Chronicle on Cuba - May 2007

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Several editorials signed by Fidel Castro are published in the official daily “Granma”. New regulations are set for Cubans traveling abroad. Two army recruits attempt to hijack an airplane to fly to the United States. On Mother’s Day, nearly 40 members of the Ladies in White march through the streets of Havana. Dissident organizations denounce the continuation of detentions and harassments against their members, while expressing scepticism regarding talks on human rights between Spain and Cuba.    

Economy: Cuban agricultural authorities report a decrease in this year’s potato harvest. The official daily “Granma” reports signs of corruption in the financial sector. Cuba says it will spend about US$185 million to upgrade tourism facilities in an attempt to reverse this sector’s decline. Cuba's population decreased in 2006 for the first time in 25 years. Cuba announces the end of a disastrous sugar harvest. Cuba and China sign new cooperation agreements in medicine and biotechnology.

Exile Community: The Cuban-American National Foundation is willing to establish "a bridge" with the Cuban military and civilian leadership to guarantee a smooth transition in the island. Organizations of Cuban residents in Spain are sceptical about the results of talks on human rights between the governments of Spain and Cuba.

Foreign Affairs: The Cuban Foreign Affairs minister visits Bolivia for the opening of one of the 23 hospitals the island donated to this country in 2007. The Organization of American States Secretary General favours the opening of a dialogue with Cuba. Raul Castro meets with Ecuadorian Vice President Lenin Moreno. Canadian First Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard J. Edwards and his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez meet in Havana. The governments of Cuba and Spain hold their first round of talks on human rights.

Security: Cuba’s Armed Forces Minister Raul Castro meets in Havana with his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan. A delegation of 93 students from the Venezuelan Air Force Academy makes a one-week instructional visit to Cuba.