All posts by JaimeM

Cuba Hurricane

Hurricane Irma makes landfall at Cayo Romano

Hurricane Irma makes landfall at Cayo Romano
Last night at around 10:00pm, the powerful hurricane made landfall on Cuban territory at the eastern end of El Romano, along the northern coastline of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila provinces

f0018835

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Orfilio Peláez | orfilio@granma.cu
september 9, 2017 11:09:22

Last night at around 10:00pm, Irma made landfall on Cuban territory at the eastern end of El Romano, just off the northern coastline of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila provinces.

As meteorologist Dr. José Rubiera reported during the dawn hours today, September 9, hurricane force winds of over 120 km/h, with stronger gusts are being felt along the northern coast of these provinces, as well as Sancti Spíritus, and beginning in Villa Clara.

Heavy rain and a storm surge with waves over seven high, from Camagüey to Villa Clara have been reported, with coastal flooding expected.

Cuban Eiections

Cubans nominate candidates for upcoming general elections

Another step toward consolidating our socialist democracy
Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, addresses the Cuban people, as the nomination of candidates for upcoming general elections begins
Author: Esteban Lazo Hernández | informacion@granma.cu
september 4, 2017 10:09:43

f0018731Beginning today, September 4 through the end of the month, the process of nominating candidates for upcoming general elections begins in neighborhood assemblies across the country.
In a message to the Cuban people on the occasion, Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, stated, “We are a few hours away from the beginning of the first stage of the general elections process, during which the people will nominate and elect delegates who will be members of Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power, for the 18th term in office.
“To reach this moment, electoral commissions have worked intensely on the organization, provisioning, coordination, and preparation of the process … with the purpose of guaranteeing the functioning of thousands of electoral authorities, above all the 24,000 polling stations that will be opened in (the country’s) 12,515 constituencies.
“We are among the few citizens in the world who in public meetings propose and nominate, openly and directly, candidates for constituency delegate, in an expression of profound democracy and enormous responsibility, since these individuals will form the Municipal Assembly, where they will make important decisions affecting the lives of inhabitants of the area, such as the approval and supervision of socio-economic plans, as well as the local budget, among many others.”

Continue reading Cubans nominate candidates for upcoming general elections →

Cuba / US Relations, Cuba / US Relations / Trump / Obama

The Supposed Policy Change: Will Trump Go Farther Than Obama?

The Supposed Policy Change: Will Trump Go Farther Than Obama?

Untitled-2

 

 

 

 

Untitled-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Esteban Morales
From Cuba Inside Out
Translated by Robert Sandels
It doesn’t take much effort to realize that the “Trump Effect” is just that; an irrational attempt to change Obama’s Cuba policy.
We don’t even know if Trump is really working to change the Obama policy because what little we know does not tend in that direction.
Comparing the attitude of both presidents we note the following: Obama did not do much to make investment easier. Now Trump puts investment in the “prohibited” file in negotiating with the Cuban military. He hasn’t advanced trade, but neither did Obama. the American banking system does not allow the dollar to circulate there. And finally, Obama has not freed up the dollar either, which was one of his deceptions. With Thump, everything indicates that the dollar will not officially circulate in Cuba either.
Trump has not broken diplomatic relations with Cuba, which is the most important thing since the embassies are continuing to function. It also appears that he has not eliminated family remittances or the 12 migratory categories that Obama set up, although Trump has eliminated the “People to People” visa program. Nor has Trump eliminated commercial flights or cruise ships. All this suggests that Cuban tourism, which has been growing year after year, will go on as before.
So, really, what has Donald Trump eliminated? I think we would have known after hearing about the presidential directive Trump signed in great theatrical style, but no one read or heard anything about Cuba among the pronouncements in his speech.

Untitled-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I think, as we say in Cuba, “I smell a rat.”

Continue reading The Supposed Policy Change: Will Trump Go Farther Than Obama? →

Venezuela

Cuba reiterates unconditional support for Venezuela

HAVANA, AUGUST 31, 2017

Cuba reiterates unconditional support for Venezuela
Residents of Havana, members of the diplomatic corps and Venezuelan students on the island marched along the central Avenue of the Presidents to the monument of The Liberator Simón Bolívar, to express their condemnation of interference by the U.S. and other governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in Venezuela’s internal affairs

Author: Nuria Barbosa León | internet@granma.cu
august 30, 2017 11:08:29

f0018705

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday, August 25, residents of Havana marched along the central Avenue of the Presidents to the monument of The Liberator Simón Bolívar, to express their condemnation of interference by the U.S. and other governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in Venezuela’s internal affairs. Photo: Karoly Emerson Photo: Karoly Emerson (ICAP)

The U.S. threats and sanctions against Venezuela have sparked international solidarity with the South American nation, and Cuba has reiterated its full support for the Bolivarian Revolution with various activities organized by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and other political and social organizations.

On Friday, August 25, residents of Havana, members of the diplomatic corps and Venezuelan students on the island marched along the central Avenue of the Presidents to the monument of The Liberator Simón Bolívar, to express their condemnation of interference by the U.S. and other governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

Continue reading Cuba reiterates unconditional support for Venezuela →