Chronicle on Cuba - March 2007

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Cuban dissidents denounce an increase of repression and harassment against the opposition. The president of Cuba’s National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, says that Fidel Castro will be in "perfect shape" to run for re-election to parliament next spring. Government supporters break up a public protest by wives of prisoners who marched through the streets of Havana to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the 2003 crackdown on dissidents.

Economy: Cuba and Venezuela sign agreements for installation of 11 ethanol plants. The number of tourists visiting Cuba dropped 3.6 per cent in 2006. Cuba’s Chamber of Commerce reports a decline in the number of foreign associates. Cuba should begin its controversial drilling for oil in its territorial waters in the Gulf of Mexico by 2008.

Exile Community: In Madrid, Spain, the Executive Director of the Cuba Project presents data about the number of deaths throughout the revolutionary process in Cuba. A crowd of Cuban exiles gathers to express frustration with the Bush administration's restrictions on traveling to Cuba.

Foreign Affairs: The Rio Group summit featured debate on whether to admit Cuba among its members. Raul Castro meets with the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. Venezuela, Cuba and Iran are studying how to add Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua to their three-way alliance. Cuba and Venezuela created a US $1 billion fund to help Haiti. A diplomatic crisis develops between Sweden and Cuba.

Security: A top-level delegation of China’s Popular Liberation Army visits Cuba. Cuban Defence Minister Raul Castro warns against an invasion of his country during a speech to troops participating in military exercises.

Terrorism: The Colombian government and the ELN meet in Havana.

US-Cuba Relations: Bills on travel restrictions and the embargo are presented in the US Congress. US lawmakers want to stop Cuba from drilling for oil in waters close to Florida. Cuba indicates openness to American companies that want to join the communist country's new oil-drilling ventures. US officials say that the image of an increasingly revitalized Castro is impeding the island's day-to-day leadership from making major changes. Fidel Castro publishes an article in Granma criticizing US production of ethanol.