Chronicle on Cuba - August 2004

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Dissident organizations and individuals demand the release of political prisoners. Cuba ranks 11 at the close of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Economy: Hurricane Charley causes more than $1 billion in damage to Havana and its surrounding provinces. Sherritt International Corp. plans to resume exploratory drilling in northern Cuba.

Foreign Affairs: Cuba breaks off relations with Panama. The Cuban government issues an official statement praising the results of the Venezuelan referendum. Brazil proposes to open a dialogue with Havana at the Rio Group ministerial meeting.

Terrorism: The Government of Panama grants amnesty to a group of Cubans jailed for acts of terror.

US-Cuba Relations: Food imports from the United States exceed 960 million USD according to Cuba's food importing company Alimport. The US government's TV Marti broadcasts from an airborne C-130 cargo plane to the island.