Chronicle on Cuba - January
2006
Highlights
Domestic Affairs: Dissident and human rights groups warn about an increase of repression and of the number of jailed for political reasons.
Economy: Fidel Castro announces an “energy revolution”, the ending of blackouts, and an increase in minimum wages from 100 to 225 pesos for 2006. Cuba receives 12 locomotives and 80 buses from China.
Exile community: Cuban-American community activists and politicians lambast the US government's decision to repatriate 15 Cubans picked up from the base of an abandoned bridge in the Florida Keys. Two of the Bush administration's top Cuba policy makers meet with South Florida's top exile community leaders. After a dramatic hunger strike carried out by Ramon Saul Sanchez, head of the Democracy Movement, the Bush administration accepts a discussion on the “wet-foot-dry-foot” policy.
Foreign Affairs: Amid a marked strengthening of relations, the Cuban government stresses Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Newly inaugurated Bolivian President Evo Morales begins his historic, five-year term by meeting with leaders from Cuba and Venezuela. Cuba begins diplomatic activities toward the Summit of the Non Aligned Movement to be held in Havana, in September 2006. Cuba pays tribute to the late Salvadorian leader Schafik Handal.
US-Cuba Relations: A German documentary raises controversy on Cuba’s role in the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy. A husband and wife who worked at a Florida university are accused of being covert agents for Cuba. The US government allows Cuba to participate in a 16-nation baseball tournament in the US. The US Interest Section in Havana disseminates news and messages about human rights on an electronic public billboard across the facade of US diplomatic offices. Fidel Castro accuses the US of trying to torpedo relations and calls for a protest in front of the US diplomatic mission.
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