Chronicle on Cuba - July 2004

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Raúl Castro continues to be a prominent voice in the anti-corruption effort that Cuba's ruling Communist party has launched. Osvaldo Payá urges exiles in Miami to join Cubans on the island in planning for the nation's future transition to democracy. Cuba's government is reasserting central control of the tourism industry. Cuba frees dissident economist Martha Beatriz Roque.

Economy: The United Nations warns that thousands of people might be at risk due to a severe drought afflicting parts of western Cuba. Spanish oil and gas company says that oil found in Cuban waters is not commercially viable.

Exile Community: US President George W. Bush has lost significant support in Florida's Cuban-American community.

Foreign Affairs: Cuba's Foreign Ministry says that it is holding Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante, one of Colombia's top drug kingpins. Jorge Moragas, Foreign Relations Secretary of Spain’s Popular Party (PP), completes his visit to Cuba. The ambassadors for Cuba and Mexico return to their posts.

Security: Cuba has ordered a study of its military recruitment program, hoping to enlist more young men into the armed forces.

US-Cuba Relations: The Chief of the US Interest Section in Havana states that Washington does not intend to invade the island. President Bush accuses Fidel Castro of fostering child prostitution in Cuba. Fidel Castro denies charges by President Bush that he encourages sex-tourism in Cuba. Florida-Cuba trade volumes have increased ten-fold in the last five years.