Chronicle on Cuba - November 2007

Domestic Affairs: Police detain Cubans wearing bracelets with the word “Change”.  The Cuban government announces that in some cases aircraft can be privately owned. Newly elected municipal assemblies choose candidates for provincial and national assemblies who will be presented on December 2 and elected on January 20. Several opposition organizations present initiatives for change and debate in the island.

Economy: Iran's trade minister expresses his country's interest in increasing investment flows and bolstering cooperation with Cuba. Tropical storm Noel causes severe damages in agriculture, housing, and roads in the eastern provinces. The Havana International Trade Fair takes place in the Cuban capital with an attendance of over 1,200 businesspeople from 54 countries. For the first time in years, Cuba's foreign trade balance shows improvement in 2007. Cuba and Bolivia give a boost to their economic and commercial relations with a Complementary Economic Agreement signed in La Paz.

Exile Community: A group of exile organizations based in Madrid founds the Spanish Federation of Cuban Associations (FECU). Cuban exiles in Brazil create the Cuban-Brazilian Committee for Democratic Cuba.

Foreign Affairs: The President of the National Assembly clarifies statements made by the Cuban Foreign Minister on the potential union between Cuba and Venezuela. The Cuban government says it would welcome the visit of a UN representative for human rights in the future. The United Nations envoy on the right to food praised Cuba’s efforts  for feeding its people. Fidel Castro takes side with Hugo Chavez in the rift between Venezuela and Spain at Santiago’s Ibero-American Summit. A high-ranking Cuban official visits Ottawa.  
Security: Cuba launches the Moncada-2007 military exercises.

US-Cuba Relations: A senior US counterintelligence officer confirms intelligence sharing between Iran and Cuba. US President George W. Bush bestows the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cuban dissident Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet. Executives representing 16 Florida firms participate in Havana’s International Trade Fair.