News

Cuba and Mexico held a new round of talks in Havana in an effort to reach a migratory agreement that the governments of both countries hope to sign during Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque’s visit to the Mexican capital, scheduled for October 19-21. The negotiations to give a legal and orderly framework to ordinary emigration began last April in Mexico City.

A group of 1,070 students from the Peoples Republic of China arrived in Cuba for the fourth Spanish language intensive course. More than 2,000 Chinese young people are currently studying in the Caribbean country.

Cuba’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will not grow the expected eight percent this year due to the international financial crisis, the devastating effect of hurricanes Gustav and Ike and the US embargo, affirmed journalist Ariel Terrero on Cuban TV. The specialist on economic issues said Tuesday that key sectors such as nickel and tourism could suffer a negative impact brought on by the widening crisis in the US financial system.

The 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) questioned the application of extraterritorial legislation that violates International Law, such as the Helms-Burton Act, which strengthened the US blockade against Cuba in the 1990s. At the end of October the United Nations General Assembly will vote on the annual Cuban resolution demanding an end to the nearly half century blockade, which has cost the island’s economy well over US $90 billion.

A campaign launched by Cuban actor Jorge Perugorria to help the town of Gibara, Holguin recover after being devastated by hurricane Ike is taking place online with an exhibition-sale of Cuban art. The town located on the northeastern coast of Cuba is the venue of the annual No-Budget Film Festival, founded by the recently deceased Cuban filmmaker Humberto Solas. Those interested in seeing the campaign site can access at www.arteporcuba.com

Cuba could soon become an oil-exporting country, affirmed former President Fidel Castro in a commentary published Friday in the Cuban press. The Caribbean country already sells some heavy crude that can not be refined in its installations. Ongoing joint venture exploration with foreign oil companies is what could turn the situation around for the island that imports an estimated 96,000 barrels a day from Venezuela. However, despite the possibility, Castro urges the nation to conserve on fuel consumption as part of an overall energy saving program.

The US government has backed down on its attempt to keep two Cuban journalists who had worked for three years at the United Nations from returning to New York after vacationing in their home country. White House spokesperson Sean McCormack admitted that “in accordance with our UN headquarters agreement, we have decided to issue the visas,” to the Prensa Latina news agency reporters.

Cuba’s construction industry suffered major damage from hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and workers at a great many of their installations in the affected provinces are struggling to get them back in full operation. Gravel, cut stone, cement and ceramic roofing sheets and tiles are all in great demand for the reconstruction effort.

Prensa Latina news agency protested Monday the visas denial by the US government for two of its correspondents at the United Nations in New York. The reporters for the Havana based agency have worked at the UN for three years and were trying to return to their jobs after a vacation in their country.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque will travel to Mexico next October 19 on an official three-day visit, confirmed a Mexican embassy source cited by IPS news service. Both nations are trying to mend their relations after a period of distancing during the government of Vicente Fox.