Chronicle on Cuba - April 2006

Domestic Affairs: Fidel Castro voices confidence that younger leaders will carry on his legacy. International and local artists gather at the Havana Biennale for the Arts. Raul Castro makes a call for the unity of all the militaries as guarantors of the continuation of the Cuban political process. A mob organized by Cuban authorities beat up dissident Martha Beatriz Roque and invade her home. The Political Bureau of Cuba’s Communist Party announces the removal of one of its members and introduces changes in the auxiliary structure of the Central Committee.

Economy: Venezuela invests over $800 million to start up the Cienfuegos refinery in Cuba. Iran finances important industrial projects in Cuba. Cuba and Canadian Sherritt International expand nickel and cobalt production projects. Cuba and Byelorussia sign contracts for $12 million.

Exile Community: A radical pro-Castro group prevent Cuban writer Raúl Rivero from giving a conference in Seville. A Cuban exile is arrested for stashing more than 1,000 guns in his Upland home, in California.

Foreign Affairs: The Cuban government accuses Mexican authorities of being involved in an aborted human smuggling operation. Approximately 300,000 Latin Americans of scant means of support have received vision treatment free of charge in Cuba. The Cuban government denies a request to renew the visa of a Czech Embassy political counsellor. Two Cuban high official delegations meet in Teheran with Iran's President and Foreign Minister, respectively. Belarus Prime Minister meets with Fidel Castro in Havana. Cuba's Fidel Castro, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales of Bolivia sign in Havana agreements designed to strengthen the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas and to launch the People’s Trade Agreement.

Security: The Cuban government perceives the US military manoeuvres in the Caribbean as a demonstration of force.

US-Cuba Relations: The Cuban Coast Guard shoots three suspected migrant smugglers from the United States, killing one. A US Senator announces legislation to keep Cuba from oil drilling in the waters between the Caribbean island nation and the Florida Keys.