YEAR XI NO 3 MAR 5, 2021 , ISSN 2224-5707 Price: 1.00 USD / 1.20 CAN Sovereign for All

P. 3 Cuba USA-Cuba Cayo Santa Maria, Havana Loves Peace Sonic Attacks? a Beach Paradise Come On!

P.2 P.4 P.5 2 TOURISM Cayo Santa Maria Beaches, the World's 2nd Best

By TinoMANUEL Playa Norte(Isla Mujeres, ), Seven Mile (Grand Cayman), Bávaro (), Bournemouth (), HAVANA.- Located on the central-northern Balos (Greece), Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica), coast of Cuba, the beaches of Cayo Santa Nungwi (Tanzania), Elafonissi (Greece) and Maria (Santa Maria Key) were listed the Santa Giulia () complete the list. second best in the world by TripAdvisor, an North of the central Cuban Province of Villa online travel research company. Clara, Cayo Santa Maria currently has 12,900 (western region), one of the hotel rooms, plus 883 in close by cities and island's most popular beaches and worldly nature destinations. renowned as well, is also included on that Santa Maria is a small, long islands of white list, ranking 12th place. sand and crystal-clear waters, something The famous tourism website published its that also characterizes not less famous keys Traveler’s Choice 2021 Awards, dedicated in the vicinity such as Ensenachos and Las to the top 25 beaches in the world, naming Brujas. Santa Maria and Varadero among them. The best way to get there is crossing a Australia’s Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday 48-km-long causeway that call Island) tops the list, which also includes Pedraplen, which links Caibarien town, in Fernando de Noronha (Brazil), Crace Bay northern Villa Clara, with the key. (Turks and Caicos Islands), Saint Pete (Florida, Known as the White Rose of Jardines del USA), Turquoise Bay (Australia), Eagle Beach Rey archipelago, Key Santa Maria is 13 (Aruba), and Spiaggia dei Conigli (). kilometer long by two kilometer wide. Other awards went to Ka´anapali (Hawaii), It’s considered the most important of Baia dos Golfinhos (Brazil), Playa de Cofete that geographic group, with 18 square (), Praia da Falesia Olhos de Agua kilometers. (Portugal), Maho Bay Beach (Saint Martin), Its beach area comprises eleven kilometers, Cruz Bay, Seven Mile (Jamaica) and La featuring Perla Blanca, Las Caletas, Cañón Concha (Spain). and Cuatro Punta Beaches.

PHOTOS: Prensa Latina.

SOCIETY.HEALTH & SCIENCE.POLITICS.CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT.PHOTO FEATURE.ECONOMY SPORTS.AND MORE

President: Luis Enrique González. Art Direction: Anathais Rodríguez Printing: Prensa Latina. Information Vice President: Moisés Pérez Mok Graphic Designers: Fernando Fernandez Tito Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Editorial Vice President: Lianet Arias Chief Graphic Editor: Francisco González Prensa Latina, S.A. Chief Editor: Martin Hacthoun Assistant Staff: Yaimara Portuondo Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba. English Editor: Mitra Ghaffari Advertising: René García Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Translation: Dayamí Interian/ Yanely Interián Circulation: Commercial Department. Fax: (53)7833-3068 E-mail: [email protected] CUBA-HEALTHCUBA 3 Cuba Vaccines around the Corner

By LauraARBESÚ

HAVANA.- Two of the four COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed in Cuba are proceeding to the human clinical trial phase III in March, after successfully finishing the first two stages. Sovereign 2 vaccine by Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV) and Abdala by the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB) are about to be ready for distribution, drawing the attention of many countries. The Cuban biopharmaceutical industry is engaging its machinery to produce one million doses monthly, at an estimated rate of 12,000 per hour. Everything is gearing up for large-scale production. The first batch of Sovereign 2 (150,000 doses) was delivered the Scientist checking the quality of antiCovid-19 vaccine at the A volunteer being checked after getting the first days of February, while thousands of others are being Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana. vaccine in Phase III trials. produced to ensure the amount needed for its clinical trial phase III. objective to meet the needs of the country and of other The two vaccines have successfully progressed through nations interested in the vaccines. two previous trials. For the third phase, 150,000 people Tourists that come to the island and want to be vaccinated are expected to be immunized in Cuba and Iran, while may well do so, announced the directors of BioCubaFarma, Mexico is also in discussion to participate in this final the leading business group of Cuba’s Biopharmaceutical stage. Industry. If all goes as scientists hope for and the vaccines receive The commercialization strategy is a combination of the regulatory approvals, then Cuba can inoculate its kindness and positive impact on world health, he upheld. entire population, foreigners arriving to the island and IFV Director Vicente Vérez provided detailed information begin exports abroad by the year's end. about the immunization program of this vaccine Local health authorities and the scientific community candidate: three doses will be administered for 96 percent stress that Cuba aims to vaccinate most of its population effectiveness. The third shot could be either Sovereign 2 or this year with its own vaccines. A significant number of Sovereign 1, which will act as booster to induce immune the shots that Cubans get right after they are born are response of virus neutralization. “Center of Molecular Immunology of Havana. PHOTOS: Courtesy of ACN. produced domestically as well. The pediatric population will be administered these The Cuban biotech sector makes 11 of the 13 vaccines vaccines as well, with the clinical trial on this population immune systems are exposed to other vaccines that they administered to children on the island and exports group comprising patients between five and 18 years are administered during those stages of life. vaccines to more than 30 countries. old. In the case of the Abdala vaccine, it completed phase II on In the case of Sovereign 2, the first million doses will However, children still on a milk diet and those under volunteers from 18 to 80, and it is entering the third stage be ready by April. According to its producers, it is their five years will not participate in the studies, because their from March until May 2021.

SOBERANA 02: A BRIDGE TO LIFE

HAVANA.- The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) believes UNIDO emphasizes that, “Cuba has signed a deal to carry out clinical trials in Iran that in the face of current international bickering vaccines, Cuban Covid-19 vaccine in collaboration with the country’s Pasteur Institute, while Jamaica, Vietnam and Soberana 02 (currently in Phase III trials) “can be the lifeline for developing countries.” Venezuela, among others, have expressed interest in obtaining the vaccine once In a detailed article on Cuba's biotechnological development, UNIDO points out it passes the necessary safety and efficacy tests. that, “as international squabbles over fair distribution grow amid charges that Cuba hopes to inoculate its entire population against Covid-19 with the rich countries are hoarding supplies, a successful roll-out of Soberana 02 could domestically developed vaccine this year. provide a potential lifeline to developing countries seeking to immunize their “The fact that the small Caribbean island is ahead of many more developed populations against Covid-19.” countries in the race to find an effective vaccine may seem surprising,” UNIDO Cuba has four candidates: “Soberana 01”, “Soberana 02”, “Abdala” and “Mambisa”. writer Jeremy Larsen underscores; “yet decades of experience and investment in President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the results so far achieved encouraging, after Cuba’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, which in its early stages was scientists working on the projects briefed him on their work. supported by UNIDO and other international organizations, have enabled the The most advanced of the four is Soberana 02. “If it clears this final clinical step, industry to direct resources quickly and efficiently towards emergency vaccine the Cuban vaccine will be the first to be developed in Latin America,” UNIDO development.” acknowledged. He further adds, “Cuba’s success in creating a viable, domestic pharmaceutical The small island has already produced 150,000 doses to complete the Soberana 02 manufacturing industry shows what can be achieved with targeted investment clinical trials, scheduled for this March to May. Tens of thousands of volunteers will be and political will.” immunized twice. So far, two doses of the vaccine, developed by the Havana-based Larsen describes that while organizations such as UNIDO have long argued for Finlay Vaccine Institute IFV, has proved 91.8% effective and after a third shot, 95.7%. greater development of domestic industry in developing countries, the current According to the IFV, 100 million doses could be supplied in 2021 for both crisis has shown more clearly than ever why local research, development and domestic use and international export. production capacities are vital. 4 CUBA

Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held, too, in Havana in January of 2014. On that occasion, then Cuban President Raul Castro clearly stated the island's stance in favor of peaceful coexistence by saying, “peace and stability, the defense of our people’s interests, and the right to sovereignty and self-determination without any foreign interferences, are essential elements for attaining the integration and cooperation goals we are committed to.” In December of that year, the European Union revoked the Common Position policy imposed against Cuba after the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement was signed between the island and the 28-member country block. Since 2016, Havana has become a sort of political bridge, welcoming a number of delegations headed by presidents or prime ministers from all continents. During those official visits they express their readiness to strengthen links with the Cuban government. Among them were the Prime Ministers of China, Japan and , together with the Presidents of Venezuela, Mongolia, Havana, “Pax Urbis” Iran, Vietnam, Portugal and Honduras. In addition, numerous international meetings, conferences and conventions have By MartinHACTHOUN Photos By José TitoMERIÑO been held here as well. In fact, in November 2019, the 100 Cities for Peace Foundation presented Havana with the International Pax Urbis Award, HAVANA.- Many who seek peace find it in Havana. They find it The year 2016 was also marked by another big event: during a memorable act at the emblematic Plaza San Francisco in its enchanting culture, kind people, and the government’s the historic visit by a U.S. president to the island after de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi Square). willingness to offer a venue for talks and conferences that 88 years. Barack Obama arrived in Cuba on March 20, That same month, coinciding with the 500th anniversary lead to consensus, reconciliation and conflict settlement. accompanied by his family, realizing a 48-hour official of Havana, UNESCO granted the capital the Creative City In 2016, Cuba was the world’s peace capital. That year, visit. of Music award. the island made international headlines for being the From June 2 to 4, the city hosted the 7th Summit of the Such diplomatic and political activity came to a standstill in 2020 epicenter of several events that marked transformations in Association of Caribbean States. That meeting ratified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the international the history of Latin America and the world. the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as bonds were maintained, and Cuba once more showed its On February 12, 2016, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the a Peace Zone, signed by the region’s Heads of State and humanistic vocation to the world by sending its doctors to Russian Orthodox Church visited Havana to attend a historic Government during the 2nd Summit of the Community of some 40 countries to help them fight the deadly virus. meeting facilitated by the Cuban government. A transcendental statement for peace in the world was then signed. The first meeting in centuries between the highest leaders of the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church became an unprecedented event in the history of relations between the two religious institutions, following the Schism of 1054. At the end of the nearly two-hour meeting, Pope Francis thanked “the great people of Cuba and President Raul Castro for their willingness to assist,” predicting that Havana would become “the capital of unity.” Later on, on August 24, delegations of the Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the Colombian government announced, in Havana, they had reached a final agreement -comprehensive and definite- after four years of peace talks. The fifty-year-long armed conflict in that country had thus come to an end. After fresh negotiations, a new agreement was reached on November 13, which was approved by the Colombian Congress. PHOTO: Martín Hacthoun.

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For 4 News Headlines per day for just $25.00 CUP / month, Send an SMS with the letters PL to 8100 CUBA-U.S. 5 CIA Linked to Alleged Sonic Attacks By ElizabethBORREGO “The cause of the injuries is currently unknown. We do not know the reasons for those incidents, nor when HAVANA.- The alleged Sonic attacks they started nor who did it,” reads the on U.S. diplomats in Cuba were document drawn up in 2018, after used to hinder relations between four months of research. the two countries, retired Major The report’s declassification points General Fabián Escalante sustained. to a moment of change in U.S. policy “You cannot find what does not exist; towards Cuba, with democrat Joe those attacks were an operation of Biden’s arrival to power, Escalante the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency noted. (CIA),” the former head of Cuba’s However, the researcher considers Intelligence Services, who is currently that the changes from the new an analyst of Homeland Security administration will not be drastic in Affairs, told The Havana Reporter. their objectives. According to the analyst, the so- “The governmental mechanisms in called Havana Syndrome resulted U.S. society are not as simple as they Graphic taken from the website of the Cuban Embassy to the U.S. PHOTO: Internet. from a move by the government of seem to be, nor they are interested former U.S. President Donald Trump to be,” Escalante commented. (2017-2021) to break bilateral The Biden administration will try to relations and asphyxiate the ease some measures with regards to The Helms-Burton Law, Caribbean country. topics such as remittances and the The tycoon’s administration wanted reopening of travel, the reopening a pretext to break relations with of consulates and embassies in both 25 Years Later Cuba and justify the over 240 countries, as well as the resumption By OliverMARTIN public opinion which support mutually beneficial measures against the island that of some agreements like that against economic and trade relations with Cuba. were approved over the course of drug-trafficking, Escalante described. In fact, with the apparent desire of demanding his term, Escalante denounced. “At the same time, they try to ‘thaw’ HAVANA.- The Helms-Burton law enacted on March compensation or allowing lawsuits to be filed “How is it possible to emit a radio relations as part of the traditional 12, 1996, was designed to suffocate Cuba and topple on U.S. properties nationalized in Cuba, even wave that affects some people but psychological war against the island,” its revolutionary government; however, 25 years against American companies, it really presented not others?” The expert wondered the analyst warned. later it failed in its original intention and has left the itself against foreign investment and the island’s when referring to the incidents They use the empowerment of small U.S. alone worldwide in its stubbornness of forcing economic growth. described by the diplomats. private businesses, which the Cuban changes in the island 90 miles south of its borders. Their aims are unlawful and contrary to It was also confirmed in a recently government supports, to make the “Instead, its extraterritorial extension of international law and the principles and purposes declassified report by the U.S. impression that links with the U.S. sanctions against Cuba has provoked worldwide of the Charter of the United Nations, including Department of State, which ratifies cause economic improvement in the protest from other countries’ governments and has the rules of the multilateral trading system, the the lack of evidence to connect Cuba country, when actually the goal of led to a prolonged dispute between the United Cuban Foreign Ministry sustains. with the mysterious health problems the blockade policies are to destroy States and Europe,” German academician Bert As concrete example of the implementation of that allegedly affected the U.S. the Cuban social model. Hoffmann upholds. this title of the Helms-Burton Act is the lawsuit officials. In short, the U.S. government’s objective Because of this, it has become popular to say filed against Carnival Cruise Line before the The text suggests that Trump’s order will continue to be to put an end to the that the Helms-Burton law did not isolate Cuba, Florida Southern District Court (Miami), alleging to dismantle the Havana embassy at revolutionary government. For this, they but the United States, the expert of the Latin "traffic" with the Havana Cruise Ship Terminal and the beginning of 2018 in response to take advantage of a moment marked by American Institute at the Free University of Berlin, the Port of . the 'sonic attacks' was a political move limited relations and new generations adds in a special essay on the matter. Other suits were filed against Cuban enterprises plagued with bad management, lack to create confusion and try to attain The Helms-Burton Act codified the blockade Gran Caribe, CUBANACAN S.A., Grupo de Turismo of coordination and unfulfillment of what they have failed to achieve so far, against Cuba and strengthened its extraterritorial Gaviota S.A. and foreign companies Trivago procedure. the retired general warned. scope. In addition to pursuing the imposition () and Booking.com (Holland) for their of a government in Cuba that would be directly operations in Cuban tourist destinations Cayo subordinated to the interests of Washington, Coco and Varadero. this act sought to internationalize the blockade So far, none of the lawsuits has been successful. by means of coercive measures against third Professor Hoffmann notes in his essay that in spite countries, in order to hamper their trade and of its almost universal rejection the Helms-Burton investment relations with Cuba. law in fact prove to be a quite functional instrument Over the years since 1992, the General in the political logic of the U.S. reaffirming its claim Assembly of the United Nations has passed, to political leadership in the world, and, any more almost unanimously, a resolution condemning so, in what it calls its ”backyard”. Washington's blockade on Cuba that has the It were precisely the threats and punitive measures support of U.S. European allies. against third country business and trade with Cuba Despite the world's rejection, the Trump that caused the most international troubles, but that at administration enforced on May 2, 2019, Title III of the same time served most efficiently as a mechanism the formally called Cuban Liberty and Democratic of pressure and intimidation on European countries, Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act that opened U.S. courts the German academician points out. to lawsuits against companies doing business on Besides all irrational aspects and particular the island. interests involved in the case, there is a political All this despite the opposition from members of logic and functionality to the Helms-Burton Congress -including Republican lawmakers-, the law for the United States as a superpower with business sector, different organizations, and U.S. hegemonic aspirations, the expert concludes. General Fabian Escalante. PHOTO: Emilio Herrera. 6 CULTUREECONOMY Cuba Pushes E-Commerce Forward By ClaudiaDUPEIRÓN

HAVANA.- Talking about e-commerce in Cuba today is as common as talking about COVID-19, and as President Miguel Diaz-Canel said, “it has come to stay.” E-commerce has become one of the best responses to the outbreak of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, as it helps to meet the needs imposed by confinement. When the Cuban platforms Transfermovil and EnZona came to be in 2015 and 2019, respectively, their creators couldn’t have imagined that COVID-19 would make their market flourish. Miguel Gutierrez, Director of Computing Software at the Information Sciences General Manager at the Cuban PHOTOS: Internet. Communications Ministry of Cuba. PHOTO: Emilio Herrera. Ministry of Communications, Miguel Gutierrez, told The Havana Reporter that e-commerce cannot be exclusively In this sense, one of the key objectives is to attain a larger order to create a more effective work culture among those considered a technological issue. trade exchange among State enterprises by using the responsible for receiving orders. He added that they are not pleased yet with the progress virtual platforms. Another essential aspect is that those who offer their services made so far on this field; however, in 2020, there was an Gutierrez also noted that e-commerce must lead to a should encourage consumers by providing discounts and improvement in access to virtual payment. reduction in prices and foster incentives in order to attract sales in each e-purchase made, the specialist added. “We still need to reach higher stages and implement consumers. One of the priorities of the Cuban government regarding online discounts that really motivate the public,” the expert Similarly, he affirmed that this year, the strategy is aimed the computerization of the society is to improve internet- commented. at attaining better organization in those processes, in based payments, during and after the pandemic.

China to deepen friendship, cooperation with Latin America Beijing._ China asserted that it will work China -he added- donated more than 34 with Latin America and the Caribbean million health materials and equipment to to strengthen friendship and expand 30 Latin American and Caribbean nations, mutually beneficial cooperation, and supplied anti-Covid-19 vaccines to 12 and highlighted the stable development of its scientists shared experiences on the bilateral ties 60 years after they were fight against the disease. established. The Minister mentioned that in 2020, trade Foreign Minister Wang Yi told turnover with the region exceeded 300 The Havana Reporer that the Covid-19 billion dollars for the third consecutive year pandemic became a new front for support and exports from that area to the Chinese and collaboration among our countries, market continued to rise. through practical actions. "We can say that the pandemic (of Covid-19) He recalled President Xi Jinping had did not obstruct cooperation between China, contacts with leaders of the region to Latin America and the Caribbean, it brought coordinate the fight against the pandemic the hearts and interests of our peoples and foster sustainable development and closer," Wang summarized, ratifying Beijing's China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressing international issues. economic recovery. willingness to strengthen mutual relations. SPOTLIGHT 7 What is ? By DanayGALLETTI This research comprised of 30 typical recipes, including fried pork chunks; Cuban rice; Cuban sandwich (typically made of pork, ham, pickles, HAVANA.- Cuban culinary professionals butter and cheese), yucca with garlic sauce, work hard to include the island's cuisine tostones (fried, mashed plantains), and fried fish. as a cultural and tourist attraction, and to Fernandez explained that according to the do so, they promote the idea of creating a study, the eastern area is characterized by gastronomic route and giving visibility to the consumption of boiled products and local ingredients. root vegetables, roasted pork, and congrí Cuban cuisine has been largely influenced by its (rice and beans cooked together). native people, Spanish and African cultures and In the central Camagüey province, the to a lesser extent by Haitian, Chinese, Italian, consumption of beans in the afternoon is less American, Mexican and French influence. The common as soup is preferred. Meanwhile, in resulting mixture is what characterizes Cuban Havana (the west), people prefer fried food cuisine’s authentic flavors. and recipes such as yellow rice with chicken – “The aromas that motivated renowned a typical Sunday lunch. Cuban historian Don Fernando Ortiz to “Thanks to popular knowledge, we hold onto affirm that Cuba is a melting pot stem from grandmas’ recipes and know how to prepare that rich mixture,” said the president of the dishes such as casabe (yucca bread), black bean Cuban Culinary Federation (FCC), Chef Eddy soup, rabo encendido (oxtail, tomato, onion Fernandez Monte. and pepper stew) and desserts such as buñuelo In 2019, Cuban traditional cuisine was declared (yucca and sweet potato fritter), guava shells, National Cultural Heritage because of their and atropellado matancero (a coconut and long-standing traditions, collective preparation, pineapple mixture),” Fernandez added. histories and familial and social links. The Federation, with more than 65,000 members, works directly with the public and RECIPES AND REGIONS spreads methods of preservation and recipes The FCC sponsored a study to differentiate based on the products most commonly traditional dishes by region – Western, found in the markets. It also promotes Central and Eastern – upon the basis of healthy food habits and conducts workshops historical elements. on culinary topics for children and seniors. PHOTOS: Internet.

Flora Fong's New Series Dedicated to Cuban Women

Text and Photos MarlenSAAVEDRA Attracted by the female face, aesthetic expressiveness and plasticity, the artist also includes elements of Caribbean scenery and the sea, in the six pieces comprising the series to date, although she intends to keep adding to the collection. HAVANA.- The visual artist Flora Fong is producing a new series of paintings called Fong, known for depicting the force of hurricanes after their passage, visually exhibits in the 'Nasobuqueñas' (Masked Women), featuring women’s portraits with an array of colorful 'Nasobuqueñas' series the development of the five CUBAN vaccine candidates against the hand fans and reflecting on the landscape of current times. COVID-19 pandemic and a tribute to the cultural legacy of artists in various manifestations. Fong’s recent work protagonizes women within , just like Víctor Manuel's “Gitana "I liberally employ color in the pieces, although I maintain some patterns such as skintone. Tropical” (Tropical Gypsy), highlighing the subjects’ striking eyes with concerned gazes, I intend to present the paintings next May as part of a group show and the whole set in a peaking out under the masking fans. solo exhibit at the Museum of Decorative Arts of Havana,” Fong announced. “As an artist, I could not evade this reality. I started with a small painting, then the face The paintings express emotion and spirit within each stroke and color, as art has become mask became a fan and revealed intricacies of the Cuban landscape. In that ornament, a a refuge for Fong in these difficult times. She describes her life in Cuba as a source of twilight or starry night can appear. It also substitutes the mask in an artistic way,” Fong told inspiration: "I always say that where I paint best is here, in my country and at home with The Havana Reporter. my children and grandchildren," Fong concluded. 8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Pandemic Can’t Stop Cuba’s 2021 Salsa Festival

By YelenaRODRÍGUEZ organization of the event and institutional representatives, as well as a tour of all five previous editions. Blanco added that he is working on a new album, Enfocado, HAVANA.-Cuba’s 2021 Salsa Music Festival will throw a which will be different than his previous productions, special edition in March through digital platforms and coproduced by the Unicornio record company and the TV, affirmed the festival’s director, singer and band leader Mexican MB Record label. Maykel Blanco. He concluded that his intention is to reach a varied Unlike previous years, no mass concerts nor other audience and show a new version of himself, thus making public events will be held on this occasion because a higher contribution to culture and music in times of of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the idea is not to anxiety and uncertainty due to COVID-19. Maykel Blanco playing live at 2020 Salsa Festival. overlook an event that has become a pillar of the cultural and musical movement in Cuba and abroad, the artist explained. Blanco, leader of the “Salsa Mayor” orchestra, affirmed that about five TV programs will be recorded for broadcast at the end of this month, at a date, time and channel still to be determined. In relation to virtual activities, he noted that hour-long performances by emblematic Cuban salsa bands will be fully available online. “Salsa Mayor” will be the leading band but other artists will also participate, such as Alexander Abreu, José Luis Cortés, Giraldo Piloto, Alain Pérez, Haila, Elito Revé, Los Van Van, and Pupi y los Que Son Son. Music and dance workshops will also be conducted, in addition to interviews with people involved in the PHOTOS: Internet.

ON THE TRACKS BIS MUSIC PRESENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 "Suelta, el Concierto" by Adrian Berazain and "Dos Lenguajes" by Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa

FRIDAY, MARCH 17 Live themes from the "Join my show" program by Miguel Nuñez and Polito Ibañez

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 Live themes from the "Join my show" by Annie Garces and Nelson Valdes CULTURE 9 RumbaAllStars Continues Havana’s Musical Legacy By ClaudiaMADEM RumbAllStars combines son, bolero, guaracha, cha cha and mambo, proving the artistry and mastery of musicologist, composer, conductor HAVANA.-The RumbAllStars multimedia and flutist, José Loyola. project, conceived to highlight Rumba At his 80 years of age, this teacher of that declared UNESCO Cultural Heritage, generations brings experience and exhibited the cultural wealth of Cuba professionalism to interdisciplinary artistic and its people at the 35th Trieste Latin performance, which fuses musical styles and American Film Festival. artistic forms, representative of the process Over 20 years promoting Cuban culture of African of transculturation established in the nation origin through musical content, artistic producer in the mid-nineteenth century. Jose Luis Lobato launched RumbaAllStars as a The first multimedia product of RumbaAllStars, Master Jose Loyola, Musical Director of new project to continue enhancing Havana’s entitled "Rumba en La Habana All Stars", RumbaAllStars project. musical legacy in the world. combines traditional and contemporary artistic PHOTOS: Courtesy of Project Director Jose Luis Lobato. "Rumba is a secular genre of Afro-Cuban content, including music, performing arts, music involving dance, percussion and visual arts and cinema. singing. It's full of energy, powerful and This 90-minute artistic program opens with hypnotizing," Lobato said. Afro-Cuban mythology and transitions RumbaAllStars represents the recognition through danzón, bolero, mambo, cha-cha, of Cuban Rumba as UNESCO Cultural Latin Jazz, salsa and alternative rhythms. Heritage and the integration of the arts in The artistic group is made up of well- contemporary pop culture, the awarded established figures in Cuba’s musical scene, intellectual pointed out. including renowned teachers. The musical It is an artistic product that integrates director is the researcher, concert performer, the best traditions of the African origins and composer Jose Loyola, a graduate of of Cuban culture, especially Rumba, into the Chopin Conservatory, Titular Professor various genres of music and dance, creating at the Cuban University of the Arts. an authentic and unique Cuban sound that Juan Campo "Chan" Cardenas, an icon of can be enjoyed in public and private spaces, Afro-Cuban culture with more than 50 years locally and internationally. of work on various international stages, and The audiovisual delivery showed it’s Ronald Gonzales, the undisputed leader of international caliber, as it was nomitated Cuban rumba, together with a selection of for the Latin World Award and highlighted other talented musicians and dancers from the African influence in the soundscape of the musical groups Charanga de Oro and the Caribbean island. Explosión Rumbera. PHOTOS: Jose Luis Lobato.

Fiesta del Tambor – Drum Fest March 23 through 29 UPCOMING Venue: Karl Marx Theater EVENTS General Director: Giraldo Piloto

7th Alternative Festival – Havana World Music March 18 through 20 Venue: Club 500, 26th and 3rd Streets, Vedado, Havana General Director: Eme Alfonso Valdés www.havanaworldmusic.com 10 ECONOMYCYBERESPACE Prensa Latina Ranks as Cuban Website with Most Traffic MADRID.-Prensa Latina News Agency's website is currently the Cuban site with the It also provides photo, video and radio reports, multimedia services and a series of 8 most traffic, the 'Digital 2021' study carried out by two major communication companies newspaper journals on political, economic, cultural, sports and science and technological reveals. issues. The research shows that the international online new source ranks third among the Additionally, Prensa Latina collaborates with around one hundred news agencies, platforms with most navigation on the island , only surpassed by the global domains newspapers and communication organizations around the world. Google (first) and YouTube (second). Facebook is in fourth place, according to the list The report highlights the eighth position reached by the Gob.cu domain, which provides prepared by the firms We Are Social and Hootsuite on Internet consumption patterns information on governmental institutions and the recent increases achieved by sites around the world. dedicated to e-commerce. The number of residents in Cuba connected to the Internet grew to 7.7 million in 2021, The authors of the study indicated that their report shows that information reaching 68 percent of the population, according to reports by We Are Social and Hootsuite. technology became an even more essential part of people's lives during the past Prensa Latina has correspondent offices in more than 30 countries and its world news year, with social networks, e-commerce and video games demonstrating the services offer around 400 daily news items in six languages. highest growth.

PHOTOS: Internet. PHOTOLATIN AMERICAFEATURE 11

to the mishandling of the health emergency of COVID-19. Others see Lasso as one of the people responsible Ecuador’s Decisive Run-Off for the so-called Bank Holidays, a period that By SinayCÉSPEDES Perez's denunciations of alleged electoral With 3,033,753 votes in the first round, Arauz caused the worst financial collapse in the history fraud, Andres Arauz and Guillermo Lasso will represents a coalition grouping over 300 of Ecuador. Hence, he is not seen as the right move forward to the run-off. They will have social and political movements. Meanwhile, person to try to revitalize the economy. QUITO.- Ecuador will elect its next president to convince the population and win the votes Lasso, with 1,830,045 votes, is connected Negotiating common interests and objectives in the April 11 run-off, after a hard-fought first of the undecided during the March political with Ecuador’s most recalcitrant right wing. with the rest of the political organizations that electoral round that involved 16 presidential campaign. UNES is confidently relying on the victory participated in the first round is one of the candidates, in which the Andres Arauz-Carlos The big question now for the second round achieved in zones traditionally dominated by contenders’ main tasks. In addition, they will have Rabascall candidate for the Unity for Hope is what the rest of the political organizations the right-wing, such as Guayaquil City, while to captivate voters with their proposals on how (UNES) alliance won the majority of votes. will do: which alliances will be established? CREO trusts its prevailing position in the capital. to deal with the health crisis and job creation. Despite restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Which of the two candidates will they vote According to observers, Arauz and Rabascall, On April 11, Ecuador will witness an electoral there was a massive turnout of 13,099,155 for? Two entirely opposing parties will face known as the Couple of Hope is the best fight that will end either with the return of eligible voters on February 7 to elect the each other on April 11: one progressive, the choice to reactivate a country severely progressive ideas or the consolidation of president, vice president, 137 members of the other classically neoliberal. affected by an economic crisis, worsened due neoliberalism. National Assembly and five representatives to the Andean Parliament. Arauz and Rabascall of the progressive UNES movement won 32.72 percent of the ballots, a victory that most surveys had predicted. The battle for the runner-up position was a close one. Yaku Perez, candidate for the Pachakutik movement, a political group representing indigenous communities, and banker Guillermo Lasso, of the central- rightist coalition CREO, came out almost tied. The latter took a very small lead of 19.74 against the 19.38 of the indigenous leader. With the results officially announced by Andres Arauz, candidate of Unity for Hope, and rival banker Guillermo Lasso, for right-wing Creating the National Electoral Council and despite Opportunity Movement, CREO PHOTOS: Internet. 12 LATIN AMERICA

forces which opposed the negotiation in the first place and the signing of the agreement would commit themselves to Peace Adrift in Colombia its implementation,” Estrada noted. After the initial consequences of the By OdalysTROYA delayed and were needed to move bilateral and definite cessation of hostilities forward toward the democratization of the and the laying down of weapons on the Colombian society. part of FARC-EP, the current panorama of BOGOTA.- The Colombian Peace Agreement a military solution for armed confrontation The agreement led to a redefinition the country is dramatic and worrysome seems to be adrift due to its weak in Colombian. of forces and widened gaps in the because of the systematic violation of implementation, forced displacements, In an interview with The Havana Reporter, leading power bloc, as a result of which human rights, he warned. increasing assassinations of social leaders Estrada affirmed that those sectors profited the right started to clearly show its As of November 24, 2016, over one thousand and former FARC-EP members, the surge of on war, increasing their power and wealth differences. At the same time, it created social leaders have been murdered, in armed groups, and the killing of youth. and opposing the negotiation processes better conditions for the progressive, addition to over 259 former guerrilla All hope is pinned on the agreement, signed that led to the historic event. democratic and popular field, the analyst members. Last year alone, 90 massacres on November 24, 2016 by the government The agreement was in keeping with the explained. occurred and forced disappearances and of Juan Manuel Santos in representation realities of the social, political and military displacements affected entire communities of the State and the Revolutionary Armed correlation of the time in which the talks FAILED IMPLEMENTATION throughout Colombia. Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC- were moved forward, as well as with With the victory of a right-wing political “Who is responsible for this? According EP), to bring stable and lasting peace, but the regional geopolitical situation itself, project that allowed Ivan Duque to preside to our Constitution, the State and the it seems to be going off course. stressed the university professor. over the republic, as of August 7, 2018, the government in particular, either for action According to academic Jairo Estrada, In his opinion, it had important reformist implementation of the agreement began or for omission, essentially for the lack of the signing of the Peace Agreement in purposes and the potential for true to deteriorate, the academic pointed out. guarantee of human rights in their totality, Havana, after almost four years of talks, transformation, including a number of “The reason was logical and obvious. starting with the right to life,” Estrada represented a defeat for those that pushed regulations that had been historically We couldn’t expect that the political concluded.

“Peace means NOT murdering peasants”. PHOTOS: Internet.

Excerpts of the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s Statement on Peace in Colombia

“Cuba will rigorously fulfill its obligation, as Guarantor of murder and massacre of former guerrilla members, some point, the will to achieve peace, the legitimate and Venue of the Peace Talks, to guarantee the safe return social leaders and human rights advocates in Colombia.” interest and self-determination of the Colombian people, of the ELN Peace Delegation, established in the Protocol “Cuba has been patient and prudent. We hope that, at reason and good sense will prevail.” of Rupture during those negotiations, agreed upon and signed by the Colombian State and ELN, along with six States, on April 5, 2016. As the Colombian government is aware of, this position has broad support from the international community, which has made direct contact with the Colombian government calling for its implementation.” “Constant incitement to violate the agreements signed opposes International Law.” “Our country will maintain its rigorous and discreet action, firmly adhering to principles and demonstrated over decades of participation in peace efforts in Colombia. We reaffirm our willingness and commitment to continue cooperating with sectors searching for a negotiated solution to the Colombian armed conflict in order to achieve peace.” “In that sense, we reiterate our concern regarding non- compliance and unilateral attempts to modify the Peace President Juan Manuel Santos (left), FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, alias Timochenko (right), and President Raul Castro Agreement with FARC-EP, as well as the growing number (center) after the signing of the Peace Agreement for Colombia in Havana, 2016. PHOTO: Internet. ECONOMY 13 Biological Advancements Improve Agriculture

By IsabelFABIÁN these innocuous products,” commented next; all of them as result of Cuba’s scientific yields, Nitrofix reduces the use of urea Héctor La O, an executive from the Soil achievements. (highly aggressive nitrogen fertilizer Institute. La O described that in addition to -$5,000 a ton) by 60 percent in sugarcane HAVANA.- The use of biological methods First, they obtained over 200,000 litters of enhancing the root system of plants, their fields and between 30 and 50 percent in in agriculture has become ever more Nitrofix bio-fertilizer. Gluticid fungicide resistance against pathogenic agents, other crops. important in recent years in Cuba, due to and Bioenraiz phytohormone will come the conditions of the soil and increasing Another effort aimed at replacing imports the high price of those products in the in the sector is the extensive use of international market and the economic Agromenas-G, an organic fertilizer made crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. with minerals such as zeolite, potassium, The Cuban government promotes the phosphorite, magnesite, calcium carbonate Program for Agricultural Use of Bio- and dolomite. Products, which includes the production Those elements are mixed with chicken of organic fertilizers and stimulants, thus manure and cachaça (a distilled spirit replacing 25 to 50 percent of mineral made from fermented sugarcane juice). fertilizers. The resulting mix helps to increase The initiative also considers the possibility agricultural yields from 15 to 20 percent, that 40 percent of chemical pesticides is explained Doctor Raciel Lima, Dean of the replaced by bio-pesticides. Central University of Las Villas’ Faculty of Around 827,000 hectares are planted with Agricultural Sciences. crops and some 200,000 with sugarcane On the other hand, Nicosave stands out every year in Cuba; but only one fifth of the among bio-pesticides and can be applied total area is fertilized with bio-pesticides, to almost any crop. It is a semi-industrial said Luis Gómez, General Director of the preparation made from and Soil Institute. Field treated with bioproducts. PHOTOS: Internet. produced by the The director explained that the program Entomopathogen and Entomophagous was conceived in three phases in order to Reproduction Center. meet the current needs of local agriculture. Already exported to the Dominican The first phase prioritizes the efficient use of Republic, that preparation was developed existing functional capabilities. The second by the Cuban Research Institute on is intended to recover establishments and Sugarcane Byproducts. Its objective is create new ones, and the third to expand to strengthen the germination, growth, the reach of the system. ripening and development processes of National efforts to increase agricultural sugarcane and other crops. supplies continue to grow. The most recent The use of biological pesticides, fertilizers example was the inauguration of Cuba’s and stimulants not only helps protect most modern and productive bio-pesticide the environment, but they are also made plant in the eastern province of Santiago from materials found on the island that, de Cuba. if used efficiently, guarantee adequate “It is a strategic factory because rice, potato exploitation of soils. Directly linked to and other root crops, grains, vegetables, production and boost productivity, as sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, pastures, it is the only way to achieve economic fodder and other priority harvests need Biofertilizers plant in Santiago de Cuba. efficiency in the country. 14 ECONOMY International Hotel Chains Trust Cuba By Roberto F. CAMPOS with foreign management, according to statistics by the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). Cuba has over 72,000 hotel rooms in about 300 throughout the VARADERO.- Tourism in Cuba pushes forward despite the country. many implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest Of those contracts, 87 were operational already, representing shown by leading international hotel chains in investing on 43,863 rooms –54 percent of the country’s total. The remaining the island is proof of that. eleven were related to loans, intended to obtain foreign Despite the impact of the pandemic on tourism markets financing to restore and modernize building infrastructure. around the world, Cuba is trying to boost this industry and In this regard, MINTUR pointed out that eleven of the 20 draws the attention of important global hotel chains that foreign companies present in Cuba are from Spain, and confidently choose to invest on the island. they run 70 percent of the hotels operating in Cuba under A recent example is Singapore’s MGM Muthu Hotels, which foreign management contracts. recently began operating a hotel in Cayo Guillermo (Key The other companies are from Canada, France, Singapore, Guillermo), in Cuba’s central-northern region. This reaffirms that tourism is a top priority sector for the Indonesia, Italy, the United States, India, Mexico and Hotel Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo began functioning in Cuban economy and is among the strategic areas to attract Switzerland. Meliá, Iberostar and Blue Diamond are heading Jardines del Rey in April 2021, a month before the date set foreign investment. the list with 64 percent of the total facilities. for its inauguration, according to official sources. Before the pandemic broke out, statistics recorded an ever- Located in the country’s main tourist resorts, 65 percent of the With a prime location along Pilar Beach, the all-inclusive increasing trend in the Cuban travel industry. hotels with foreign management contracts belong to the “sun five-star hotel will initially offer 425 of its 500 rooms, until At the end of 2019 alone, 98 contracts were approved and beach” category, and 35 percent are within the “city” group. construction is fully complete. in the country, for a total of 46,855 rooms in 124 hotels According to a report by Italy’s digital newspaper Caribbean Travel Trade (TTC), 77 percent of those facilities are located in Varadero, Havana, Villa Clara’s keys and Jardines del Rey. The others are on the northern coast of Holguin, Gibara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, , Camagüey, Cayo Largo del Sur and Jibacoa. Tourism is the economic field that most generates business opportunities for foreign investors in Cuba, said MINTUR General Manager of Development, José Reinaldo Daniel Alonso. The Cuban government approved a policy for the sector that guarantees the completion of negotiation processes. That policy is focused on development in association with internationally renowned companies that had been previously identified as potential investors, taking their profile, financial capacity and international experience into consideration, he noted. With this goal in mind, Cuban authorities use different modalities, such as hotel management and commercialization PHOTOS: Internet. contracts. Cuba’s Creation of Enterprises Expands Private Sector

By RaquelDÍAZ economic functioning in order to boost sustainable development with social guarantees, the Vice Prime Minister HAVANA.- Cuba continues to make progress explained. in the expansion and enhancement of Cuba’s Council of Ministers recently self-employment (the private sector) and decided to increase the labor activities that the creation of micro, small and medium self-employees can do from 127 to over business initiatives (MSMEs), as part of a 2,000. comprehensive development strategy, According to official statistics, more than described Cuban Vice Prime Minister 600,000 Cubans are self-employed and Alejandro Gil. foster private business. That number Cuba needs self-employment because it accounts for 13 percent of employment on complements the economy, generates the island -30 percent are young people high-quality jobs and allows for productive, and 35 percent are women. mutually beneficial relationships, stated The Cuban Minister of Labor and Social Gil, who is also Minister of Economy and Security, Marta Elena Feitó, pointed out Planning, in a television address. that the people’s opinions and suggestions The Cuban government is bringing this were taken into consideration to increase policy forward despite the world economic facilities for the private sector. crisis caused by COVID-19 and the For his part, First Deputy Minister of intensification of the economic, financial Finances and Prices, Vladimir Regueiro, and commercial blockade imposed by the highlighted that the tax burden was not United States, together with restrictions on increased for MSMEs that contribute access to hard currencies. between 30 to 34 percent of territorial It is a far-reaching program that implies budgets, revenues that will be largely used redesigning the country’s entire in investments for local growth. PHOTOS: Internet. SPORTS 15

especially for this beautiful country,” the outstanding sprinter told The Havana Reporter. Cuban Paralympic Other Cuban track and field athletes will try to qualify for Tokyo at the Tunisia Grand Prix, to take place from March 18-20, including five-time Paralympic winner Yunidis Castillo - T47 (upper-limb amputee). Athletes Out in Win in Tokyo After two years absent from track and field, Castillo – who also won the Para-Pan-American championships on six By AdriánMENGANA reoccurring champion in London 2012 and Rio 2016, occasions – returned to training with sights set on adding javelin thrower Ulicer Aguilera, table tennis player Yunier other titles to her brilliant career. Fernández, and Lorenzo Pérez, also gold champion Other athletes to compete in the abovementioned event HAVANA.- Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, swimmer of the 2016 Rio Games. include 400m runner Cristian Carlos Guillén (T47/upper- Cuban Paralympic athletes increase their training with the Without a doubt, Durand – five-time Paralympic champion limb amputee); sprinter Leinier Savón (T12); discus thrower purpose of winning new titles at the Tokyo Paralympic and world record holder in 100, 200 and 400 meters in the Leonardo Díaz (F56/wheelchair), and javelin throwers Games, to be held from August 24 to September 9. T12 category (visually-impaired athlete) – is at present the Guillermo Varona (F46 / upper-limb amputee), Uliser Cuba has the potential to qualify 39 athletes and reach face of the Latin American Paralympic movement. A survey Aguilera (F13/visually- impaired player) and Gerdan Fonseca the Paralympic podium through runners Omara Durand conducted by the International Paralympic Committee on (F64/lower-limb disabled player). and Yunidis Castillo, swimmer Lorenzo Pérez and shooter social media named her the best athlete of the last decade. Cuba’s potential to increase the number of qualified athletes Marino Heredia. “It gives me great satisfaction to know that have I set an largely relies on athletics, swimming, weightlifting, sport A total of four athletes have so far qualified for the example for all athletes. The admiration of the Cuban shooting, archery, taekwondo, triathlon, cycling and judo, Japanese games: Omara Durand, super-star sprinter and people fills me with pride and encourages me to go on, Cuban Paralympic Committee’s secretary Oscar Beltrán said. Qualifying tournaments and other meetings will take place in the first six months of this year. In these competitions, athletes can test their physical and technical preparation with sights set on the most important event in 2021: the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Cuba has participated in seven editions of the Paralympic Games and has won 85 medals: 39 gold, 19 silver and 27 bronze. In Rio 2016, Cuba’s 22-player Paralympic delegation World and Olympic Champion and Record Holder Omara finished 18th among 160 countries, with 15 medals – 8 Durand. PHOTOS: Internet. Olympic Bronce Medallist Leonardo Diaz gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze. Havana’s Grand Colossus By YaimaraPORTUONDO protest against the then dictatorship of , headed by the former university leader Jose Antonio Echeverria. HAVANA.- Inaugurated 74 years ago, After professional baseball in Cuba was in 1946, the Grand Stadium of Havana replaced by the National Series in 1962, continues to be the Colossus of Cerro the stadium became the house of Havana’s (municipality), home to historic games in iconic team Industriales, the most beloved Cuban baseball, a sport that arouses great and hated nine in Cuban baseball. passion in the country. Even when the game itself is a great sport Currently named Latin American Stadium show, late Armandito “El Tintorero”, an –popularly known just as El Latino (the emblematic cheerleader, helped liven the Latin)- the building preserved its imposing show up even more, lifting the spirits of image after its restoration and enlargement spectators and players alike. for the 19th World Series in 1971. A bronze sculpture made by Cuban artist Today it features a more colorful field of Villa Soberón was erected behind the “Home impeccable green grass, together with blue Club” dugout to honor his memory, as he was PHOTO: Internet. stands that symbolize the color of Havana’s one of the most loyal fans of Cuban baseball team, The Lions. The environment is even and a regular visitor to El Latino. more pleasant for spectators with a giant The energy of baseball captivates the digital scoreboard that helps create a great audience, no matter where the person sport show. is seated. Each game evokes emotion, The field has 325 feet on both sides of the right adrenaline, enthusiasm, joy, deception and/ and left outfields and 400 feet in centerfield, or fanaticism, all stemming from the love of where there is a 4-meter-high fence. Located baseball, which on the island is more than a in the municipality of Cerro, the stadium can pastime; it's passion at its best. pack up to 55,000 fans, though estimates With rumba from the left field stands to bring the figure to 60,000 when people pile cheer the local team on and conga from in along aisles in popular games. the right field stands to do so for the It is a multipurpose stadium, as not only visiting team, El Latino has an contagiously baseball games have been held there but energized, verging on overwhelming, also rodeos, concerts and boxing matches, ambiance. such as the one between world U.S. Just like baseball, the Colossus of Cerro champion Joe Louis and Cuban Omelio is part of Cuban idiosyncrasy, closely Agramonte, in March 1949. related to the history of the capital and Before the triumph of the its teams Industriales, Havana Blues, or in 1959, it was the venue for a student the Havana Lyons, as its fans call it. PHOTO: Vladimir Molina. 16 U.S.A