Archive for the ‘Raul Castro’ Category
Poor Cuban Economy Forces Changes
Raul Castro today announced today that the Cuban Government would be looking at “adjustment to expenditures” as the worldwide economy continues to sputter. According to Reuters:
Raul Castro said Cuban ministers will meet on Tuesday to consider revising spending plans for the rest of the year because “of the effects of the world economic crisis on our economy.” In particular, he said there has been a “significant reduction in export income and additional restrictions to access external financing sources.”
A recent government report said imports are expected to plummet 22.2 percent, or some $3.4 billion in 2009, while exports will decline by $500 million. In response, the cash-short government has taken belt-tightening measures such as scheduled blackouts to save energy, selected factory shutdowns, public transport reductions, spending cuts and the freezing of foreign business bank accounts.
Considering Cuba has some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world and it still imports 60% of its food, Raul has made at least one-step in the right direction:
But his only major reform so far has been in agriculture, where he launched a program to let private farmers cultivate unused state land.
He said that of 110,000 applications for land, 82,000 have been granted. More needs to be done to advance the land plan so Cuba can increase food production and cut import costs, he said.
Now is the time for the Cuban government to grant human rights to its people, open the political process and bring their country into the modern era.
Outlook Improving for US-Cuba Relations
Today has been an exciting day in the thawing of US-Cuba Relations. After President Obama made the first move by removing restrictions on Cuban-American travel, Obama left the next move to Cuba. Then Raul Castro offered to put everything on the table, including press freedom, political prisoners and human rights. Then Secretary of State Clinton remarked “We welcome his comments, the overture they represent and we are taking a very serious look at how we intend to respond”.
Now at the Summit of the Americas, Obama spoke more on US-Cuba Relations. According to NYTimes.com:
“The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba,” he said at the Summit of the Americas opening ceremony, according to his remarks released in advance by the White House. “I know there is a longer journey that must be traveled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day.”
President Obama Says Cuba Should Make Next Move – Raul Castro Willing to Put Everything on the Table
Before heading to the Summit of the Americas, President Obama, while in Mexico said Cuba needs to make the “next move” to help bridge the divide between the US and Cuba. Now Cuba’s Raul Castro has said he is willing to talk with the US about everything, including press freedom, political prisoners and human rights. According to the BBC:
Speaking to Latin American leaders in Venezuela, President Castro said he had sent word to the US government “in private and in public” that he is open to negotiations as long as it is “on equal terms”.
There is still no formal contact between the Cuban authorities and the US government, but this is the latest in a series of exchanges which suggest that both sides appear to be making efforts to find a way to end the 50-year stalemate.
Earlier this week, the US president announced that he was lifting restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting relatives on the island and sending money home.
Following the easing of US travel restrictions, Mr Obama said it was up to Havana to make the next move.
Will President Obama Squander an Opportunity with Cuba
Will the United States squander another opportunity to allow the Cuban people to get a taste of freedom? Today Raul Castro arrived in Moscow for an eight day visit with Russian leaders to discuss increasing economic ties and the “situation in the Caribbean”.
It’s time for President Obama to act boldly and move forward in normalizing Cuban-American relations, otherwise Russia will again get a foot-hold in Cuba and maybe other nations Caribbean too.
Fidel Castro Watches Obama Inauguration – Obama Orders Guantanamo Closed
Fidel Castro has emerged for a meeting with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez in which he commented on Obama after watching the Inauguration. According to Fernandez, “Castro believes in Obama”. From the Yahoo article:
“I personally did not have the slightest doubt about the honesty of Obama, the 11th president since Jan. 1, 1959, when he expresses his ideas,” Castro said he told Fernandez.
As to the health of the Bearded One:
Raul Castro said “Do you think if he were really gravely ill that I’d be smiling here?”. “Soon I’m going to take a trip to Europe. You guys think I could leave here if Fidel were really in grave condition?”
Guantanamo
As expected, Barack Obama signed three executive orders dealing with Guantanamo, detention policy options and ensuring lawful detentions.
While most people including Defense Secretary Bob Gates agree that detainees need to be removed from Guantanamo, nobody has a clear answer what should be done with those very dangerous people.