Havana Journal: Cuba Politics
Cuba Politics news
http://havanajournal.com/politics/
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:06:46 +0000
| 07/26/2010 10:58 PM |
| Who’s running Cuba? No one. |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
For Cuba watchers, July 26 has a special meaning.
This is the day 57 years ago that Fidel Castro and all his brainwashed subordinates attacked the Moncada barracks marking what would be the Revolution that would enslave Cuba for decades.
Now in 2010 Fidel’s business model is a complete failure yet some people still believe in/are hypnotized by the bullshit.
Today Cuba is such a mess that the President nor the former President have enough balls or courage or support to even SPEAK at the anniversary of the Revolution. How much shame can they live with oppressing the Cuban people?
Associated Press
At least there is some free press in Cuba… American press and Paul Haven is doing a good job summing up the current events…
SANTA CLARA, Cuba — A B-team of socialist speakers spent Cuba’s Revolution Day bashing the United States for everything from its drug consumption to the war in Iraq to its military support for Colombia, portraying Washington as the great villain in world affairs.
But the day was more notable for who didn’t address the crowd — President Raul Castro never took the lectern, brother Fidel Castro was a no-show and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez canceled his trip to Cuba altogether. It was the first Revolution Day in memory in which neither Castro spoke, leaving some in the crowd and on Cuba’s streets disappointed and perplexed. No reason was given.
The Castros often use July 26 — the most important date on Cuba’s calendar — to set the agenda for the coming year and announce major changes. A spate of public appearances by the 83-year-old Fidel after years of seclusion had fueled speculation he would be onstage with his younger brother and possibly even address his compatriots.
READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE
END
Apparently Raul was having too much of a good time to bother with addressing the Cuban people.
What a mess. He’s going to have to do more than release political prisoners to save his job. |
| 07/15/2010 05:40 PM |
| United Nations Federal Credit Union pays $500,000 to settle OFAC Cuba violation |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Recent Actions notification service at the U.S. Department of the Treasury has just issued a Release of Civil Penalties Information.
United Nations Federal Credit Union has settled Cuban Assets Control Regulations Allegations
United Nations Federal Credit Union of New York, a federally chartered and regulated credit union, has remitted $500,000 to settle allegations of violations of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 515 (the “CACR”).
OFAC alleged that UNFCU dealt in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national had an interest in violation of the CACR by engaging in certain unauthorized financial transactions on behalf of its members/account holders who were blocked Cuban nationals pursuant to the CACR.
The transactions involved financial services that were routinely provided by UNFCU to its members.
The alleged violations were not voluntarily self-disclosed by UNFCU and were non-egregious in nature.
The base penalty amount for the alleged violations totaled $5,237,100.
The settlement amount reflects OFAC’s consideration of the following General Factors:
UNFCU cooperated with OFAC during the investigation by providing prompt responses to all OFAC inquiries;
UNFCU has undertaken significant remedial measures to augment its OFAC compliance program to ensure OFAC compliance in the future;
a significant portion of the base penalty amount is attributable to many substantially similar apparent violations;
UNFCU has not previously violated OFAC sanctions.
As part of the settlement, UNFCU has further agreed to conduct a review of all of its accounts for compliance with the CACR, and to report the results of that review to OFAC. |
| 07/12/2010 03:36 PM |
| Does Fidel Castro have Alzheimer’s Disease? |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this can be a short article.
Only Wednesday July 7, 2010 Fidel Castro visited the National Center for Scientific Research in Havana.
This was his first documented public appearance in almost four years.
We think this event was staged to send a message to the US and international community but this article poses the question, Is Fidel Castro mentally deficient? link to my article
Photos by Alex Castro
All of the photos below were cropped from large digital photos taken by Fidel Castro’s son, Alex who is a professional photographer, artist and no doubt a good Communist… I mean Revolutionary.
Why did Alex Castro take these photos of Fidel Castro? I think that since Fidel is so mentally deficient that no one else in the country could be entrusted to take the photos.
Have a look for yourself then read the summary of reasons why I have these thoughts.
Content below for premium members only - Read on for photos and analysis |
| 07/12/2010 03:35 PM |
| Fidel Castro approves of dissident release and HR 4645 |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
As Cuba watchers know, the Catholic church in Cuba has negotiated the release of 52 political prisoners from Cuban jails. Unfortunately they ALL have to leave the country and live in exile but that’s another conversation.
The point of this article is to pose the statement that Fidel Castro approves of the release of the dissidents… and indirectly to HR 4645.
Visit to National Center for Scientific Research
On July 7, Fidel Castro made a “surprise” visit to the National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC)
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro greets a worker of the National Centre for Scientific Investigation (CNIC) in Havana July 7, 2010.
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro sits with Doctor Carlos Gutierrez (R) during a visit to the National Centre for Scientific Investigation (CNIC) in Havana July 7, 2010.
All photos taken by Fidel Castro’s son Alex Castro.
China Daily (not exactly unbiased free speech) started their propaganda piece with “Two Cuban journalists showed on Saturday in their personal blogs some unpublished photos of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro…” Norelys Morales and Rosa Baez published the images on their personal pages, which showed Castro dressed in a white sportswear, smiling and talking to people around him.
“He is thin but looks good. He greeted us and blew kisses. People waited in the lobby to see him when he was leaving,” said Rosa Baez, writer for the Communist propaganda website Bloggers and Correspondents of the Revolution http://bloguerosrevolucion.ning.com/profiles/blogs/fidel-visito-el-centro
“Here I attached some photos shot with a cell phone. Though not in good quality they did show something.”
She may have been surprised but this was a carefully crafted photo op with an international meaning.
To me it is clear Fidel Castro (or his handlers) wanted to get the word out. See the four points below. Which ones are true?
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| 06/29/2010 12:57 PM |
| Update on HR 4645 - US food sales and legal travel to Cuba bill |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
HR 4645 is the agriculture/travel to Cuba bill in the House that has 62 cosponsors, some that had not supported the popular HR 874 (The companion bill in the Senate is S 1089).
On the Wednesday June 30 at 2pm (assuming the death of Sen. Byrd does not affect schedules), the House Agriculture Committee will mark-up the bill that ends all travel restrictions and simplifies agricultural sales.
John McAuliff of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development writes to his email subscribers this note:
“This week may be the last best opportunity for change in US policy on travel to Cuba.
In Cuba positive developments between the Catholic Church and government, a pro-travel letter from dissidents, and humanitarian gestures on prisoners have created a favorable atmosphere for movement in Washington.
However, the window of opportunity is closing. If the Republicans win control of the House in the mid-term elections in November, the crucial Foreign Affairs Committee will be led by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, an adamant enemy of travel.
The most urgent task is to reach out to members of the Agriculture Committee. Then, if they send the bill to the floor, each of us must contact our Representative to reinforce or modify his or her position, anticipating a vote in July.
At the same time the President should be pressed to finally use the authority he already has.”
Your House Representative
If your Rep is listed below, please give him/her a call and ask them to support this Bill.
($ = donations for 2010 election by the pro embargo US-Cuba Democracy PAC)
Essential and possible: Cuellar D-TX-28 ($1000), Halvorson D-IL-11 ($1000), Kratovil D-MD-01 ($2000), Murphy, Scott D-NY-20 ($2000).
Harder but important: Kissell D-NC-08 ($2000), Roe R-TN-01 ($0), Schauer D-MI-07 ($3000), Smith, Adrian R-NE-03 ($2000), Rogers, Michael R-AL-03 ($0), Fortenberry R-NE-01 ($0), Marshall D-GA-08 ($2000)
Representatives who have received money from south Florida ought to be as willing to hear opinions from pro-travel outsiders. Even better is finding a friend, family member or colleague who lives in the District and will advocate on your behalf. (This needs to happen on Tuesday for greatest impact.)
During mark-up, an effort will be made to remove or constrain the travel provisions. If the bill is approved by Committee, it is likely to come to the House floor between the July and August recesses (July 12 - August 8).
Visit the Latin America Working Group End the Travel Ban page to find your Congressperson and to get a sample letter.
Also, be sure to read
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| 06/24/2010 09:11 AM |
| Cuba elected as VP of UN human rights council - not a fake story |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
As reported by Communist propaganda news organizations but not so much by Western media, Cuba has been elected to serve as Vice President of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Yes, this is true.
Apparently Cuba is a shining example of a country that supports human rights. I didn’t know that.
I guess all those stories about the horrific conditions of Cuban prisons and political prisoners in Cuba are all just lies made up by the US government.
“This election is a strong response of the international community to the brutal anti-Cuba media and political campaign of recent months.”
Apparently the only other country in the world better at protecting and promoting human rights is Thailand since that country was elected as President of the Council. I guess the stories of child prostitution and other misery in Thailand is made up by Western powers too.
Glad to see the UN can see through the lies of the Western media and elect these two fine nations. Let’s hope the entire world adopts the human rights policies of Cuba and Thailand. The world would be a better place if we all experienced the same human rights as lived by people in those countries.
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I’m practicing my Communist propaganda. How did I do? |
| 06/23/2010 03:58 PM |
| *Does Secretary Clinton understand that Fidel does not want the Embargo lifted? |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
Cuba watchers know that US Cuba relations have been “abnormal”, to say the least, for decades and Fidel wants it that way.
Whenever there is any substantial talk of easing the Embargo in the US, Fidel et al make a strategic move to sabotage any loosening of the US Embargo.
Carter was talking about easing the Embargo then came the Mariel Boat Lift.
Clinton was talking about easing the Embargo then came the Brothers to the Rescue shoot down.
Now, in April of this year Secretary Clinton said “It is my personal belief that the Castros do not want to see an end to the embargo and do no want to see normalization with the United States, because they would lose all of their excuses for what hasn’t happened in Cuba in the last 50 years,” Clinton said.
Congratulations to her for that brilliant epiphany.
Odd that she would now say that the “continued detention of Alan Gross is harming US-Cuba relations”.
Really Secretary Clinton? You are surprised that the Cuban government is sabotaging US Cuba relations?
I think this Havana Journal cartoon sums it up pretty well.
Apparently President Obama has fallen into Fidel Castro’s trap too. Even when the Secretary of State says that she realizes that Fidel does not want the Embargo lifted, she is shocked that Cuba won’t cooperate on the Alan Gross affair.
What is the one constant in Cuba since Fidel took power on January 1, 1959?
Russia? No.
China? No.
Venezuela? No.
Tourism revenue? No.
Sugar revenue? No.
President Fidel Castro? No, not even that. He has not been President since 2008.
The answer is the Embargo. The failed “Plan A” Embargo has been in place for almost 50 years. Is it going to work because Obama and Clinton pressure Cuba to change?
No.
Same shit different decade. |
| 04/29/2010 12:11 PM |
| *Letter to Ways and Means Hearing - Lift components of Cuba Embargo |
| Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman John S. Tanner held a hearing on U.S.-Cuba policy today and a request for comments was put out to the public.
I took the opportunity to submit my thoughts about the Embargo in the letter below but first some background on the Hearing.
Hearing Introduction
The hearing information page stated that the Obama Administration has already taken certain steps to address the U.S.-Cuba relationship, including lifting restrictions on family travel and remittances. Commentators and policymakers have proposed various other steps the United States should consider taking to promote U.S. economic objectives and democracy and human rights in Cuba. This hearing examined those possible options and others.
Chairman Tanner said, “It is clear to me that the United States’ policy toward Cuba is not working. The embargo has failed to achieve its objectives and has shut U.S. workers, farmers and businesses out of the Cuban market. The Administration has taken us in a new direction, but more needs to be done. It is time to expand our approach to promote U.S. economic interests and support democracy and human rights in Cuba as well.”
Focus of the Hearing
The hearing will consider whether relaxing current Cuba travel and trade restrictions would advance U.S. economic objectives, as well as democracy and human rights in Cuba. In examining this question, the hearing reviewed U.S. policy toward Cuba and changes to that policy under the Obama Administration and evaluate possible policy options going forward.
Witnesses
John Block, Senior Advisor, Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz P.C.
Wayne Smith, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Latin America Studies, Center for International Policy
Geoff Thale, Program Director, Washington Office on Latin America
Jose Miguel Vivanco, L.L.M., Director, Americas Division, Human Rights Watch
Myron Brilliant, J.D., Senior Vice President, International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Michael J. Kelly, J.D., Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Research and International Programs, Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska
My letter submitted for the official record of the Hearing
Communist governments do not engage. They defend, deflect, mislead, repress…
On April 9, Secretary Clinton said, “It is my personal belief that the Castros do not want to see an end to the embargo and do not want to see normalization with the United States because they would lose all of their excuses for what hasn’t happened in Cuba in the last 50 years.” Ricardo Alarcon responded by saying “If she really believes the continuation of the embargo is in the benefit of our government, it’s very simple for her to ask Congress to lift the embargo.” This is how Cuba “engages” with the US. Alarcon makes a public statement or Fidel writes a Reflection or Raul says something stupid that Fidel then has to correct (as in Raul’s statement about his willingness to talk about everything)… but I digress.
This “dialog” is just another example of the lack of interaction between the US and Cuba that has been going on for decades. One side talks at the other. The Cuban government does not engage, they defend, deflect, mislead, repress etc because they do not want to have a meaningful dialog about lifting the Embargo. They know their political system cannot handle the truth.
I have seen this for many years at my HavanaJournal.com website in the comments left by Castro lovers and arm chair Communists who try to defend their ideology with propaganda, lies and deflections of the topic. Communists are master liars and deceivers. Why do all Communist governments repress their citizens’ free speech, rights and travel? The reason is that Communism doesn’t work. Communist governments must hide facts and repress citizens’ freedoms. One only has to know a little about China, USSR, North Korea, Cuba, etc. to understand my point.
Fidel Castro’s trap
President Obama and Secretary Clinton have now fallen into the same trap as all the other Presidents and Secretaries of State. The Cuban government will not make changes under pressure regardless of their current economic conditions. They didn’t change while Russia was “investing” in the country and Cuba didn’t change when Russia left the country. Although President Obama will outlast Fidel Castro, he cannot outwit or outplay him. Many have tried and all have failed.
I wonder what Secretary Clinton thinks about Mr. Alarcon’s statement? If she believes her own statement (which I also believe to be an accurate assessment) then the next logical thing for her to do is to petition to lift the Embargo. Right? That would be the next logical move based on her realization. I don’t know why the US continues to be blind to the fact that the Castro’s do not want the Embargo lifted. Many times over the decades when US Cuba relations were warming, Fidel Castro took action cool off relations… consider the invasion of Angola, Brothers to the Rescue shoot down and now the arrest of Mr. Gross and the attacks on the Ladies in White just to name a few. The Castros are scared that President Obama will lift the Embargo.
I suggest that policy makers take steps to take Mr. Alarcon’s challenge and lift the Embargo for a year. Then, policy makers should be prepared for some blatant action by the Cuban government to scuttle those efforts. Don’t fall into the same trap. Don’t be tricked by the Castro brothers efforts to scuttle talks about lifting the Embargo.
The one constant in Cuba for 50 years – The Embargo
Fidel and Raul Castro need the Embargo in place so they can blame the US for all of Cuba’s problems. Even though Cuba can trade with any other nation on earth and regardless of the fact that now billions of dollars of tourist dollars go into the Cuban government every year, the government continues to blame the US for all of Cuba’s problems. Add that to the fact that the US has invaded Cuba twice (1898 and 1961) and the US is a perfect scapegoat for Cuba’s problems.
You have to take a factual look back in history to realize what Secretary Clinton has now realized. The Castros do not want the Embargo lifted. What is the one constant in Cuba since Fidel took power on January 1, 1959?
Russia? No.
China? No.
Venezuela? No.
Tourism revenue? No.
Sugar revenue? No.
President Fidel Castro? No, not even that.
The answer is the Embargo. The failed “Plan A” Embargo has been in place for almost 50 years. If this failed “Plan A” is designed to bring change in Cuba, I don’t think anyone could agree that “Plan A” has worked. Sure, there are always arguments for saying “now is not the time”. I’ve heard this all before… year after year.
How about we look at the Embargo as a restriction of American freedom rather than a tool for regime change in Cuba? How about looking at the Embargo as a restriction on my right to travel freely to or trade with Cuba?
Don’t fall for the counter-claim that lifting the Embargo will help the Cuban government. Lift the travel Embargo because American’s should have the right to travel and trade with whatever countries they wish. Do what is right for the people.
What is the Embargo? – Four components
1. Restrictions of travel on American citizens to Cuba.
2. Restrictions of travel on Cuban citizens to the US.
3. Restrictions of exports to Cuba.
4. Restrictions of imports from Cuba.
In this order, I think the each of the components of the Embargo should be lifted:
First, lift the restrictions of travel on ALL American citizens, not just Cuban American citizens. The American people should be free to travel where they wish. Do what is right for the people.
Second, lift the restrictions of exports to Cuba. Let US businesses sell their products to create jobs and prosperity in the United States. Do what is right for the people.
Third, lift restrictions on travel of Cuban citizens to the US. Honestly, why is it bad to let the Cuban people come to the US? Do what is right for the people.
Fourth, lift the restriction of imports from Cuba. Since the Cuban government controls all business in Cuba, I understand that this should be the last part of the Embargo to be lifted since exports from Cuba would directly benefit the Cuban government. Let’s do the first three then we can come back to this component.
So, we agree? Let’s lift three components of the Embargo. Makes sense, right?
Summary
I am passionate about my rights as an American and I am passionate about exposing the lies, tactics, and propaganda from the Cuban government and its supporters. Lift the first three components of the Embargo listed above and do what’s right for the people… the American people and the Cuban people. Don’t be tricked again by the Cuban government.
About Me
I am the publisher of HavanaJournal.com and President of Havana Journal Inc, a Massachusetts based corporation located in Congressman William Delahunt’s district.
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I have opted to not allow comments to this post. I have made this entry *sticky meaning that this article will stay at the top of the most recently posted news articles.
Also, since we are now busy with the final planning stages of our Cuban art and culture conference in June in Provincetown Massachusetts, we will be spending more time working on that project than posting Cuba news stories here. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you in June. |
| 04/17/2010 10:41 AM |
| Cuban government announces surprise inspections to fight corruption |
| AFP
The Cuban government will deploy an army of auditors across the island nation Monday to track down corruption pervading the Communist society, from lowly street milk vendors to officials in powerful government agencies.
For a month, thousands of finance inspectors will descend on some 750 businesses for surprise checkups.
“Everyone is on edge about it, because you never know when an inspector will come knocking on your door,” an official with a state company, who declined to be named, told AFP.
“The problem is, if they search well, they will find (irregularities).”
The death this week of Chilean contractor Roberto Baudrand, accused of undertaking shady business practices with state officials, and whose body was found in Havana under suspicious circumstances, has further raised anxieties about the mass audit.
On Friday, President Raul Castro swore in a new attorney general, Dario Delgado, who faces what his office says has been an increase in corruption cases over the past year and a half.
Rooted in decades of state control over the economy, corruption has become a pressing concern for the government because of its potential impact on the island’s stability during a period of political transition.
“Corruption is more dangerous than what is called internal dissidence,” said political analyst Esteban Morales.
He said the problem has been gaining ground at all levels of local and national government, emerging as a veritable “anti-revolution” that could un-do years of communist rule.
In the last two years, notably after revolutionary leader Fidel Castro handed over power to his younger brother Raul, graft has been on the rise “with increased participation of (government) leaders and officials,” according to attorney Caridad Sabo.
“There are people working for the government and state who are building a financial cushion for the day when the revolution collapses, and others are readying to transfer state assets into private hands, like what happened in the former Soviet Union,” added Morales.
He was referring to the vast privatizations of state assets in the wake of the collapse of the USSR in early 1990s, which created mammoth fortunes for a handful of Russians, who became known as the “oligarchs.”
Since assuming the presidency from the ailing Fidel, Raul Castro has launched a crusade against theft from state companies that supplies a vast and lucrative black market.
Millions of gallons of fuel and other commodities such as milk, chicken, rice, sugar or coffee are sold on the black market, where Cubans can get goods that cannot be found in the legal economy or buy them at cheaper prices.
“Without a strong social stigma and systematic moves against the various forms of corruption, many (people) will continue to profit at the expense of the majority,” Castro said earlier this month, denouncing graft as contrary to “the essence of socialism.” |
| 04/17/2010 10:38 AM |
| Chavez meets with Castros |
| AFP
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said Cuba’s Fidel Castro, who has not made a public appearance since handing over power to his brother in 2006, is active and “in very good health.”
Chavez met with Castro, 83, on Thursday during a surprise visit to Havana. He spoke about it in a talk to Cuban and Venezuelan doctors participating in a joint social program here.
“We spent three enjoyable hours talking, laughing, discussing, taking decisions, looking toward the future,” Chavez said.
“Fidel in is very good health. He writes, he analyzes,” added Chavez, according to a statement of his remarks released by the presidency.
Venezuela has emerged as Cuba’s closest ally thanks to ideological ties between Chavez and the Castro regime.
The top oil exporting Latin American nation supplies Cuba with more than 100,000 barrels of crude a day. Cuba in return has dispatched some 40,000 doctors, teachers and sports coaches to Venezuela. |
