YEAR XI NO 6 JUN 5, 2021 , ISSN 2224-5707 Price: 1.00 USD / 1.20 CAN

Cuba Negative impacts of Prensa Latina the blockade Resists and Grows

P. 9 P. 3 Health & Science Latin America Social Outbreak Has Colombian Steps toward Immunization Government on the Rack

P. 5 P.12 2 TOURISM Holguín Tourism Potential TripAdvisor Awards Cuba’s Santa Lucía Beach Resort By María de LourdesLEGRA Club Amigo Atlántico, Brisas Guardalavaca and Gran Muthu Almirante hotels, located in the main tourist resort of this eastern Cuban province. HOLGUÍN.-The province Holguín's Tourist Observatory The Islazul group also provided a characterization (OT), in eastern Cuba, promotes the potential of of its five facilities, which welcome city and event hotel chains in that area, renowned as an adventure, tourism in the Holguín and Moa cities and beach entertainment and recreational location. tourism in the Rafael Freyre municipality. As part of the OT actions, the Cubanacán group The province’s tourism resort, about 700 km east of recently launched its catalog of tourism facilities, Havana, is a mixture of sun-and-beach experiences, located in the cities of Holguín and Gibara as well as nature tourism, history, culture, health and other Guardalavaca beach. modalities, which are widely accepted among foreign The Gran Muthu Almirante hotel – the first five star sun- and local tourists. and-beach resort of the Cubanacán group in Cuba’s The Holguín Tourist Observatory, opened last April 16, Gran Club Hotel in Santa Lucía Beach Resort. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. east – will be inaugurated on July 1 in Guardalavaca. intends to highlight the presence of this destination Officials of the tourist group also note main on different digital platforms, as well as providing up- By FidelMANZANARES highly of the hotel in their reviews attractions that tourists can enjoy next summer at the to-date information on the area. and recommend others to visit. Santa Lucía Beach Resort has CAMAGUEY.-Santa Lucía Beach experienced a decrease in the Resort currently stands as one of number of foreign visitors due to Cuba’s leading tourist destinations, the reduction of operations at the increasing after the Gran Club Hotel international airport, both due received the Travellers’ Choice Award to the pandemic and restrictions granted by TripAdvisor website. imposed by the U.S. government Despite COVID-19 and its negative since the end of 2019. consequences on Cuban tourism, the TripAdvisor has been promoting recent recognition proves that this Santa Lucía’s facilities over the past kind of facilities are well accepted, five years, posting photos and videos as corroborated by clients’ positive that showcase the potential of this reviews, being one of the most sunny Caribbean destination, located recommended destinations in the some 540 kilometers east of Havana. world. Gran Club Santa Lucía, which According to Ivonne Montejo, operates as an all-inclusive, has 252 Business Manager of Gran Club, frontline beach rooms surrounded which belongs to Cubanacán Group, by the beautiful natural landscape the award makes them very happy that characterizes the northern Guardalavaca, the main tourist resort in Holguín. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. because it reveals that guests speak coastline in this Cuban region.

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

HAVANA.- The Prensa Latina News Agency (PL) was born out of the need for Latin American journalism to challenge the information monopoly of the United States, when alternative media was scarce. Against all odds, it still goes strong and continues to grow, soon to celebrate its 62nd anniversary. On June 16, 1959, when an announcement was made about the foundation of Prensa Masetti interviewed Fidel Castro Latina – the region’s first alternative media in the Sierra Maestra. agency – Washington officials declared that PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. the agency would only last one month and interposed several obstacles to prevent its broadcasts 400 news segments 24 hours a day creation and development. in six languages, prints about 20 publications Argentinean Ricardo Masetti – the first (including The Havana Reporter) and has a director of the agency – and his team valuable patrimonial, photographic library, managed to open, in less than a year, the first in addition to an online radio station and TV 16 offices around the region. The first were service. located in New York, , Caracas, Buenos With an increasing presence on the Internet Aires, Bogota, , Santiago de Chile, and social media, PL has signed over 70 Panama, La Paz, Río de Janeiro and Quito. agreements on information exchange with “We have to compete with incompetence,” foreign agencies and news media, as well as Masetti told the U.S. information agencies UPI several collaborators all over the world. and AP. At the same time, he urged editors At present, the agency and many of the Prensa Latina headquarters in Havana. to make “objective while biased” journalism region’s journalists and communicators face (because unbiased is an impossible stance huge challenges, such as the large amount against). of fake news, misinformation, distortion, Several generations of Prensa Latina manipulation, censorship and the large journalists have covered the main political, concentration of the media in few hands. economic, scientific, technological, cultural According to recent studies, five or six and sports events over the last 60 years. global media monopolies own thousands Military coups, wars and aggressions were of newspapers, magazines, publishing widely featured on the PL editorial agenda. companies, radio and television stations, Throughout its history, its journalists have controlling 90 percent of the news and 70 had to face raids, closures, fund freezing, percent of the information market in the world. imprisonment and even murder. At present, In spite of the complex scenario at present, some face visa restrictions in certain countries, there is an increasing spirit of resistance are prohibited from making bank transfers among Latin American communications and are the victims of maneuvers aimed to teams and importantly, alternative media prevent their hiring in Latin American news continues to emerge, thus joining Prensa media. Latina’s fight. In spite of the current economic difficulties When opening Prensa Latina’s services, the resulting from the U.S. blockade on Cuba and agency’s founders described it as “the agency COVID-19, Prensa Latina has 38 offices in most that was needed,” because of its strategic continents and a great deal of experience. Latin American imprint. Today, with 62 years The agency, an active multimedia institution of experience, the agency continues to resist and Cuba’s most read media on the island, and grow, in more needed than ever.

Agreement between Prensa Latina and Sputnik, signed in Havana in 2017. 4 CUBA-U.S.A Calls to End the Blockade Increase

By IbisFRADE not included among the priorities of the “Let us stop U.S. attacks on the right to Government. travel and family visits for residents of both Although the Democrat president promised countries,” said the New York-New Jersey HAVANA.- Calls to the end the blockade during the electoral campaign that he Cuba Sí Coalition, which represents dozens imposed by the United States on Cuba would move away from the path traced by of activists and groups. increase on the digital platforms and as former president Donald Trump, the over The Sao Paulo will put off a campaign with part of other initiatives worldwide, such as 200 measures taken by the Republican the slogan "Blockade No, Solidarity Yes - the solidarity caravans. magnate against Cuba are still in effect. Our America Forever" the voted at the UN. On May 30, another edition of these caravans Leader of the New York-New Jersey Cuba Sí toured the streets of several U.S. cities, such Coalition, U.S. activist Ike Nahem, stated that RESOLUTION AGAINST THE BLOCKADE as Miami, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Washington’s hostility and sanctions are In this context, on June 23, the UN General Seattle and Minneapolis, promoted mainly particularly criminal amidst the COVID-19 Assembly will hold a vote on the resolution as part of the Bridges of Love project. pandemic. project that calls for the end of the U.S. The Secretary of the Foundation for the In the meantime, the island continues to set blockade – a text similar to the one endorsed Normalization of U.S.-Cuba Relations a good example of how to face the health on 28 previous occasions by the multilateral (FORNOM) Julio V. Ruiz told The Havana crisis and shows international solidarity by forum. Reporter that these types of actions sending its health brigades, he added. Since 1992, the international community has are essential and have widespread Chairman of the Cuba Study Groups Carlos In this scenario, Nahem considers that stated its rejection of this mechanism at the international repercussions. Saladrigas. PHOTO: Internet. he has the obligation of urging the General Assembly, Washington has remained Ruiz also stressed that U.S. President Joe government of his country to put an end to deaf to this call and for over 60 years, has Biden, his legal advisor, the U.S. population Joe García (of Cuban origin), stated that all sanctions, sieges and hostile measures maintained a policy addressed at economically and people all over the world have to be the “normalization” of relations should against Cuba. asphyxiating a whole nation and its people. educated about the reality of life in Cuba eventually happen. The car and bicycle caravans held in different In fact, it strengthened its hostility amidst and the sufferings of the people because of Meanwhile, chairman of the Cuba Study U.S. cities precisely demand the lifting of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the damages a failed blockade and a pandemic. Groups Carlos Saladrigas highlighted that it is the U.S. blockade and other economic and to Cuba because of the U.S. blockade According to this activist, a retired important for Washington to deal with Cuba political sanctions, which cause serious exceeded 5 billion dollars last year, for the psychiatrist of Cuban origin who lives in relations as soon as possible, especially in the economic difficulties for Cuba, he stressed. first time in six decades. Miami, the U.S. siege is unfair, criminal and current context of the COVID-19 pandemic. cruel, and has failed from the political point Last February, that group submitted a of view for over 60 years. document to the Biden administration Several people in the United States have urging the United States to make progress also recently raised their voices to demand a towards the full normalization of relations change in Washington’s policy toward Havana. with Cuba. For example, former secretary of Energy However, the White House continuously of the Barack Obama administration, says that a policy change towards Cuba is

Bridges of Love in U.S. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. HEALTH & SCIENCE 5 Steps toward Immunization

By Ana LauraARBESÚ

HAVANA.- Cuba is living its worst moments of the pandemic, with reports in May of more than 1 150 infected people daily. Because of this scenario, health authorities have applied several measures, including a sanitary intervention with Health authorities have applied several measures, including a Soberana 02 and Abdala, the two vaccine candidates for sanitary intervention with Soberana 02 and Abdala, the two COVID-19 undergoing clinical trials in light of their registration vaccine candidates against COVID-19 that undergo clinical trial. as future immunogens. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina Soberana 02, produced by the Finlay Institute of Vaccines, Several other factors justified this process, such as the started to be administered last March as part of phase favorable benefit/risk relationship and the data provided by the The specialist also highlighted that all modalities of study are III of clinical trials with a vaccination scheme of zero, 28 intervention study. based on ethical and regulatory components. For that reason, and 56 days. Abdala, by the Genetic Engineering and participants should state their willingness and consent to Biotechnology Center, started to be administered during have already been administered at least one dose of the participate in these trials, she added. a period of half the cycle. vaccine candidates. Similarly, as of May 27, 47 266 people had been vaccinated This temporary, sanitary intervention process taking place Since May 12, the sanitary intervention reaches territories and as part of the intervention study, while phase III of Soberana around most of the island is the result of a request the Ministry groups at risk of several municipalities of Havana, as well as the 02 involved 47,266 participants and phase III trial with Abdala of Public Health (MINSAP) made to the regulatory authority. provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, 19,524. In addition to the tense epidemiological situation, several other Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, COVID-19 Curves Unflattened factors justified this process, such as the favorable benefit/risk Matanzas andwhich were included in this study and where 35,701 cases and 311 deaths were reported on the island relationship, the spread of new strains and variants, and the seniors and groups at risk are given priority. during the fifth month of the year, with the total number of data provided by the intervention study. This research process, aimed at proving the effectiveness of 143 323 infected people and 925 deaths since March 2020. The latter is another process that was previously conducted the vaccine candidates against COVID-19, is a complex health At the beginning of May, experts from the University of in order to protect the health staff and the workers of the operation in which 2,117 clinical sites were created, health Havana’s Faculties of Mathematics and Computer Sciences had biopharmaceutical industry. authorities indicated. predicted that May would keep a high prevalence of COVID-19 Along with the clinical trials in progress, these two studies hope Information technology specialists, communicators responsible cases and of patients in intensive care units. to stop the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The idea is for data processing, family doctors and nurses, are the main They were right. The daily number of patients in ICUs exceeds to immunize 70 percent of the population by August this year. architects of this task in the communities, said director for Sciences one hundred, with nearly 95 in serious condition and over 50 in In order to do so, over a million 800 thousand Cuban people and Technology at the Ministry of Public Health, Ileana Morales. critical condition on several occasions. Contrary to March-December period of 2020, the number of infected children began to show an upward trend in the first few months of 2021, not only adolescents but also those under 18 years and even children still on milk. In May 5 191 children were diagnosed with the SARS. More than once, children under six months, an even a newborn baby, were reported to be in serious or critical condition. However, not one single death was reported in the past 31 days Given the complex epidemiologic situation in the country, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz- Canel, indicated it is necessary to analyze the health measures more accurately, as well as the cases of indiscipline that resulted into significant new outbreaks of the disease in various territories. Public Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda explained that, like it is happening all over the world, the new wave in Cuba is connected with the most contagious strains of the virus that were first detected in the and South Africa, as well as in Brazil, and even the one discovered in India. The Research Director of the Pedro Kourí Institute, María Guadalupe Guzmán, had explained previously that five strains and six mutational patterns of SARS-CoV-2 had been identified in Cuba; including those of South Africa, Scientists at the Finlay Institute of Vaccines. California (United States) and the United Kingdom. 6 CULTURE The Buena Vista Social Club Story By MarleneSAAVEDRA Before reaching adulthood, Omara was already dancing at Tropicana Nightclub. It was in that symbolic place of the capital where she met composer César Portillo de la HAVANA.-For years, the Buena Vista Social Club represented Luz, author of the classical piece "Contigo en la distancia," the sound of Cuban music in the international market and among other artists. featured indispensable figures in the artistic world, mainly She keeps fond memories of those nights when, as a from the first half of the 20th century. member of the D’Aida female band, she was introduced The idea came up when U.S. music arranger and guitarist to U.S. artists Nat King Cole and Josephine Baker. She Ry Cooder arrived in Havana in 1996 to record a Cuban belonged to that vocal quartet for almost 15 years. Haydée son album. With that goal in mind, Juan Marcos González, Portuondo, Elena Burke and Moraima Secada were the the director of Sierra Maestra band at the time, gathered other members of the quartet, which was directed by singers and instrumentalists. pianist Aida Diestro. The list of those first chosen included Francisco Repilado — “One retires when life tells you: you are done now. I will known as Compay Segundo and for the song "Chan Chan"—, continue to work as long as I’m healthy. Music makes me Omara Portuondo, known as "The Buena Vista Social Club Diva". Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Omara very happy. It is people’s soul, it heals sorrows, it helps PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. Portuondo, Manuel Licea, Manuel Mirabal and Orlando López. overcome obstacles and motivates you,” the Cuban artist A total of 14 songs were ready in less than a week and the commented. name of the album alludes to Cuba’s musical past. The At the end of the 1990s, while she was rehearsing for Buena Vista Social Club, located in the then Municipality the tour of one of her solo albums, Omara was asked to of Marianao, was one of the most frequented venues in sing "Veinte años" together with Compay Segundo and Havana during the 1930s and 40s. "Silencio" with Ibrahim Ferrer, two unforgettable songs of the Cuban musical repertoire. CUBA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY Those performances were included under the Buena Vista "Music is the sky, the earth, the sun, happiness and reason," Social Club label, which also involved other Cuban artists said famous Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, known as such as Eliades Ochoa and Pío Leyva, "The Buena Vista Social Club Diva," when asked to describe Portuondo cited all the times that she represented Cuba that artistic manifestation. abroad. Whenever she performs on national and international She finished the interview saying, “I am very Cuban; I’m stages, Omara, who is also known as “the bride of feeling,” honored and pleased to be Cuban. I do not think I could responds to the public’s spontaneity. “They welcome me have been born anywhere else. For me, this is the most with great love. I was born a singer and life awarded me loving country. I like its people, its history, its kindness and In 2014, Buena Vista Social Club announces its final tour. with that talent,” she told The Havana Reporter. the happiness of those living here.” Juan Padrón’s Cuban Guerrilla Fighters and Vampires Invade Tenerife

By FaustoTRIANA face became a figure during the fourth Cultural Center (one of his own edition of the Ibero-American Animation initiatives) to draw comics, a field little Quirino Awards, with an homage to the exploited in Cuba compared to the MADRID.- Although he stood out for creator of Cuba’s mythical character great talent that exists in the country, his charisma, Cuban filmmaker Juan Elpidio Valdés. she commented. Padrón probably never imagined Padrón, who died a little over a year ago, It will be very important to develop that his characters would flood the left a legacy of phrases that are part of that space in order to train and Canary Islands, , identified with the Cuban people’s cultural heritage, develop more talent, as Cubans have independence fighters known as both connected to the intrepid Mambi so much potential, she noted. “Mambises” and vampires. fighter against Spanish colonialism and Silvia recalled her father’s great vitality Juan Juan Padrón’s smiling face became a figure during the Among posters and books of his with humorous remarks about vampires. and love of learning throughout his fourth edition of the Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards. authorship, Juan Juan Padrón’s smiling In remarks to The Havana Reporter, career in visual arts. Silvia Padrón, the daughter of the “He was ahead of his time and never creator of the Quinoscopio series wanted to cling to the past. He had lot of (together with Quino, the talented faith in development and democratization Argentinean author of Mafalda) and of technologies, because many new Vampires in Havana, talked about her talents would emerge,” stated Silvia. father’s international acknowledgment. The last week of May in San Cristóbal, Silvia Padrón, who inspired her father Tenerife, the Canary Islands, the Cuban to create the character Silvia –Elpidio caricaturist, illustrator, comic strip artist, Valdés’s girlfriend and future wife- scriptwriter and filmmaker received said, “this homage has been a catalyst, many tributes, including the exhibition because I know many more things of some of his works. will follow. It’s like an engine that has “It is very important for us that my just started, stimulated by this Ibero- father’s work does not end with his American event.” passing. His life has been so significant The Cuban caricaturist, illustrator, comic strip artist, scriptwriter and filmmaker received many tributes, Padrón dreamed about children to Cuban culture that we cannot leave including the exhibition of some of his works. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. going to La Manigua Creative and it in silence,” Silvia commented. SPOTLIGHT 7

History has it that this genre was born at the end of the 19th century in Cuba’s eastern A Day to Honor Cuban Son Music region, in provinces like Guantánamo, Granma and Santiago de Cuba. However, there are By DanHERNÁNDEZ Buena Vista Social Club and director of Patria the importance of this Cuban born music testimonies of old Cuban son pieces dating Quartet. style as immaterial heritage of the country back to the 16th century. Since last year, Cuban and international since 2012 and as a cultural expression of Experts say that it resulted from the African, HAVANA.- Cuba celebrated the Day of the son performers have been promoting a communities, groups and individuals, with Cuban and Spanish cross-cultural process and Cuban Son Music for the first time to honor campaign to officially recognize May 8 as values that go beyond time and space. its origin is deeply related to Changüi, which is that music genre and remember the birth the Day of the Cuban Son. That initiative was That announcement and the media known as the mother rhythm of son. The list of anniversaries of two of its greatest exponents: fostered by Álvarez himself, who described it campaign related to the day are part of a emblematic son bands includes the Oriental composer Miguel Matamoros and singer as “a day to pay tribute to the genre.” process to declare Cuban son intangible Quartet, created in 1916 and renamed the Miguelito Cuní. In its October 2 edition, the Official Gazette heritage of humanity, a category granted Habanero Septet two years later. Matamoros and Cuní helped spread the of the Republic of Cuba published Decree 19 by the UN Education, Science and Culture It began to enjoy a boom and great popularity importance of that genre from the country’s of the Council of Ministers, which recognizes Organization (UNESCO). one decade later, with the introduction of east to west and, according to Maestro commercial radiobroadcasting services. The Adalberto Álvarez, May 8 recognizes the National Septet of musician Ignacio Piñeiro performers of “the father of all popular music turned out to be one of its main exponents styles on the Caribbean island.” at the time. “Classical artists, jazz musicians, trova music Son was created by and represented black exponents and even dance and theater communities, workers and other members of specialists supported the decision to choose poor social classes, with the passing of time it a day to mark son, because it is in Cubans’ was also adopted by the halls of the Havana blood, it forms part of our DNA,” said Álvarez. bourgeoisie- and influenced the origin of other The pianist, composer and orchestra rhythms such as son montuno, mambo and salsa. director stated recently that May 8 honors Among its most representative pieces are that musical genre around the world and Lágrimas negras (1930) and Mamá, son de la foretold the event’s future impact and arrival Loma (1922) by Miguel Matamoros; Suavecito of international musicians to the country to (1929) and Échale salsita (1933) by Ignacio participate in coming editions. Piñeiro; Guantanamera (1934) by Joseíto The first edition remembered the anniversaries Fernández; Fuego en el 23 (1956) by Arsenio of birth of Arsenio Rodríguez (100 years) Rodríguez; Que bueno baila usted (1956) and Ñico Saquito (120 years), the Habanero by Benny Moré; La Guarapachanga (1958) Septet’s centenary and the 75th birthday of Francisco “Compay Segundo” Repilado. by Miguelito Cuní and Chan Chan (1984) by guitarist Eliades Ochoa, one of the stars of the Maestro Adalberto Álvarez. PHOTO: Jiribilla. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. Francisco “Compay Segundo” Repilado. 8 ARTSSCIENCE & ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY Cuban President Inaugurates Consultative Body on Innovation

By IsauraDIEZ was included in Agreement No. 156 of the Council of State and published on the Official Gazette last May 4. HAVANA.- Cuban President Miguel Díaz- According to titular professor at the Canel inaugurated on May 24 the National University of Havana, Jorge Núñez, there Innovation Council, an unprecedented are no precedents for a body like this in consultative body in Cuba and the Latin Cuba or Latin America. American region. “It is the space to debate national topics that President Díaz-Canel raised a number of issues to be discussed at the next gathering in relation Official sources indicate that about thirty help improve policies through discussing to innovation in the entrepreneurial and public administration system, as well as the privately businesspeople, scientists and academics will concepts and approaches,” he said. owned sector. PHOTO: Estudios Revolución. foster innovation as part of the functioning of The National Innovation Council should the Cuban State, Government, economics and meet every three months, but meetings society, in a coordinated and integrated way. could also be held monthly, if needed. During the holding of the first meeting, Díaz-Canel presides over this body, which Díaz-Canel raised a number of issues to be is also composed of the Prime Minister, the Farmacuba Flagship Entity discussed at the next gathering in relation to Deputy Prime Minister for sciences and the innovation in the entrepreneurial and public heads of nine strategic sectors. By IvetteFERNÁNDEZ been exporting products for that program administration system, as well as the privately Cuba fosters a governmental management ever since. owned sector, in addition to the topics of strategy aimed at a higher application With a long list of goods, clients and training for management and the challenges of science and innovation as part of the providers, the entity imports over to access advanced industrial technologies. national development plan, which tries to 10,000 items of different origin and has The president also explained the legal use national resources, reduce imports and 499 suppliers, of which 51 percent are procedure for this foundational act, which foster exports. intermediaries. That strategy is necessary to evade the U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade against the island, which punishes transactions, she noted.

GOALS TO DEFEND CUBAN IDENTITY Referring to the obstacles posed by the U.S. Farmacuba General Director blockade, Farmacuba General Director Adis Adis Nuvia Neyra Muguercia. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. Nuvia Neyra Muguercia said it is difficult to lead a group that faces its outrages in its HAVANA.- Farmacuba, the country’s largest daily work and has to constantly look for importing-exporting enterprise within various alternatives. the group of the Biotechnological and The Cuban pharmaceutical system was born Pharmaceutical Industries (BioCubaFarma), with the creation of Farmacuba, and this welcomes its 20th anniversary. meant improving the medicine distribution However, its achievements are not the scheme and identifying demand. In short, it fruit of fortuitous events but of human humanized that process and made it more resources efforts and the vast experience accessible, which is clear in the distribution accumulated in foreign trade. of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Biocubafarma Vice President Tania Urquiza The enterprise hopes to accomplish several Rodríguez explained that the entity’s main task is goals in the future, such as improving to import raw materials, reagents, test kits, tools, competitiveness among its human spare parts, disposable supplies such as personal capital which, according to Neyra, is its protection kits; in short, everything needed to most important asset. Another goal is to ensure the production of medicine for the Basic introduce computerized systems that allow Program of the National Health System. for better traceability and stronger, more The director said that the center also coherent work. exports to clients in Latin America and the “We are working to help include our Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. pharmaceutical industry in international However, she stressed, production is highly networks and help make the different supply committed to the domestic market and, on chains that guarantee the production of principle, nothing is exported if there is not medicine more effective,” she said. enough supply within the country. Farmacuba aims to diversify its portfolio It’s worth mentioning that in 2003 and 2004, of exporting goods and services, Neyra when Commander Hugo Chávez created the added. Barrio Adentro Social Program in In sight of attaining Farmacuba’s goals to –and thanks to the support of the historic contribute to the pharmaceutical industry, leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro- which can be seen today with all that has a strategic alliance in health services was been supplied for patients during the created between the two countries. pandemic, its determination continues to Farmacuba was the enterprise chosen privilege Cubans and all countries of the at that time to supply medicine and has world, she sustained. ECONOMYECONOMYCULTURE 9

(ETECSA) was the most affected, with losses websites continue to be blocked as part of estimated at $64,983,900. the siege imposed against the Caribbean Negative impacts Those losses are the result of restrictions island for more than six decades. in the acquisition of U.S. technological Because Zoom is restricted, a delegation supplies and equipment, forcing Cuba to of Cuban lawmakers could not participate buy from much further markets. in the 7th World Conference of Young “Companies that produce equipment using Parliamentarians held recently. of the blockade U.S. components or that have a strong presence From April to December 2020, the U.S. in that market have to evade restrictions blockade proscribed the use of 18 Google constantly, with a consequent increase in costs tools, such as Open Source, Web Designer, and complicating logistic operations.” Doodles, Store, Business and Google for Furthermore, there are financial prejudices Education, while access to the websites mainly caused by exchange rate fluctuations Adobe, Xforce, Nvidia, Norton Antivirus, and prohibitions of bank transactions with among others, continue to be denied to Cuba. users on the island. Washington’s siege also avoided “getting Likewise, access to U.S. e-commerce income from ICT service export because domains such as Ebay is not a choice to of the limited number of foreign suppliers people on the Caribbean island either. willing to sign contracts due to the fear of Due to the blockade, business groups from fines,” the text reads. Cuban postal and technological services The Cuban ministry also referred to the had over $500,000 in losses. damage caused to production and services Correos de Cuba postal service reported by the rise in repair costs, as it was not economic losses exceeding $453,000, possible to do repairs with suppliers and while the Information Technology and The U.S. blockade against Cuba caused an estimated $65 million in losses in the manufacturers in the United States directly. Communications Business Group (GEIC) telecommunications sector. PHOTO: MINCOM The report also makes a detailed analysis lost more than $55,000. of the harmful impacts of Information “Due to the activation of Title III of the By RosmerysBERNAL & IsauraDIEZ contacted more than 70 U.S. companies and Communication Technologies (ICT), Helms-Burton Act, American Airlines to explore the possibilities of buying making it impossible to access tools that decided to suspend direct postal service medicine and equipment, but its efforts are “indispensable for training (staff) and between the United States and Cuba.” HAVANA.- Technology, raw materials, were fruitless. developing national content software.” Hence, it was necessary to look for a new reagents, tests, medicine, devices, equipment The MINSAP report reads that from April to In fact, videoconference platforms such route via Panama, with the additional and spare parts needed to ensure Cuban December last year, the U.S. policy towards as Zoom, Cisco, Webex and more than 50 increase in tariffs, the report says. people’s health and wellbeing is almost Cuba caused some $198,348,000 of losses impossible to attain in Cuba. in the health sector, $38,087,120 more than The economic, commercial and financial in the previous report ($160,260,880). blockade that the United States has imposed The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical against the island for almost 60 years has Industries Business Group (BioCubaFarma) negatively impacted every sphere of life on recently condemned how Washington’s the island. policy thwarts the acquisition of resources Rather than minimizing its impact during the needed to ensure medicine for the national Efficient Food complex epidemiologic situation caused by the health system. COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. policy was instead “Regular suppliers refused to provide By JoséCASTAÑEDA markets and other social sites, such as heightened to unprecedented levels. Hence, them, fearing the impact of the brutal schools, day-care centers and an isolation “2020 has been the year with most negative blockade policy against their companies,” center for Covid-19 suspects, located on effects both in numbers and outcomes,” BioCubaFarma described. HAVANA.- Economic efficiency, for which municipal boundaries, without overlooking according to a report issued recently by the Doctor Vicente Vérez, Director of the Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel the self-consumption of cooperative Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV), the leading repeatedly calls for, is the main objective of members. Technologies made in the United States institution in the production of three of the nearly 40 members of La Victoria Basic According to La Victoria leader, a mini- or containing more than ten percent of the five COVID-19 vaccine candidates Cooperative Production Unit (UBPC) in the industry was created to provide added U.S. components cannot be bought by the being developed in Cuba, sustained that neighborhood of Marianao, Havana. value to less desirable products due to over- Caribbean country, and all supplies must not a single cent of the money assigned “As part of the country’s Economic and ripening or size, producing pastes, pulps, therefore be acquired from more remote to produce medicine or buy food for the Social Strategy we have a production sweets and pickles in high demand among markets or through third countries, resulting people, which are basic needs currently chain that includes the construction of clients, due to their price to quality ratio. in much higher costs. in short supply on the island, was used to rustic greenhouses, including four hectares The cooperative member was proud During these months of the pandemic, the make those products. where we grow vegetables ecologically,” that in 2020, the UBPC surpassed goat- U.S. blockade regulations hindered the “Our scientists are used to making a lot UBPC President, Arturo Pérez, said in an milk production with which they helped arrival of face masks and tests donated to with very little,” he stressed. interview with The Havana Reporter. replace imports on the basis of a project the island, and it was impossible to buy The country continues to make progress Pérez explained that they supply their suggested in 2011 by the historical leader respiratory ventilators from U.S. companies. in the clinical trials of its five vaccine agricultural products to two state-run of the Revolution, Fidel Castro. Cuba’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno candidates and local authorities have said Rodríguez denounced that the commercial the entire Cuban population is expected to and financial persecution of national be vaccinated in 2021 with its own vaccines. companies, counterparts and third parties delays the purchase of products needed to BLOCKADE IMPACTS CUBA’S fight the pandemic. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Various banks refused to transfer donations The U.S. blockade against Cuba caused by solidarity organizations such as an estimated $65 million in losses in the MediCuba-Switzerland and Switzerland- telecommunications sector, with measures Cuba Association that collected funds to ranging from blocking online platforms to send reagents needed for tests and to buy financial persecution. safety equipment. The Ministry of Communications Protected from sunbeams, the wind and pests Ox-driven plows protect the land from erosion MEDICUBA (Cuba’s medical supplies (MINCOM) said in a recent report that in rustic greenhouses, vegetables acquire better at Las Margaritas farm. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina importing and exporting company) Cuba’s Telecommunications Company quality. 10 ECONOMY Exports and Employment Grow in Cuba

By IxchelFUENTES restrictions, when over 150,000 Cubans -35 percent of Steps will be made this year towards the diversification of which are youth- have joined the workforce. the economic actors, as the necessary conditions are being The decision to unify the CUP-to-USD exchange rate created, the official sustained. resulted in a 2,300 percent devaluation but, he noted, it “We have not abandoned the strategy concerning self- enabled maintaining prices on a same level, which is vital employment, the generalization of non-agricultural for efficiency. cooperatives or the creation of micro, small and medium Referring to the entrepreneurial sector, he informed that enterprises,” Gil added. some 500 entities reported losses as of March, while 1,300 The efforts Cuba is making to grow would have different others had profits worth 41 billion Cuban pesos. results if the U.S. blockade against the island did not exit, the official pointed out, and stressed that the country is FUTURE OUTLOOK victim of financial persecution. When talking about the country’s economic performance, “If we did not have to cope with the criminal pressure Gil said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to of the U.S. blockade, it would be another Cuba, another Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and reach six percent in 2021, which would be a modest growth economy. We want nothing else than to work under Planning Minister Alejandro Gil. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina taking into consideration that the economy registered an normal conditions,” Gil stated. 11 percent decrease at the end of 2020. The Cuban state Budget has assigned nearly 2 billion Cuban HAVANA.- Following the monetary reform process “The projected growth would not entail a considerable pesos for COVID-19 expenses, the minister highlighted. implemented in Cuba last January, exports of goods increase in the level of activities and offers because we increased over during the first four months of 2021, would be below the level of economic activity recorded in compared to the same period last year, Cuban Economy 2019,” Gil explained. and Planning Minister Alejandro Gil stated. “If we have six percent economic growth in 2021 and Although that process is not the only incentive to boost nearly six percent the next year, by the end of 2022, we sales, the minister explained that it helped increase exports would be recovering the same GDP level with which the significantly. country closed the year 2019, estimated at some 56.90 “There are non-state forms of management that are billion Cuban pesos,” stated the minister. exporting already, while state-run enterprises that did Although tourism, which is the “driving force of the not export are now doing it and are actively looking for economy” and hopes to welcome 2,200,000 visitors, has markets,” the minister noted. not yet recovered, other sectors show positive trends. Gil, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, stressed that the Examples of this is the nickel industry -a ton of that mineral monetary reform has contributed to make the work costs over 17,000 USD on the international market- as well Over 150,000 Cubans -35 percent of which are young- have environment more dynamic in the middle of economic as telecommunications, he noted. joined the workforce. PHOTO FEATURE 11 Havana’s Central Park Text and Photos Roberto F.CAMPOS

HAVANA.- Havana’s Central Park El Floridita Bar are very close as is undoubtedly one of the busiest well. places not only in the capital but on According to historians, two years the entire island, with the statue of before its inauguration, that place National Hero José Martí at its core featured a statue of Spanish Queen and surrounded by hotels, shops and Elizabeth II, which had been colorful gardens. dismantled in 1899 during the U.S. It is one of Cuba’s most famous and intervention in Cuba. central places. Its construction finished That same year a poll was conducted in 1877, after the walls surrounding the by El Fígaro journal to decide which city were brought down. historic or allegorical figure would be The buildings in the surrounding erected and José Martí was chosen. area include the Alicia Alonso Sculpted by José Villalta de Saavedra, Grand Theater of Havana, the Hotels that was the first statue of the hero Inglaterra, Telégrafo, Parque Central, of independence erected in a public Grand Manzana Kempinski and place. Plaza, as well as the international Surrounding the statue there are building of the National Fine Arts gardens with interwoven paths, Museum. featuring 28 royal palm trees that This popular place is located near symbolize Martí’s birthday (January the Capitol building and Parque 28), along with eight flowerbeds in the de la Fraternidad (Fraternity Park) form of a coffin that represent the eight -which belong to the Central medical students killed on November Havana Municipality. The Paseo del 27, 1871 by the Spanish government Prado promenade and the famous in the country. 12 LATIN AMERICA Social Outbreak Has Colombian Government on the Rack By OdalysTROYA country had major achievements such as voting in demands: zero enrollment, which allows students from the Congress to file the health reform bill. lowest social strata to enter universities. The social pressure of the people resisting in Colombian Amid the protests, High Peace Commissioner Miguel Ceballos HAVANA.- The event in the country’s contemporary history streets, plazas and different public areas destroyed the announced his resignation due to disagreements with former had the government of Iván Duque on edge as people proposal, which would have privatized the few public President Álvaro Uribe, founder of the Democratic Center have mobilized in the street for over a month now. health services that still exist in Colombia, she said. Party and President Duque’s mentor. The protests began on April 28 against a tax reform bill that It was also thanks to the national strike that the tax Known by the opposition as “war commissioner,” Ceballos stressed affected most workers, even the middle class. Although reform was withdrawn, while Finance Minister Alberto that President Uribe ignored him during actions to approach the the government withdrew the measure, the protesters Carrasquilla, Foreign Affairs Minister Claudia Blum, National Liberation Army for the negotiation process. increased their demands. General Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Commander of Cali’s Although he denied that Colombia was co-ruled by Uribe, Implementing the Peace Agreement and protesting for Metropolitan Police, and the Colombian Navy General Ceballos told the press that Duque made decisions about the end of militarization, respect for human rights of all Director, Rear Admiral Juan Francisco Herrera, were the ELN topic first proposed by the former president. Colombians, including indigenous people, are some of the forced to resign. Likewise, the two-chamber Congress debated a vote of no requests made by the protestors. In this context, the Colombian people had the Duque confidence against Defense Minister Diego Molano, who faced Senator Victoria Sandino, of the Comunes Party, told government agree to create a program for youth, which denunciations due to police violence against the demonstrators. The Havana Reporter that the mobilizations in the offers jobs and announce another of the protesters’ Meanwhile, Sergio Marín, representative in Congress for the Comunes Party, said Colombia is living a real uprising not seen in decades, both in magnitude and duration. The battle against the harmful tax reform resulted in a protest that, “we hoped was significant, of great repercussion, but the reality is that the social movement far exceeded all expectations,” he stated. All of these achievements, which do not yet fully meet the people’s demands, are still claiming young lives, whom the police, the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad and even the army are targeting. According to various NGOs, more than 50 Colombians died due to police brutality and hundred others were injured Colombia is living a real uprising not seen in decades, both in -many with eye injuries, sexually abused and hundred others magnitude and duration. PHOTOS: Internet are still missing. ECONOMY 13 Ensuring Agricultural and Livestock Production

By CiraRODRÍGUEZ in the country, including differentiated treatments due to the impact caused by meteorological events. HAVANA.- The Cuban financial sector is In this regard, the credit policy for adopting measures related to banking, individuals, self-employees and small loans and insurances to finance agricultural farmers was updated in 2011. On the other and livestock productions, of top priority hand, a development fund was created for the country as it aims to increase food in 2016 with budgetary resources to production. finance the part of the costs of production With this goal in mind, the Cuban regarded as top priorities for the country, banking system is carrying out a group just to mention some of the experiences in of actions that support the 63 measures this endeavor. recently approved to solve structural, As an example, Mayobre recalled the organizational, productive and economic- resources for working capital and financial problems in land tenure. investments in the agricultural and Nearly 31 percent of the credits approved last year were for the agricultural and livestock sector. The idea is to help increase agriculture livestock sector, a mechanism that has PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. and livestock yield using the banking so far granted 81,000 credits worth over system’s experience in financing Cuban eight billion Cuban pesos ($333 million The monetary reform that took effect in the agricultural field with the adoption agriculture, through specific credit policies at the official exchange rate), benefiting January led to a rise in the price of supplies of measures that will encourage more for independent farmers and agricultural producers with more than 650 million and services, with the consequent increase requests to cover higher risk situations in and livestock cooperatives. pesos ($27 million). in costs and financing requests. this economic market. According to Francisco Mayobre, the Nearly 31 percent of the credits approved In order to cope with this situation, credits According to top executives of Cuba’s first Vice President of the Central Bank last year were for the agricultural and were assigned based on risk analysis National Insurance Company (ESEN) of Cuba, the entire banking system has livestock sector, thus corroborating the with the necessary guarantees, to ensure farmers have low awareness of the always supported agricultural growth priority given to agricultural production. producers’ access to banking services and importance of this topic. The fact that create a low-interest development bank only 25 percent of the sector is insured with state budget assigned to strategic corroborates this. fields. ESEN General Director Fermín Mesa Similarly, that bank will finance agricultural highlighted that a group of regulations and livestock producers as much as were approved to increase insurance possible to recover that money, so there coverage and risk assessment. is no limit and it will depend on the ability “Cuba is creating all the conditions needed of producers or institutions, whether state- to ensure greater food production, owned or private, to pay it back. and the banking sector and ESEN are The agricultural promotion bank is a accompanying this process with a more challenge for the country’s banking dynamic and flexible approach,” he said. system, as it is a crucial initiative to boost ESEN provides insurance to almost all kinds food production based on efficiency and of production, be it crops, livestock or crop yield (amount of a crop or product per patrimonial assets, which can be protected unit area of land). from damage caused by storms, heavy Together with these efforts, Cuba is winds, floods, droughts, fires, landslides, also promoting the role of insurance in and diseases, for example.

The idea is to help increase agriculture and livestock. 14 ECONOMY Chemical Industry By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ managing foreign financing in order to implement the changes needed, increasing staff training, and making better use of the HAVANA.- The Cuban chemical industry information, science and technology resources. made over 20 investments worth about The main achievements the center has 150 million dollars in key strategic sectors reached include the registration of new of the country, in order to materialize its pesticide and fertilizing formulations, to be gradual transformation and development introduced in the country. This will allow for process by 2030. more efficient usage and reduce costs by 25 The increase in capital was mainly addressed to to 30 percent. the chloride, NPK fertilizer and egg-tray plants, In this sense, the Gas Company developed technical and development director at the an ecological paint and a product to Engineering and Chemical Research Center combat giant African land snails by using (CIIQ) Noel Villar told The Havana Reporter. the residue of the acetylene plant, while CIIQ is a science, technology and innovation the Rubber Company is making progress center whose main lines of research and on studies related to cement and cushion development are focused on fertilizers, gum for hot retreads, in addition to 38 pesticides, chemical products and paints, different types of technical items. sectors in which over 50 projects are to be Villar highlighted that an aluminum poly- developed in 2021, Villar explained. chloride was also obtained at the lab from The increase in capital was mainly addressed to the chloride, NPK fertilizer and egg-tray plants. This center annually saves about 5 million recycling, to be used as coagulant in the PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. dollars in import substitution and each treatment of drinking water and sewage. year, new items are introduced. The most important thing, though, was the based on the requirements of each crop and The objective, at present, is to diversify Saving is possible through creating new registration of the CEBERFER brand – the need, containing less chemical products its use, while work is being conducted products in each period and developing most famous fertilizer – at the patent office. than natural ingredients. on the growth of rice, soy, bean, tobacco technology that contributes to reduce This brand includes a series of products They are produced at present at a semi- and other economically important grains. expenses in connection to imports, the that reduce the consumption of imported industrial plant that has the capacity for When evaluating its performance on official added. raw materials and benefit the environment. up to 200,000 annual liters, although different crops, higher agricultural yields As for the challenges the chemical industry On this liquid fertilizer, CIIQ titular researcher projections are made to increase production were appreciated, as well as less plagues faces, he noted that they are focused on Rolando Gil explained that CEBERFER is a up to 500,000 liters and transfer technology and diseases, and, in some cases, the achieving integration with universities; high-quality nutrient with formulations to central and eastern regions. growing cycle got shorter.

The Cohiba brand is the leader of the production and commercialization programs of the Cuban tobacco industry. Habanos Makes the Difference Cohiba was created in 1966 and for a long time, it was only given as a present to government personalities both from Cuba and abroad, until 1982, when it was introduced to Duty Free and Travel Retail channels (in airports and ports), a the world market. situation that is expected to improve in 2021. That famous brand is manufactured at the prestigious El Habanos S.A. vice-presidents for trade and development, Laguito factory, in Havana. Leopoldo Cintra and José María López Inchaurbe, respectively, affirmed that 2020 was a “challenging year; a period in which capacity for adaptation, resistance and pro-activity made the difference.” They also explained that Habanos S.A. adapted to the international situation and was innovative in achieving their That famous brand is manufactured at the prestigious El commercial objectives. Laguito factory, in Havana. According to officials, in regard to the company’s turnover, the first five markets included China, Spain, France, Germany and By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ Switzerland. For the first time, the Asian giant became the world’s top buyer of Cuban-made Premium cigars. By regions, Europe remains the first destination of the HAVANA.- Habanos S.A. International Corporation announced Habanos cigars, with 60 percent of the company’s volume of that their 2020 annual income was estimated at some $507 sales, followed by Asia-Pacific (16.2), Latin America (13.6) and million, and designated 2021 as Cohiba Year with the objective Africa and the Middle East (10.4). of highlighting the Cuban cigars. Officials also referred to some of the latest features The Cohiba Year designation honors the 55 years of the cigar introduced in 2021, such as three new Cohiba brands: brand (first issued in 1966), the best of Premium cigars, not 55 Aniversario Edición Limitada (55 Anniversary Limited only in Cuba but around the world, according to experts. Edition), Ambar (Amber) and Ideales (Ideals). As part of the reports published during the virtual celebration Other special brands are Montecristo, with Wide Edmundo of the Habanos World Days, held from May 4 to 6, debates and Partagás Gran Reserva Cosecha 2015 (Partagás were conducted about the Cuban tobacco industry and the Grand Reserve 2015 Vintage). Specialties will be available success of the Cuban cigars in spite of the impact of COVID-19, at the La Casa del Habano (Habano’s House) network of the organizers said. franchises and the Duty Free and Travel Retail channels, Such success is mainly seen in markets which Habanos S.A. among others. commercializes handmade cigars, considered the world’s best Habanos, S.A. is a world leader in the commercialization of Premium cigars. Premium cigars both in Cuba and worldwide and has an Sales decreased by four percent in 2020 as a result of the fall exclusive distribution network in over 150 countries, where 27 The Cohiba Year designation honors the 55 years in the countries that mainly depend on tourism and on the Premium brands are sold. of the cigar Brand. PHOTOS: Havanos S.A. SPORTS 15 Resounding Success of Cuban Athletics By JhonahDIAZ emotional embrace, on their knees in gratitude of their Nonetheless, that does not minimize the Cubans’ victory. performance nor the fact that they are on the path to The event took place on May 2, when the Cuban athletes Tokyo. Hechavarría, Almanza, Veitía and Gómez have their HAVANA.- With the Olympic Games just around the corner, ran a praiseworthy performance, fueled by power, feet on the ground but still set their sights on reaching the Cuba took another step forward towards its goal of Tokyo conviction and talent. Olympic podium, which no doubt would be a praiseworthy 2020 in athletics, with the victory of the 4x400m female The athletes wrote themselves into the course of history, result for the athletics team. relay at the Relays held in Silesia, Poland. while spreading optimism a few weeks before the opening In the medal match, the Cuban quartet timed out at Zurian Hechavarría, Rose Mary Almanza, Lisneidy Veitía of the Olympic Games. However, in Tokyo the panorama 3:28.41 minutes, a record that allowed them to cross the and Roxana Gómez were the stars of the track. After will be different, because the United States, Jamaica and finishing line before Poland (3:28.81) and Great Britain crossing the finish line, the athetes held each other in an the Bahamas – all-time powers – did not attend the event. (3:29.27) – silver and bronze, respectively – in a dramatic final race. Behind the frontrunners finished the Netherlands (3:30.12), (3:32.69), Germany (3:33.00), Belgium (3:37.66) and France (3:40.58), nations that also qualified for the Olympic Games, to take place from July 23 to August 8 in spite of the difficulties caused by COVID-19. The qualifying round also made the Cubans happy, as they won the second heat with the best time of the competition: 3:27.90 minutes –their all-time third best, after the Daegu 2011 World Championship (3:26.74) and the 2012 Olympic Games (3:27.41). Since then, they understood that they had the caliber to take the track and reach the long-awaited podium, which many consider a dream. To have an idea of the magnitude of such a result, note that this is the first medal Cuba has acheived in all five editions of the World Athletics Relays. Thus, this achievement tasted ever sweeter and leads the team into the Olympic Games with high hopes, an athletic event that will welcome about 11 thousand athletes in the Zurian, Rose Mary, Lisneidy and Roxana were the stars of the track. PHOTO: Bohemia wonderful Japanese capital.

In the meantime, Ismael Borrero – now Peña (77), Daniel Gregorich (87) and Gabriel in the 67 kg division – will try to win his Rosillo (97). second gold medal and thus match the In regard to the Freestyle, Alejandro Valdés (65), Wrestling for Olympic performance of his fellow countryman Geandry Garzón (74) and Reineris Salas (97) will Filiberto Azcuy. Other wrestlers that will do their best to win a medal for the men, while also try to reach the podium in the Greco- Yusneylys Guzmán (50), Lianna Montero (53) and Glory in Tokyo Roman style are Luis Orta (60), Yosvany Yudaris Sánchez (68) will do it for the women. By ReinaldoWOSSAERT

HAVANA.- The Olympic Games From then on, exceptional wrestler are the most important event that Mijaín López has been responsible athletes set their sights on and in for keeping Cuba at the top of the the next edition, to take place in Olympic podium. López, master Tokyo (Japan), Cuba will participate of the +100 kg division, reigned with 12 wrestlers, all anxious to in 2008, London 2012 and reach the podium. Río de Janeiro 2016, where Ismael In the summer event opening Borrero (59) also became champion. on July 23, the Cuban gladiators Cuba recently tried to add other hope to maintain their streak of quotas to Tokyo 2020, but fell good luck in gold medals for their short after the defeat of all three homeland since Barcelona 1992, wrestlers at the World Qualifying when Greco-Roman Héctor Milián Championship held in Sofia, Bulgaria. (100 Kg) and Freestyle Alejandro In that event, Freestyle wrestlers Reineris Puerto (57 Kg) became champions. Andreu (57 kg), Yurieski Torreblanca (86 Then, in Atlanta 1996, Greco- kg) and Milaimis Marin (76 kg) did not Roman Filiberto Ascuy also reached perform as expected and lost their last the podium in the 74 kg division, a chance to qualify for Japan. deed he repeated in Sydney 2000 This unexpected result left Cuba – on that occasion, in the 69 kg with only three wrestlers qualified division. Four years later, in Athens in Freestyle in the male and female 2004, Freestyle Yandro Quintana categories, and six in Greco-Roman (60 Kg) also became an Olympic (full team), a style that will be champion. headed by López. Lianna Montero (53) will do her best to win a medal. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. 16 U.S.ACUBA Cuba Faces Demographic Storm Winds

By ClaudiaGONZÁLEZ the death rate is higher than the birth rate, he warned. This situation had been predicted beginning in 2024, but “many indicators have deteriorated, and more boys have HAVANA.- A low fertility rate, high life expectancy at birth been born than girls,” the expert commented. and migrations place Cuba in the middle of a “demographic Population aging is another element that characterizes the storm,” forcing the government to consider alternatives to demographic trends in Cuba, where life expectancy is over counteract its consequences. 78 years. Since 1979, the annual fertility rate (number of average The decrease of births, the increase of life expectancy and children per women) has fallen short of the 2.1 born the migration rate among people of reproductive age are children needed to ensure proper replacement, triggering the causes of this phenomenon, reads the article, which is Since 1979, the annual fertility rate has fallen short. the alarm on the island, as it means a stationary population entitled Population Aging in Cuba. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. pyramid cannot be guaranteed. According to official statistics, the last population census of High education levels, women’s schooling, economic 2012 revealed that 18.3 percent of Cubans were 60 years or From 2019 to now, 5,735 women have benefited from the difficulties and limited access to housing are elements older. In 2020, that number rose to 21.3 percent and is likely initiative to encourage birth rate, either with houses or that condition that indicator, the University of Havana’s to exceed 25 percent in 2025. Hence, Cuba will soon be one resources for the construction, enlargement or renovation Demographic Studies Center (CEDEM) described in an article. of the countries with the oldest population in Latin America. of buildings. As many as 5,658 premises are expected to The panorama shown by statistics in the first quarter of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the current be completed or assigned this year with that goal in mind. 2020 was not very promising, as it pointed to a natural demography is “one of the topics that gets ever more Speeding up procedures for those cases and following decrease in population for the first time ever. complex,” because of its impact on Cuba’s present, future them up properly are some of the actions approved in a A total of 23,666 births and 27,269 deaths were reported and socioeconomic development. country with harmful migration waves since 1930, largely in that period, a trend that is likely to continue, said In this regard, he stressed that it is important to work wisely young people. Marino Murillo, Head of the Permanent Commission for and follow the topic adequately, “aiming at more births so According to CEDEM data, more than 1,500,000 Cubans the Implementation and Development of the Guidelines as to stop population decrease.” have emigrated since 1959, with an estimated annual of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Revolution. In order to cope with the phenomenon, the country has migration flow between 40 and 44,000 people. In fact, 105,000 children were born last year but 111,000 designed policies to enhance the attention at day care Therefore, the studies center warns it is imperative to people died, he announced later on. centers, homes, old folks centers, homes, senior centers and invest in solving couple’s fertility issues, improve living This means that the Cuban population, which has been fertility facilities, as well as a program to provide mothers conditions and favorably change the perception of Cuba’s decreasing for years, is not reproducing biologically, because with three or more children under 17 years with a house. future and its relation to family planning.