El Tumbao Cubano - El Blog de Cuba en el Exilio

Bush risks losing the plot over Cuba

Simon Tisdall. Wednesday March 9, 2005. The Guardian.

Unrelenting US pressure on Cuba, set to ratchet up again at next week's UN human rights commission meeting in Geneva, is testing relations between the Bush administration and a new generation of centre-left Latin American leaders.

As it has done each year since the early 1990s, the US will urge the commission to adopt a resolution condemning Cuba's human rights record. And Cuban officials predict that the US will again use "arm-twisting and threats" to get its way.

Republican attacks on President Fidel Castro's communist government intensified during last year's American election campaign. The treasury secretary, John Snow, tightened the 42-year-old US embargo and vowed to "bring an end to the ruthless and brutal dictatorship".

But George Bush's victory has not eased the pressure - rather the reverse. A Republican-led congressional committee gave a platform to Cuban dissidents last week to publicise Cuba's "atrocious" behaviour. Porter Goss, the CIA chief, recently described Cuba (and Venezuela) as a source of regional instability...

U.S. enlists colleges to tutor Cuba's poor

Loyola is part of program that aims to end 1-party rule.

By Gary Marx. Tribune foreign correspondent. February 13, 2005.

HAVANA -- In a move likely to further aggravate tensions between Cuba and the United States, the U.S. government is offering millions of dollars to American universities and other groups under a program aimed at ending Cuba's one-party rule.= Many schools traditionally have avoided the political battle between Washington and Havana. But that is beginning to change.

Chicago's Loyola University last fall became one of several universities to accept such a grant, $425,000, which university officials say will be used to continue a program that teaches English to adults in a poor Havana neighborhood...

The Long Voyage From Mariel Ends

At dawn on May 11, 1980, the 20th day of the Mariel boatlift, a boat called America reached Key West, carrying on her three decks more than 700 Cuban refugees, about half of them looking suspiciously subdued and weary. Some, toothless and tattooed, wore crisp-looking khaki clothes bearing creases typical of clothing that has been folded and stored too long. They didn't cheer or cry and kept their eyes on the ground. To anyone paying attention it was obvious that these men had been in jail or in an asylum...

Smaller Majority of Hispanic Voters Breaks for Kerry

NPR Morning Edition, November 4, 2004 · Sen. John Kerry won among Latino voters this year -- polls say the breakdown was 54 to 44 in the Democrat's favor. But four years ago, Al Gore won 62 percent of Latino votes. Hear NPR's Ari Shapiro.

First Cuban-American in US Senate!

Former Republican Cabinet member Mel Martinez has become the first Cuban-American to enter the US Senate. Mr Martinez, who came to the US from Cuba aged 15, beat rival Betty Castor to the seat of retiring Democrat Bob Graham in Florida in a close-run vote.

Ms Castor, a former Florida education commissioner, conceded after initially contesting Mr Martinez' one-point lead.

Florida State Governor Jeb Bush, brother of the US President, welcomed the win for Mr Martinez...

Expect chaos when Castro dies

Miami Herald - Latin America Advisor
Question: Cuban President Fidel Castro's fall following a speech Oct. 20, in which he broke bones in his left leg and right arm, brought to the fore questions about what will happen in Cuba after he is gone. Is the Cuban government prepared for Castro's eventual departure? Is the United States prepared?

No lack of anger, frustration in Cuba

But voices won't be heard in government-run media
By Sean Federico-O’Murchu Editor MSNBC
Updated: 1:18 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2004HAVANA - The two young men leaned on their bikes outside a school in the Marianao neighborhood of Havana, sheltering under trees from the scorching afternoon sun, eager to talk about what they don’t like about Cuba.

Raidel wanted a better job, complained that the Cuban peso is worthless and was upset that his pal Levis can afford to buy Adidas sneakers worth $50...

Cuba to denounce US blockade in Internet forum

HAVANA, Oct. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Cuban government will hold six fora on the Internet on Oct. 6 to denounce the blockade imposed by the United States against the island for over four decades, according to a statement by the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
The statement said that Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez will participate in the event on the website www.forumcubaminrex.co.cu.
It will be the third time for Perez to speak at such a forum to criticize Washington's hostile policy against Havana.

Join Internet Forum from Cuba

Cuba: Year Zero

What does the Bush administration have in mind for Cuba?

Answers might be found in two recent stories dealing with Bush administration proposals for Cuba and how the US is administering the transition in Iraq.

The first story in Znet, argues that within the 458 page report: 'Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba' can be seen a US economic blueprint for a future Cuba. Download the_bush_regimes_economic_blueprint_for_cuba.htm

The second story, by Naomi Klein in Harpers, gives her assessment of the economic forces underlying the US restructuring of the Iraqi economy. Download baghdad_year_zero.htm

U.S. House Votes to Allow Family Visits to Cuba, Rebuffing Bush

Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted to allow Americans to visit relatives in Cuba once a year, rejecting new Bush administration restrictions on travel to the communist island nation.

The House voted 225-174 to rescind funding for enforcement of new Treasury Department rules that limit family visits to once every three years. The measure would leave in place older, less restrictive rules. It was attached to a budget bill for the Treasury and other agencies in the 2005 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1....