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In Miami the police have been organizing for possible violence; in Cuba speculation abounds, the mainstream US press writes his epitaphs and former President Fidel Castro keeps them all guessing. He met for a half hour on Wednesday with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, discussing Barack Obama’s inauguration speech and other international issues.

The Cuban government announced Wednesday the total elimination on import tariffs for Venezuelan products to further facilitate the extensive exchange of goods and services between the South American country and Cuba, reported IPS.

Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General, Jose Miguel Insulza expressed his hope Wednesday that US President Barack Obama will lift the half century economic blockade against Cuba, reported IPS. Speaking on a Chilean radio station, Insulsa joined leaders from throughout Latin America and other regions calling for a significant shift in US policy on Cuba.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez participated in Havana on Tuesday in a business seminar with executives from Cuba and her country. She noted that despite the half century US blockade on the island, there is a praiseworthy development “in technologies and health.” Fernandez rounds up her visit to Cuba on Wednesday —that included the signing of 11 new agreements— with a visit to the Latin American Medical School where numerous Argentinean students are enrolled. Later in the day she heads for Caracas, Venezuela.

The Cuban government has launched a program to plant at least 560,000 Royal Palm trees in 2009, two for each one felled by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, said Elias Linares, director of the national forests. The Royal Palm can be used as a source of animal feed, a building material for rustic homes and for arts and crafts.

Cuban President Raul Castro and Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez held official talks on Monday and attended the signing of 11 bilateral collaboration agreements. On Tuesday, the second day of her visit to this Caribbean country, the South American president plans to attend a business seminar and give a lecture at the University of Havana. Cuba continues to expand the signficance of its trade and cooperation partners in Latin America.

George W. Bush goes down in history on Tuesday as the 10th US president that unsuccessfully tried to bring an end to the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro, the chief target of presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton and Bush Jr., managed to steer his country through the most turbulent waters in the face of such powerful detractors in Washington. Fidel stepped down last February and his brother Raul is about to conclude the first year of his presidency.

UN Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) Director General Koichiro Matsuura begins an official visit to Cuba on Monday. It is his first visit to the island since assuming the post in 1999.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez arrived in Havana, Cuba on Sunday morning following other recent state visits by the presidents of Ecuador, Panama, Brazil, Uruguay, Russia and China. The South American country’s trade with Cuba has been insignificant but there is great potential in several areas including fishing, tourism, food processing industry, plastics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, auto parts, aeronautics as well as electronic components and in construction. Fernandez will be in Cuba until Tuesday when she travels to Venezuela.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is scheduled to leave late Saturday night for Cuba on a three-day official visit. She will be the first president from that South American country to visit the island in 23 years. Fernandez’ agenda is focused on reactivating bilateral trade and cooperation in science, technology and tourism. During her stay she will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro and top cabinet members.