Paloma Brings 2008 Hurricane Season to a Close; Damages Exceed $10

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Vol. 16, No. 11 December 2008

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In the News Paloma brings 2008 hurricane season to a close; damages exceed $10 billion Killer storms nothing new BY OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENT Since 1800, Cuba has been hit directly by neighboring Haiti, where Gustav, Hanna and he 2008 hurricane season, which officially Ike left hundreds dead. In Cuba, only seven peo- over 120 hurricanes ...... Page 2 ended Nov. 30, has been one of the most ple lost their lives — all from Ike — thanks to T destructive in Cuba’s history. the regime’s mandatory evacuation procedures USCC: End the embargo The season produced 16 cyclones — eight that kick in every time a hurricane threatens. President Raúl Castro mentioned the $10 bil- Chamber of Commerce, other groups ask tropical storms and eight hurricanes — making it the busiest Atlantic season since 2005, which lion figure during a Nov. 12 visit to Camagüey Obama to scrap past policies ...... Page 4 spawned 28 named storms including Tropical province, where officials said 8,000 homes were Storm Zeta, which formed Dec. 30 and lasted damaged when Paloma struck the province’s Guayabal damaged into January 2006. south coast at Santa Cruz del Sur. Of the year’s eight hurricanes, three pum- Raúl, dressed in military fatigues, went to Despite storm destruction, port is still a meled Cuba, leaving combined losses in excess Camagüey a day after Paloma spun itself out top priority for Cuba ...... Page 6 of $10 billion. That’s roughly twice the damage over Cuba. The lengthy TV report showed him caused by all major hurricanes from 1985 to talking with storm victims and promising to 2007, and represents 17% of Cuba’s 2007 GDP. rebuild their homes, most of which were built of Bringing FDI back Hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Paloma left a path wood near the sea. Cuba’s leadership shows renewed interest of destruction that obliterated 100,000 houses “Everything you lost we’re going to replace — maybe not tomorrow, but quickly,” he said. in foreign direct investment ...... Page 7 and damaged another 520,000 in their wake. Together, this accounts for 18% of all dwellings Paloma followed Gustav and Ike, which in Cuba. They also flattened sugarcane and struck 10 days apart in late August and early Newsmakers tobacco fields, destroyed factories and caused September and caused destruction across much Dissident essayist, poet Jorge Olivera: damage at tourist resorts. of the island. Initial damage estimates from the Granted, all this is negligible compared to the first two storms totaled $5 billion but officials ‘There’s no turning back’ ...... Page 8 horrifying trail of death and destruction in See Hurricanes, page 3 Tobacco in jeopardy Hurricane damage in Pinar del Río endan- Even with Obama, Democrats in control, gers Cuban cigar production .....Page 10 changing Cuba policy will be tough sell Raúl finds religion BY ANA RADELAT Group, is part of a coalition of grass-roots asso- President prays with the faithful at Cath- dvocates of easing U.S. sanctions against ciations focusing on one goal: allowing all olic, Orthodox churches ...... Page 12 Cuba are thrilled by the prospect of Americans to travel to Cuba. Barack Obama in the White House and “What we’re hoping for is a Congress that is A open to taking action to end the travel ban and a HIV infection still low increased Democratic clout on Capitol Hill. But there’s little evidence the new Democra- White House that is willing to go further than it Cuba boasts W. Hemisphere’s lowest HIV, tic strength in Washington threatens the has indicated,” Anderson told CubaNews. Americans are prohibited by the embargo AIDS infection rate...... Page 14 decades-long embargo — and even less consen- sus on which end of Pennsylvania Avenue might from spending money on travel to Cuba, with lead the way to change. only a few exceptions. Those who qualify for Meds to Cuba Many of the new Democrats elected to office Treasury Department licenses to travel to the island, a total of 13 categories, include academ- Health Partners International of Canada in November oppose large-scale changes in U.S. Cuba policy and the movement toward easing ics, religious groups, journalists and Cuban- fills a badly needed niche ...... Page 15 sanctions is losing its bipartisan edge as Americans who want to visit family. Republican members who favored the idea But President Bush enforced tighter restric- CubaNews (ISSN 1073-7715) is published monthly retired or lost their seats. tions on Cuban-American travel and limited the by Luxner News Inc. © 2008. All rights reserved. But advocates of changes in Cuba policy plan travel of academics and others, to appease exile Subscriptions: $429 for one year, $800 for two years. to lobby the upcoming 111th Congress anyway. leaders who said even the limited visits helps For editorial inquires, please call (301) 452-1105 fund Cuba’s communist government. or send an e-mail to: [email protected]. Mavis Anderson, senior associate at the Washington-based Latin America Working See Democrats, page 4 2 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2008 HURRICANE SEASON Killer hurricanes form integral part of Cuba’s history BY OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENT Although the hurricane season officially the brunt of two out of every five hurricanes sweeping Cuba. ue to its length and its location in the stretches from June to November, the worst months for Cuba traditionally are September Like every Caribbean island, Cuba has a northwestern Caribbean, Cuba can and October. Two out of three hurricanes that long history of hurricane-related tragedies, Dexpect to be hit every year by hurri- some of them branding forever the memories have hit the island have landed in those canes. In the past 200 years, Cuba has been months. Cuba’s so-called “hurricane alley” of the people who survived the bitter experi- struck directly by 120 storms — or about 10% crosses the provinces of Pinar del Río, La ence and serving as a reference point in the of all storms that have crossed the Caribbean. Habana and Isla de la Juventud, which bear nation’s history. The past 100 years brought some monu- mental storms, not just by their magnitude, but because of the damages inflicted on people and property. Some were so catastrophic that they permanently altered the landscape: swallowing keys, diverting the course of rivers, producing landslides or engulfing other topographic features. Other storms changed forever the way that people interact with nature, forcing towns to move inland or forcing a wave of hydraulic construction (dams, culverts, etc.) to contain or delay catastrophic floods. Among the worst storms of the past century is the unnamed Category-4 hurricane that hit Havana in October 1926, leaving behind 600 dead people and $100 million in damages — a huge sum at that time. The storm of Nov. 9, 1932, produced a 21- foot tidal wave that wiped out the coastal Camagüey city of Santa Cruz del Sur, taking 3,033 lives, which makes it, by far, the dead- liest hurricane in Cuba’s history. It was so dreadful that for years afterward, the few people who endured the tragedy were popularly identified as survivors of the Santa Cruz hurricane. Hurricane Flora in October 1963 stalled for four endless days over eastern Cuba, killing 1,150 people and causing $300 million in losses. Flora dumped 1.7 meters of rain in the 96 hours it hovered over Cuba — more than the annual average for the entire island. In some places, rainfall exceeded 2 meters. After this storm, the government decided to create a wide system of dams and canals all across the Cauto River Valley that changed the landscape permanently. The most recent hurricanes, however, have tended to be the most damaging — although casualties have been reduced drastically by an efficient compulsory evacuation system integrated by military forces and the civil administration, in coordination with the national weather service headed by the Instituto de Meteorología. Hurricane Lili in October 1996 was the first big storm to hit the island after the onset of the Special Period; authorities dubbed it a “national tragedy.” Lili caused $362 million in damage and sparked an early call for international help. Some skeptics saw the official reports on the storm as an excuse to obtain credit and debt forgiveness at the darkest times of the economic crisis. But Lili was soon dwarfed by other mon- See Hurricanes, page 3 December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 3 Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias, the Communist Hurricanes — FROM PAGE 1 Party’s first secretary in Pinar del Rio, said Paloma: On the scene later doubled that number. that to deal with the housing situation in the shortest possible time, the area needs uring every major story, there are In Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar things a reporter sees that don’t del Río, 43% of all the houses have suffered unprecedented construction activity. “In the coming years we will have to obtain Dmake it into the daily updates. damages from Gustav and Ike. Ray Sánchez, Havana bureau chief of According to the local Defense Council, to superior results than those obtained even before the Special Period [the hard economic the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, was date 14,000 temporary facilities have been among the first foreign journalists to erected, and 14,262 homes have been times that followed the collapse of the social- reach the town where Hurricane Paloma repaired, or 14.7% of those damaged. ist bloc in 1991],” said Tapia, adding that vic- When adding those damaged by two major made landfall. tims will have to help repair their own homes These are some of those scenes from a hurricanes in 2002, the total number of hous- while maintaining faith in the regime. “The es pending repair or construction is 98,560, of hurricane in Cuba: population needs to trust that the resources A day after Paloma smashed into Santa which 29,818 were totally destroyed. ❑ will go where they are most needed.” Cruz del Sur with 145 mph winds, more than 800 people evacuated from the town gathered in the courtyard of the government shelter where they were being kept to hear when they could return to their homes. As they waited, Hotel California by the Eagles blared over large speakers: “You can check out any time you like,” they sang. “But you can never leave.” Among the evacuees were nearly a dozen who had been in the shelter since September, when Ike came through. In Santa Cruz del Sur, 435 homes were torn to shreds. The sea swept more than a mile inland. The wind and waves left wooden houses in splinters, topped with seaweed. Two of the two-story concrete walls of a factory crumbled into piles of rubble, smashing 57 wooden fishing boats stored inside for safekeeping. But in Cuba nothing goes to waste. Four men found a pig that drowned in the storm. They made a fire with wood from the broken boats and roasted the pig. Gilberto Legano, 43, a fisherman, was in the group. He lost his boat. Part of his Assuming a construction pace equal to the house was demolished. — FROM PAGE 2 Hurricanes national average of the past decade (48,250 “At least we’ll have a feast,” he said. sters such as Michelle (2001), Charley (2004) houses built annually from 1998 to 2007), it and Dennis (2004), all of which left a path of would take two years to build homes for all destruction and severe damages to housing the 300,000 Cubans left homeless by this hur- stock, already weakened by years of neglect ricane season alone. And that’s only if 100% of and scarcities. These three storms caused a the new dwellings are devoted to replace combined loss of $4.4 billion. those lost in the storms (see chart at right). ❑ But this past 2008 hurricane season has been the most destructive in the history of Cuba (see article above). To recover from such losses, Cuba will need to dramati- cally speed up the construction of new homes (something seemingly impossi- ble in this weak economy) — especially in the hardest- hit provinces of Pinar del Río, Las Tunas, Holguín, Camagüey and Isla de la Juventud. 4 CubaNews ❖ December 2008

Hemispheric Affairs, said the new president those hoping to change Cuba policy, and will Democrats — FROM PAGE 1 should take advantage of what he views as emerge with Bush’s departure from the Oval Obama promised to remove Bush’s restric- Cuba’s willingness to engage the Obama Office as the most powerful force defending tions on Cuban-American travel and remit- administration and of the replacement of the embargo. tances to family on the island. And he is like- Fidel Castro with his brother Raúl. Reid can count on the support of several ly to increase travel licenses for other But Birns, noting that “Raúl is much less other Senate Democrats, including Bill Nel- Americans. doctrinaire,” warned that Cuba and Latin Am- son of Florida, Frank Lautenberg of New But Anderson said she wants the new pres- erica in general won’t be a priority for a new Jersey, Ken Salazar of Colorado and Robert ident “to move beyond a Bush-lite policy” and president consumed with the nation’s finan- Menendez of New Jersey, who is expected to end all restriction on travel, period. She cial mess and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. have increased influence among Senate believes that would require an act of Democrats as the new head of the Democrtic PAC MONEY STILL TALKS Congress because a president has limited Senatorial Campaign Committee. authority over the embargo. The new Congress, to be gaveled in Jan. 6, Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from To Anderson, “travel is the linchpin.” If will also be a hard sell. Connecticut who caucuses with Democrats, Americans were permitted to freely travel to Some of its new Democratic members, also opposes removing any Cuba restrictions. Cuba, the elimination of the embargo would including incoming Sen. Mark Udall of In the House, Florida Rep. Debbie follow closely behind. Nevada and Rep. John Adler of New Jersey, Wasserman Shultz has increasingly become “It’s just the right thing to do,” she said. received political donations from the U.S. the go-to person on Cuba policy among fellow LAWG is not alone in its efforts to end the Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee. Democrats. She chairs an appropriation sub- travel ban. Other groups, including the The PAC’s Cuban-American organizers are committee and is a rising star in her party. Washington Office on Latin America and the opposed to relaxing sanctions. In 2006, they MODERATE REPUBLICANS LOSING CLOUT Center for Democracy in the Americas, have used the PAC effectively to influence a rash of received grants from the Christopher new Democratic lawmakers who wrested con- Meanwhile, the GOP has lost many of its Reynolds Foundation. trol of Congress from the GOP. members who rebelled against the party line But Obama has said that major policy Another U.S. Cuba Democracy Political on Cuba issues, including Sen. Larry Craig of changes must be linked to Cuba’s release of Action Committee recipient is Senate Major- Idaho, Reps. Chris Shays of Connecticut, Ray all political prisoners. ity Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. He remains LaHood of Illinois, Jim Leach of Iowa, Nick Larry Birns, director of the Council on the biggest stumbling block in the Senate to Smith of Michigan and George Nethercutt of Washington. “Republicans have hardened their position,” said Robert Muse, a Washington-based Chamber of Commerce: End the embargo attorney who specializes in Cuba issues. He nal Foreign Trade Council, wrote the text of suggests looking to the White House instead he U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a of Congress for change. dozen other leading business groups the letter to Obama. He circulated a similar letter a year ago, but found few organiza- “There’s no appetite on Capitol Hill. The T are asking President-elect Barack votes simply aren’t there,” Muse said, though tions willing to sign back then. Obama to initiate the process of scrapping he added that “very specific pieces of legisla- This time around, the missive was signed Washington’s trade embargo against Cuba. tion that are narrowly drafted” win congres- “Your administration has a unique oppor- by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Amer- sional approval, especially if they have a back- tunity to take steps to end nearly 50 years of ican Farm Bureau Federation, Business ing by “powerful sectoral interests.” isolation from Cuba and the Cuban people. Roundtable, National Retail Federation and The last time Congress approved a substan- We support the complete removal of all eight other groups. It cites a 2001 govern- tial bill regarding Cuba was in 2000, when leg- trade and travel restrictions on Cuba,” the ment report that estimated the Cuba islation authorizing food sales was passed. groups wrote in an open letter to Obama embargo was costing U.S. exporters up to The bill, known as the Trade Sanctions dated Dec. 4. “We recognize that change $1.2 billion annually in lost sales. Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA), may not come all at once, but it must start Colvin’s letter also points out that the was backed by organized farm groups.ever- somewhere, and it must begin soon.” U.S. Treasury Department devotes far theless, there will be another flood of bills Complaining about draconian restric- more resources to enforcing the embargo aimed at loosening the embargo introduced tions on journeys to Cuba, the organiza- than to tracking the finances of al-Qaeda. in the 111th Congress. tions said it was “simply wrong” that U.S. A new poll shows 55% of South Florida’s One of the most prominent, which was citizens are free to travel to North Korea or Cuban-Americans want to end the embargo, sponsored in the last Congress by Sens. Craig Iran but not to Cuba. while 65% say Washington should resume and Byron Dorgan (D-ND), would have They also urged the future president to diplomatic ties with their native island. allowed U.S. companies to drill for oil in make it easier for U.S. firms to take advan- Florida International University’s Inst- Cuban waters. Dorgan is expected to reintro- tage of limited exceptions to the embargo itute for Public Opinion Research inter- duce his bill, but there’s little chance Reid will that permit Cuba to buy U.S. food for cash. viewed 800 Cuban-American adults for the allow it to move forward. Havana has repeatedly made the same survey, which showed a sharp division by And U.S. oil producers — another powerful request in recent months as Cuba struggles age group; 65% of respondents aged 18-44 group that could influence lawmakers — are to recover from a nasty hurricane season. said they opposed the embargo, while 68% lukewarm about the whole prospect. Obama promised during the campaign of those 65 and over expressed support for Lee Fuller, a lobbyist with the Independent that he would scrap Bush administration keeping it in place. Petroleum Association of America, said U.S. regulations sharply limiting the ability of Asked whether there will be “great politi- producers are interested in the possibility of Cuban-Americans to visit their homeland or cal change” in Cuba, 29% of respondents massive oil deposits off the island’s north send money and goods to family members said it’ll likely occur in the next 2-5 years, coast. But that’s only because potential oil- on the island (see story above). while 25% ruled out any change as long as fields may extend to U.S. waters. While the Democrat said on the stump the Castro brothers held on to power. “We’re interested in development in U.S. that he would not end the embargo, his vic- Details: National Foreign Trade Council, waters,” he said. “But I don’t know that our tory Nov. 4 has fueled calls to normalize 1625 K Street NW, Suite #200, Washington, companies would be ready to go into Cuba.” ties between Washington and Havana. DC 20006. Tel: (202) 887-0278. Fax: (202) Fuller said the IPAA wouldn’t oppose Dor- Jake Colvin, vice-president of the Natio- 452-8160. Email: [email protected]. gan’s effort, though he added “it’s not something that we would be keenly involved in.” ❑ December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 5 POLITICAL BRIEFS

ICCAS APPEALS TO PUBLIC TO HELP STAY AFLOAT In their own words … The University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban “With Obama, talks could happen anywhere he wants ... [but] he should and Cuban-American Studies is in serious finan- remember the carrot-and-stick approach will not work with our country. The cial trouble, says director Jaime Suchlicki. sovereign rights of the Cuban people are not negotiable.” In an email blitz to supporters, Suchlicki wrote — Fidel Castro, in a Dec. 5 essay that followed a suggestion by brother Raúl that that “these are difficult times for all of us. he and Obama should hold talks at the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo Bay. Educational institutions that depend on the kind- ness of donors like you are particularly hurting.” Even though UM’s Cuba Transition Project is “We acknowledge Russia’s right to take measures and reply to the growing getting $500,000 a year from the U.S. Agency for aggression of the United States and NATO, which are trying to encircle her.” International Development, that money must be — Felipe Pérez Roque, addressing reporters at a Nov. 11 conference in Moscow. spent on promoting democracy in Cuba. However, when asked directly about the possible deployment of a Russian missile “That has nothing to with the institute,” he told defense system on Cuban soil, Cuba’s foreign minister said “the answer is no.” CubaNews. “I can’t use that money to pay my staff, take people out to dinner or conduct Cuba- “We’ve overcome the pause that appeared in our relations in the past decade related seminars. I’m short $200,000, and the and today our contacts are intensive and friendly.” problem is that people are not giving.” — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, at a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Suchlicki said he’s already had to slash his full- Felipe Pérez Roque during the latter’s recent visit to Moscow (see above). time staff from six to four; he may have to elimi- nate another position if cash doesn’t arrive soon. “The poll has an extraordinary historical importance. [The results reflect] In his letter, Suchlicki said “ICCAS has a lot to the fact that Cuban-Americans who were born in the United States or left after be proud considering what we have accom- 1980 do not have the same vision as those who came in the 1960s.” plished: sending information to Cubans in the — Guarione Díaz, president of the nonpartisan Cuban American National Coun- island about transition; keeping the U.S. govern- cil, commenting on a Florida International University poll showing that for the ment, media and others informed about what’s first time ever, a majority of South Florida exiles want the trade embargo to end. happening in Cuba; promoting Cuban culture through programs, lectures, publications and “I am tired of these polls that mean nothing. The point is that three mem- teaching the younger generation about Cuban bers of Congress who support the embargo were elected by an overwhelming history and culture. majority of the people. The re-election of these Congress members tells me “To continue this work we need your help and that this sample is not a majority. I don’t believe this poll.” generosity,” he said. “I hope you can find it in Ninoska Pérez your heart to support our work.” — , president of the Cuban Liberty Council and a strident opponent Details: Jaime Suchlicki, ICCAS, University of of any relaxation of the embargo, commenting on the same FIU poll (see above). Miami, PO Box 248174, Miami, FL 33124. Tel: (305) 284-2822. Email: [email protected]. “The way that Cuban-Americans are looking at policy is change through engagement, not isolation. That coincides with Obama’s general approach to CUBA GETS NEW FOREIGN INVESTMENT MINISTER global affairs and what he has said about Cuba.” Cuban leader Raul Castro has named Rodrigo — Carlos Pascual, vice-president for foreign policy at Washington’s Brookings Malmierca Díaz as the new minister for foreign Institution, which along with the Cuba Study Group funded the FIU poll. investment and economic collaboration, replacing Marta Lomas Morales. “Everything you lost, we’re going to replace — maybe not tomorrow but Malmierca, 52, recently completed his mission quickly.” as Cuban ambassador to the United Nations, ac- — Raúl Castro, speaking Nov. 12 to residents of Santa Cruz del Sur, a fishing vil- cording to the daily Communist Party newspaper lage in the province of Camagüey that was badly damaged by Hurricane Paloma. Granma. Malmierca has served as vice minister, director and in other positions in the Foreign “I’m sorry, but I think this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio sta- Investment Ministry, which oversees Cuba’s joint- tions known for these pranks.” venture projects with foreign companies, as well — Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), right before hanging up on President-elect as NGOs operating in the country. Barack Obama earlier this month. The Cuban-American lawmaker later apolo- DOCUMENTS REVEAL FBI PROBE OF BOBBY FISCHER gized and joked with Obama, saying she was deeply embarrassed by the fiasco. The FBI investigated Bobby Fischer in 1965 “We have before us the immense challenge of how to face a new chapter in after the Cold War icon and chess champion creat- the cultural struggle against the enemy. [If Barack Obama follows through on ed controversy at a tournament in Cuba, says the promises to lift restrictions on exile travel to Cuba] it could spark a new chap- Miami Herald, citing newly disclosed documents. ter in the ideological war between the uban revolution and imperialism.” The FBI dossier, obtained under a Freedom of — Armando Hart, the 78-year-old patriarch of Cuban communists, in an article in Information Act request, shows the bureau’s Granma quoted as part of a Nov. 8 political analysis by AP reporter Anita Snow. Mexico City office began probing the late chess prodigy after a headline-grabbing trip to Havana. Once in Cuba, Fischer sparked an international “If Obama can create sensible and respectful relations with Cuba, such an stir when he refused to play against the Soviets act would be of great importance. Cuba may be a small island, but from the because the match would be on a Saturday, con- disastrous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion and the 1962 nuclear standoff to years of flicting with his religious practices (in his later Castro-backed leftism across the Americas, it has caused us an abnormal am- life, Fischer was known for anti-semitic diatribes). ount of pain. A change in Cuba policy by the new administration would During his stay, Fischer played against Fidel signal a huge change in American attitudes toward the entire world.” Castro; both sides got advice from chess masters, — Georgie Ann Geyer, columnist for Universal Press Syndicate. and Fidel won. Parts of the 12-page dossier were redacted by the FBI, which cited national security. 6 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 INFRASTRUCTURE Despite storm damage, Port of Guayabal still a top priority

This is the 10th in a series of articles on Cuban ports. Previous stories have analyzed the shipping ports of Mariel, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Nipe, Moa, Cárdenas and Puerto Padre.

BY OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENT or decades Guayabal has been an essential sugar shipping port for Cuba. Established early last century as a bagged sugar ter- F minal, Guayabal was upgraded to a bulk sugar terminal in the early 1960s serving sugar refineries in southern Camagüey province. It has also been a key port for the shipment of alcohol and molasses. In the 1980s, at the height of Cuba’s sugar industry, the Granma bulk sugar terminal at Guayabal ranked third by volume of exports among all specialized sugar shipping ports in Cuba. It handled over 12% of all the island’s sugar and byproducts, or one million tons per year — valued in excess of $900 million — from the productive mills (formerly Vertientes) and Amancio Rodríguez (Francisco) producing of southern Camagüey and Las Tunas provinces. some 140,000 and 100,000 tons respectively in the mid-1980s. Specifically, the port was associated with the sugar mills of Panamá Other mills it served were Haití (Macareño), Perú (Jobabo), Colombia (Elia), Cándido González (Santa Marta), Alfredo Alvarez Mola (Najasa) and several new mills built in the 1980s: Batalla de las Guásimas, Jesús Suárez Gayol and Combate de la Sacra. The port is, in fact, a long pier built on the shallow waters of the Cuban sea shelf at the Gulf of Guacanayabo, in a low open and marshy shoreline bordered by an extended mangrove belt. The village of Guayabal is devoted to the port’s needs. Due to its location in shallow muddy waters the port has to be dragged regularly to keep it operational. Vessels can be loaded in two berthing places. Guayabal Este is a concrete berth 590 feet long and with maximum draft of 29 feet that can accommodate ships up to 20,000 tons deadweight, while Guayabal Oeste is a 650-ft-long concrete pier served by the bulk terminal con- veyor belt with a maximum draft of 34 feet that can accommodate vessels up to 30,000 tons deadweight. Two anchorage places nearby can hold over a dozen large cargo vessels in queue. Lack of dredging and the recent impact of Hurricane Paloma could change these specs as shown on the official website of Consignatarias Mambisa — www.mambisa.cu — the Cuban sea cargo agency. In spite of the 2002 downsizing of Cuba’s sugar industry (five of the mills previously mentioned are dismantled), Guayabal retains some relative importance. It currently handles the sugar and byproducts of seven Cuban provinces. Besides Las Tunas and southern Camagüey, it also receives cargo from Ciego de Avila, Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. On Nov. 8, Paloma delivered an almost-direct hit on the port of Guayabal. The Category-3 storm smashed into Camagüey province’s south coast exactly 76 years after another hurricane — the Category- 5 storm of Santa Cruz — took 3,033 lives in the very same area. See Guayabal, page 9 December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 7 FOREIGN INVESTMENT Leadership shows renewed interest in attracting FDI BY DOMINGO AMUCHASTEGUI In 2008, FDI in oil and petrochemicals have Camagüey’s rich San Felipe nickel deposits. ack in 1995, a sense of optimism pre- taken the lead, mostly due to the Venezuelan- Both projects were canceled by China with- vailed as Cuba approved a new invest- Cuban oil refinery in Cienfuegos. The contri- out public explanation, angering Cubans who Bment law that was unusual for two rea- bution by Venezuela’s PDVSA covers most of had considered them crucial investments. sons. First, it allowed not only joint ventures the funds so far committed. Oil, nickel and biotech have been the focus but also 100% foreign ownership of property. Cuba has also announced the building of a of ongoing talks that also include the CEOs of Secondly, under the new law, investment new major refinery on its northwestern coast, large Chinese and Russian conglomerates. projects would be expeditiously considered though it’s not yet know how much FDI and In the context of Medvedev’s visit to Hav- by authorities, with final, straightforward which foreign partners will be involved ana, Russian mining and energy giant Norilsk answers given within a 60-day time frame. besides Venezuela. Nickel has confirmed its intent to invest in But when debated at the National Assem- BRAIL RAISES ITS PROFILE Cuba’s nickel sector (see box, below left). bly, Fidel Castro publicly rejected the notion AMERICAN OIL INVESTORS WELCOME TOO of 100% property ownership by foreigners and In the oil business, significant help will insisted that such a clause be considered as come from Brazil, which was absent from There also might be a glimmer of hope an exception of last resort. Cuba’s quest for oil for nearly a decade — regarding Cuba’s most important potential in- Thirteen years later, excluding a very small after a failed attempt by Petrobrás in 2002. vestor: the United States. Recent statements energy project on Isla de la Juventud, there The recent signed between Petrobrás and made by Raúl Castro could not be more con- have been virtually no exceptions — and for- Cuba’s state-run Cupet in November was per- ducive to a better relationship. eign investors continue to complain about sonally supported by President Luiz Inácio Following a similar tone, high-ranking offi- delays and bureaucratic slugglishness. Lula da Silva, who promised his Cuban coun- cials of Cupeo said they’d welcome any U.S. As a result, foreign direct investment (FDI) terpart they’d find oil, no matter how deep participation in drilling in Cuba’s offshore still plays a tiny role in Cuba’s overall eco- they’d have to drill and “turn it into energy.” waters — which the government claims holds Lula’s foreign-policy advisor, Marco Aurelio nomic picture; only 2% of Cuba’s workforce is up to 20 billion barrels of oil. even linked to FDI. Garcia, later said Brazil plans to make major investments in Cuban infrastructure, energy Similarly, top executives from the sugar Since the 1980s, Fidel has refused many and foreign trade ministries have outlined important offers in agriculture and other and industry. Brazilian leaders have repeatedly said several important projects which require cru- areas from potential investors. Almost three they’d like to position their country as Cuba’s cial foreign invesment. decades were largely wasted because of this leading trade partner. In this sense, Cuba's HURRICANE DAMAGE OFFERS AN OPENING attitude and today — with four major excep- recent admission to the Grupo de Rio — tions (telecom, nickel, oil and hotel manage- unthinkable without Brazil’s active support — Out of the blue, a recently published article ment), FDI and joint ventures have played lit- is not only another diplomatic victory for Hav- by respected Cuban economist Alejandro tle or no role at all. ana, but will also encourage Mexico and other Aguilar discusses Cuba’s nationalization of In the last two years, some changes have Latin American countries to boost their eco- U.S. properties and the issue of compensation been in the making. Since the latest hurricane nomic involvement with Cuba. in all its aspects. In a surprising conclusion, devastation, these changes are clearly more An oil partnership with Mexico’s state-run Aguilar says these matters — absent from the visible — but still limited. Pemex could be in the offing very soon, with Cuban media for over 40 years — can all be Mexican President Felipe Calderón likely to settled through negotiations. Russia seeks stake in nickel visit Cuba sometime next year. Such an article could not have come from his own initiative. In a telling development, Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel is RUSSIA, CHINA DON’T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT one of Fidel's latest “reflexiones” admits how considering the possibility of becoming The 27-year European Union, and Spain in badly Third World nations are in need of an operator in a metals construction proj- particular, has taken a similar position. “receiving investments and soft loans.” ect in Cuba, the company’s CEO told The EU-Cuba road to normalization of rela- If under Bush, it was possible to open a Moscow-based RIA Novosti on Nov. 29. tions was solidified after the visit of Cuba's loophole in the embargo that Cuba to buy Vladimir Strzhalkovsky said it would foreign minister, Felipe Pérez Roque, to Spain U.S. agricultural commodities in the wake of take 6-9 months to complete a feasibility and France in October. damages resulting from Hurricane Michelle study, after which Cuba would ask Russia The following month, Spanish Foreign in 2001, then the current devastation left by for a loan to implement the project. Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos pushed for three consecutive hurricanes should open “I believe that Cuba has a good chance an expanded relationship with Cuba — new windows of opportunities at the levels of of getting it,” said Strzhalkovsky. including greater economic cooperation, the Congress and the Obama administration to In November, state-run Cubaniquel and renegotiation of Cuba’s $1.8 billion debt, introduce much-needed constructive engage- Norilsk Nickel signed a memo of under- increased development assistance and the ment with Havana. standing on cooperation in prospecting issuance of new lines of credit; a $125 million From Brazil’s Lula to Mexico’s Calderón, for solid serpentinites at Nicaro mines. credit line has already been granted. many leaders share this view and will encour- They also agreed to exchange special- Ties are also clearly warming with two of age the new administration to move along ists and share experience in mining, mar- the world’s heavyweights: China and Russia. such lines. This, plus the enormous econom- keting and environmental issues. In November, Cuba received the presidents of ic and social pressures left by Gustav, Ike and Norilsk Nickel is Russia’s largest diver- both nations, Hu Jintao and Dmitri Medvedev. Paloma, are laying the groundwork to make sified mining and metals giant, the world’s Hu agreed to put off unspecified debt pay- FDI a more visible and effective component of No. 1 producer of nickel and palladium, ments for 10 years and gave Cuba $80 million Cuba’s economic recovery. ❑ and one of the world’s top producers of for hospital modernization and other projects. platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. Nothing was said, however, about Hu’s pre- Former Cuban intelligence officer Domingo It also mines gold, silver, tellurium, vious commitment, made in 2004, to sink $500 Amuchastegui has lived in Miami since 1994. selenium, iridium and ruthenium. million into Holguín’s nickel industry and He writes regularly for CubaNews about politics build a $1.5 billion refinery at the site of in Cuba and the South Florida exile community. 8 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 NEWSMAKERS Dissident writer Jorge Olivera: ‘There’s no turning back’ BY TRACEY EATON The judge tacked on another three years after libraries, 10 independent unions, over a dozen orge Olivera works into the night, tapping Olivera said some harsh words during the political parties, and hundreds of human away on a donated laptop, risking freedom court proceedings. His jail term included nine rights organizations,” Utset said. Jto write stories he rarely sees published. months in solitary confinement at a prison in Olivera insists that the opposition move- “I can’t live without writing,” said Olivera, a Guantánamo in eastern Cuba. ment has been infiltrated by spies. An agent strapping ex-soldier who served in Angola. “At times, I thought I was going to die in posing as a journalist testified against him at “As a human being, I have a right to express there,” Olivera said. “I told God I didn't think his 2003 trial. Cuban security agents are “very myself and tell my truth.” I’d make it out alive.” efficient,” he said. But journalists working outside Cuba’s official press lead a solitary, often dangerous existence. Olivera, 48, was arrested in 2003 CANF and spent more than 20 months in prison before authorities released him. On Dec. 6, Olivera marked his fourth year of freedom. Much has changed during those four years — and much remains the same. Fidel Castro, 82, is no longer Cuba’s president. He has not appeared in public since emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006. His 77-year-old brother, Raúl, was named president in February 2008. He quickly announced reforms, loosening restrictions on private farms, allowing Cubans to stay in tourist hotels and lifting bans on the sales of computers and other electronics. But the new president also made it clear he had no plans to scrap socialism. As Olivera sees it, Cuban leaders have only one concern: Staying in power. “There’s no will to change,” said the journalist in an exclusive interview with CubaNews at his apartment in Habana Vieja. “There’s only a strategy to survive, to buy time.” Cuban officials scoff at such talk and blame the United States for many of their country’s economic troubles. The U.S. has banned Independent journalist, writer and poet Jorge Olivera works on a laptop at his apartment in Old Havana. most trade with Cuba for more than 45 years, which Cuban officials describe as the longest, While in Guantánamo, he said he endured Indeed, no one knows how many spies are most severe economic sanctions ever “roaches, rats, clouds of mosquitoes” and posing as pro-democracy activists in Cuba. imposed on any nation. “water full of mud.” He said he had intestinal Some agents work undercover for decades Officials also accuse Washington of spend- problems and was sick for a year. before admitting they are spies. ing hundreds of millions of dollars to “manu- “The food I ate was for pigs,” Olivera said. “We have only revealed a small part of what facture” an opposition movement in Cuba. “Sometimes it was rotten.” we know,” Cuba’s foreign minister, Felipe Authorities released him on a conditional Pérez Roque, said after the 2003 crackdown. ‘IT FELT LIKE A HORROR MOVIE’ medical parole. He said state security agents Olivera said he prefers to work alone Cuban authorities say their patience ran now watch him and monitor his activities. He because he doesn't know who he can trust. out when U.S. diplomats began meeting with cannot leave Havana without permission. But he can’t avoid contact with other writers — and potential spies. dissidents, pro-democracy activists and inde- DISSIDENT MOVEMENT FULL OF SPIES pendent journalists in Havana in March 2003. CUBA: THE LAND OF LAZY So they jailed 75 people, including Olivera, Since the Black Spring, about 20 of the 75 and accused them of working with the U.S. to arrested have been freed. Cuba’s pro-democ- CubaNet News, a South Florida organiza- “subvert order” in Cuba. Overseas human racy movement has bounced back and even tion that is financed by National Endowment rights activists condemned the crackdown, grown, according to Xavier Utset, who has for Democracy, the U.S. Agency for Interna- which dissidents call “the Black Spring.” studied Cuba’s pro-democracy movement. tional Development and other groups, distrib- Olivera said police swept into his home on But it’s been “truly surprising” pro-democ- utes much of Olivera’s work on the Internet. Mar. 18, 2003. “It seemed like they were racy activists didn’t seize the “historic mom- Olivera often writes essays critical of the going after Jack the Ripper,” he said. “I felt ent” after Fidel fell ill, Utset wrote in a June Cuban revolution. In a Dec. 5 dispatch, he like I was in a horror movie.” 2008 report on Cuba’s democracy movement. calls Cuba the “land of lazy” where people re- Prosecutors accused Olivera of writing Dissidents likely “were not confident sort to petty crime because wages are so low. “crude lies” portraying Cuba as a place of enough to push for reforms at such a critical “What is $20 a month?” he writes. “Does chaos, corruption and crime. They said his impasse,” he wrote. the government think that the island is popu- work aided “hostile” White House policies and Many of Cuba’s dissident groups are tiny, lated by wizards who have the ability to turn a was part of a larger plan to “destabilize and with only a few members each. few bills into a fortune?” destroy the Cuban revolution from within.” The pro-democracy groups include “15 in- “From these lands sprout indifference, He received an 15-year prison sentence. dependent press agencies, 100 independent See Olivera, page 9 December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 9 said he worked as a television producer, mak- Olivera — FROM PAGE 8 ing $10 per month. But he said he grew disil- LEGAL BRIEFS lusioned with state-run media and felt he was denial, alienation…The revolution is going OFAC IMPOSES $43,000 IN CUBA-RELATED FINES against the tide without a compass…For the complicit in a lie. So in 1991, he climbed on a raft and tried to escape. most part, young people who do not believe in The Treasury Department’s Office of For- “I didn’t have a future,” he said. “I had eign Assets Control has fined three U.S. com- anything or anyone.” already drowned.” panies more than $43,000 for violating the Olivera also writes poems about love and The Cuban Coast Guard caught him and U.S. embargo of Cuba. romance, relationships and rafters. returned him to Havana. He said he soon quit According to the Notimex news agency, one In a piece called “I don’t know how to forget his TV job and began openly working with the of the firms is Myers Industries, a major dis- you,” he writes, “With your anger the shad- political opposition in 1993. tributor of tools and supplies for tire repairs. ows descend from one bitter word, a forest of “Nobody has the absolute truth,” he said. “I The company, based in Akron, Ohio, agreed thorns is born…” have at least a small part of the truth and I to pay $16,250 after it voluntarily made the He’s president of a 37-member group called have to tell it.” case public and admitted that in 2004, one of Independent Writers of Cuba. He said he Olivera said some government supporters its foreign subsidiaries sold products to Cuba without the required OFAC license. Another company, Priceline.com, which sells airplane tickets and makes hotel reserva- tions through the Internet, was fined $12,250. “From these lands sprout indifference, denial, alienation ... The Likewise, the Center for Intercultural revolution is going against the tide without a compass. For the Studies in Amherst, Mass., was fined $15,000. Last year, Travelocity, another Internet trav- most part, young people who do not believe in anything or anyone.” el agency, had to pony up $182,750 for running afoul of the embago, while this year — INDEPENDENT SHORT-STORY WRITER, NOVELIST AND POET JORGE OLIVERA Spirit Airlines was forced to pay $100,000. During fiscal 2008, OFAC fines totaled over $2 million, the highest amount since strict hopes to form a Cuban branch of English think he’s in it for the money. But he’s clearly new regulations took effect in 2004 on remit- PEN, an 87-year-old London association that not getting rich. The furniture in his apart- tances and U.S. travel to Cuba. supporters writers around the world. ment dates to his childhood, although he CUBA SUES KANSAS FIRM OVER ‘HAVANA’ NAME “We’re doing work that society needs,” finally bought a new mattress three years ago. Olivera said. “I see Cuba as a valley of shad- Still, he said, he remains disillusioned and Cuba is taking a Kansas City manufacturer ows and we’re small points of light.” has tried to leave Cuba since getting out of to federal court over its use of the word Cat Lucas, a campaigns assistant at English prison. But he said immigration authorities “Havana” to describe some of its products. PEN, has translated many of Olivera’s poems haven’t let him. Habanos SA claims cigar-cutter maker Xikar and short stories. He said he’s learned that So he writes. Inc. infringes on the Cuban government’s life after prison has been tough for Olivera. Olivera said his fourth book, a collection of trademark of the word “Havana” and the “Every time there is a knock at the door, he poems, will likely be published in Spain in phrase “Habanos Unicos Desde 1492.” can’t help but think that it is the police coming January. “I do my work with all the conviction Xikar sells a cigar accessories collection to get him,” Lucas said. “Nevertheless, he in the world. I’ve invested a third of my life in called the Havana Collection. According to the continues to write and publish his work, this. There’s no turning back.” ❑ suit, filed Sept. 22 before the U.S. Patent and something which I find truly admirable.” Trademark Office’s appeal board, Xikar “pro- Tracey Eaton, a former Cuba correspondent motes its goods by deliberately and falsely Olivera said he used to think that the for the Dallas Morning News, was based in Hav- Cuban revolution was “a wonderful thing.” associating those goods with Havana, Cuba” ana from 2000 to 2005 and now teaches jour- even though the items aren’t made in Havana. At 19, he served with the Cuban military in nalism in St. Augustine, Fla. To visit his blog, go Xikar is the world’s leading manufacturer of Angola. After he returned to the island, he to http://alongthemalecon.blogspot.com/. cigar cutters. The suit came as a big surprise to the company, which says it’s surprised that “the Cuban government would attempt to Regime warns Cuba’s top blogger: back off extend its totalitarian influence to control an had “transgressed all the limits of tolerance American company using our courts.” olice have prohibited Cuba’s most pro- Details: David Goldstein, Rabinowitz Boudin minent blogger from attending an inde- with your closeness and contact with ele- Standard Krinsky & Lieberman, 111 Broad- Ppendent cyber-workshop and warned ments of the counterrevolution.” way, Suite #1102, New York, NY 10006. Tel: that her activities ran afoul of the law, the Another blogger, Claudia Cadelo, was al- (212) 254-1111. Email: [email protected]. Associated Press reported Dec. 5. so summoned by police, but failed to appear Yoani Sánchez and her husband, fellow because she is in the hospital, Escobar said. Guayabal — FROM PAGE 6 blogger Reynaldo Escobar, were summoned The gathering was supposed to involve separatel to a police station near their apart- about 20 bloggers and is being organized by Even though Paloma wasn’t nearly as dead- ment in Havana’s Vedado district and repri- Dagoberto Valdes, a Roman Catholic lay- ly as the 1932 monster, it nevertheless caused manded, said Escobar. Authorities told the man in Pinar del Rio. Valdes was the volun- damages to housing and factories throughout couple they could not travel to Pinar del Rio teer director of the church magazine Vitral, the area. According to the Cuban media, it for a two-day blogger’s workshop. destroyed 110 homes and damaged another “We aren’t attending the inauguration, which gently called for more plurality and democratic participation, until he was fired 127, leaving about 340 people homeless and which has not been suspended. We’ve just 390 affected in a village that has only 607 changed the dynamic of how we are meet- by the island’s bishop in April 2007. homes and 1,864 residents. The tidal wave ing,” said Escobar, without elaborating. An associate of Valdes, Virgilio Toledo, An account of the reprimand appears on said Pinar del Rio authorities also warned penetrated nearly half a mile inland. Sánchez’s blog, “Generacion Y.” The site local activists not to attend the workshop. Along with Havana, Cienfuegos, Mariel, Ca- was quickly blocked to local Internet users. “They think it’s an activity about human rúpano, Nuevitas and Santiago de Cuba, Gua- Sánchez said police warned her that she rights, which it’s not,” Toledo told AP. yabal has been targeted for priority investment by Cuba’s Transportation Ministry. 10 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 AGRICULTURE Hurricanes jeopardize Cuba’s future cigar production BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA “There are currently shipping delays, but “Our prices have not gone up,” said Isabel igar distributors around the world are we will be able to fully supply our distributors Linares, the manager of Toronto’s high-end worried that the widespread damage in 2009,” García told ECCJ, though he added La Casa de Habano cigar retailer. Interesting- Cinflicted by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav that some 800 to 1,000 tons of filler and binder ly, another Toronto retailer, Thomas Hinds — which both slammed into Cuba’s major tobacco were ruined by the hurricanes. Tobacconist, noted a slight decrease in prices cigar-producing province of Pinar del Río in Along with the herculean task of rebuilding for reasons independent of the hurricanes. late August and September — could disrupt the curing barns, temporary housing had to “When the dollar was down, we were sell- future supplies of prized smokes like the be found for workers left homeless by the ing Cohiba Esplendidos for C$60 per stick,” famed Cohiba Esplendido. storms, with Habanos SA’s co-owner Imperial Michel Marty, manager of Thomas Hinds, These concerns have been reinforced by expected to provide assistance in order to pre- told CubaNews by phone. The price is now dramatic images posted on Cuba-themed vent a labor shortage in the area. C$57. “Before, it was C$66 a stick.” websites that show extensive flooding of Meanwhile, cigar retailers said that for the Toronto-based Havana House, the official time being the back-to-back hurricanes distributor of Cuban cigars in Canada, houses and streets turned into rivers ❑ throughout the island. haven’t led to any price increases. declined to comment for this article. CubaNews phoned various Cuban cigar im- porters and retailers to get their take on this situation. Simon Chase, marketing director at Hun- ters & Frankau, the exclusive U.K. importer of fine Cuban cigars, said the chief source of Cuban cigars, Habanos SA, is not providing any hard information on recovery efforts within Cuba’s tobacco industry. “Hurricane Gustav’s devastating winds did significant damage to Cuba’s cigar-producing areas,” said Chase, expressing dismay with the global media’s scant coverage of Cuba’s hurricane disasters. “The golden area to the left of the hurricane track didn’t do as bad — the critical zone was not greatly damaged.” The “golden zone” refers to areas where where tobacco used to provide the country’s top-selling cigars is grown. “Planting would not have been done until mid-October. We’re talking only a handful of fields,” Chase told CubaNews, noting that the hardest-hit fields in Pinar del Río were used to cultivate tobacco leaves only for local con- sumption. “That was not a particularly signif- Judge rules in favor of Cuba in Cohiba lawsuit icant area. They won’t produce much tobac- he Cohiba trademark case that refus- was entitled to relief. General Cigar, a unit of co [next season].” es to die has just taken another turn, Swedish Match AB, had no comment. reports the New York-based maga- The litigation goes back 11 years since SITUATION MAY BE WORSE THAN THEY SAY T zine Cigar Aficionado. General Cigar began marketing products However, the Vienna-based cigar publica- Although the trademark dispute over the with the Cohiba name in 1997. Cubatabaco tion European Cigar Cult Journal (ECCJ) has Cohiba brand name was dismissed in 2005, has attempted to block General’s use of the its own inside connections at the Habanos SA allowing General Cigar Co. to keep using brand name ever since, and won the first office in Havana, and was given a bleaker pic- the Cohiba mark in the United States, the round of legal battles in 2004. ture by its top executive, Manuel García. case was reopened, and it was just over- But, as Cigar Aficionado reported, when García told ECCJ that it will be “the end of turned in light of a new legal precedent. General appealed in 2005, the Second U.S. the year” before regional releases for 2008 Cigar Aficionado reporter Gregory Mot- Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. are made available — meaning that regional tola reported Dec. 3 that Cubatabaco — the embargo on Cuban goods precluded Cuba- cigar releases, previous scheduled for an Cuban state entity that owns Cuba’s cigar tabaco from claiming any benefit of the autumn arrival, should now hit cigar retailers trademarks — had appealed to the U.S. Dis- Cohiba brand name. before Christmas. trict Court, Southern District of New York, García confirmed Chase’s observations citing a prior Court of Appeals ruling (ITC v. It was also determined that Cubatabaco that seedlings for the fall season had not yet Punchgini) as a basis for its claim against had failed to established “bad faith,” an ele- been planted when both Gustav and Ike hit General Cigar, producers of the Dominican ment needed to make the claim of unfair Cuba, acknowledging that this year’s tobacco Cohiba cigar sold in the United States. trade by misappropriation. crop was unaffected by the storms. After reviewing Empresea Cubana del Ta- Cubatabaco argued that a 2007 ruling in He provided details on the physical dam- baco v. Culbro Corp. (Culbro being the for- ITC v. Punchgini eliminated the “bad faith” age the tobacco-growing areas endured, in mer owner of General Cigar), Judge Robert requirement as being integral to the claim particular some 3,400 curing barns (casas de Sweet found Nov. 18 that General Cigar was of misappropriation. Judge Sweet agreed. tabaco, used for drying tobacco leaves) guilty of unfair trade by misappropriation. Cubatabaco is seeking relief that includes demolished by the storms, and another 2,000 Furthermore, Sweet ruled that Cubatabaco General’s profits on Cohiba cigar sales. partially damaged. December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 11 AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE BRIEFS CUBA TURNS TO GMOs TO MEET FOOD DEMAND Sugar minister Rosales is promoted Massive planting of genetically modified uba has named Sugar Minister Ulises restructuring beginning in 2003. crops is expected starting in 2009, according Rosales del Toro to run the Ministry of During his term, 65% of the country’s mills to Cuba’s Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (Centro de Ingeniería CAgriculture and ordered massive tracts were closed and plantations were reduced by of land no longer producing sugar moved to Genética y Biotecnología) or CIGB. a similar amount, and the freed-up land and Pilot projects began with corn planted on his jurisdiction in the latest phase of the more than 200,000 workers and farmers were industry’s restructuring. 2.2 acres; authorities plan to expand that to moved to food production and forestry. over 100 acres, according to Carlos Borroto, Reuters reported Nov. 26 that the Sugar Raw sugar output, once over 8 million tons, Ministry’s first vice-minister, Luís Manuel the agency’s director of agricultural research. plummeted to historic lows of just over a mil- Borroto told reporters the harvest of that Avila González, was named sugar minister. lion tons in recent years before rising to 1.5 “Within six months, land dedicated to non- corn will provide enough seeds to sow anoth- sugar agriculture will be transferred from the million tons during the 2008 harvest. er 12,000 acres, and that phase will be under- Sugar Ministry to the Agriculture Ministry,” taken once the CIGB obtains authorization according to the statement. U.S. food sales reach $536m from other government agencies. Only 700,000 hectares of the over two mil- The controversial method using biotechnol- lion hectares (5 million acres) controlled by U.S.-Cuba trade group says the island ogy to grow food for human and animal con- the Sugar Ministry are currently dedicated to has spent a record $536 million for sumption enjoys strong support among Cuban sugar cane. Sugar, once Cuba’s main source American agriculture goods through the scientists, who intend to prove its safety above of foreign exchange, accounted for less than third quarter, already surpassing all all doubt and thus obtain the corresponding 5% of goods and services exports in 2007. annual amounts since 2001. international recognition. Local experts applauded the move as the The U.S. Trade and Economic Council Borroto said that CIGB tests include next logical step in the complicated and said most of the growth is because of requirements in these genetically modified potentially volatile process of dismantling price increases, and not quantities. Cuba organisms (GMOs) that exceed those applied sugar’s centuries-old dominance of the econo- has been allowed to buy U.S. food and in international practice. my and rural life. agricultural products with cash payments After three hurricanes in only two months They said the decision would allow the since 2000. It began taking advantage of left damages exceeding $10 billion — among sugar industry to better focus on its mission, the loophole in the embargo after which agriculture was one of the worst-hit and speculated the once powerful ministry Hurricane Michelle ravaged parts of the sectors from one end of the island to the would eventually become a department with- island in November 2001. other — researchers were urged to work “a in the Agriculture Ministry under Rosales. Meanwhile, Cuba is boosting food pur- million times more intensely” to guarantee Rosales, an army general and Communist chases to mitigate the effects of two re- enough food production for the future. party leader close to former Defense Minister cent hurricanes. In October, Alimport Cuba imports over $2 billion in food for its and now President Raúl Castro, was named to signed a contract to buy 150,000 tons of 11.2 million citizens, about 80% of total con- the sugar post more than a decade ago. Canadian wheat for around $43 million. sumption. This year, however, imports jumped Rosales presided over the first phases of 50% in the wake of the powerful storms. Details: Carlos Borroto, Director de Investi- gaciones Agropecuarias, Centro de Ingeniería N.D. potato deal ‘lost in translation’ Genética y Biotecnología, Avenida 31 e/158 y 190, Playa, La Habana 10600. Tel: +53 7 271- orth Dakota Agriculture Commissioner which would be a first since the U.S. imposed 8008. Fax: +53 7 273-6008. Email: carlos.bor- Roger Johnson says a deal to ship seed its embargo against Cuba in the early 1960s. [email protected]. URL: www.cigb.edu.cu. Npotatoes to Cuba has stalled, in part A deal brokered to ship seed potatoes last over a language barrier. year languished after U.S.regulators failed to MALAWI TO EXPORT RED BEANS TO CUBA “There is zero chance North Dakota seed come up with rules for inspecting the crop. The southern African nation of Malawi has potatoes will be going to Cuba this fall — the The federal government approved rules in clinched a deal to export 15,000 metric tons of calendar just got away,” said Johnson, who August to deal with potato food-safety issues, red beans to Cuba, reports FreshPlaza. was quoted in a Nov. 1 story by AP. known as “sanitary and phytosanitary meas- Malawi’s minister of industry and trade, Johnson said he still doesn’t know where ures,” that ensure the commodity is disease Henry Mussa, said the deal came about after the potato shipments will be inspected, either and insect-free. Cuba experienced hurricanes which in North Dakota or a seaport. Two Cuban inspectors toured seed potato destroyed its crops. The Cuban proposal, when translated to fields in the state's Red River Valley last year “We have been given an outright deal to English, says potato shipments would be and plan to return to North Dakota when the export to Cuba about 15,000 metric tons of inspected at a “loading port” but Johnson potatoes were ready to be shipped, Johnson red beans, which is worth nearly $12 million,” believes it should be “loading point.” said. The USDA also has worked with Maine he told a local newspaper, the Daily Times. “We believe there is a problem with the and Minnesota on seed potato inspection Apart from the bean deal, Malawi has English translation,” Johnson said. “A loading rules for Cuba. agreed to assist Cuba with its knowledge of port would be next to water and a loading Johnson believes the agreement between fruit processing. point would be in North Dakota. It seems to the U.S. and Cuba will be worked out in time Malawi is said to have showcased several suggest they are changing their position on for a shipment next year, and that the lan- agricultural commodities which included where the inspection will occur, but we really guage questions will be settled. groundnuts, tea, and coffee at the recent don’t think they are.” “I think they will be overcome,” Johnson Havana International Fair. Johnson said Cuban officials returned the said. “There is a very clear eagerness now at Statistics indicate Malawi produces about rules to U.S. officials with “two or three places USDA and in Cuba to get a document signed.” 34,000 metric tons of high-quality beans annu- suggesting changes that are all relatively Details: North Dakota Department of Agri- ally. Early this year the country also said it minor.” The USDA is working on a response. culture, 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 602, Bis- would export some of its products to China, North Dakota officials have tried for two marck, ND 58505. Tel: (701) 328-4754. Fax: with which it recently established diplomatic years to ship domestic seed potatoes to Cuba, (701) 328-4567. Email: [email protected]. ties soon after breaking relations with Taiwan. 12 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 RELIGION Cuba warms up to Catholic, Russian Orthodox church n an unprecedented move aimed at improv- Olallo, who lived from 1820 to 1889, dedi- Great Russian War, after the treacherous Nazi ing ties with the Roman Catholic Church, cated his life to caring for the poor and sick in attack, Stalin turned to her for support to the IPresident Raúl Castro attended mass Nov. Camagüey. Since then, Cubans have prayed workers and peasants that the October 30 with Cuba’s Catholic hierarchy and thou- to the humble monk to help heal the sick. Revolution had changed into the owners of sands of devotees to beatify a 19th century In 1989, on the 100th anniversary of Olallo’s factories and the land.” Cuban friar known as the “father of the poor.” death, the church started his beatification. Yet in an opinion piece published Nov. 21 in For months prior to the beatification of José This is Olallo’s final step before canonization, Slate, Christopher Hitchens wondered what’s Olallo Valdes, Cuba’s state media — which when he’ll officially be recognized as a saint. behind Cuba’s support for the new edifice. usually ignores religious news — published a “In the face of a materialist culture that we “At one lunch involving figures from the raft of stories depicting his life, as posters of see imposing itself everywhere and that push- ministry of culture, I heard a woman say: Olallo went up across the island. es aside the weak and the poor, we learn from ‘What kind of way is this to waste money? We That, along with Raúl’s surprise visit to the Olallo the virtues of the wisdom of God and build a cathedral for a religion to which no Church of the Virgin of Charity in Camagüey, how to love thy neighbor universally,” said Cuban belongs?’” wrote Hitchens. “As if to seems to point to further evidence of a grow- Cardinal José Saraiva, who presided over the prove that she was not being sectarian, she ing rapprochement between the Castro three-hour, televised ceremony, which was added without looking over her shoulder: ‘A regime and the Roman Catholic Church. also attended by the Papal Nuncio, Luigi friend of mine asked me this morning: What Bonazzi, Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega and next? A subsidy for the Amish?’” some 25 other Cuban and foreign clergy. Hitchens suggests there’s more than just a Activists’ goal: One peso for all love of God and Christianity at play here. A women’s group claims to have collec- WHY AN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN HAVANA? “Fidel Castro has devoted the last 50 years ted over 20,000 signatures petitioning par- Meanwhile, Cuba’s first and only Russian to two causes: first, his own enshrinement as liament to close the gap in Cuba’s dual Orthodox church was consecrated during a an immortal icon, and second, the unbending economy, which pays workers in Cuban ceremony in October, as a further sign of allegiance of Cuba to the Moscow line,” he pesos but offers toilet paper and basics in improving ties between Moscow and Havana. said. “Now, black-cowled Orthodox ‘metro- another currency that few can afford. The gold-domed Our Lady of Kazan cathe- politans’ line up to shake his hand, and the AP’s Will Weissert reported Nov. 20 dral in Old Havana was built over the past four Putin-Medvedev regime brandishes its mis- that four women wearing white “With the years, discreetly and slowly; its construction sile threats against the young Obama as Same Money” T-shirts gathered outside was paid for largely by the Castro regime. Nikita Khrushchev once did against the the legislature and attempted to turn in “This is a monument to Russian-Cuban young Kennedy. proof of 10,000 new signatures which they friendship and all the efforts that have pre- “The ideology of Moscow doesn’t much said complemented 10,837 signatures served our relations, including the most diffi- matter as long as it is anti-American, and the they gave lawmakers a year ago. cult moments of the Cold War,” declared visit- Russian Orthodox Church has been Putin’s Their leader, Belinda Sales, said legisla- ing Metropolitan Kirill, head of foreign rela- most devoted and reliable ally in his re-cre- tive clerks refused to receive the new sig- tions for the Russian Orthodox Church. ation of an old-style Russian imperialism,” natures, saying lawmakers were still Raúl Castro was in attendance, and his older Hitchens continued. studying last year’s petition. brother Fidel marked the occasion with a “Putin and Medvedev have made it clear She said more than 1,000 members of “reflection” published in Granma, in which he that they want to reinstate Cuba’s role in the her Latin American Foundation of Rural lavished praise on a religion to which very hemisphere, if only as a bore and nuisance for Women collected signatures across Cuba few Cubans belong. as long as its military dictatorship can be over the past two years, and found wide “This church is a spiritual force. It played a made to last. Castro’s apparent deathbed con- major role at critical times in the history of version to a religion with no Cuban adherents support even though authorities repeat- ❑ edly seized petitions. Russia,” wrote Fidel. “At the onset of the is the seal on this gruesome pact.” “Because it does not include anything political, people aren’t afraid to sign,” she said. “Everyone who lives in Cuba wants In storms’ wake, Jewish community appeals for help to be paid in one currency and have that Cuba’s once-wealthy Jewish community is struggling to make ends meet in the aftermath same currency meet all their needs.” of hurricanes that have crippled local food supplies, said William Miller, vice-president of The group hasn’t provided hard copies Havana’s Patronato, the largest of Cuba’s five remaining synagogues. of the collected signatures, but Salas said “Food rationing has been a fact of life for over 40 years, but this year has been like no other legislative authorities are free to check in our collective memories,” Miller wrote in an email appeal to American Jews. “Three hur- their authenticity. She said her group gets ricanes, Gustav, Ike and Paloma, have not only destroyed or caused severe damage to our no funding from U.S. dissident organiza- homes, but have effectively wiped out crops for the entire population of the island.” tions, surviving solely on donations from To that end, Miller aims to “provide a basket of food to every Jewish family on the island, supporters inside Cuba. but to do so, we need hard currency — something we do not have access to as Cubans.” The group’s petition seeks the right to The community — which once exceeded 15,000 Jews before the 1959 revolution but has use regular Cuban pesos in upscale since dwindled to under 1,000 — needs to raise $12,500 a month for the foreseeable future. shops, restaurants and hotels that only “We understand that the entire amount may be too substantial for any one person, but any accept the convertible Cuban peso, worth help is appreciated,” he said, adding that “although the headlines no longer talk about the 24 times more. The average monthly gov- devastation here in Cuba, the need still exists.” ernment salary is 408 pesos, or 17 con- Miller said a donation of only $15 will provided a food basket for an elderly person living vertible pesos, though most Cubans live alone for a month. A $75 donation will feed a family of five for a month, and a gift of $750 will rent-free and their utilities and other basic supply food baskets for a month to the entire Jewish community of Camagüey. needs are heavily subsidized by the state. Details: William Miller, El Patronato, Calle I e/13 y 15, Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana. Tel: +53 7 832-8953. Fax: +53 7 833-3778. Cel: +53 5 264-8182. Email: [email protected]. December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 13 SERVICES INDEX OF NEWSMAKER PROFILES: 2002-08 Package delivery firms hurting Here’s a complete listing of the 55 newsmaker profiles that have appeared in CubaNews since June 2002, when we began running this feature. All profiles start on Page 8 of the issue indicated. wamped by illegal shipment of packages, the economic crisis and competition by Alarcón, Ricardo, president of Cuba’s National Assembly (May 2004) Sthe U.S. Postal Service, private Cuba ship- Alvarez, Pedro, chairman of Cuba’s state-run food purchasing agency Alimport (April 2004) ping firms are witnessing an unprecedented Anderson, Mavis, senior associate at Washington-based Latin America Working Group (June 2008) collapse of their business. Blanco, Kathleen, governor of the State of Louisiana (May 2005) For the first time in years, industry execu- Calzón, Frank, director of Washington-based Center for a Free Cuba (November 2004) tives are seeing business drop by as much as 50%. Low sales have forced cutbacks in per- Cason, James, former chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana (February 2004) sonnel, curbs on the frequency of package Colás, Ramón Humberto, founder of Cuba’s independent library movement (September 2003) shipments and deep service discounts. Cowal, Sally Grooms, president of the Cuba Policy Foundation (September 2002) “The market has been falling and now Delahunt, Rep. Bill A. (D-MA), co-chairman of the House Cuba Working Group (April 2003) everyone suffers,” said María Brieva, owner of Duke, Luly, founder of the anti-embargo organization Fundación Amistad (August 2007) Machi Community Services, which has been Fanjul, José “Pepe”, Florida sugar magnate and staunch embargo supporter (December 2007) in business for 24 years. In Brieva’s analysis, restrictions imposed by Fernández, Alvaro, president of Cuban-American Commission for Family Rights (January 2008) Washington in 2004 — which prohibit the ship- Flake, Jeff (R-AZ), co-chairman of the House Cuba Working Group (December 2003) ment of clothes to Cuba, limited remittances Fox, Albert J., president of the Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy (March 2003) and curbed frequency of family travel to once García, Joe, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation (October 2003) every three years — sparked the appearance Gibadlo, Brent, director of Association of Travel Related Industry Professionals (August 2003) of an informal shipping industry which is making inroads into the regular businesses, caus- Glassman, James K., undersecretary of state for public diplomacy (September 2008) ing them to lose money and slash office staff. Hays, Dennis, executive vice-president of the Cuban American National Foundation (July 2002) “All of this has eroded our operations 30- Hernández, Francisco, president of Cuban American National Foundation (November 2008) 40%,” said Brieva, who charges $10/lb. “Be- Huddleston, Vicki, former chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana (July 2005) sides, I understand that the postal service does Jones, Kirby, Washington consultant, founder of the US-Cuba Trade Association (December 2004) not check packages as it should, and many Kornbluh, Peter, chief of National Security Archive’s Cuba Documentation Project (October 2007) people are taking advantage of the situation and are sending clothes and even cell phones.” Kühn von Burgsdorff, Sven, European Union representative in Havana (January 2004) USPS, which charges $7 with a 4-lb maxi- Latell, Brian, former CIA analyst, author and expert on Fidel and Raúl Castro (March 2007) mum, denied the allegations and said that Lazo, Sgt. Carlos, activist for ending U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba (April 2007) everything it does is in compliance with exist- Levinson, Sandra, director of New York’s Center for Cuban Studies (February 2008) ing regulations. Leal, Eusebio, chairman of Habaguanex S.A. and Havana’s official historian (August 2004) USPS says volume of family shipments to Lesnik, Max, longtime Miami radio commentator and political activist (June 2007) Cuba from South Florida jumped 327% in 2006, the largest increase in Cuba deliveries since Marshall, Steve, Havana-based real-estate and Internet entrepreneur (March 2004) the 2004 restrictions were imposed. The new McCarry, Caleb, Cuba transition coordinator, U.S. State Department (October 2005) rules also ban shipment of personal-hygiene McGovern, George, 1972 presidential candidate and critic of U.S. policy on Cuba (November 2007) products, fishing equipment, veterinarian arti- Mesa, Alfredo, executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation (August 2005) cles and ingredients for soap-making. Montenegro, Marcelo, Cuba representative of Leisure Canada Inc. (January 2003) At the same time, Treasury’s Office of For- Muse, Robert, Washington attorney and Cuba claims expert (December 2005) eign Assets Control (OFAC) conducts audits and inspections on operations of agencies ded- Olivera, Jorge, Cuban writer and dissident (December 2008) icated to family package shipments to Cuba. Oltuski, Enrique, Cuban revolutionary and deputy minister of fisheries (November 2002) About 50 private firms operate in the Miami Payá, Oswaldo, leading Cuban dissident and founder of the Varela Project (May 2003) area, and more than one has drawn public Peters, Phil, vice-president of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute (November 2006) attention due to high fees or loss of packages. Reinsch, Bill, president of the National Foreign Trade Council (September 2004) Nevertheless, owners of agencies said that Roca, Vladimiro, veteran Cuban dissident (April 2005) those responsible for problems are illegal shippers and people labeled as “mules,” who carry Rodríguez, Dagoberto, chief of Cuban Interests Section in Washington (August 2002, June 2003) merchandise to Cuba through alternate means Sánchez, Elizardo, human-rights activist and dean of Cuba’s dissident movement (July 2003) that evade U.S. controls. Schwag, Rick, founder of Vermont-based Caribbean Medical Transport (June 2006) “On every corner there’s a pirate company,” Smith, Wayne, senior fellow at Washington’s Center for International Policy (June 2002) said Santiago Castro, founder of the agency Sparks, Ron, Alabama commissioner of agriculture and industries (January 2007) Mambí. “It’s complex work, because they take advantage of desperation and lack of knowl- Suchlicki, Jaime, director of the University of Miami’s Cuba Transition Project (February 2003) edge on the part of the public.” Tamargo, Mauricio, chief of the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (February 2005) Castro said that last year, the volume of com- Thomas, Cynthia, founder of the Dallas-based Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance (May 2007) mercial operations at his outlet had dropped Tokmakjian, Cy, Canadian investor and Cuba’s biggest new-car importer (December 2002) by half due to the parallel shippers where cus- Villand, Michel, French businessman, founder of Cuban pastry chain Pain de Paris (October 2002) tomers pay as much as $18/lb, with a 5-lb min- Werner, Robert W., director of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (January 2005) imum per shipment, plus other fees. “If before we shipped 200 lbs per week, we Whitaker, Kevin, coordinator of State Department’s Office of Cuban Affairs (November 2003) now do not exceed 100. It’s a really critical sit- Wilkerson, Col. Larry, chief aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell (April 2008) uation,” said Castro, who charges only $12/lb. Wright, John Parke, Florida cattle rancher and owner of J.P. Wright & Co. (July 2004) – THE MIAMI HERALD 14 CubaNews ❖ December 2008 HEALTHCARE Cuba boasts W. Hemisphere’s lowest HIV infection rate BY OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENT Since 1986, a total of 10,454 have been Isla de la Juventud (12.7) and Las Tunas (9.0). uba enjoys one of the lowest HIV/AIDS infected with HIV (as of Nov. 18, 2008). Of Jorge Pérez, assistant director of Havana’s prevalence rates in the world and by far that number, 3,910 developed full-blown AIDS Institute of Tropical Medicine, told Cuban TV Cthe lowest rate in the Western Hemis- and 1,721 died from the disease and another that “last year, there were 1,217 new cases phere. According to statistics re- 126 from other causes. At present, 8,607 peo- and this year we are already over 1,000.” leased Dec. 1 — World AIDS Day The National AIDS Prevention — only 0.05% of Cubans aged 15 Center provides free healthcare or older are infected with HIV. with antiretroviral therapy, which That puts Cuba in a much better consists of five generic pharma- position than most other coun- ceuticals made in Cuba: AZT tries, including many developed (zidovudine); D4T (stavudine); nations and former allies of the 3TC (lamivudine) DDI (didano- vanished Soviet bloc. side) and crixivan (indinavir). AIDS-related mortality is Thousands of volunteers work equally low; the disease has in the program, taking turns an- claimed only 1,721 Cubans in the swering questions via a hotline, last 22 years, including 155 in spreading prevention alerts in 2007. Mother-to-baby transmis- schools, work centers and uni- sion is virtually nonexistent. versities, and giving out posters Rosayda Ochoa, director of the brochures and free condoms. National AIDS Prevention Cen- For a variety of articles in Eng- ter, said the close surveillance of AIDS-infect- ple are living with AIDS in Cuba. lish about Cuba’s National AIDS Program and ed mothers allows Cuban doctors to test More than 3,700 patients receive the free how the island is fighting the epidemic, please babies as soon as they are born and apply retroviral cocktail of drugs (some of them visit MEDICC’s website at www.medicc.org/ns. therapies to alleviate or revent them from produced by the Cuban pharmaceutical developing full-blown AIDS. industry). Four out of five HIV/AIDS patients Of 346 births among infected mothers, 239 in Cuba are male, and 85% of them are homo- babies were born healthy. Of the rest, 73 sexuals or bisexuals — a ratio even higher in infants are in observation, 34 tested positive Matanzas and Havana, where nearly 90% of at birth and 10 have died. infected males are gay or bisexual. Cuba proudly exhibits these and other sta- In the mid-1990s, Cuba ended its official tistics, crediting the regime’s universal health- policy of mandatory quarantine and surveil- care system and an educated population that lance of HIV-AIDS patients. Today, one in four considers prevention the most important sufferers gets ambulatory treatment, while weapon in fighting the AIDS epidemic. the rest stay at special health facilities. Critics, however, view such statistics with The Cuban government claims it’s conduct- skepticism, given that the island receives ed over 1.7 million blood tests for HIV over more than two million visitors a year and has the past 20 years. Provinces with the highest a reputation as a Caribbean sex destination prevalence of HIV infection are the City of with a flourishing prostitution industry. Havana (21.8 cases per 100,000 residents), December 2008 ❖ CubaNews 15 HEALTHCARE MEDICAL BRIEFS

FARMACUBA: 2009 DRUG SALES TO HIT $220m Canada’s HPIC ships meds to Cuba Roberto Domínguez, export director at BY VITO ECHEVARRÍA Camagüey and Ciudad de La Habana. Cuba’s state-run agency Farmacuba, said for- He also noted that Cuba’s recent brutal eign sales of generic drugs will reach $220 ntil recently, Canada’s involvement with million in 2009, a 22% increase over the $180 Cuba’s healthcare sector was limited to hurricane season mobilized HPIC to ship donated hospital beds and mattresses to the million figure expected for 2008 Uprivate companies like Quebec’s Health Farmacuba produces a wide assortment of Services International and Winnipeg-based island nation, as replacements for those destroyed in various hospitals there. generic pharmaceuticals (unbranded prod- Choice Medical Services — both of whom ucts) such painkillers, creams, antibiotics and marketed Cuban healthcare packages to pay- One of HPIC’s most notable Cuba charity programs was the aid it provided to Tarará coliriums, while in the field of blood by-prod- ing Canadian and other foreign patients. ucts, it has customers in Algeria, Syria, Sudan, Also active in Cuba is a Montreal-based Central and South America. entity, Health Partners International of Can- HPIC Besides generic drugs and blood by-prod- ada (HPIC). Founded in 1988, HPIC has since ucts, Farmacuba produces another 40 biotech shipped medical aid to 116 countries around products, among them 10 vaccines sold by the the world; one of its main sources of funding island to over 50 countries. is the Canadian International Development Domínguez said Cuba spent just over $100 Agency, which has enabled HPIC to disburse million this year on imported pharmaceuti- more than C$280 million worth of medical aid cals, though he didn’t specify which ones. over the last 20 years. Heber Biotec SA, the marketing entity of Despite Cuba’s reputation for possessing a the Genetics and Biotechnology Center, world-class biotech sector and sending doc- reported 2006 sales of $50 million. That figure tors to developing countries from St. Lucia to comes mainly from the vaccine against Sri Lanka, it isn’t widely known for being a Hepatitis B, star of the CIGB products, inter- recipient of medical aid. Yet since 1995, the feron, antiviral and other drugs. counry has received over C$45 million in Canadian medical aid awaits shipment to Cuba. Details: Othoniel Artiles, Farmacuba, Calza- medicines, medical supplies and equipment da de Vento, Km. 3.5, Cerro, Ciudad de La Ha- from HPIC — ranging from X-ray machines Pediatric Hospital just east of Havana. In bana. Tel: +53 7 57-7918. Fax: +53 7 57-7996. to surgical garments, gloves and bandages. 2002, GSK donated over C$850,000 in antibi- OVER 4,000 ORGAN TRANSPLANTS SINCE 1970 HPIC, in conjunction with the Cuban otics and asthma medicines to help thousands Council of Churches, has also provided medi- of child survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear More than 4,000 organ transplants, including cines and medical supplies to 2,000 elderly disaster who were being treated there for 100 heart transplants, have been performed in Cubans throughout the island. free. This allowed Cuba to free up medical Cuba since 1970, according to Cuba’s National Program of Organ and Tissue Transplants. TAX BREAKS LURE DRUG COMPANIES TO HPIC resources needed to care for victims of Hurricane Michelle. The achievements by Cuban doctors were Multinational pharmaceutical firms that The following year, GSK donated thou- highlighted at a Havana conference organized have partnered with HPIC include Bayer, sands of units of Zofran to HPIC for use by by the Ibero-American and Caribbean Associ- AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Glaxo- over 1,000 Cuban cancer patients. Zofran is ation of Transplant and Organ, Cell and SmithKline (GSK), Hoffmann-LaRoche and used to stop the side effects of radiation and Tissue Donation Coordinators. The gathering Pharmascience. Pallet loads of assorted med- chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. attracted experts from over 20 countries, said icines donated by these entities have been According to a recent CBC News report, Dr. Juan Alberto Falcón, president of the flown to Cuba by both the Canadian military these drug firms donate their surplus medi- organizing committee. as well as by private carriers like Air Transat. cines for tax reasons. In Canada, any medi- “HPIC is currently completing a five-year cines previously destroyed or donated may be AT LEAST 1,488 CUBANS HAVE MADE IT TO 100 program through CIDA and Cuba’s Ministry written off for their full wholesale cost. Some 1,488 people, about 0.013% of Cuba’s of Public Health (Minsap),” spokesman Bill In early 2007, Canada’s Ministry of Finance population, are 100 years old or more, accord- Kokesch told CubaNews in an email. “It is effectively doubled that tax break by allowing ing to a recent study. Minsap that determines what the needs are in drug companies to also write off the equiva- The three cities with the most centenarians for the Cuban population and then makes spe- lent of half the profit they would have lost on are Havana, Villa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. cific requests. The acute respiratory program the donated goods, up to a cap of twice their Of the 1,488, around 100 — mostly women — was developed in collaboration with MINSAP wholesale value. HPIC’s Kokesch said this tax are 105 to 109, while six are 110 or older. as being pointed out as an area of need. break is strictly applied toward donated med- Scientists believe that although most of “As a result, a delegation of Cuban medical icines whose shelf life has not expired. these centenarians had exceptional long-living specialists came to Canada to talk with spe- The Montreal office of Pfizer Inc., for exam- parents, genes only accounted for 35% of cialists here as well as tour facilities,” he said. ple, has donated over $26 million in excess those cases; the rest had more to do with “The exchange consisted of a transfer of medicines to HPIC for various programs over their lifestyles. knowledge to aid in improving Cuba’s health- a 10-year period. For such companies, donat- Dr. Josefa González Picos told Granma care infrastructure: arranging opportunities ing medicines and other supplies to outfits “these people have always been very optimis- for Cuban representatives to see how the pub- like HPIC is not only an effective tax-reducing tic, realistic and objective. They value prob- lic health system functions in Canada and to strategy, but saves them the expense of lems due to their relevance and have faith that share knowledge of best practices. This has destroying any medicines that are left unused there is a solution for everything. Their ten- been followed up with seminars and work- and taking up valuable warehouse space. ❑ dency to suffer from stress, so usual in these shops in Cuba offered by HPIC.” modern times, is very low.” Kokesch said 70 Cuban medical specialists Details: Bill Kokesch, HPIC, 955 St-Jean The report adds that among Cuba’s cente- who received training in palliative care Blvd., #100, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 5K3, narians, there is no predominance of habits through HPIC have been applying their newly like drinking or smoking, their diet was as acquired skills at health centers in the Canada. Tel: (514) 695-0007. Fax: (514) balanced as possible, and most of them were provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara, 695-8528. Email: [email protected]. satisfied with the lives they had led. 16 CubaNews ❖ December 2008

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