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Archive - Mar 12, 2011

American Contractor Found Guilty in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Published March 12, 2011. Associated Press. HAVANA -- A Cuban court on Saturday found U.S. contractor Alan Gross guilty of crimes against the state and sentenced him to 15 years in prison, a verdict that is sure to have sweeping repercussions for already-sour relations between Washington and Havana. Read More

Cuba picks up its tourism game

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Marc Frank, Reuters January 24, 2011. CIENFUEGOS, Cuba's recent easing of red tape for private enterprise is improving services for tourists in provincial towns on the Caribbean island, with hundreds of new restaurants and lodgings opening up."Mom-and-pop" small businesses have begun to boom in Cuban cities and towns following reforms by President Raul Castro to boost private enterprise and lay off state workers to improve efficienc. Cienfuegos' 400,000 residents and wandering tourists, who last year struggled to find refreshment in the often sweltering city, can now choose between dozens of home-based snack outlets serving pizza, pastries, coffee and soft drinks. Read More

Tropicana, an example of Cubanhood

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.03.11&nbsp; / radiorebelde. / Tropicana, an example of Cubanhood. Havana, Cuba. - By 1949, Fernando Ortiz’s research works on the formation and profile of Cuban national being had already bequeathed us fundamental texts. That’s when he reached the conclusion that we also needed “something ineffable to wrap up “the Cubanhood of the nation’s birth, coexistence and even of its culture.” That “something” has nothing to do with ethnographic characterizations. It is exactly what defines Cubanhood.&nbsp; Read More

Biscet freed, sent home

<p style="text-align: justify;">Cuba’s government Friday freed Oscar Elias Biscet, a leading&nbsp; dissident who served more than 11 years in prison and was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.The 49-year-old doctor was serving a 25-year prison sentence for “acts against the sovereignty and independence of the national territory” under the notorious Law 88 of 1999. Read More

Benicio del Toro Finishes Shooting Film in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.03.11 - 14:38:11 / radiorebelde.HAVANA, CUBA.- Puerto Rican Oscar-winner Benicio del Toro finished filming “Yuma”, one of the segments making part of the film “Seven Days in Havana,” in which he debuted as director.In a press conference at the Cohiba Hotel, in the Cuban capital, Del Toro said the short-feature movie tells the story of an American actor who travels for the first time to Havana for a seminar.Del Toro, who won an Oscar in 2001 for his role in Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic," said so much material was filmed that he could make three films about Cuba, but it will be edited down to 15 minutes. Read More

Isle of Youth: Exploring Cuba’s Marine Sanctuaries

<p style="text-align: justify;">March 11, 2011 | Posted by Dan Whittle in Cuba, Marine Protection. Dan Whittle in Cuba near Isla de la Juventud with one of EDF's Cuban marine partners.The remote and sparsely populated Isla de la Juventud (“Isle of Youth”) sits off the southwestern coast of Cuba, the largest island in the Canarreos Archipelago.&nbsp; Legend has it that pirates, including the infamous Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan, sought refuge in its hidden bays&nbsp; between exploits in the 16th and 17th centuries.&nbsp; Once known as Isla de Tesoros, it is said that the island inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write his novel, Treasure Island. Read More

Clinton calls on Cuba to release Gross

<p style="text-align: justify;">US Sec of State Clinton deplores 'injustice' in American's trial in Cuba. HAVANA (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a strongly worded call Thursday for Cuba to free an American contractor who is awaiting a verdict on charges that he sought to undermine the island's communist government by bringing communications equipment into the country. Read More

2 More Florida airports approved for flights to Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">March 11, 2011 | EFE. The U.S. government on Thursday gave authorization to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to handle direct flights to Cuba.The decision, coupled with the approval extended earlier this week to Tampa International Airport, bring to three the number of Florida airports authorized to offer service to the island. Read More

The Cuban dancer exodus to Canada

<p style="text-align: justify;">Michael Crabb Special to the Star. On a bitter winter’s day late last month, members of the much-acclaimed National Ballet of Cuba boarded a plane in Montreal to return to sunny Havana after triumphant performances of their signature work, Giselle — except for five dancers who stayed. Read More

Statistics office to report directly to top

<p style="text-align: justify;">Raising the profile of the National Statistics Office (ONE), a decree published in the Gaceta Oficial Thursday moved the institution from the Economy Ministry to the Council of Ministers.Over the past two years, ONE has increased both the quantity and pace of publishing data about the Cuban economy and society. Read More