Chronicle on Cuba - November 2006

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Uncertainty prevails about the possibility of Fidel Castro returning to power. Dissident organizations denounce an increase in the levels of repression against oppositionists. The Provincial Committee of the Cuban Communist Party in the City of Havana addresses deficiencies in social plans related with health care. Several political prisoners, including independent journalist Oscar Mario Gonzalez, are released from prison. Fidel Castro says in a message that he is not well enough to attend a gala inaugurating celebrations of his 80th birthday.  Presiding over commemorations for the 50th Anniversary of the Santiago de Cuba uprising, historical Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés praises Raúl Castro as “the guardian” of Cuba’s communist government.

Economy: Biotechnology becomes one of the first ten lines of Cuban exports. Cuban authorities intensify campaigns for workplace discipline and against corruption. The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas is analyzed by the governments of Bolivia, Venezuela and Cuba in Havana. Cuban minister of Foreign Trade says that the economy grew by 12.5% in 2006.

Exile Community: Surveys show a growing number of Cuban Americans believe South Florida residents should not return to Cuba.

Foreign Affairs: Cuba and China were excluded from the new International Trade Union Federation founded in Vienna. Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage heads the Cuban delegation to the 16th Ibero American summit in Montevideo. UNDP’s Human Development Index 2006 places Cuba in the fifth place among Latin American countries. At the UN Human Rights Council, Cuba stands in support of Iran against Canada, and rejects a Canadian sponsored resolution.

US-Cuba Relations: US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice claims that transition away from a Castro-led regime has “clearly” started. Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon convokes a new solidarity campaign with the five Cubans jailed in the US. A report by the US Congress’ Government Accountability Office reveals the irregular use of funds allocated to promote political change on the island. The US director of national intelligence, John Negroponte, appoints a “mission manager” for Cuba and Venezuela.