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.

Cuba and US Relations

Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues statement addressing allegations by the U.S.

Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues statement addressing allegations by the U.S.
Cuba has never, nor would it ever, allow that the Cuban territory be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families, without exception

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Author: MINREX | internet@granma.cu
august 10, 2017 09:08:38

On 17 February this year, the United States Embassy in Havana and the Department of State informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the occurrence of some alleged incidents affecting some officials of that diplomatic mission and their families.
Cuba took this issue with the utmost seriousness and acted expeditiously and professionally in order to clarify the facts of this situation, initiating a comprehensive, priority and urgent investigation on the indications of the highest level of the Cuban government. To this end, it conveyed to the United States Embassy the need for information-sharing and proposed to establish cooperation between the competent authorities of both countries.
The Cuban authorities set up an inter-institutional expert committee for the analysis of the facts; expanded and reinforced the protection and security measures of the mission, its staff and diplomatic residences; and new channels were made available for direct communication between the Embassy and the Department of Diplomatic Security.
In this context, on 23 May, the Department of Sate informed the Cuban Embassy in Washington of the decision that two Cuban diplomats leave the United States territory. This led to a protest by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to this unjustified and unsubstantiated decision.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that Cuba complies rigorously and seriously with all its obligations arising from the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in connection with the protection and inviolability of diplomatic agents and the premises of diplomatic missions.
Our country’s impeccable track record in this area is recognized internationally and Cuba is universally considered as a safe destination for both visitors and foreign diplomats, including Americans.
The Ministry categorically emphasizes that Cuba has never, nor would it ever, allow that the Cuban territory be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families, without exception. Moreover, it reiterates its willingness to cooperate in the clarification of this situation.
Havana, 9 August 2017.