News

Cuba will become an oil-producing country in the coming years thanks to the exploitation of new maritime resources, affirmed Terry Maris, executive director of the Center for Cuban Studies of Ohio Northern University. According to Maris, the island could reach a production of 700,000 barrels a day by 2015, more than 12 times what it currently extracts, reported IPS.

After a major campaign over the last ten years to prevent STDs and especially HIV/AIDS, the use of condoms in Cuba increased from 21 to 45 percent, said Rosaida Ochoa of the National Center for STD Prevention, reported IPS on Tuesday.

Cuba and China will establish joint ventures in the area of tourism, which the island’s government is trying to boost with the construction of new hotels, golf courses, marinas and theme parks in the provinces of Cienfuegos, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba, reported IPS on Monday.

The 12th International Arts and Crafts Fair of Havana (FIART 2008) begins December 4 at the Pabexpo Fairgrounds, organized by the Cuban Cultural Assets Fund. Artists from Latin America, Asia and Europe will attend the event to run through December 14.

A devastating 2008 hurricane season ended Sunday in Cuba, with five storms directly affecting the island: Hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Paloma and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna. Total damage was estimated at US $10 billion, dealing a sharp blow to the island’s economy. A massive recovery effort is underway nationwide.

Cuban President Raul Castro attended Saturday the beatification of Friar Jose Olallo Valdes, held in the city of Camagüey. Vatican representative Cardinal Jose Saraiva from Portugal presided over the ceremony lifting the 19th century “father of the poor” to sainthood. Doves were released and bells rung as Friar Olallo’s remains, in a gold colored urn, were taken in a procession through the city, reported the BBC. Friar Olallo, a member of the Hospitallier Order of Saint John of God, helped the sick and wounded during Cuba’s first war of independence (1868-1878) against Spain.

With the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution only a month and a day away, what will no doubt be a month of intense cultural activity in Havana has already kicked off.

The Jojazz Festival which brings out many of the islands best young talent to compete both for interpretation and composition ends tonight when this year’s winners, tomorrows breakout artists, will be announced.

Then on Tuesday the 30th Havana Film Festival (Dec. 2-12) begins with over 20 participating cinemas. The two-part Steven Soderbergh “Che” film will have its first screening in Cuba during the festival.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said Friday in Havana that his government and Cuba have pledged to boost their cooperation in several areas including commerce, security and regional cooperation. During his two-day visit to Cuba, Medvedev held talks with both President Raul Castro and Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro.

The Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC) has requested to US President-elect Barack Obama that he lift the blockade against Cuba when he takes office in January, reported IPS. The nearly half century squeeze on the Cuban economy has proven highly unpopular around the globe. In a UN vote in October, 185 nations favored a resolution asking the US to change its policy. Only two countries, Israel and Palau, backed the Bush administration.

Russian President Dimitri Medvedev arrives in Cuba on Thursday in the fourth visit of an important leader to the island in less than a month. Previous visits included Chinese President Hu Jintao, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Brazil’s Lula da Silva.