The US economic blockade of Cuba -a leftover from the Cold War against the Soviet Union- enters a sixth decade on Jan. 1, 2010. While there was some hope, especially on States side, as to a possible easing of the stranglehold under President Obama, the president’s first year in office proved the skeptics at home and in Havana right.
Read MoreI have observed that errors in our country have a tendency to become orphans and fall into oblivion. It’s as if they had never happened. They are simply not mentioned. When there is no other remedy than to point these out, the passive voice is always used: “it was performed poorly,” or “an incorrect method was used.” It’s not said who made the error or who was behind a mistaken policy; while successes are always attributed to a person.
Read MoreThe prison camp set up by the US government at its Guantanamo Naval Base will continue operations into the second year of the Obama administration in January, and AP reported on Sunday that it may well survive into 2011. The prison, used to house hundreds of detainees arrested without charges, legal rights or a fair trial, is located on occupied Cuban territory at the pristine Guanatanamo Bay in the far eastern part of the country.
Read MoreEvery December 16, thousands journey along the road that leads to the village of El Rincon, several miles outside of the Cuban capital. They are believers who want to be present at the church at dawn the following day to celebrate the parish’s San Lazaro Day festivities.
Read MoreCuba’s top salsa band, Los Van Van, are scheduled to perform in Key West Florida on January 28 reported Reuters on Wednesday. The group led by Juan Formell has been at the top of the charts for the last 40 years. Starting in April the Van Van will begin a 70-concert US tour.
Read MoreThe government of Spain will try to replace the current so called Common Position, in force since 1996 as the European Union’s framework for relations with Cuba, during the first half of 2010, when it takes over the presidency of the bloc of 27 countries, affirmed Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
Read MoreCuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez described the UN Conference on Climate Change, held in Copenhagen, as an “anti-democratic farce.” In statements to the press in the island’s capital, Rodriguez strongly criticized countries such as the United States and Great Britain for their interest in approving an agreement which in the end was only taken note of due to several nations’ opposition.
Read MoreThe U.S. government will continue helping “those who are working for a positive change” in Cuba, affirmed Charles Luoma-Overstreet, spokesperson of the Department of State for Latin America. The official said that the U.S. would continue promoting an improvement in the human rights conditions and greater freedoms for the Cubans.
Read MoreA new planetarium donated by Japan opened its doors in Plaza Vieja of the Cuban capital’s historic center. The installation will propose a tour through the history of the universe since the Big Bang, 13,700 million years ago.
Read MoreSunday turned out to be a flashback of the 80s. Many younger people sported bellbottoms and “speldrums” (Afros), while the older crowd dressed up like they did almost 30 years ago. They left their homes ready to jungle boogie and hum to the lyrics of the famous group Kool and the Gang, who they would see live in Havana for the first time.
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