News Archives - Page 1249 of 1381

What Are Andy Garcia & Gloria Estefan up to?

Cuban-Americana singer Gloria Estefan headed a march this past Friday in Miami in support of the Cuban dissident group known as the Ladies in White. Likewise, actor Andy Garcia headed a protest on Sunday in Los Angeles with the same objective.

Havana Times invites its readers to reflect on this issue:

What has compelled these artists to lead demonstrations against the Cuban government?

Are they defending the interests of Cubans who live on the island?

Will these marches contribute to better relations between Cuba and the United States?

Participate in the debate.

Striker Fariñas May Be Sent to Spain

Cuban opposition activist Guillermo Fariñas may be taken to Spain in an airplane ambulance to be treated for an infection, informed his spokesperson Liset Zamora. Fariñas, on a hunger strike since over a month puts as a condition his traveling to Spain being allowed by Cuban authorities to return to the island to continue his campaign for freedom for political prisoners.

March in L.A. against Cuban Gov.

Thousands marched in Los Angeles, California on Sunday to demand the freedom of political prisoners and respect for human rights in Cuba, reported IPS. The protest was led by Cuban-born actor Andy Garcia and received support from Cuba by the famous blogger Yoani Sanchez.

Bureaucracy Hinders Pork Production

A lack of coordination between four different Cuban state offices is the main cause for the stagnation in pork production in Havana, stated members of the Small Farmers Association (ANAP). A front page article in Granma, the Communist Party daily stated on Monday, “The farmers criticized the ‘diabolic’ mechanisms that hold back production in the capital.”

Ecuador Tries To Cut Cuban Immigrants

In an effort to put a break on the increase in convenience marriages, a way used by many Cubans to emigrate, the government of Ecuador will now require a temporary visa for foreigners wanting to marry in this South American country. The announcement came from Eduardo Barrera, director of Foreign Immigration. The number of Cubans marrying Ecuadorians increased from 88 in 2007 to 1,542 in the first nine months of 2009. An estimated that 15 percent of those marriages were considered false, reported IPS.

Cuba Swine Flu Vaccinations April 1-20

Cuban health authorities announced over the weekend that a vaccination campaign against the A H1N1 flu virus will begin on April 1 and extend through April 20, reported IPS. The target group is approximately 10 percent of the total islands population of 11.2 million, zeroing in on those considered most vulnerable to the illness including pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses or immune system deficiencies, and the country’s health and education personnel.

Opposition Accepts Revision of U.S. Aid

Representatives of the Cuban opposition welcomed with satisfaction the announcement that the U.S. government will revise the aid programs for the dissidence in Cuba based on the veto imposed by Senator John Kerry to the 40 million dollars to be given for this purpose, reported IPS quoting the Miami-based El Nuevo Herald. “There has not been a transparent administration of the immense amount of resources,” affirmed Manuel Cuesta Morúa, who on the other hand questioned the need for a foreign government to back the dissidence.

Cuban expert says EU “interventionist and discriminatory”

The European Union (EU) policy toward Cuba is “interventionist and discriminatory” and it should change it without expecting anything in return from the Raúl Castro government, to “return to the normal state in which we were in 1995,” diplomat Carlos Alzugaray affirmed to Spain’s RTVE. Alzugaray, who 15 years ago was the island’s ambassador before the European bloc, rejected the EU’s criticism of the death of oppositionist Orlando Zapata and assured that the Cuban authorities would not give in to hunger strikes.

Villa Clara 6-3 over Industriales before 58,000

Ariel Borrero hit a two-out, two-run single to break open a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth to put Villa Clara in the drivers seat with a three game to two lead over Industriales as the teams head to Santa Clara for game six of the Cuban Baseball League championship series on Tuesday.

Industriales 11-1 Rout Evens Series

Industriales pounded out 20 hits on Saturday to breeze to a 11-1 win over Villa Clara to even their best-of-seven championship baseball series at two games each. Arley Sanchez pitched six shutout innings to get the win.