For Cuba False Hopes to Define President’S Second by TRACEY EATON Document Has Been Released Through the Term, Warns Our Own Analyst

Vol. 21, No. 3 March 2013

In the News 26-page ‘secret annex’ sheds ray of light

Obama and Cuba on Bush-era ‘transition policy’ for Cuba False hopes to define president’s second BY TRACEY EATON document has been released through the term, warns our own analyst ...... Page 2 he world’s most famous “secret annex” is efforts of Washington-based researcher and tucked behind a bookcase where 13-year- journalist Jeremy Bigwood. Bigwood used the Freedom of Information Virginia’s apples Told Anne Frank hid during the Nazi occu- pation. Lesser known is the secret annex to a Act, or FOIA, to obtain several versions of the Apples from ‘Old Dominion’ a favorite in report describing the U.S. government’s Cuba 26-page document. Cuban luxury food market ...... Page 4 strategy in the post-Castro era. Parts of the annex that were most recently declassified provide a window into the thinking The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cu- on Cuba that led to the 2009 effort to establish a Political briefs ba issued the 93-page study to President George network of satellite Internet connections on the W. Bush in July 2006. Wayne Smith, the former island. The document also reveals concern that Lawmakers visit Cuba, seek to free Gross; top U.S. diplomat in Havana, wrote at the time: Gitmo simulates refugee crisis .....Page 5 Cuba and Venezuela were working together to “The report carries an annex which it is said advance an anti-American agenda elsewhere in must remain secret for ‘reasons of national secu- Latin America. Cuban debt wanted rity’ and to maximize its chances of success. We And it cites the need to “control the policy L.A. hedge fund petitions OFAC for right can only guess what is in the annex. Given the environment” and promote the idea that “there history of U.S.-Cuban relations, however, there to buy illiquid Cuban debt ...... Page 6 is an opportunity for transition if we act today.” will inevitably be speculation that it contains What follows are portions of the secret annex new assassination plots against Castro (though that were redacted in one version of the docu- Such a coincidence this time against Raúl) and new plans for exile ment, then later declassified. Censors evidently On same day, Cuba Study Group, AS/COA raids if not direct U.S. military action.” thought these were the most sensitive portions Six and a half years later, parts of the secret of the document. both issue similar ‘white papers’ detailing annex remain classified, although much of the See Annex, page 14 U.S. executive policy on Cuba ...... Page 7 Provinces Cuban professionals working in Canada Sancti Spíritus, home of historic Trinidad, shows off its colonial charm ...... Page 8 advise wary investors on risks, rewards BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA Since 2004, his firm — IberoAmerican Havana’s Capitolio Consulting Corp., has been keeping internation- Symbol of Cuba’s democratic past shines resident Raúl Castro’s anti-corruption campaign, which reached its zenith in 2011, al companies out of potential hot water in Cuba. as a beacon for the future ...... Page 12 Pensnared Canadian companies like Nova “Our services include the identification of business opportunities; feasibility/competence Scotia’s Tri-Star Caribbean and Toronto’s Tok- studies and business plan evaluation; selection Sugar daddy needed makjian Group, as well as other foreign firms of business partners, and drafting of necessary Cuba seeks investor to bankroll $6 billion and several Cuban executives. documentation for presentation to relevant en- Those dramatic arrests alerted international oil refinery expansion ...... Page 13 terprises and government agencies,” said Alco- entrepreneurs of the inherent risks in doing lado Pérez, whose firm is located on Toronto’s business with the Castro regime. Bay Street, with offices in Madrid. Investing in art With officials from these entities still jailed The company also reviews contracts, offers Serious collector sees Cuban art as fun and and awaiting formal charges, potential investors technical assistance at all stages of negotiations, looking to make a buck in Cuba are treading lucrative investment vehicle ...... Page 15 and follows up on contract execution, as well as more carefully than ever. Who better to advise legal action in the event a contract is breached. such companies on the do’s and dont’s of oper- Canadian companies have long been active in CubaNews (ISSN 1073-7715) is published monthly Cuba. In 2010, bilateral trade reached $1 billion. by CUBANEWS LLC. © 2013. All rights reserved. ating on the island than the Cubans themselves? Annual subscription: $398. Nonprofit organizations: Ricardo Alcolado Pérez, a University of And despite the negative publicity generated $198. Printed edition is $100 extra. For editorial in- Havana Law School graduate who also earned by the anti-corruption campaign, Spanish and quires, please call (305) 393-8760, fax your request an LLM from Toronto’s York University, has other firms still hope to enter the Cuban market. to (305) 670-2229 or email [email protected]. stepped forward to do just that. See Canada, page 13 2 CubaNews v March 2013 POLITICAL ANALYSIS Barack Obama and Cuba: False hopes to define 2nd term The opinions expressed herein are those of with the University of Miami’s Institute for scholar Carlos Alzugaray — “a big investment the author, and do not necessarily reflect the Cuban and Cuban-American Studies and other of political capital” that could jeopardize views of CubaNews, its publisher or its writers. anti-Castro outfits, to Miami. Florida’s crucial 29 electoral votes. Does the wording “progress over the next The Obama administration simply is not BY DOMINGO AMUCHASTEGUI four years” mean serious business in terms of going to risk it. This is far more substantial resident Barack Obama’s second term engagement? Not quite. Throughout the first than the continued imprisonment of Alan has started with a crowded agenda in three-quarters of his interview, Obama rather Gross, which is currently used as “the obsta- Pmatters of foreign policy — and one in mildly followed the standard pattern of regime cle” preventing better bilateral relations. which Latin America, the Caribbean and spe- change pre-conditions: a. Empower civil socie- Robert Pastor, who advised President Car- cifically Cuba are virtually lost among other ty inside Cuba; b. Normalization demands ter on Latin America, got it right. He said that priorities led by the Middle East, the war on freedom of political prisoners; c. Freedom of while Kerry may have some latitude to adjust terrorism, Iran and Europe. the press and assembly; d. Freedom of choice Cuba policy from inside the White House, The worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria for the Cuban people. Latin American experts don’t expect sweep- — thousands of miles from U.S. soil — seems In other words, before achieving such ing change, like an end to the embargo, which to be a greater concern for Washington than “progress” the Cuban government must meet requires congressional action. the nearly 70,000 killed in Mexico’s narco war just across the Río Grande. Nevertheless, Cuba has managed to gain some space in the media. The reason: Sen. “We don’t expect every country to operate the way we do. And obvi- John Kerry’s recent swearing-in as secretary of state, and the ongoing nomination battle ously, we do business with a lot of countries that don’t meet our stan- over former Sen. Chuck Hagel as secretary of dards in terms of rights. My hope is that, slowly but surely, the Cuban defense. Both men have repeatedly expressed serious reservations about continuing the leadership begins to recognize that it’s time to join the 21st century.” U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Agence-France Presse recently reminded — PRESIDENT OBAMA, IN A JAN. 30 INTERVIEW WITH MIAMI’S NOTICIERO TELEMUNDO TV its readers how consistently Kerry has urged changes in his country’s Cuba policy. Mean- while, the CATO Institute says Hagel “doesn’t pre-conditions equivalent to the dismantling But when it comes to Cuba, he said, “Kerry have a problem with Cuba” and has shown of Cuba’s existing political system. Is this is also a political realist. Changing U.S. policy “common sense in ending one of Washing- how a dialogue begins, or is this an open is not a high priority for him, but not changing ton’s most anachronistic foreign policies.” demand for unconditional surrender? U.S. policy is the only priority for Bob For more than half a century, pundits in From the opposite perspective, Cuban Menendez.” Washington and Miami have argued that the exile lawmakers and media in Miami have As Alzugaray pointed out, the most that can Castro brothers are not interested in seeing launched a full-scale attack on both men for be expected are “minimal and timid changes, the embargo lifted because it would remove intending to sell out the cause of Cuban but nothing big.” their chief asset in terms of legitimacy. exiles. However, all of this is contingent, short- If this is the case, then why not remove it? In their arguments, they follow a similar term and circumstantial. The fact that no nor- Normalize relations, allow U.S. tourists to train of thought, warning that Kerry and Ha- malization has taken place has more to do visit Cuba, take away all obstacles to Internet gel will engage with Cuba and end the embar- with challenging the example the Cuban access, stop chasing banks that trade with go, but with an entirely different conclusion. Revolution over the past 54 years. Cuba — and see what happens. Today those Cuban exiles worry about the kind of policies with which Kerry and Hagel WASHINGTON GETS IT ALL WRONG OBAMA’S WORDS: SINCERITY OR FLATTERY? might influence Obama and Congress. This Since its inconceivable victory in 1959 and An analysis by Nick Miroff of GlobalPost explains the president’s double-edged inter- through the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, brought some additional hope by characteriz- view and McGrath’s extremely discreet mis- Operation Mongoose, the 1962 Cuban missile ing Kerry as a top U.S. diplomat “who has sion to Miami. crisis and hundreds of armed bands being been a frequent critic of America’s 50-year-old About the same time, Cuba’s Ministry of defeated — not to mention the overthrow of effort to force regime change in Havana.” Foreign Affairs issued a statement, reassur- Chile’s Salvador Allende in Chile and events On Jan. 30, Obama granted an interview to ing Washington that “the United States will in Africa, Cuba challenged U.S. policies Noticiero Telemundo TV news anchor José always be able to rely on the readiness of the across the planet. Díaz-Balart. Most media overlooked the first Cuban people and government to work for Korea and Vietnam were focal, specific and half of the interview and focused entirely in the improvement of bilateral relations, but limited in their impact; Cuba was not. his last words, where he stated: “I think we President Obama continues to be ill-advised And when it was time for Cuba to collapse, can progress over the next four years. I’m and ill-informed.” it did not collapse; rather, the island survived, happy to engage it. I think it would be good and throughout Latin America and the for the Cuban people. But — it’s gotta be a ALZUGARAY: ‘MINIMAL AND TIMID CHANGES’ Caribbean, new progressive and revolution- two-way street.” For now, Cuban-American politicians have ary experiences emerged that also, in their Was it a serious, promising announcement? little to worry about. own way, continue to challenge U.S. policies Or was it just flattery meant to appease hostile Nothing is in the making that may suggest in the Western Hemisphere. Cuban-American exiles in South Florida? a drastic change now or after the 2014 mid- All of Washington’s predictions concerning With a similar appeasing intent and with no term elections, as some experts have hinted. Cuba’s global isolation and demise failed — publicity coverage, the State Department sent An open confrontation in Congress with and 20 years later Cuba is reshaping the foun- Raymond McGrath, coordinator of Cuban Cuban-Americans on this one “hostage” issue dations of its economic and social system on affairs, to Miami in early January for a visit would require — as pointed out by Cuban See Obama, page 3 March 2013 v CubaNews 3 FOREIGN TRADE AGRICULTURE BRIEFS SUGAR HARVEST LIKELY TO HIT 1.7 MILLION TONS The Cuban sugar industry should realize U.S. food exports to Cuba rose in 2012 plans to produce just over 1.7 million tons of ast year, U.S. food shipments to Cuba raw sugar this season, with industrial yields Lunder the Trade Sanctions Reform and and cane availability above expectations so far, Export Enhancement Act of 2000 jumped the official business weekly Opciones reported. to levels not seen since 2009. Reuters said the magazine quoted Leobel Statistics compiled by the U.S.-Cuba Trade Pérez Hernández, spokesman for AZCUBA — & Economic Council show that in 2012, the the state-run holding company — as saying 46 value of TSRA-authorized exports to Cuba of 50 mills were grinding and the rest would came to $457.3 million. That makes Cuba the open in February. 43rd largest out of 229 markets for U.S. food Pérez said output would be 21% above the around the world. previous season’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar It also represents a comeback for American when the last mill closes in May. commodity shippers, who had seen the value “Milling is stable with some very positive in- of exports to Cuba plummet to $358.4 million dicators. To date we have twice the sugar that in 2011, the lowest since 2006 (see chart). we produced by this time last year,” he said. Cumulative U.S. food sales to Cuba since Pérez said that, despite industrial yields TSRA took effect total $4.34 billion. averaging higher than planned, production to Ranked by specific agricultural commodity, date was 7.8% behind schedule because some frozen chicken was king last year, accounting mills opened late and were operating, on aver- for $154.9 million in exports, or 33.9% of the age, at 92.2% of planned capacity. total. In second place was corn, with $134.4 He added that, with cane estimates running million (or 29.4% of the total), followed by soy- at 109% of expectations, he was confident the beans ($62.2 million, or 13.6%); soybean oil deficit would be made up. cake ($41.4 million, or 9.1%); brewing/distill- “We have a bit more cane than was forecast ing dregs ($27.4 million, or 8.2%); frozen pork which, combined with an industrial yield 0.3% ($9.5 million, or 2.1%); cotton ($3.1 million, or above what was planned, should give us more 0.7%); frozen turkey ($3.0 million, or 0.7%); sugar,” he said. “In this way we save cane and frozen poultry sausages ($2.5 million, or 0.6%) at the same time obtain more sugar ... which and butter ($2.3 million, or 0.5%). allows us to count on a certain reserve at the All told, these 10 commodities accounted end of the harvest to make up for any deficit for 96% of last year’s total. In 2011, corn was and, if weather permits, increase final output. the biggest food export to Cuba, accounting Official statistics show that total U.S. food exports Cuba consumes between 600,000 and for $115.7 million, or 33.4%, while frozen to Cuba in 2012 came to $457,318,457, up drama- 700,000 tons of sugar and has a 400,000-ton chicken was #2 at $92.3 million, or 26.6%. q tically from the $358,457,389 recorded for 2011. toll agreement with China.

Cuba made at three consecutive Summits of Significantly, a number of European coun- Obama — FROM PAGE 2 the Americas (Port of Spain, San Pedro Sula tries have begun exploring new areas of coop- and Cartagena). eration with Cuba — leading paid dissidents its own free will, and enjoying a rather unani- Moreover, the Obama administration has to become frantic about the EU’s “hesitation” mous favorable recognition of such changes, maintained the same degree of isolation from and feel “betrayed” by these countries. domestically as well as abroad. Latin America and the Caribbean that George “It is time to come closer and renew all the Such a challenge, from a small nation just W. Bush did — failing to bring about any cre- ties,” said Jean-Pierre Bel, chairman of the 90 miles away, is totally unacceptable for most ative or meaningful change to the status quo. French Senate, during a recent visit to Hav- of the U.S. power structure, regardless of Yet during Obama’s first term, almost all ana. He described French-Cuban relations as their socioeconomic status or political affilia- regional heads of state visited Cuba, as did “promising” — indeed, another indication of tion. It just doesn’t fit in their mindset, given Pope Benedict XVI, seeking to expand links. where the EU is moving on this issue. that the United States is the biggest super- What else do the Obama administration power in history. EUROPEANS DRAW CLOSER TO CUBA and Congress need to come to their senses on George W. Bush had no second thoughts The White House has remained deaf and this issue and adopt a policy of effective con- about visiting Vietnam, wearing Vietnamese blind to regional condemnation of the embar- structive engagement? attire and being extremely friendly despite go during these visits or at last year’s UN Will Kerry and Hagel be the architects of the 58,000 Americans who died there, and the General Assembly vote, which condemned such a policy? It’s very difficult to imagine trillions of dollars wasted on that war. the embargo by 188-3 (the United States, that — especially when considering that More recently, Obama toured Myanmar, Israel and Palau opposed the resolution; Mic- when Obama was running for senator, his and Google’s chairman visited North Korea. ronesia and the Marshall Islands abstained). views on Cuba were quite similar. But nobody expects to see this happen with Recently, the 27-member European Union But he forgot all about them the moment Cuba anytime in the foreseeable future. agreed to review its policies toward Cuba. he walked into the Senate, and later on the Meanwhile, Cuba has normalized political Lady Ashton, head of the EU Commission, is White House. Most likely, the same thing will and economic relations with every single pushing for a new approach to the debate. happen to Kerry and Hagel. q country in the Western Hemisphere, except Even Mariano Rajoy’s conservative govern- for the United States. ment in Spain insists on the need for normal Former Cuban intelligence officer Domingo Last month, at the CELAC summit in Chile, relations and EU cooperation with Cuba. How Amuchastegui has lived in Miami since 1994. He Cuba was elected to the group’s rotating pres- Spain dealt with the Carromero case and the writes regularly for CubaNews on the Communist idency — even as the White House rejected death of Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá was a Party, Cuba’s internal politics, economic reform demands for a constructive engagement with clear indication of this new course of action. and South Florida’s large Cuban exile community. 4 CubaNews v March 2013 AGRIBUSINESS Virginia apples slowly penetrate Cuban luxury food market BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA plier to the island ever since. Henry Chiles of Crown Orchard Co. in Char- n 2002, right after Congress enacted a loop- “I was very impressed by Fidel,” said Bow- lottesville, and Phil Glaize of Fred L. Glaize hole in the U.S. trade embargo to allow man, who was initially reluctant to visit the Orchards in Winchester. Iagricultural sales to Cuba, one of the first island, only to end up meeting el comandante Aside from logistics, face time with food items the Castro regime decided to buy himself. “He was probably the smartest politi- Alimport over the years proved vital to was apples from Washington state — with en- cian I ever met.” Virginia’s success in selling to the Cubans. couragement by Democratic Sen. Maria Cant- “It takes participation in the trade events to well, who’d just been elected the year before. get business there,” said Green. His boss, In those days, the Cuban government val- Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Todd Hay- ued the political symbolism of chipping away more, participated in the Havana Internation- al Trade Fair last November for the sixth con-

the U.S. embargo by buying Washington state LUXNER LARRY apples far more than its practicality. secutive time, which helped make his state However, a December 2012 report by BBC- Cuba’s top supplier of U.S. applies in 2012. TV revealed that even back then, Alimport was working to diversify its sources of U.S. APPLES BEYOND REACH OF AVERAGE CUBANS apples. It also signed deals with a geographi- A Northeastern competitor, the New York cally more convenient source: Bowman Fruit Apple Association, attended FIHAV five years Sales of Timberville, Va. ago with more limited results. Bowman acts as the international market- “I did visit Cuba in 2008 and that resulted in ing arm and distributor of Turkey Knob a very few loads of apples sold,” said NYAA Growers, a major source of apples in that According to USDA records, U.S. apple ex- President James Allen. “The Cuban market is very price sensitive, and apples closer to the state, which grows 3,500 acres of apples. ports began in 2002 (total sales that year: The company’s chairman, Gordon Bowman shipping ports, in the Southeast, can be deliv- II, was first approached by Virginia’s Depart- $336,904), peaked in 2009 at just above $2 mil- ered cheaper than New York apples. To my ment of Economic Development to market his lion, and have steadily declined since then to knowledge, New York [apple] exporters have state’s apples to Cuba in the early 2000s. $313,391 last year, due to the Cuban govern- not gone after this market [since then] based He said he was pleasantly surprised when ment’s increasingly dire cash-flow problem. on price and returns.” he ended up signing a deal with Alimport Allen also said that southern suppliers like Chairman Pedro Alvarez to provide one of the VIRGINIA’S GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE Virginia “have the specific varieties that allow first U.S. apple shipments to Cuba — com- Charles Green, marketing director at the them to discount the prices to meet the plete with a ceremonial signing attended by Virginia Department of Agriculture, told demands of the Cuban market.” Fidel Castro. CubaNews that shipping costs to the island Glaize Orchards, for example, reportedly Meanwhile, Alvarez — who was later de- favor Virginia, and to a lesser extent other ships apples with brownish discoloration to tained for corruption — fled the island and East Coast apple sources. Cuba, which means it earns more selling into now buys and sells real estate in Tampa, “We have a geographic advantage over Cuba, but less if the same grade of apples where the 70-year-old also advises U.S. firms Washington state,” he said, noting that apple were sold domestically. on how to do business in Cuba (see box below). shipments to Cuba are routed through Jack- “[Cuba] gets a lower grade for a lower Bowman admits that Fidel’s charisma sonville via Crowley Maritime. Two other price, and the only difference is [these apples helped make Turkey Knob a steady apple sup- sources of Virginia apples to the island are aren’t] cosmetically appealing,” owner Phil Glaize told CBS last month. One factor that has limited U.S. apple sales in Cuba — regardless of which state supplies Alimport’s Pedro Alvarez gets rich in Tampa them — is the market itself. Most of the U.S. edro Alvarez Borrego, a top Cuban gov- U.S. exporters that hit a record of $711 mil- apples sold on-island ends up being eaten by ernment official who oversaw the lion in 2008 and turned the United States tourists, with only a limited amount of fruit Pisland’s $1.5 billion-a-year food import- into Cuba’s fifth-largest trade partner. going to farmers markets and supermarkets. ing enterprise, is living the American Dream Today, Alvarez, one of the top Cuban def- “Apples are definitely a luxury item in in Tampa a mere two years after he defected, ectors in recent memory, is trying to keep Cuba,” said Bill Messina, a longtime Cuba ex- the Miami Herald reported Jan. 27. out of the public eye and enjoy the good life pert at the University of Florida in Gaines- Alvarez has bought and sold at least eight — one neighbor said he drives a red H3 ville. “The ones I’ve seen [in Cuba] cost more homes worth a total value of nearly $600,000 Humvee — even as some anti-Castro than $1 each” — out of reach to most local and opened a management company. He’s activists in Tampa complain that he may be consumers. also reportedly become a consultant on how living off corrupt money. Virginia agribusiness consultant Dawson U.S. businesses can enter the Cuba markets. An economist, Alvarez was named to head Williams says such pricing limits local con- Yet mystery lingers over exactly how Al- Alimport in 1998. With the 2000 passage of sumption of that fruit for special occasions. varez — the focus of our exclusive profile in the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export En- “Apples, especially red ones, are a popular Christmas item in the Caribbean and Latin the April 2004 issue of CubaNews — could hancement Act (TSRA), Cuba was suddenly buy so much real estate so soon after his awash in agriculture executives, members of America,” Williams told BBC News. “Actually, arrival from Cuba, where he was under crim- Congress and six governors. one woman I met who is an internist down inal investigation in a kickback scandal at “He single-handedly said yes and no to bil- there said she was hoping to have apples at Alimport, the state food import monopoly. lions in sales,” said John Park Wright IV, a her wedding.” q Before his hasty defection, his job at Naples, Fla., businessman who signed sev- Vito Echevarria, a New York-based freelance Alimport made him the powerful main nego- eral cattle deals with Alimport. journalist, has written for CubaNews since our tiator of contracts with chomping-at-the-bit – MIAMI HERALD establishment in 1993 about business, music, culture and sports, and more recently e-commerce. March 2013 v CubaNews 5 POLITICAL BRIEFS LAWMAKERS VISIT CUBA TO URGE GROSS’S RELEASE In their own words … U.S. lawmakers on Feb. 20 visited imprisoned Maryland resident Alan Gross in prison, but they “I am so happy. It has been five years of struggle. Unfortunately, in Cuba you gave no details on his condition or what was said, are punished for thinking differently. Opinions against the government have ter- AP reported. The seven-member delegation led by rible consequences [such as] arbitrary arrests and surveillance.” Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) also met with Cuban — Yoani Sánchez, speaking Feb. 18 to GloboNews upon her arrival in Recife, Brazil. President Raúl Castro and other senior officials. The famous blogger kicked off an 80-day world tour that includes Brazil, Argentina, Leahy said that the two sides “discussed the Peru, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic and the United States. continuing obstacles and the need to improve relations,” adding that a rapprochement “is in the “I asked various people who work with me the number of steps and the height interest of both countries.” of the stairway at the entrance. They assured me it was eight high steps, which Two diplomatic sources in Cuba told AP the was true. My shattered knee has taken its toll.” meeting with Castro lasted for about three hours. — Fidel Castro, speaking to journalists on Feb. 3, the day he cast a ballot in Cuba’s The State Department declined to comment. legislative elections. The 86-year-old former president suffered a painful fall in 2004. Leahy spent his last morning strolling around Central Havana, admiring the Capitol building. He “Our government is focused on creating jobs, growth and economic prosperity. also saw a historic theater and snapped a photo of As part of our principled foreign policy, we’ll also deliver messages on economic his wife standing next to a 1939 Ford Model A reforms and greater respect for human rights and democracy as appropriate.” convertible with a rumble seat in the back. — “I’ve been to Cuba several times. We’re at a time John Baird, the first Canadian foreign minister to visit Cuba since 1997, speaking when I would hope both our countries would adapt Feb. 14 to the Vancouver Sun before leaving on his one-week Latin America tour. to the 21st century as far as relations,” Leahy told AP. “I had very good talks with President Castro “I’m not sure we’re going to be able to avoid, as part of any comprehensive [and] with others, and I’ll talk to President Obama approach to immigration, a conversation about the Cuban Adjustment Act. It’s when I get back and I will fill him in on those becoming increasingly difficult to justify it to my colleagues.” talks. I’ll also give him my recommendations.” — Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), one of eight senators pushing for bipartisan immigration Leahy and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) met reform. Rubio said justification for the 1966 legislation was being undermined by with Gross, 63, likely at a military hospital where Cuban exiles who travel to and from the island on family vacations and business trips. Gross has been held since his arrest in 2009. Gross is serving a 15-year-sentence for bringing “The one-party elections in Cuba, alongside steady but slow progress on open- communications equipment to Cuba illegally while ing the economy, represent how the current regime intends to manage change on a USAID-funded democracy-building program. on the island — giving the people more space to participate in the economy Leahy himself led a similar congressional dele- while controlling their role in politics and civic life.” gation in 2012, meeting with both Gross and — Ted Piccone, deputy director at the Brookings Institution, speaking to Reuters on Castro as well on that trip. Feb. 3 about Cuba’s elections for candidates to the 612-member National Assembly.

GITMO SIMULATES CARIBBEAN REFUGEE CRISIS “It’s a window onto the world. It’s a different way of seeing things. It would be Guantánamo’s airstrip was abuzz in mid-Febru- great if they had it on 24 hours a day.” ary, reports the , as about 500 troops Miami Herald — Marcos Guizaldivar, a 41-year-old Havana restaurant worker, quoted Feb. 10 in an descended for an every-other-year drill whose AP article on the Venezuelan-funded Telesur TV network, which now airs in Cuba. name reflects how little the military wants to draw attention to it: Exercise Integrated Advance. For a week, U.S. soldiers, sailors and Homeland “I have no immediate plans of returning to the charter business. The business Security officials are rehearsing how to manage an has changed in the past 30 years, and the cancellation of landing rights was difficult and painful for me.” imaginary humanitarian-relief crisis inspired by the tens of thousands of Haitians and Cubans who — Vivian Mannerud of Airline Brokers, in a Feb. 8 interview with the Miami Herald. overwhelmed this base in the 1990s. But the exact nature of the scenario — how “In the old days, when it was a smaller program, it was run ... without many many migrants flood the base, whether there’s controls and a lot of faith in the grantees. Now, there’s more money and, of unrest, disease, spies in the tent camps — is all course, more scrutiny. But this report demonstrates that the controls have classified. Only Pentagon-approved photos of the caught up to the implementation.” exercise will be released, and the people involved — José Cárdenas, a former U.S. Agency for International Development official during in acting out the episode are sworn to secrecy. the Bush administration. He told El Nuevo Herald in an email that past problems with That’s because nobody wants news about it to USAID’s Cuba programs stemmed partially from the sudden jump in funding in 2004. touch off a real, live Caribbean exodus. Is the scenario driven by political unrest or a “From the day he was elected to Congress, Bob’s voice has been consistent natural disaster? and determined to shed light on the abuse of this totalitarian regime and to do All Army Col. Greg Julian, spokesman for the all he could to have human rights be respected in Cuba.” U.S. Southern Command, will say is that this 21st — Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), defending her colleague, Sen. Bob Menendez, in a century war-game is about a “mass migration Feb. 10 interview. The New Jersey Democrat is currently embroiled in a scandal event in the Caribbean.” involving port security contract and underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic. “We certainly wouldn’t want to instigate a real event,” he said. Southcom is spending $2.7 million “I’ve got 100 people who want to go. Our history of sports and culture and his- on the exercise, nearly half of it on transportation tory itself with Cuba is so intertwined. They’re one and the same.” for troops and supplies from its Army South head- quarters in San Antonio, Texas. — Tony Yaniz, a 63-year-old Cuban-born city commissioner in Key West, Fla. So, “We generally won't use a nation. We use Yaniz plans to take a 16-member teenage boys’ baseball team, the Key West ‘country 1,’ ‘country 2’ because we don’t want to All-Stars, to Havana to compete in Cuba’s annual Scholastic Games this July. get into any political issues.” 6 CubaNews v March 2013

FINANCE Los Angeles hedge fund petitions OFAC to buy Cuban debt BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA behalf of our funds. If we are successful in our Sandler added: “Cuba’s defaulted sovereign OFAC application, I think our track record ack in 2008, profiled London debt is mostly held by international banks, CubaNews and experience in new markets and transition and other types of non-U.S. investors [who brokerage firm Exotix Ltd. and its trad- economies would give investors a unique play Bing in illiquid debt instruments generat- are] not subject to U.S. law or the U.S. embar- on Cuba and its eventual post-communist ed by the Castro regime generated with go. By allowing our purchases [of such Cuban transformation.” debt], OFAC would actually be bringing these Spanish, French and other overseas creditors. Various interest groups in Washington Buyers of Cuban debt speculate that a pro- have tried to water down the U.S. trade assets under the direct or indirect control of found change in that country’s economic sys- embargo against Cuba, succeeding only in OFAC and the U.S. Treasury.” tem — which may mean that a future Cuban getting a loophole for food and agricultural He said this would have two implications. government would have to honor such debt sales under the 2000 Trade Sanctions Reform First, it would reduce the likelihood that inter- as a condition for fuller integration in the and Export Enhance- world economy — could translate into a wind- ment Act. fall for them. Sandler denies that One Los Angeles-based hedge fund recent- his OFAC application is ly contacted CubaNews, detailing its intention accompanied by lobby- to become a U.S. holder of such Cuban debt. ing efforts to push LUXNER LARRY Ice Canyon LLC, co-founded by Wall Street through his petition on insider Nathan Sandler, says that so far, the Capitol Hill or with only thing holding back such plans is approval White House officials. from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office “I have my own per- of Foreign Assets Control. sonal views on the Cuba Last year, Sandler asked OFAC to allow him embargo, but those are to conduct such transactions, but OFAC re- irrelevant to our OFAC jected him — so he’s trying again this year. application,” he said. “With the 2012 U.S. elections out of the “That’s what makes European as well as Americans view Cuban debt as a lucrative investment. way, we are preparing to restart our applica- the application so com- tion process,” he said. pelling. The benefits to U.S. policy that we national creditors will negotiate a restructur- Sandler added he’s not trying to position highlight in the OFAC application should ing adverse to U.S. interests (this is a condi- his firm as the U.S. answer to Exotix. appeal to both sides of the Cuba embargo tion of the 1996 Helms Burton Act). “Ice Canyon is an investment management issue. OFAC’s approval of our license applica- Secondly, he said, it’ll give the U.S. a promi- firm, not a broker dealer,” Sandler explains. tion would actually enhance existing U.S. pol- nent seat at the table “in an eventual restruc- “We only make principal investments on icy — in the present and in the future.” turing that will shape the broader transition to democracy and a market-based economy.” Sandler, a fixture in financial media outlets and an advocate of emerging markets, also CTS cancels weekly LAX-Havana charter flight stressed that he does not want to get involved with buying out U.S. compensation claims weekly flight between Los Angeles enough passengers to maintain all those flights to Cuba,” said Pedro González against the Castro regime (those registered and Havana made its last trip Feb. 6, under the Foreign Claims Settlement Athe latest victim of a sharp reduction Munné, a Miami executive who monitors in U.S.-Cuba charter flights that industry travel to the island. Commission in Washington). officials blame on vastly overblown predic- U.S. firms involved in travel to Cuba be- “When the time finally comes, those claims tions of a boom in demand, reported Juan gan making feverish preparations in 2011 will be separately contested and negotiated outside of any eventual sovereign debt Tamayo of the Miami Herald. to expand the number of charter flights. Cuba Travel Services of Long Beach, run Commercial flights to Cuba are not allowed restructuring,” he asserted. “There is really by Michael Zuccato, announced it had can- because of the trade embargo, and charters no precedent for private-sector claims taking celled its once-a-week, nonstop flight after require special U.S. government permits. seniority over sovereign debt.” the chartered United jetliner returned to More than a dozen “gateway” cities were In saying that, Sandler wanted to refute any LAX because of a lack of passengers. authorized to offer direct service to Cuba, speculation that his hedge fund plans to com- In January, Miami-based ABC Charters including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Fort pete with, or even team up with, Siboney Ltd. and XAEL Charters announced they would Lauderdale, Dallas-Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, That British-based fund was set up by cancel two Tampa-to-Cuba flights. ABC New Orleans and Tampa. Miami lawyer Tim Ashby in 2006 to assist in shut down its weekly flight to Holguin as of The optimism was understandable. For his unsuccessful efforts to legalize the sale Feb. 28, while XAEL will end its one flight one thing, the White House had just an- and transfer of such FCSC claims (see to Havana per week on Feb. 14. nounced it would let non-Cuban-Americans CubaNews, January 2010, page 4). About 45 charter flights per week from travel to Cuba on “people-to-people” visits. At that time, Siboney Ltd., assuming it was the United States to Cuba are now pro- Cuban-Americans can go at will on fami- given OFAC approval, wanted to seek a “debt grammed for the month of March, accord- ly reunification trips. for equity” deal with the Cuban government, ing to knowledgeable charter industry offi- Cuba’s state-owned Havanatour Celimar whereby such claims would have been con- cials, compared to nearly 60 in September. tourism agency, controlled by military offi- verted into a portfolio of new revenue-gener- Those flights are well booked, they added. cers relatively new to the tourism industry, ating Cuban assets. “There was the exaggerated image of a also leaned on the charters to add new Meanwhile, assuming OFAC approves his great explosion in American passengers. flights, said industry officials who asked for petition, Sandler may very well have to turn to But the point now is that there are not anonymity out of fear of retaliation. Exotix to buy at least some of the distressed Cuban debt he wants to acquire. q March 2013 v CubaNews 7 US-CUBA RELATIONS Cuba Study Group, AS/COA issue similar Cuba white papers BY LARRY LUXNER information to Cuba. These include the provi- n 3. Allow licensed U.S. travelers to Cuba wo think tanks with similar names and sion of licenses for the import and export of to access U.S.-issued prepaid cards and other objectives both released white papers goods and service between the United States bank services, including travelers’ insurance. Ton almost the exact same topic on the and private entrepreneurs in Cuba. n 4. Expand general licensed travel to very same day: Feb. 20. include U.S. executives and their duly By coincidence, both papers are also the 7 STEPS OBAMA CAN TAKE TO PROMOTE CHANGE appointed agents to Cuba in financial servic- same in length: 14 pages. The other policy paper was issued by the es, travel and hospitality-related industries, The Washington-based Cuba Study Group’s Cuba Working Group — a unit of the Ameri- such as banking, insurance, credit cards and report is entitled “Restoring Executive Auth- cas Society/Council of the Americas. consumer products related to travel. ority Over U.S. Policy Toward Cuba.” AS/COA describes the CWG as “a group of n 5. Expand general licensed travel to It calls on the U.S. government to de-codify private-sector representatives and experts include: law, real estate and land titling, finan- the Cuban embargo via repealing the 1996 who have been convening for five years to dis- cial services and credit, and any area defined Helms-Burton Act and related statutory pro- cuss human rights and economic conditions as supporting independent economic activity. visions that “deny the United States the flexi- in Cuba” as well as U.S. policy on Cuba. n 6. Allow for the sale of telecommunica- bility to respond swiftly and strategically to “A careful reading of U.S. policy goals to- tions hardward — including cell towers, satel- developments in Cuba as they take place. ward Cuba and the set of regulations and laws lite dishes and handsets — in Cuba. The document also outlines a series of governing the U.S. embargo on Cuba can re- n 7. Allow for the possibility for Cuba to re- immediate measures the White House can veal a series of changes that are essential to quest technical assistance from international take under existing licensing authority to ensuring the U.S. administration’s goal of en- financial institutions (IFIs) in the area of eco- secure and expand the free flow of resources couraging independent economic and political nomic and institutional reform. and information to the Cuban people. activity in Cuba,” says AS/COA. AS/COA is quick to point out that the “De-codifying the embargo would allow the “More important, they are also legally pos- experts who compiled its white paper on sible and within the president’s authority Cuba “do not represent the opinions or posi- executive branch the flexibility to use the tions of the Americas Society or the Council entire range of foreign policy tools at its dis- under existing regulations,” it said. To that end, AS/COA recommends the fol- of the Americas or its members, or the boards posal — including diplomatic, economic, polit- of directors of either organization.” ical, legal and cultural — to incentivize lowing seven steps President Obama can take q right now to promote change in Cuba: change in Cuba,” said the CSG document. CUBA STUDY GROUP: Tomas Bilbao, Exe- “The president would be free to adopt more n 1. Grant exceptions for commerce — including sales and imports — for businesses cutive Director, 611 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, efficient, targeted policies necessary for pres- #208, Washington, DC 20003. Tel: (202) 544- suring the Cuban leadership to respect and individuals engaged in certifiably independent (i.e., non-state) economic activity. 5088. URL: www.cubastudygroup.org. human rights and implement political re- CUBA WORKING GROUP: Adriana LaRot- forms, while simultaneously empowering all n 2. Allow for the export and sale of goods and services to businesses and individuals ta, Public Affairs, AS/COA, 680 Park Ave., New other sectors of society to purse their eco- engaged in certifiably independent (i.e., non- York, NY 10065. Email: [email protected]. nomic wellbeing and become the authors of state) economic activity. Tel: (212) 277-8384. URL: www.as-coa.org. their own futures.”

SALADRIGAS: STOP GIVING REGIME ‘EXCUSES’ The Cuba Study Group says this plea is the Hugo Cancio acquires Cuba consulting firm first of its kind by a leading Cuban exile he Americas Group Cuba Business Fuego Enterprises Inc. is a diversified organization, in that it recognizes that Helms- holdings company with operations in media Burton has failed to secure international sanc- Enterprise (TAGCBE), which offers Tstrategic advice to individuals and and entertainment. Fuego specializes in the tions or advance the cause of change in Cuba, production, promotion and distribution of and is now having the unintended effect of companies hoping to do business with Cuba and /or invest in Cuba as regulations permit, Cuban media entertainment services within delaying the very economic and political the United States and elsewhere. changes it sought to advance. will be acquired by Cuba Business Develop- ment Group Inc. in exchange for shares in Among other things, it publishes OnCuba, “This failed policy has only isolated the the first Cuba-focused monthly bilingual United States from Cuba and continues to pro- its parent company, Fuego Enterprises Inc. TAGCBE, a unit of The Americas Group, magazine with national distribution. OnCuba vide the Cuban leadership with a reliable is distributed by Barnes & Noble and is also excuse for its economic blunders and human has deep relationships with foreign companies doing business in Cuba thanks to the the official magazine on almost all charter rights abuses,” said the group’s chairman, flights from the U.S. to Cuba. prominent Miami banker Carlos Saladrigas. group’s four decades in Latin America. Hugo Cancio, founder, chairman and CEO “Worst of all,” he continued, “it is now sti- Terms of the deal were not announced. of Fuego Enterprises and CBDG, will fling an emerging class of private entrepre- Howard Glicken, chairman of TAGCBE become Chairman and CEO of The neurs and democracy advocates whose rise and The Americas Group, said “CBDG and Americas Group Cuba Business Enterprise. represents the best hope for a free and open Fuego will provide an exceptionally well-con- “This acquisition fully fits with our strate- society in Cuba in over 50 years.” nected presence in Cuba through 20 years of gy to drive growth in key areas and markets Saladrigas added: “We must shift the focus experience in doing business with Cuba, where we are able to fully leverage our of our policy away from obsessing with hurt- which will offer TAGCBE the in-country unique expertise, capitalize on years of expe- ing the Cuban regime and toward helping the management experience we have been seek- rience and solid relationships, and deliver Cuban people. It’s what Cuban civil society ing to execute our mission.” shareholder value with stronger and more leaders have been asking us to do for years CBDG provides strategic solutions for op- stable growth,” he said. and what proved to work in Eastern Europe.” portunities in Cuba and the Caribbean Basin Details: Hugo Cancio, Fuego Enterprises The CSG’s white paper also recommends markets. Its include telecom, gift parcels Inc., 15476 NW 77th Court, Suite #105, Miami 11 measures the White House can take imme- and cargo transportation to and from Cuba. Lakes, FL 33016-5823. Tel: (305) 823-9193. diately to safeguard the flow of resources and 8 CubaNews v March 2013

GEOGRAPHY Sancti Spíritus shows off its colonial charm

This is the 7th in a series of monthly articles on Cuba’s POPULATION 15 provinces by Armando H. Portela, who has a Ph.D. in The province’s population is currently estimated geography from the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Portela, at 466,106, or 4.1% of Cuba’s total. With 68.8 inhab- who lives in Miami, has written for CubaNews since 1993. itants per sq km (178 per sq mile), Sancti Spíritus is less densely settled than the national average of BY ARMANDO H. PORTELA 102 inhabitants per sq km. ocated in central Cuba, Sancti Spíritus province has Population growth has stalled in the province existed since 1976, when the old province of Las over the past two decades — a consequence of LVillas was split into three new jurisdictions: Sancti Cuba’s prolonged economic slump. Spíritus, Villa Clara and Cienfuegos. Annual population growth among the espiritua- Measuring 6,777 square kilometers (2,618 sq miles), nos, as natives of this province are known, has Sancti Spíritus is Cuba’s seventh-largest province, slowed from 0.44% a year in 1995-2000 to 0.2% in accounting for 6.2% of the island’s land area. 2001 and 0.1% in 2011 (down from 1.2% a year in the Roughly 81% of the province’s territory consists of 1970s and 0.9% a year in the 1980s). plains and valleys, with crops and grazing lands where The collapse of the sugar industry — the pro- most people live. The remaining 19% consists of sparse- vince’s top employer — along with the slowdown ly populated mountains and hills, typically covered with or end of nearly all other big provincial employers, dense forests and coffee groves. sharply reduced living standards, which in turn Sancti Spíritus has the largest man-made water reser- sparked an exodus that shows no sign of abating. voir in Cuba. The Zaza Dam can hold 1.02 billion cubic An average 2.2 per 1,000 residents of Sancti meters (270 billion gallons) of water. Through an intri- Spíritus fled Cuba every year in the period from cate system of canals and culverts, the dam is used not 2006 to 2011, a trend that has been steadily grow- just to irrigate local rice and sugar crops but also to ing. In contrast, the provincial birth rate averaged deliver water to neighboring Ciego de Avila. See Sancti Spíritus, page 9 March 2013 v CubaNews 9 LARRY LUXNER LARRY

Top: View of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bottom left: Woman sells black dolls to tourists in Sancti Spíritus. Bottom right: Sign along the Carretera Central gives distances in kilometers to key towns in Sancti Spíritus province. 10.7 newborns per 1,000 residents over the same period. As for the rest of Cuba, the number of people (elderly and children under 15) dependent on the working population keeps rising. At present, Sancti Spíritus province has 566 dependents per 1,000 working- age Cubans; demographers expect that number to grow to 590 per 1,000 by 2020 and 829 per 1,000 by 2030. The capital city, also called Sancti Spíritus, has 98,737 residents, or 21% of the province’s population, and ranks as Cuba’s 12th-largest city. Both it and the second-largest city, Trinidad (population 41,300 in 2002) were founded by Diego Velázquez in the 16th century. The two architectural gems are among Spain’s earliest settlements in the Americas. Their relative isolation and slow pace of growth have helped preserve the colonial appeal of these towns, boosting their tourist potential. See Sancti Spíritus, page 10

Men enjoy a quiet afternoon in Parque Serafin Sánchez, central Sancti Spíritus. 10 CubaNews v March 2013 cultural, though 58% of this portion is unused. preserved to produce only molasses, though Sancti Spíritus — FROM PAGE 9 “Spontaneous pastures,” a euphemism often the real situation is hard to evaluate. All these Other major cities and towns in Sancti Spí- used to describe vacant, overgrown tracts of mills were built between 1863 and 1915. ritus province (and their approximate popula- land, cover 27% of the territory; forests In 2010, Sancti Spíritus produced just under tions in 2002) are Cabaiguán (30,100); Jatibo- account for another 15.3%. 90,000 tons of sugar worth around $92 million nico (23,000); Fomento (17,500); Yaguajay The recent abandonment of sugarcane at then-prevailing world prices — a far cry (18,000); Guayos (10,000); Taguasco (8,100); crops adds more acreage to the province’s rel- from the 500,000 tons produced in 1989 and Zaza del Medio, Meneses and Mayajigua atively large reserve of vacant land that cur- valued in excess of $275 million at the prefer- (7,000), and Casilda and La Sierpe (5,000). rently account for nearly 100,000 hectares, or ential prices paid by the Soviets. In 1999, two one-fifth of all agricultural lands, theoretically years before the downsizing, output stood at ECONOMY enough to feed roughly 250,000 people. roughly 257,000 tons. The economy of Sancti Spíritus is based on The province has 205,000 hectares (506,600 The Uruguay (Jatibonico) sugar mill, with a farming, with limited industrial activity. The acres) of cropland. daily grinding capacity of 11,340 tons, is one end of Soviet subsidies crippled the province, Sugarcane plantations and grazing ranches of Cuba’s most important mills, accounting whose economy depended on large inputs of are common in the high plains, while large for most of the province’s sugar production. energy, machinery and raw materials. rice paddies cover the lowlands south of the In the late 1980s, this mill yielded over Croplands and industries suffered from towns of La Sierpe and El Jíbaro. Tobacco 200,000 tons of sugar per harvest, with a prolonged paralysis and are now abandoned, farms, once a common feature in the Fomen- record production of 235,012 tons in 1991 — with little hope of a rapid comeback. to and Cabaiguán landscapes, have vanished. the last harvest of the Soviet era. Roughly three-quarters of the land is agri- Coffee grows in the Escambray Mountains, A refinery at the Ramón Ponciano (Santa though production has fallen sharply in Isabel) mill near Fomento can produce 42,000

recent years to under 5% of national output. metric tons a year. LARRY LUXNER LARRY

Left: Burly truck driver and his rig outside the city of Sancti Spíritus. Right: Wild horses graze near Casilda.

It’s hard to estimate the real cost to the Meanwhile, an alcohol distillery at the Mel- province of sugar industry’s 2002 downsizing. anio Hernández (Tuinicú) mill produces 300 When King Sugar became unsustainable cases a day of rum under 22 distinct brands, and was slashed a decade ago by the Castro as well as 60,000 liters per day of alcohol. In regime, Sancti Spíritus preserved only three 2011, the most recent year on record, Sancti out of nine sugar mills; another two mills Spíritus produced 253,200 cases of rum, down were left to produce only molasses. 60% from the 636,000 cases bottled in 2009. But only two sugar mills have been grind- Traditionally, Sancti Spíritus has been a ing in recent years, and the chances any leader in cattle ranching. According to official mothballed facilities will return to production statistics, the province had 417,500 head of remain uncertain. cattle in 2011 (compared 402,700 in 1987) or This has slashed nominal daily grinding 90 head per 100 inhabitants — well above the capacity to only 53% of the 25,900-ton-a-day national average. installed capacity the province boasted in In 2011, the province yielded 48.1 million 2002, when it accounted for 7% of national liters of fresh milk, more than double produc- sugar production. The real capacities, howev- tion in 2006, the first year after Cuba’s worst er, average 10,100 tons of sugarcane daily, a drought in a century. At only 3.4 liters a day result of grave industrial problems and low per milking cow, yields are very poor. agricultural yields. At its peak in the 1980s, sugar plantations INDUSTRY covered 122,000 hectares (300,000 acres) of The Siguaney cement plant, opened in 1969 Sancti Spíritus. Yet with 60,000 hectares with Czech technology, can produce 281,000 (148,300 acres), caña is still king here, even tons of cement a year. In 1977 the plant pro- after abandoning or converting to other uses duced a record 690,000 tons of cement, some 36,000 hectares (89,000 acres) of land. exceeding the original design capacity of The dismantled mills, which employed 670,000 tons per year. In 1989, it produced 8,000 people, are Remberto Abad (formerly 573,000 tons and two years later was adapted La Vega); Simón Bolívar (Victoria); Siete de to burn domestic crude. Noviembre (Natividad) and Aracelio Iglesias One production line was refurbished in the (Nela). The Obdulio Morales (Narcisa) mill at Yaguajay and FNTA (Trinidad) mills were See Sancti Spíritus, page 11 March 2013 v CubaNews 11 reportedly in poor condition. Sancti Spíritus — FROM PAGE 10 Construction of the National Highway in BUSINESS BRIEFS mid ‘80s with Japanese technology to make the late 1970s cut driving time from Havana to CAN CUBA SATISFY FUTURE HOTEL DEMAND? white cement. In 1986, Siguaney began to the city of Sancti Spíritus from 6.5 hours to 4 hours. Yet without adequate signaling, servic- churn out white cement using domestic raw Travel industry experts say Cuba’s lack of es or protection, the condition of this route for hotel supply might not satisfy that pent-up materials. high-speed road traffic is deplorable. Since 1990, Siguaney also produces high- demand once the U.S. market opens, the Port activity is limited to Casilda, with two Hotel News Now website reported Jan. 30. resistant cement for special uses. Between berths along the south coast. Casilda handles “They already have a problem accommodat- 2007 and 2011, the factory produced an aver- some cargo, mainly cement, fuels, sugar and ing in Havana, Varadero and Cayo Largo,” age 133,400 tons of cement per year. seafood. said Timothy Ashby, who specializes in Cuban The Sergio Soto Alba oil refinery in A civil airport at Sancti Spíritus of-fers lim- law and commerce as legal counsel at SNR Cabaiguán opened in 1947. After 1961, the ited domestic service, while the dom-estic air- Denton. “The travel ban will be lifted, and refinery switched to burning imported Soviet port at Trinidad was recently lengthened to they’re not ready for it.” oil but returned to domestic crude in 1996 fol- serve medium-size passenger jets. Two minor Jeremy Tang, managing partner at Hong lowing a period of near-paralysis. airfields near San Pedro (south) and Maya- Kong-based Hemingway Capital, which makes The facility currently blends local light jigua (north) serve local tourist spots. q investments in Cuban businesses and proper- ties that are actively looking for a hotel development partner, echoed Ashby’s concerns. He told Hotel News Now that supply is needed first to satisfy organic growth within Cuba — regardless of future changes to the U.S. travel ban. According to official figures, tourist arrivals to Cuba increased from 2.5 million 2010 to 2.7 million in 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, foreign arrivals grew 5.3% over 2011. Ashby said he believes overall tourism growth during 2012 will end up rivaling or surpassing 2011. Cuba also could see an increase of outbound travelers with the recent easing of travel restrictions. As of Jan. 14, Cuban citizens will no longer need exit visas or invitations from a resident of a foreign country to travel abroad. Foreign parties who have invested in the hotel sector to help aid such growth are reluc- crude — now pumped from oilfields at Ciego tant to move forward with projects without de Avila — with the heavy sour produced in knowing the future of U.S.-Cuba relations, Varadero. It is currently refining roughly 850 Ashby said, estimating that $2 billion is avail- barrels per day, which represents barely 0.9% able for Cuba tourism development projects. of Cuba’s total refining capacity. LUXNER LARRY CUBAN EYE DOCTORS TREAT 1,250 JAMAICANS In 2011, the facility refined 857 barrels a day of domestic crude. It also produces fuel Some 1,250 persons with specific eye condi- oil (25% of total output) and diesel fuel (8%), as tions benefitted from 1,410 procedures con- well as industrial oils, lubricants, kerosene, ducted under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care pro- regular gasoline, PCV for electric transform- gram during 2012. ers and other byproducts. The program’s coordinator, Gregory Tho- Activities at the main fishing ports at mas, told the Jamaica Information Service that Casilda and Tunas de Zaza on the south coast over 16,000 consultations took place last year. The program, which seeks to reduce pre- have decreased significantly in the past few ventable blindness in adults, evolved from the years. Sancti Spíritus produces an average of five-year Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Project, 5,800 tons of fish per year, 75% of that har- which previously saw persons being screened vested in dams and nurseries. for eye conditions in Jamaica and sent to Cuba Lobster catches have fallen to about 230 for treatment. tons a year from 7,000 tons in 2001. Shrimp Launched in January 2010, the program farming yields about 500 tons a year. Finally, a offers surgical treatment for people suffering paper mill at Jatibonico produces half of all from three specific conditions: cataracts, dia- notebooks used in the Cuban school system. betic retinopathy (damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes mellitus) and INFRASTRUCTURE pterygium (a non-cancerous fleshy growth, The old two-lane Central Highway and the usually on the surface of the eye) free of cost. Central Railroad link Sancti Spíritus to the Thomas further noted that since the pro- rest of the island. The six-lane National gram’s inception, Cuban doctors have done Highway (with only two to four lanes in serv- more than 46,000 consultations, performed at ice here) ends at the town of Jatibonico, serv- least 4,200 surgeries and offered at least 3,790 ing only as a westbound link. patients surgical treatment. A network of secondary roads and railroad Details: Ministry of Health, 2-4 King Street, branches reaches all settlements and eco- Kingston 10, Jamaica. Tel: (876) 967-1100. Fax: nomic hubs. Both roads and railroads are Stone arch frames a church bell, colonial Trinidad. (876) 967-1643. URL: www.moh.gov.jm. 12 CubaNews v March 2013 ARCHITECTURE March 2013 v CubaNews 13 backed by the Canadian government. Spain’s Universitat de Barcelona, Carracedo Canada — FROM PAGE 1 Whenever possible, a centrally controlled Botifoll taught international business law in Canadian-Cuban relations made headlines economy such as Cuba’s would prefer such Cuba. He also worked for 17 years in foreign last month with a rare visit to Havana by business arrangements. trade, foreign investments and banking. Foreign Minister John Baird — the first offi- This explains, for example, Havana’s more His clients use a variety of services, ranging cial visit to Cuba by a Canadian foreign minis- recent positive commercial ties with countries from securing work permits and visas into ter since Lloyd Axworthy went there in 1997. like China, Brazil and Venezuela — where Cuba, to money transfers and other banking “I think there’s a long way to go,” Baird told those governments play a big role in setting transactions. reporters after meetings with his counterpart, up and finalizing trade deals with Cuba. In addition, he advises potential investors Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez. Privately owned foreign companies that on how to hire Cuban and foreign staffers, “They’re beginning to make some significant deal with Cuba, regardless of relations with what’s involved in opening a commercial of- economic reform, so I think there’s some rea- the Castro regime, have their interests served fice in Havana, and what to do in order to son for optimism here.” by IberoAmerican’s connections with Cuban launch a joint venture with a Cuban partner Baird said Canada still opposes Cuba’s re- government agencies, and familiarity with the That competition makes IberoAmerican’s turn to the 35-member Organization of Ameri- business culture in Havana.” presence at the annual Havana International can States when it holds its next summit in Fair (FIHAV) more conspicuous. 2015. On the other hand, it supports Cuba’s HALIFAX FIRM ALSO OFFERS CUBA SERVICES “In my opinion, FIHAV is an extraordinary demand that Washington end its 50-year-old A country as large as Canada with various event for companies commencing business in trade embargo of the island. sectors active in Cuba — ranging from mining Cuba. It poses a unique opportunity to intro- “We don’t share views with our closes and tourism to food and agricultural exports, duce new products and meet with potential friend and ally on that issue,” he quipped, means that IberoAmerican will inevitably clients. It is also important for foreign compa- adding that “there is beginning to be a change attract some competition. nies with a big presence in the market, since of the guard in the cabinet and among the sen- Halifax-based Botifoll Associates advises Cuban authorities expect these types of com- ior leadership. Obviously, we want to see peo- small and medium-sized Canadian firms on panies to be there.” q ple in Cuba live in freedom and prosperity.” exporting to Cuba. Like IberoAmerican, a Cuban national, Juan Carracedo Botifoll, runs Details: Ricardo Alcolado Pérez, IberoAm- STILL NO CHARGES FILED AGAINST DETAINEES that office. erican Consulting Corp., 330 Bay Street, Suite Some of Canada’s top executives, however, Along with earning law degrees from San- #820, Toronto, Ont. M5H 2S8. Tel: (416) 628- have paid a heavy price for their dealings with tiago de Cuba’s Universidad de Oriente and 5275. Email: [email protected]. the Cuban government. Cy Tokmakjian, founder of the Tokmakjian Group — which did $80 million in annual sales in Cuba, and owned local rights to Cuba’s $6 billion oil refinery awaits investor Hyundai and Suzuki — has languished in prison for more than a year and a half. uba needs to find someone to finance a built by Chinese or Cuban workers. Sarkis Yacoubian, the president of Tri-Star, $6 billion expansion of its huge oil China signed a letter of intent for the proj- Crefinery in Cienfuegos, amid uncer- ect in 2011, but Caballero said the Chinese has been in jail even longer. Neither have had charges filed against them, nor have trial tainties about China’s role in the project and are only serving as principal contractors to dates been set. the health of Venezuelan President Hugo develop, along with the Italian unit of French Nevertheless, Cuba continues to lure Chavez, Reuters reported Feb. 10. company Technip, basic engineering for the would-be Canadian investors. A recent article Ricardo Caballero, chief executive of expansion. in Macleans quoted the Ottawa-based Trade Cubvenpetrol — a Cuban-Venezuelan joint “They accompanied us during every- Commissioner Service as saying that “hun- venture running the refinery — told thing,” he said. “They are still with us during dreds have expressed interest in the Cuban reporters the final touches are being put on this final stage.” market in the last year alone.” a proposal to present to possible overseas The refinery was completed in 1990 by That’s one reason business is so good for financiers, but there was “no predetermina- the Soviet Union when it was Cuba’s top ally. Alcolado Pérez. tion” of who would foot the bill and there At the same time, the Soviets built a pipeline “We work with foreign companies interest- had been no talks with anyone about it. from Matanzas on the northern coast down ed in doing business in Cuba and also with “In this moment, we are just now finishing to Cienfuegos in the south to transport oil those that have branches in the island,” he the stage of definition of the refinery. You from its supertankers to the plant. told CubaNews. can’t talk with anyone about financing until The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and “However, our services for new business in you finish defining the project,” Reuters with it went Cuba’s oil supply. The Cubans the market usually differ from the services we quoted Caballero as saying. used the refinery sparingly because they provide to companies already established. For The plan calls for expanding capacity from could only intermittently get oil from other the former, we usually provide contacts, mar- 65,000 barrels per day to 150,000 and build- sources and after 1995, they shut it down. ket feasibility studies, regulatory compliance ing a liquefied natural gas plant. Once fund- The pipeline from Matanzas was used advice and contract review. For the latter, we ing is obtained, it will take 45 months to only once, in a 1991 test, Caballero said. act as brokers finding sources to finance their complete the project, said Caballero, a veter- Since then, it has been filled with water and operations, capital investment and regulatory an of Cuba’s oil industry. preserving liquid, and there are no plans to compliance.” People involved in the expansion said use it again. Oil for the refinery comes in via Given Ottawa’s role in promoting trade rela- more than two years ago China would build tankers from Venezuela. tions between the Canadian private sector and and finance the project, with the money The refinery did not reopen until 2007, the Cuban government, it’s expected that cer- backed by Venezuelan oil. after Chavez, who is now Cuba’s closest ally, tain government agencies would themselves But the deal has never taken wings. funded a refurbishment of the facility and act as advisors. One such entity is the Nothing has been disclosed publicly and guaranteed a steady supply of oil. Canadian Commercial Corp. (CCC). the Chinese have been silent on the matter. Venezuela sends 115,000 barrels a day to However, the CCC acts as an international However, sources say China has never Cuba on highly favorable terms that include prime contractor — meaning that whatever signed a final deal due to questions ranging a barter arrangement for the services of goods or services a foreign government (such from Chavez’ health to future oil and natural some 40,000 Cuban professionals, most of as Cuba) purchases through CCC gets a 100% gas supplies to whether the project will be them doctors and other medical personnel. guarantee of full contractual performance 14 CubaNews v March 2013 U.S. Government agencies to coordinate strat- 2003. He said he was preparing for “the happy Annex — FROM PAGE 1 egy on broadcasting and communications to day when Castro’s regime is no more...” “At the same time, there are clear signs the the Cuban people. Roger Noriega, then-assistant secretary of regime is using money provided by the state, summed up the administration’s view: Chavez government in Venezuela to reacti- UNDERMINING REGIME’S SUCCESSION STRATEGY “The United States will not accept a succes- vate its [redacted] networks in the hemis- n Diplomacy and information must be em- sion scenario.” phere to subvert democratic governments. ployed to control the policy environment and Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell was “The U.S. Government should take advan- create momentum for genuine change in or- first chair of the commission. He issued the tage of advances in satellite Internet technolo- der to undermine the regime’s succession group’s first report in May 2004. The 456-page gy to provide the greatest possible access to strategy. tome showed American officials were plan- the Internet, without regime censorship, to ning Cuba’s future down to the last detail. the broadest segment of the Cuban people. BROADCASTING For instance, the report said, if Cuba’s tran- Independent libraries and other civic groups n [redacted] encourage convergence of sitional government requested help, the U.S. could be one focal point for providing such goals and efforts by [redacted] other democ- government was prepared to: access to the Cuban people.” racies to support transition in Cuba with our n Provide dam safety training, in Spanish. n Transition planning on/off island ($6 own efforts: [redacted] n Help upgrade airport lighting and signs. million). n [redacted] n Simplify the sale of refurbished U.S. n $4 million to support U.S. government n Encourage bilateral engagement be- locomotives to Cuba. and private-public partnerships for ongoing tween European nations and other Western n Help map coral reef systems and assess transition preparedness in the U.S. and in democracies on a Cuban transition. fish habitat. Cuba, as described in Chapter 7 of this report. n U.S. government officials should pri- n Train park managers and give advice on n International support for civil society vately and publicly, when appropriate, draw a how to add trails and other infrastructure to and transition planning ($9 million). distinction between countries that support prime bird watching spots. n $3 million contribution to Organization succession (such as Venezuela and Iran) and n Treat and control solid waste. of American States for Cuba transition and countries that support the right of the Cuban Such meticulous planning did not hasten civil society support programs under the people to debate and define a democratic the collapse of the socialist government and Inter-American Democratic Charter. future for Cuba. the commission issued the follow-up report, n [redacted] for voluntary contributions Portions of the secret annex remain classi- with secret annex, in 2006. for pro-democracy activities co-funded with fied. They include information on: other democratic countries, including an n $10 million set aside for equipment and REPORT FOCUSES ON CUBA-VENEZUELA TIES international Cuban Unity Conference and fol- support to the opposition. By then, Secretary of State Condoleezza low-on regional meetings. n $10 million for ways to expand reach of Rice had taken over as chair. She and other n Institutionalize the Office of the Cuba civil society across Cuban society. commission members were particularly trou- Transition Coordinator. To coordinate, man- n $11 million for improved training and bled by Cuba’s relationship with Venezuela. age, and provide direct oversight of [redact- capacity-building of civil society. Their report stated: “Cuba’s ever-deepen- ed] and ongoing transition efforts recom- n A diplomatic strategy aimed at advancing relationship with Venezuela parallels the mended by the Commission, [redacted]. ing “our view that there is an opportunity for earlier failed relationship with the Soviet transition if we act today.” Union, only this time not as the junior partner: BROADCASTING n Plans to breaking the information block- Fidel Castro is calling the shots. n Fund civil society groups to provide ade and expand opposition use of the media. “This Castro-led axis must be understood satellite TV subscriptions, receiver equipment n Details about the Lista de Esbirros, or as part of the regime’s succession strategy and DVD players on the island to the Cuban List of Henchmen, which the State and an effort to insulate Cuba from pressure people and facilitate rapid licensing in order to Department has been compiling for entry into for democratic change. provide such equipment on the island. its Abuse Case Evaluation System, or ACES. “This axis also undermines our interest in a n Expand use of third-country broadcast- Many of the commission’s recommenda- more democratic Venezuela and undermines ing [redacted] and SW (shortwave) into Cuba tions also remain secret, including steps it democratic governance and institutions else- [redacted]. suggested U.S. authorities take “in response where in the region. Together, these coun- n In connection with and/or as part of the to Cuba’s repeated and consistent efforts to tries are advancing an alternative retrograde strategic communication plan, establish quar- impede safe, legal, and orderly migration. and an anti-American agenda for the hemi- terly meetings between [redacted] interested Bush created the commission in October sphere’s future and they are finding some res- onance with populist governments and disen- franchised populations in the region.” The report emphasized that the U.S. gov- ASCE seeks papers for 2013 student awards ernment would step in only if Cuba’s transi- he Association for the Study of the prize is $100, up to $400 travel, and publica- tional government asked for help. Cuban Economy (ASCE) is accepting tion in Cuba in Transition. Second prize for “Cubans need to know there is hope in free- T both categories is honorary mention. nominations for the 2013 Jorge Pérez- dom. Accordingly, we cannot falter or fail to López Student Award Competition for All students who enter the competition support the Cuban people as they approach papers addressing topics related to Cuba’s will receive a one-year complimentary mem- the opportunity for real change,” it stated. domestic issues, its foreign relations, or bership in ASCE, which will entitle them to “When the time comes, the generosity Amer- Cuba in comparative perspectives. receive our publications and newsletter. icans have always extended to Cubans will At a minimum, all papers must outline a Those wishing to attend the annual meet- surely be redoubled.” thesis statement, present evidence or data ing in Miami also receive a complimentary The commission went on to state that “only supporting it, confine it to 5,000 words dou- conference and key speaker lunch invitation. Cubans can chart a path to liberty, prosperity, ble-spaced length, and follow one of the Papers received or postdated by May 20, and reconciliation. It is they who will ensure standard academic writing and citations 2013, will be considered. The winner of the that the dictatorship which advocated nuclear styles. Self-nominations are also welcomed. competition will be announced in June. war against our nation will end.” q For graduates, the first prize is $150, up to Details: Enrique Pumar, Student Award Com- $600 in travel expenses, and publication in mittee, ASCE, PO Box 28267, Washington, DC Tracey Eaton, former Havana bureau chief of Cuba in Transition. For undergrads, first 20037-8267. URL: www.ascecuba.org/award. the Dallas Morning News, now lives in St. Augus- tine, Fla., and writes regularly for CubaNews. March 2013 v CubaNews 15 ARTS & CULTURE Serious collector sees Cuban art as investment vehicle BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA Last November, Cuban art made a strong the usual legal penalties that accompany any- ith his Ceiba Investments Ltd. growth showing at its Latin American art auction in thing else coming out of Cuba, like cigars. fund, Sebastiaan Berger is support- New York, with two paintings by Tomás This point is not lost on people-to-people Wing Cuba’s transition to what some Sánchez (one made in 1999, the other in 2005) travelers now flocking to the island. would call “market socialism” — having a selling for over $600,000 each. Last month, art collector Michelle Wojcik, stake in joint ventures between Cuban state At the same auction, an untitled 1944 can- the owner of Galería Cubana in Boston and Provincetown, MA, organized a group excur- entities and foreign companies.” vas by fellow Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam sold for $482,500., while a 1956 painting by Cundo sion with P2P license holder Silvia Wilhelm to Few people, however, know about Berger’s Bermúdez sold for $158,500 (more than dou- visit artists in Havana, stimulating the coun- interest in Cuba’s contemporary art scene. ble Christie’s estimate). try’s art market in the process. Ceiba’s 2011 annual report acknowledges After that trip, Wojcik told the Boston affili- that Berger and Ceiba Property Corp. Ltd., a ate of NPR that at an entrepreneurial level, her unit of the parent company, hold various Cuban art excursion was a mixed bag. Cuban paintings worth a combined $234,200. “In some ways I’m a little nervous about Some of these paintings are on display at [that trip] because I’m giving them exposure Ceiba’s Havana office, as well as that of its to the artists directly,” she said. “Which of spinoff GrandSlam Ltd. course, as the middle person, cuts me out Such artists include Ricardo Elias, Ernesto somewhat of the picture.” Leal, Roberto Diago, René Peña, Luís Enrique That trip generated nearly $15,000 in sales Camejo, José Emilio Fuentes Fonseca (JEFF), for seven Cuban artists that she represents, René Francisco Rodríguez, Eduardo Ponjuán, including Edel Bordón, whose paintings have José Eduardo Yaque, Yoan Capote, Esterio found their way into the homes of New Segura, Michel Pérez and Aziyadé Ruiz. England art collectors. “With young artists, you can help them Nevertheless, publicity from NPR will likely grow by supporting them, by talking to them, drive sales of the Cuban art Wojcik already introducing them to other people,” Berger JEFF’s elephants liven up ‘Cuba: Contemporary Art.’ has in her art galleries back in Massachusetts told the online New York-based journal — as well as whatever works she likely ArtInfo.com. “And so there’s a rewarding fac- Meanwhile, rival art auctioneer Sotheby’s brought back with her recently. tor at the same time, which is that you actual- held its own Latin American art auction that ly contribute something to their careers.” same month, also at its New York location). PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TRIPS LURE ART LOVERS No surprise that some of their works can There, a 2008 painting by Flavio Garciandía One witness to this marriage of P2P travel also be found at Berger’s Havana residence, sold for $43,750, and a 2011 sculpture made by and the growing market for Cuban art among as well as in his home in Wassenaar, Nether- Mario Miguel González, Niels Moleiro Luís Americans is Howard Farber, a New Yorker lands. Berger also contributed to the 2009 and Alain Piño sold for $46,875. whose website Cuban Art News (www.cuba- Havana Biennial by financing the purchase of Along with these more recent works, nartnews.org) is a byproduct of his non-profit oversized pieces of sheet metal JEFF used to Sotheby’s generated more impressive sales cultural organization, the Farber Foundation. assemble a herd of large-scale elephants. from pre-Castro era artists (as well as those “I am not surprised. Art collectors are from the revolution’s early days) during that always looking for the next niche to collect or CEIBA’S COFFEE-TABLE CUBAN ART BOOK auction. Among other things, it sold a 1960 invest in,” he told CubaNews. “I have been col- Recently, Ceiba Publications Ltd. published René Portocarrero painting for $134,500. a lecting art for about 40 years, starting with the 288-page book “Cuba: Contemporary Art” 1945 Amelia Peláez painting for $314,500, and American art, Chinese contemporary art, and (ISBN 978-1-59020-776-5), with JEFF’s eleph- a 1943 Mario Carreño painting for $86,000. since 2001 Cuban contemporary art. I believe ants gracing the cover (see CubaNews, Novem- Most of these sales surpassed Sotheby’s Cuban art is still the best-kept secret in the art ber 2012, page 15). The $40 coffee-table book estimates, in some cases doubling them. market.” featured the works of 59 Cuban artists like But there’s at least one critic of such P2P Raúl Cordero, Flavio Garciandía, Juan Carlos CUBAN ART NOT SUBJECT TO EMBARGO trips: Ramón Cernuda, who bought the Porto- Alom, Carlos Caballero and Felipe Dulzaides. Why is collecting Cuban art relevant to both carrero painting last fall on behalf of one of his “We collect art to have it and not to do any- U.S. and non-U.S. investors? clients at Sotheby’s. thing commercial with it,” Berger told During the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, litigation He says some painters who cater to cultural ArtInfo.com. involving New York’s Center for Cuban Stu- visitors for profit are lowering the quality of No one doubts those sentiments. However, dies and Cuban-American art dealer Ramón Cuba’s art scene, in the one country where it doesn’t hurt to own contemporary Cuban Cernuda legalized the import and sale of such artists make more money than doctors. art at a time where international commercial artwork, treating it as informational material “The trick is to discern what is gold and interest in it is growing. Who better than art and rendering it exempt from the embargo. what is sand,” Cernuda mused. “There is a lot auctioneer Christie’s to demonstrate that? Thus, trading in Cuban art is not subject to of sand out there.” q

‘MY SEDUCTIVE CUBA’ NOW AVAILABLE AT SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT TO OUR READERS: From time to time, CubaNews receives requests for back issues Chen Lizra is the author of “My Seductive and fact-filled guidebook for just $120 plus of our newsletter. In our office, we keep Cuba” — an unusual 328-page travel book we taxes and shipping; at $26.95 per copy, the reviewed over a year ago retail value of such a box is $1,078. print copies going back to September 1993. (see “Israeli dancer If you would like an old issue, please email pours passion for Cuba into new travel guide, Details: Latidos Productions, 2050 Scotia St. CubaNews, October 2011, page 15). Suite #425, Vancouver BC V5T 4T1, Canada. Tel: a request to [email protected] or send a note Between now and Mar. 24, the publisher is (604) 708-2170. Email: latidos@latidosproduc- to Larry Luxner, Editor, CubaNews, PO Box offering a box of 40 copies of this useful, fun tions.com. URL: www.myseductivecuba.com. 1345, Silver Spring, MD 20915-1345 — USA. 16 CubaNews v March 2013

CALENDAR OF EVENTS CARIBBEAN UPDATE If your organization is sponsoring an upcoming event, please let our readers know! You already know what’s going in Cuba, Fax details to CubaNews at (301) 949-0065 or send e-mail to [email protected]. thanks to CubaNews. Now find out what’s happening in the rest of this diverse and Mar. 2 : “José Martí: Images of Memory and Mourning.” Lecture and book presentation by fast-growing region. Emilio Bejel, Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134. Free. Details: Cuban Subscribe to Caribbean UPDATE, a Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, DM 370, Miami, FL 33199. monthly newsletter founded in 1985. Cor- Tel: (305) 348-1991. Fax: (305) 348-3593. Email: [email protected]. URL: http://cri.fiu.edu. porate and government executives, as well as scholars and journalists, depend on this Mar. 9 : Ivette Cepeda performs for the first time ever on U.S. soil, Miami-Dade County Audi- publication for its insightful, timely cover- torium. “This exceptional and highly charismatic artist brings her own soulful blend of salsa, age of the 30-plus nations and territories of bolero and Cuban filin to the stage while covering compositions from traditional and estab- the Caribbean and Central America. lished composers to contemporary trailblazers.” Tickets: $25-55. Details: Miami-Dade County When you receive your first issue, you Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33135. Tel: (305) 547-5414. Email: [email protected]. have two options: (a) pay the accompany- ing invoice and your subscription will be Mar. 1 4 : “El Rol del Sector No Estatal en el Establecimiento de Una Economía Solidaria y processed; (b) if you’re not satisfied, just Social en Cuba,” San Juan, Puerto Rico. Lecture by Dr. Julia Sagebien (Dalhousie University) write “cancel” on the invoice and return it. and Rafael Betancourt (University of Havana). Details: Humberto García Muñíz, Director, Confe- There is no further obligation on your part. rencias Caribeñas 12, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR 00925. Tel: (787) 764-0000 x4212. The cost of a subscription to Caribbean Email: [email protected]. Lecture will be broadcast live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cc71***. UPDATE is $281 per year. A special rate of $142 is available to academics, non-profit Mar. 15-17: 6th Annual Global Cuba Fest 2013, Miami. Weekend event features performan- organizations and additional subscriptions ces by Julio Fowler, Yadam, Pavel Urkiza, Yosvany Terry, Hilario Bell, Horacio “El Negro” mailed to the same address. Hernández and the Cuban Creole Choir. Venues: Deauville Hotel Jazz Club and North Beach To order, contact Caribbean UPDATE at Band Shell (Miami Beach) and Miami-Dade County Auditorium. Prices vary. Details: Global 116 Myrtle Ave., Millburn, NJ 07041, call us Cuba Fest, Fundarte, Miami. Tel: (305) 316-6165. Email: [email protected]. URL: www.fundarte.us. at (973) 376-2314, visit our new website at www.caribbeanupdate.org or send an Mar. 15-17: “The Revolution Recodified: Digital Culture & the Public Sphere in Cuba,” New email to [email protected]. We accept School/New York University. Keynote speaker: Yoani Sánchez. Others include Ricardo Figuer- Visa, MasterCard and American Express. edo Oliva, Orlando Luís Pardo Lazo, Ted Henken, Ariana Hernández-Reguant, Coco Fusco. Details: Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, New York University, 53 Washington Square South, Floor #4W, New York, NY 10003. Tel: (212) 998-8686. Email: [email protected]. Mar. 2 8 : “The Cuban Diaspora in the World,” FIU Cuban Research Institute, Miami. Invited panelists: Holly Ackerman, Mette Louise Berg, Jorge Duany, Guillermo Grenier, Catherine Krull, Sandra Mustelier Ayala, Yolanda Prieto, Ernesto Rodríguez Chávez, and Jean Stubbs. No charge. Details: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., DM 363, Miami, FL 33199. Tel: (305) 348-1991. Fax: (305) 348-3593. Email: [email protected]. URL: http://cri.fiu.edu. Editor Apr. 6 : Gema Corredera performs highlights from her first solo album “Derramando Luz” at n LARRY LUXNER n Miami-Dade County Auditorium. “This celebrated vocalist and guitarist brings her exceptional Washington correspondent voice and musicianship to the local stage with a sound influenced as much by her Cuban roots n ANA RADELAT n as by jazz, Brazilian music, opera and flamenco.” Tickets: $25-55. Details: Miami-Dade County Political analyst Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33135. Tel: (305) 547-5414. Email: [email protected]. n DOMINGO AMUCHASTEGUI n

May 2 3 -25 : “Dispersed Peoples: The Cuban and Other Diasporas,” FIU Cuban Research In- Feature writers stitute, Miami. Event “invites comparisons between the Cuban experience and other groups n VITO ECHEVARRÍA n living outside their homelands.” Details: Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., DM n DOREEN HEMLOCK n 363, Miami, FL 33199. Tel: (305) 348-1991. Fax: (305) 348-3593. Email: [email protected]. Cartographer n ARMANDO H. PORTELA n

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