruno Rodríguez, and US Secretary of State, John Kerry, held a join press conference. A transcript of the meeting is reproduced below: Bruno Rodríguez.- Good afternoon. I apologize that you have had to wait a few minutes; ... read more
Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. sees long road to normal ties
News from Cuba | Monday, 17 August 2015
Josefina Vidal receives a check from the United States for $4,085 once a year, rent money for the U.S. naval base at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay. But Cuba's government refuses to cash the checks, made out to a non-existent Treasurer, because it sees the U.S. occupation of Guantanamo as illegal. Former leader Fidel ... read more
Fidel Castro Calls for Millions in Compensation from US
News from Cuba | Friday, 14 August 2015
In a letter published Thursday, the leader of the Cuban revolution reflected on a life of struggle for justice. Fidel Castro, historic leader of the Cuban revolution, turns 89 years old Thursday. On the occasion of his birthday, he penned a letter reflecting on history, declaring, “we will never stop ... read more
John Kerry to arrive in Havana to open U.S. embassy
News from Cuba | Friday, 14 August 2015
Given the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, this past the July 20, Secretary of State John Kerry will arrives Havana tomorrow, August 14, for the official opening of the U.S. embassy in Cuba.This is the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to the ... read more
Bolivian President Arrives in Cuba for Fidel Castro's Birthday
News from Cuba | Thursday, 13 August 2015
The Bolivian leader expressed his admiration for the leader of the Cuban Revolution and highlighted the great success and unity of its people. The president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, arrived in Cuba late Wednesday night to participate in Fidel Castro's birthday celebration. The leader of the Cuban Revolution turns 89 on ... read more
Survey: Renewal of US-Cuban Relations Receives Broad Support
News from Cuba | Thursday, 13 August 2015
Most U.S. and Latin American citizens want the U.S. government to put an end to the blockade on the island. As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is about to inaugurate the historical reopening of the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, people surveyed in five Latin American countries and in the ... read more
Cuban hepatitis B medication undergoing clinical trials
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 11 August 2015
A Cuban medication to treat chronic hepatitis B, HeberNasvac, created by scientists at the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB), is currently undergoing clinical trials in collaboration with the French company Abivax. The product has been undergoing safety and efficacy tests for several years, stated a CIGB specialist. According to Iris Lugo ... read more
Cuban Hero Attends Activity for Hiroshima''s 70th Anniversary
News from Cuba | Thursday, 6 August 2015
Fernando Gonzalez participated in the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tokyo, Aug 6 (Prensa Latina) Fernando Gonzalez, vice president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and Hero of the Republic of Cuba, participated today here in the events to ... read more
US Blockade Cost Cuba $117 Billion, UN Reports
News from Cuba | Thursday, 6 August 2015
The small Caribbean island has been hard hit by the U.S. blockade. Cuba lost out on US$117 billion between 1960 and 2014 due to the U.S. economic blockade on the country, according to the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. “In the U.N. General Assembly we calculated the ... read more
Cuban Doctors Spur 'Amazing' Improvement in Brazil Healthcare
News from Cuba | Wednesday, 5 August 2015
The Mas Medicos program now serves over 70 percent of Brazil's cities, and some of the country's most isolated regions. A Cuban-supported medical programme in Brazil has dramatically improved access to healthcare for the poorest Brazilians, the South American country's health ministry said Tuesday.“We've had an amazing expansion in access to ... read more
Evo Morales advocates elimination of U.S. blockade
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 4 August 2015
The Bolivian President expressed his hope that President Barack Obama would end the blockade of Cuba, and return the Guantánamo Naval Base territory LA PAZ.— Speaking with the press, Bolivian President Evo Morales expressed his hope that President Barack Obama would end the blockade of Cuba, and return territory illegally occupied ... read more
Clinton Endorses Dismantling of Cuba Blockade
News from Cuba | Monday, 3 August 2015
Hillary Clinton has criticised supporters of the Cuban blockade as looking at the world through an “outdated cold war lens.” U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton called Friday for a total end to the blockade of Cuba, and demanded Republican opponents “either get on board or get out of the way.” “The Cuba ... read more
