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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.”

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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?

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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Cuban Women

In recognition of their outstanding careers four women were awarded the August 23 Distinction

Commitment of women recognized
In recognition of their outstanding careers and the revolutionary values which have distinguished their leadership within the Federation of Cuban Women, a group of women were awarded the August 23 Distinction, yesterday August 17, a few days prior to the 57th anniversary of the organization’s founding
Author: Yaditza del Sol González | yadidelsol@granma.cu
august 18, 2017 09:08:32

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Photo: Jose M. Correa
In recognition of their outstanding careers and the revolutionary values which have distinguished their leadership within the Federation of Cuban Women, a group of women were awarded the August 23 Distinction, yesterday August 17, a few days prior to the 57th anniversary of the organization’s founding.
Included among the honorees were four women who have served the organization for more than 40 years.
Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, director of the International Center for Neurological Restoration (Ciren) and one of the honorees, shared with the press the pride she feels as a Cuban woman, and being able to play a leading role in the Revolution, at this important time, saying, “Without women, no revolutionary effort is possible. Our Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, always visionary, said it before. And our dear Vilma Espín helped make it a reality.”
Another of the women recognized was Marta Hernández Romero, an official at the National Assembly for People’s Power, who spoke with Granma and noted that today women are present in all spheres of society and make up a large portion of the technical-professional workforce, while continuing to care for their families and homes.
Attending the event were Teresa Amarelle Boué, Political Bureau member and general secretary of the FMC; Sucely Morfa González, first secretary of the Young Communists League; Brigadier General Delsa Esther Puebla (Teté); and Carlos Rafael Miranda, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.