© YEAR VIII THE Nº 9 MAY 16, 2018 , ISSN 2224-5707 Price: avana eporter 1.00 CUC H YOUR SOURCE OF NEWSR & MORE 1.00 USD A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.20 CAN Artists are Cuba’s Best Ambassadors

WASHINGTON, D.C. P. 7

Health & Science Heberprot-P: On the Way to a New Market P. 5 Photo Feature Havana´s 500th Anniversary on the Horizon P. 11 Regional Affairs The Long Road of an Old Conflict P. 12 Sports Cuban Female Athletes & U.S. Publishing Company to Print Work the 2018 Barranquilla Games on Indo-Cubans Living in Guantanamo P. 6 P. 15 2 TOURISM The UK focuses on Cuba By RobertoF. CAMPOS

HAVANA.- The impact that tourism has on the United Kingdom is one of today’s most important elements when addressing trade relations with Cuba. The fact that other fields are also joining this sector may well boost these links. The British authorities thus took advantage of the European country's designation as Guest of Honor to the 38th International Tourism Fair, FITCUBA 2018 -held from May 2 to 5 in Cayo Santa María, Villa Clara province- to reinforce bonds in the tourist industry. British ambassador to Cuba Antony Stokes declared that the tourist industry affords many opportunities for bilateral cooperation, and thanked Cuba for the designation. AntonySTOKES Located in the central-northern coast of Cuba, Cayo Santa María is one of the favorite destinations among the tourists that come to this archipelago, especially PL PHOTOS: among the British. In 2017, Cuba welcomed 200,000 British tourists -between five and six percent more than in 2016 -this figure is expected to keep rising in coming years, the diplomat commented. The fair, Stokes said, served as the right space to talk about business opportunities between the two islands. Cuba is a very special destination for British people, chiefly because of its culture, as the two countries have rich traditions in music, dance and cinema, he added. The top-level British delegation that attended FITCuba 2018 addressed topics of interest between and Havana, including tourism and other fields such as biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The British Ambassador also highlighted the financial advice offered by the UK to Cuba’s Central Bank specialists, due to the vast experience of the City of London Corporation as a global financial center. He also referred to the increase of trade cooperation in developing renewable energy by using sicklebush (marabou weed in Cuba), with the construction of a 62-megawatt bio-gas plant in the central province of Ciego de Ávila. Bilateral cooperation in college education was stressed as well, not only in the field of research but also in English language teaching. British tour operators and travel agencies are operating in Cuba, and there are two direct flights a week from London to Havana, Stokes pointed out. Cuban Minister of Tourism ManuelMARRERO

A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency SOCIETY.HEALTH & SCIENCE.POLITICS.CULTURE THE YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE ENTERTAINMENT.PHOTO FEATURE.ECONOMY HavanaReporter SPORTS.AND MORE President: Luis Enrique González. Graphic Designers: Paola A. González Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Information Vice President: Hector Miranda. Chief Graphic Editor: Francisco González Prensa Latina, S.A. Editorial Vice President: Lianet Arias Advertising: Javier García Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba. Chief Editor: Luis Melian Circulation: Commercial Department. Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Translation: Dayamí Interian/ Yanely Interián Printing: Imprenta Federico Engels Fax: (53)7833-3068 E-mail: [email protected] CUBA 3 Cuba Remains Committed to its Goals By WaldoMENDILUZA

HAVANA.- On April 18 and 19, Cubans experienced emotional days that ended in the advent of the announced change of generation in the leadership of their government, but soon the island went back to normal. On April 19, the 58-year old electronic engineer Miguel Díaz-Canel took on the post as President of the Council of State and Ministers during the setting up of the 9th Legislature of the People’s Power National Assembly (Parliament). On that day, the outgoing Cuban leader and president, Raúl Castro (86), ratified his support for the newly-elected president. The speeches Raúl Castro and Díaz- Canel delivered during the closing session had a common theme: commitment to the continuity of the Revolution that started on January 1, 1959 and which just two years later, proclaimed its socialist

character. PL PHOTOS: That day, in addition to electing Cuba’s new president, all 605 parliamentarians BACK TO NORMAL of the 9th Legislature elected Salvador As expected, Cubans soon went back to normal, Valdés (72) as First Vice President, and regardless of the campaigns that forecast the fall of the renewed over 40 percent of the members Revolution or the end of the popular support for it. of the Council of State – a body composed “In fact, everybody knows that nothing like that will of 31 members. happen here. We lost our historical leader, Fidel Castro “We pledge our commitment to the (1926-2016), and the Revolution went on. The same continuity of the pro-independence thing will happen now; we will continue moving forward heroic deed that started in 1868, to the with Díaz-Canel as president and Raúl Castro as leader of struggle against the Machado and Batista the Communist Party,” said Alberto González, a 73-year- dictatorships, to the Sierra Maestra fights old retired man. and the attack on the Moncada garrison, A couple of days after the election, the presidents to the 1959 Revolution and to the Bay of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and Bolivia, Evo Morales, of Pigs’ victory,” Ana Teresa Igarza, a were welcomed in Cuba. Both presidents traveled to member of parliament from the Bauta the country to personally greet Díaz-Canel, who also municipality (Artemisa province), told received messages of congratulation from dozens of The Havana Reporter. leaders and personalities from all five continents. PhD Enrique Alemán, coordinator of The newly-elected president received messages the Platform for Interreligious Dialogue in from Mexico, Russia, China, Vietnam, Panama, Cuba, stated that the main objective is to Seychelles, El Salvador, Colombia, Saint Vincent and the maintain and strengthen the process that Grenadines, Ecuador, Angola, Lebanon, Slovenia, Italy, started almost 60 years ago. Serbia, Nicaragua, Turkey, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, United “Our main objective and our major Kingdom, Honduras, Iran, Mongolia, Costa Rica and challenge is to guarantee the historical Guinea Bissau, among other nations. continuity of the process ‘for all and for At the end of April, Havana hosted the Third the good of all.’ There’s no breaking-off International Convention Cuba-Salud 2018, attended here; this is a renewed follow-up, a touch by over 3 thousand delegates from about 100 countries, of fresh air to what’s been done by the including General Director of the World Health people and for the people,” he said. Organization (WHO),Tedros Adhanom. Similarly, the Havana’s Conference Center welcomed the Eighth International Ophthalmology Congress (May 2-4), the International Congress on Soil Sciences (May 2-4) and the Eighth Latin American Psychology Congress, opened on May 14. Earlier, on May 1, millions of Cubans paraded through the streets of all the 15 provinces of the country to celebrate the International Labor Day, when they reaffirmed their support for the Revolution and the newly-elected president. About 300 activists from , Europe, Asia and the United States participated in the May Day celebrations on the island and reiterated their solidarity and support for Cuba´s socialist project. “Cuba was not, is not and will not be alone,” stated Dutch IngeHogh, who has visited the island since 1986. U.S. Cheryl Labash also stated her solidarity with Cuba and demanded that the U.S. government should immediately lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade on the island. “We are here to support the Cubans and reject president Donald Trump´s interference in Cuba,” she said. 4 U.S.- LATIN AMERICA Trump's In The Dumps in Latin America

By RobertoGARCIA

HAVANA.- U.S. president Donald president’s trip to and his official Trump’s hostile immigration policies and visit to Colombia came just one day persistence in renegotiating the North after the Federal Bureau of Investigation American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), (FBI) raided and seized documents from among other measures, have brought Trump’s personal lawyer. the image of the United States in Latin Trump's absence from the recent America into severe disrepute over recent triennial regional meeting – the first months. time a U.S. president has not attended Migration is one of the most serious since 1994 – saved him from facing sources of regional discord, particularly governmental and social organizations the construction of the wall along the who do not follow Washington’s dictates, border with Mexico and his elimination specialists affirmed. of the Deferred Action for Childhood This decision also saved him from Arrivals (DACA) Program, an initiative facing some presidents who are loyal to implemented in 2012 by former president him but reject his migratory policies, his Barack Obama. hostility and his xenophobic and racist Trump’s predecessor used DACA to rhetoric in particular. temporarily suspend the deportation For several months now, Trump’s of about 800 thousand unaccompanied approval rating in Latin American and youths, who will now most probably the Caribbean has been at an all-time low be forcefully returned to their native of less than 16 percent. A recent Gallup countries, without any regard for the poll indicates that more than 63 percent human or economic realities involved. disapprove of the job he’s doing and his Trump brought DACA to an end in overall leadership rating in the United 2017 and set Congress a deadline to States decreased during his first year pass an alternative to settle the issue of in office from 49 percent in 2016 to 24 the undocumented young immigrants percent in 2017. known as "dreamers", who had arrived His situation worsened because he is in the US as children. No consensus has the first U.S. president in decades not to been reached to date, however. have visited Latin America during his first Trump’s unsurprising decision not to year in office. attend the 8th Summit of the Americas, in Trump’s “America first” policy and its Lima (Peru) on April 13-14, is an indication negative effects on his Latin American of the low priority the present White neighbors has also affected their views House incumbent assigns to the region. on Washington, despite the fact that The trip was supposedly cancelled these countries play an important role in on the pretext of supervising a military trade and U.S. security interests. response to the Government of Syria for There is in fact at present an escalation an alleged chemical attack in that country. in the levels of confrontation between White House Press Secretary, Sarah Washington and many countries from Huckabee Sanders, announced that “the the region, especially from Latin America president will remain in the United States and the Caribbean, a situation unlikely to oversee the response to Syria and to to improve over the short or medium monitor developments around the world." term due to the current White House It did not go unnoticed by U.S. political occupant’s lack of goodwill and common observers that the cancellation of the sense. Internet PHOTOS: HEALTH & SCIENCE 5

Heberprot-P: On the Way to a New Market By AnaLauraARBESU

HAVANA.- Almost ten years after its Deaths due to this disease surpass one introduction to the market, Heberprot-P, a million in the course of this century, he said. Cuban drug designed for the treatment of The figures have increased, and if compared diabetic foot ulcer, will soon be available to last year’s, the number has risen sevenfold. for Mexican patients – another country that This is a serious problem that causes other includes this drug on its list of essential complications, such as amputations, he noted. medications. The injectable drug, composed The only product in the world used of recombinant human epidermal for the treatment of this disease, this drug growth factor (EGF) and produced with was developed by the Cuban Genetic biotechnological techniques, has already Engineering and Biotechnology Center spread all over the world. At present, it (CIGB), an entity that was granted the health is undergoing clinical trials in the United license in Mexico in coordination with the States, after being endorsed by the U.S. Food Mexican Federal Commission for Health Risk and Drug Administration (FDA). Protection (COFEPRIS). For its application, performed at Mexican Health Secretary José Narro ambulatory care facilities, the drug is diluted appreciated the work both entities in five millimeters of distilled water and conducted for this drug to be available injected in the injuries, at a depth of 0.1 for the Mexican people. “The topic of centimeters. communicable diseases is essential, but Research on this drug has not ended diabetes is one of the most serious issues,” yet. A few days ago, Cuban scientist Jorge the official told The Havana Reporter. Berlanda told the press that work is being Narro, a doctor by profession, expressed conducted in its reformulation, in order to his concern about the incidence of this attain pharmaceutical ways that are less disease among the population. aggressive to patients. Vaccination: A Cornerstone in Cuba´s Health System By BettyHERNANDEZ A WEEK TO Director General of the STRENGTHEN DEFENSE World Health Organization HAVANA.- Vaccination is In order to extend access (WHO) Tedros Adhanom one of the Cuban health to adequate immunization all recalled that this practice system’s mainstay. The over the world, April 23 marked saves 3 million lives efforts the government has the beginning of the16th annually from diseases such made for decades to make Vaccination week in the as smallpox and whooping vaccination accessible to all Americas, a campaign officially cough, among others. the population have borne opened in Havana that was Adhanom highlighted outstanding fruits, which have attended by senior officials of that Cuba is an ideal venue been acknowledged by the the World and Pan-American to “fire the starting shot” world health organizations. Health Organizations, WHO of the Vaccination Week, Before 1959, the only and PAHO, respectively. as the country not only immunization occasionally Although this campaign provides universal access provided in the country was has been around since 2003, to those medications, but against tuberculosis, but the this is the first time that ‘the also produces and exports national coverage did not starting shot’ takes place them. exceed five percent. in Cuba, a country whose Through the Genetic Then, the island became immunization coverage Engineering and the first Latin American exceeds 98 percent. Biotechnology Center country to eliminate The campaign, conducted (CIGB), Cuba provides poliomyelitis, and the under the slogan: “Strengthen high-quality vaccines to 44 Internet PHOTOS: immunization coverage your defense! Get vaccines countries, at an affordable WHO _Director General TedrosADHANOM exceeded 98 percent, with 11 work” – in reference to the price, he noted. vaccines against 13 diseases. World Football Cup Russia The WHO officialas Brazil, China, Iran and Until the present, the According to sources of 2018 – is an effort that would appreciated the country Vietnam, an example of a real country has eliminated the Cuban Ministry of Public allow the immunization of for its example and leading global solidarity. poliomyelitis, neonatal Health (MINSAP), 4.8 million 70 million people against role in the protection of For her part, director of tetanus, diphtheria, measles, doses of simple or combined dangerous preventable children from all over the the Pan-American Health rubella and the congenital vaccines are annually diseases, PAHO confirmed. world. Organization (PAHO) Carisse rubella syndrome, among administered on average, Thanks to the celebration He also stressed that Etienne noted that Cuba, a other infections. including the pentavalent of this Week, over 720 million thanks to technological country that provides over Vaccination is one of the vaccine, whose all fivepeople have got protected transfer, the Caribbean nation 98 percent of coverage, is an most powerful tools science components are produced in against different preventable has shared its knowledge example for the world in the has to prevent diseases and the country. diseases in the last 15 years. with other countries, such prevention of diseases. save life, Etienne added. 6 CULTURE

U.S. Publishing Company to Print Work on Indo-Cubans Living in Guantanamo Text & Photo by YadiraCRUZ “The people who searched large Ramírez-Rojas family for those traces were and the indigenous heritage GUANTÁNAMO, CUBA.- expecting to find Indians in Cuba) Barreiro conducts The English version of the with feathers, spears and with the support of the U.S. book “Panchito, Cacique loincloths, nothing further Smithsonian Institution and de Montaña”, will soon from the truth; there is a the Cuban Antonio Núñez be published with the mixture, but heritage is there Jiménez Foundation for Man collaboration of the New and Panchito's testimony is a and Nature. York-based publishing house proof of that, in addition to his PhD Jose Barreiro was Editorial Campana, announced natural tendency to help and an Assistant Director for José Barreiro, the author. lead others. That’s what has Research and Director of the The work, published made him deserve the title of Office for Latin America at by Casa de las Américas in cacique,” he said. the Smithsonian National 2016, collects the testimony Barreiro affirmed that it Museum of the American of Francisco Ramírez Rojas is a mistake to believe that Indian and a member of the (Panchito), leader of La the mixture of races wipes Taíno Nation of the Antilles. He Rancheria village, a town out identity, as those persons is also one of the forerunners located in La Caridad de los have their customs, their of publications on Native Indios, in the Manuel Tames perceptions on the world, Americans in his country. municipality – in Cuba’s based on love and respect for In 1994 he first visited the easternmost province. mother land and father sun, community La Ranchería, The text describes the and the moon and all the stars where some of the last customs and lifestyle of the to which their singings and descendants of the Taínos indigenous descendants rituals are dedicated. indigenous people – most living in this region; customs “When we say Cubans, of whom are better known that are shown through we say Taínos; that’s the first by their surnames, Ramírez the experiences of an root, to which the African or Rojas - still live in Cuba. octogenarian Indo-Cuban and the Spanish are added. If Since then, he has devoted who according to Barreiro “is anyone had any doubt about himself to studying and a common person that never that, even the genetic studies preserving the legacy of that makes up very complicated show that 35 percent of the family. stories, although these don’t Cubans’ mitochondrial DNA The surname Rojas lack wisdom and depth.” comes from the Taínos,” he comes from Manuel Rojas, This edition in English will noted. nephew of conqueror Diego allow people living outside For 22 years, the Velázquez, who owned all the country to know about researcher has toured the the northwestern lands of the the history of a population mountain ranges of Cuba’s eastern part of the country that for many years was east searching for the traces and the people living there. considered extinct and that of the indigenous people, Ramírez comes from Miguel was saved from oblivion who, according to him, Ramírez, a former bishop of thanks to the persistent work preserve the traditions of the Santiago de Cuba village of researchers such as Cuban their ancestors – which can in 1528, who according to speleologist Antonio Nunez be appreciated in their rituals, historians was the first to Jimenez; Eusebio Leal and food, language and especially conduct massive christening Alejandro Hartman, Historian their permanent relation to among the indigenous people of Baracoa city, the author nature. living in the area. told The Havana Reporter. “It was always thought Alejandro Hartman and Barreiro, a US researcher of that there was no trace of the José Sánchez, historian of Cuban origin, explained that indigenous culture in Cuba, the Guantánamo city – who the historical stereotypes and but that legacy is alive in conducts research on the prejudices led to mistakes in the people who live in those participation and leading the way the Cuban indigenous mountains,” stressed Barreiro. role of the indigenous people culture was perceived, and The work is the result of living in the area in the Cuban that studies have been the project “La gran familia Wars of Independence – conducted in depth only in Ramírez-Rojas y la herencia have also collaborated in this the last three decades. indígena en Cuba” (The project. SPOTLIGHT ON 7 Artists are Cuba’s Best Ambassadors AlexisTRIANA By MarthaANDRES

WASHINGTON.- The Cuban artists are the island’s best ambassadors, Alexis Triana, Communication Director of the Cuban Culture Ministry (MINCULT), said in Washington during a festival dedicated to his country. Speaking at a press conference held before the festival entitled “Cuban Arts: From the Island to the World” opened on May 8, Triana commented that this event celebrates Cuban art as a bridge. Attended by some 400 artists, it will close on June 3. The Cubanía (“Cubanness”) represented in every room is the result of our artists, the MINCULT representative said alluding to the works on display at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the festival’s venue. Triana thanked the authorities of the center in Washington DC, one of the most important institutions of its kind in the United States, by saying that the festival is a sign of friendship with Cuba. “We are a peaceful people and the artists are our best ambassadors,” he stressed. “We are building this bridge brick by brick,” Triana commented, adding that the same thing happened with the New Orleans Jazz Festival, which dedicated its 2017 edition to Cuba. In the meantime, U.S. musicians travelled to Havana last January to attend the International Jazz Plaza Festival. In remarks to The Havana Reporter, Triana once again thanked the John F. Kennedy Center’s authorities for allowing the Cuban artists share the institution’s spaces. Different generations of Cuban artists are exhibiting their pieces for the U.S. audience in representation of Cuban culture, he noted. The MINCULT representative also praised the fact that artists residing in other countries and recognized as Cubans, have graduated from the Cuban art schools and always honor their teachers. This largely owes to the free public education system that Cuba has preserved because, even during the worst crisis, not one single art school closed. This system makes no distinctions at all as to the skin color, social standing or beliefs to admitting students. “Their skills are the only thing that matters,” Triana said. “These generations of artists are the ones that are here as equals,” noted Triana. DionySANABIA PHOTOS: 8 CULTURE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT [email protected] (THR is not responsible for any changes made by sponsoring organizations)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Latin America & Caribbean Theater Cuba´s Cinematheque pays tribute to Festival, several venues in Havana Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi (Thru May 21) (May 16-31) LATIN AMERICA &THE CARIBBEAN 9 Colorado Party Holds on Anti-privatization to Paraguay´s Presidency Fight in Puerto Rico Likely to Increase Internet PHOTOS: By JulioFUMERO By NestorROSA-MARBRELL On that occasion, the alliance of ASUNCIÓN.- According to polls, Liberal This is not strange, as he was the AEE retirees and employees presented Efraín Alegre was expected to win the leader of the ANR-PC dissident faction, SAN JUAN.-The escalating privatization a study by economist José Alameda Paraguayan elections by a comfortable the so-called Colorado Añetete (real, in of corporations and public education by saying that, contrary to what the Puerto margin of votes. However, the reality was Guaraní) movement - a fierce enemy of the Ricardo Rosselló pro-annexationist Rican government sustains, the cost of far different. the Head of State, Horacio Cartes, founder government in Puerto Rico is up against living, trade and industry are likely to Mario Abdo Benítez, of the Colorado of the Honor Colorado Group. the people’s increasing resistance on increase. Party, was the winner of the presidential As the Neoliberal candidate did, Benítez different fronts. The decrease in the energy elections, by a narrow difference of just attacked corruption prevailing at all the On the one hand, teachers, parents consumption demand –either because 3.7 points over his main opponent, Alegre. levels of the Paraguayan administration, and students are fighting the massive the electrical appliances use ever lesser The result was rather striking, as this is its institutions and officials. closing of schools –nearly 500 since electricity or due to the decline in the the narrowest difference in a presidential But on the other hand, ANR-PC was the government took power in January population- does not help reduce the election held in what Paraguayans call the party that reached the highest 2017. On the other hand, workers with cost of power generation. the ‘democratic era’; that is, after the number of seats in the vote to the Senate, the state-run Electric Power Authority Commenting on the issue, Luis overthrow of the dictatorship the country with 17 – although it lost 3 in comparison (AEE) are sparing no efforts to prove Vega Ramos, of the opposition Popular suffered for over 35 years under Alfredo to the current presidency. PLRA, for its that handing the country’s energy Democratic Party (PPD), told The Stroessner. part, maintained all its 13 seats and the sector over to private interests is a huge Havana Reporter, that, based on The result is even closer than the 2008 left front Guasu added one – six in total mistake, showing economic studies as government statistics, the study shows elections, where Fernando Lugo won by now, thus becoming the country’s third support for their position. that the electricity rate is likely to 10 percent and put an end to 61 years of political power. “The people are looking for ways out increase up to $3,500 minimum in the administration by the Colorado Party. In spite of this result, the Colorado to channel their frustration and anger. coming four to five years. Abdo’s victory now allows the National Party will not have the majority of the They are looking to come together, In the meantime, the Rosselló Republican Association -Colorado Party seats needed in the Senate to impose its and here they have a front to join Nevares government is speeding up the (ANR-PC) to take on power for five more position and will then have to negotiate their forces,” said trade unionist Angel moves to make the AEE privatization years, as of August 15 – in order to with other parties to achieve consensus Figueroa Jaramillo. lawful. postpone the change of direction in the in favor of its policies, and to support The president of the powerful Parents and students, supported by State policies proposed by the Grand those of Mario Abdo Benítez. Electrical Industry and Irrigation Workers’ the communities, are also taking a step National Renovated Alliance (GANAR), In relation to the provincial Union (UTIER), which groups some 4,000 forward by protesting in front of the which nominated Alegre. governments, ANR-PC won in 13 out of 17, AEE employees, referred to the creation schools named on the closure list. Both candidates to the Government which represents 76.5 percent - and one of the United People’s Front against the The government already handed Palace made a lot of promises during more when compared to the elections Selling and Privatization of Services. its first school over to Pastor Otoniel their election campaigns, some of which held five years ago. PLRA won three and This front consists of representatives Font for the nominal price of one dollar coincided on the sectors they were GANAR one. from different labor sectors and political annually to have a bilingual school addressed to, but conflicting in their The increase of those instances on the movements, who aim at facing the (Spanish-English) with a fundamentalist objectives. part of the Colorado Party is due to the government in different scenarios. approach, with every student paying It’s still to be seen how Marito – as the fact that they recovered the longed-for “Whoever makes any investments some $700 monthly. newly-elected president is colloquially Central department – the smallest but in the country will recover it by any Some of the 283 public schools to called – will implement the promises he most populated territory of the country, means; we the Puerto Rican people be privatized have modern structures, made, and if he actually does it the way with 35 percent of the inhabitants - after will pay for it,” Figueroa Jaramillo said including about a dozen that operate he said. 25 years of Liberal hegemony. during a public hearing of the House under the Montessori method. For the time being, in his first speech Will Marito be different from Cartes of Representatives’ Joint Commission In the meantime, the students will after the victory, he reiterated the call for in his much criticized ruling? It’s very on Economic Development, Planning, be crowded together in very poor unity in his party, to have their support unlikely, because in the end “they are the Telecommunications, Private Public schools that are far away from their while ruling. same kettle of fish.” Alliances, Energy and Government. homes. 10 CULTURE

Carlos Acosta to Be Decorated with the Queen Elizabeth II Award in London

By MarthaSANCHEZ

HAVANA.- The United Kingdom Royal Academy of Dance will decorate Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta with the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, the company directed by the dancer announced through a press release. By granting such an award, the institution hopes to acknowledge the role of the former London Royal Ballet leading dancer as one of the most influential figures in dance today. The ceremony will take place on October 15 at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, in London. A press release published on the website of the British entity says that the Cuban is “a source of inspiration to dancers around the world,” and also highlights “his extraordinary career as a renowned dancer, and now choreographer and artistic director.” The announcement also praises that, through his work and management, Acosta helps young people Marie Rambert, Frederick Ashton, Additionally, Royal Academy Chief Acosta’s career both as a dancer and to have access to dance– an endeavor Antony Tudor, Kenneth MacMillan, Executive Luke Rittner noted that the now as a choreographer and artistic that according to the press release is also Rudolf Nureyev and The Royal Ballet decision to honor Acosta with the director speaks for itself, Rittner said. at the heart of the Academy’s mission. Company. entity’s most prestigious distinction was Acosta founded a company in his The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation “It’s an honor to join this prestigious unanimous. home country on April 2016 with the Award is an honor annually granted, list of dance leaders, many of whom I The Royal Academy of Dance and purpose of offering comprehensive since 1953, to people who have made a have drawn inspiration from and had Carlos Acosta share a common goal: shows that go from the contemporary to valuable contribution to ballet and dance. the opportunity to work with during my to inspire and nurture young dancers the neoclassical styles, without leaving The award has been granted to career,” said Acosta on knowing he had around the world, and to make dance as aside other dance expressions, styles and personalities such as Ninette de Valois, been selected to receive this award. accessible as possible. periods. U.S. & Latin American Art at Cuba’s National Fine Arts Museum By RachelPEREDA

HAVANA.- The permanent halls Also on display dedicated to U.S. and Latin American will be works made art will reopen soon at the National Fine in the middle of Arts Museum of Cuba, the institution the 19th century by announced. painters from the Curator Carlos Vicente Fernández Rio Hudson School,

told The Havana Reporter that those which is of great Courtesy of the Museum PHOTOS: spaces had been used for international significance to the exhibitions but will now return to their romantic landscape painting movement Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Brazil the Virgin by Puerto Rican José Campeche, original functions. in the United States. made between the 17th & 19th centuries. the country’s most important painter of The museum’s U.S. collection consists Likewise, the collection includes “El These works are chiefly religious but the 18th century. of 26 pieces made between the 18th Paseo del Prado de La Habana” (Havana’s the urban Mexican landscape is also Other important authors from that and 19th centuries, featuring portraits, Prado Walk), an impressionistic painting represented. period are Joseph de Paéz and José Alcíba. landscapes, still life and gender scenes. made by Childe Hassam, who came According to the museum’s specialists, The exact date of the halls’ reopening The main pieces include a portrait of to Cuba to provide the U.S. press with most of the pieces are anonymous, because has not been officially announced but the George Washington made at the end of evidence about the Independence War. this was one common element within the public are already getting ready to visit the 18thcentury by Gilbert Stuart, who In the meantime, the Permanent Latin region’s artistic movement at that time. these important halls of Cuba’s National is considered the most important U.S. American Art Hall will bring back pieces Nevertheless, the collection features Fine Arts Museum, a place where universal portrait painter of that time. from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, the one rococo painting: the representation of culture exhibits its most diverse sides. PHOTO FEATURE 11 Havana´s 500 ͭ ͪ Anniversary on the Horizon

Text & Photos by TinoMANUEL

HAVANA.- The Cuban capital will celebrate its 500th birthday in 2019, an occasion that means a lot to the Cuban authorities and people, who take pride in its wonders, beauties and the cosmopolitan ambiance that the tourist industry is now expanding. Listed among the Seven Wonder Cities of the World, Havana’s beauty, hustle and bustle and the people’s traditions largely justify that designation and many other acknowledgments. Its very well preserved urban landscape, thanks to the Office of Havana City’s Historian Eusebio Leal and the serious intentions of the Tourism Ministry and other entities, bestows Havana with a Babel- like atmosphere when it comes to languages, understanding and people from different origins. Officially founded in 1519 under the shade of a leafy ceiba tree, the Cuban capital of Havana has suddenly become a largely cosmopolitan city full of travelers from around the world eager to explore it. Cuba, and Havana as the essence of essences, exhibits a large blend of people, whose main cultural heritage is attributed to the Spanish and Africans, but where the influences of Chinese, Haitian, German and French can be seen as well. José Martí International Airport of Havana received 72 percent of the tourists 2017, reports say. This is one of the reasons why local efforts aim at providing it with appropriate infrastructure, mainly hotels. The Villa of Saint Christopher of Havana, its real name, was founded on November 16, 1519 near the Carenas Port, after it had been initially located on the country’s southern coast. Visitors describe the first settlement founded in the island’s west as a great place, due to its monuments and patrimonial values preserved along almost 500 years. With the peculiar attraction of a city invaded by pirates in 1555 and by a British fleet in 1762, its walls and palaces still contain sections, stones and traces of great value to travelers. Havana’s riches were rewarded by the UN Education, Science and Culture Organization in declaring it and tourism. As many as 47 percent a World Heritage Site in 1982. of the country’s hotels are located The Cuban capital comprises in Havana –Cuba has more than 732 square kilometers and has 61,000 rooms in nearly 300 hotels. 15 municipalities. Of them, nine We can now refer to an old are totally urban and 4.5 square Havana and a modern Havana, kilometers belong to the old ranging from wide to narrow district. streets, each of them with a very Its economy is connected with particular lively nature, casting a industrial activity, trade, services spell on all visitors alike. 12 REGIONAL AFFAIRS

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN Why is Gas so Important to Bolivia?

The interest shown by When President Morales renowned companies such gave the good news to the as Russia’s Gazprom, Spain’s country, he stressed that having Repsol and Brazil’s Petrobras nationalized the country’s in investing in Bolivia, has also natural resources was no provided a major boost to the mistake at all, nor was having sector. reactivated YPFB. Of the 20 new oil service All of these projects agreements reached so far, eight are complemented by the are for the southern department commercial side of the operation, of Tarija, where the country’s for example, construction of largest natural gas reserves are an Ammonia and Urea Plant in located. Cochabamba department. YPFB executive manager Inaugurated on September Oscar Barriga recently signed 14, 2017, it is the first a contract with Canada’s petrochemical plant built in the Cancambria Energy Company country to produce fertilizers, to prospect nonconventional with noticeable results already gas in the Bolivian Chaco on the domestic market and through a technique known as those of Brazil, Argentina, 'fracking.' Paraguay and Peru. In addition, a law was passed This is the first 100 percent to explore and prospect the petrochemical megaproject By LauraBECQUER According to figures by the prospecting, exploitation & Iñiguazú area, which involves operating in the country which, state-run Yacimientos Petrolíferos commercialization of natural YPFB Chaco, YPFB Andina, according to local authorities, LA PAZ.- Analysts attribute the Fiscales Bolivianos (Bolivia’s Fiscal gas, which presently stands Repsol, PAE and Shell, with an marked a point of inflexion by sustained economic growth Oilfield Company, YPFB), some out as the driving force of the investment worth $900 million. changing the image of Bolivia registered in Bolivia to three $11.18 billion were invested in Bolivian economy. The current promising from mere consumer to well- main elements: gas, saving and the hydrocarbon sector between Bolivia’s daily gas production outlook is enhanced with the known exporter. public investment. 2006 (after the nationalization) is estimated at 59 million cubic recent discovery of a natural The prospecting, exploitation The first is essential to maintain and December 2017. Likewise, meters, and its proven reserves gas reserve that would increase and commercialization of gas the economic stability, because it is some $12.68 billion are expected account for 11 trillion cubic feet, the production up to 20 million and its byproducts has provided the result of the nationalization & to be invested by 2020. according to the Hydrocarbon cubic feet daily in Los Monos Bolivia with an income of $35 later industrialization implemented The country’s prosperity Ministry’s latest officialfield, Tarija Department, Gran billion over 12 years with Evo by the Evo Morales government. largely owes to the certification (2013-2016). Chaco province. Morales as president. The Long Road of an Old Conflict GUATEMALA CITY.- One kilometer agreement to take the dispute to the The results of the plebiscite By MaitteMARRERO on either side of the Sarstoon River International Court of Justice. evidenced a poor participation: marks the imaginary border between A simultaneous referendum was 26 percent. However, the Electoral Guatemala and Belize, two countries to be held on October 6, 2013, but it Supreme Court and Morales himself with a very old territorial, maritime was suspended because the Belizean agreed to say it was a success and insular claim that is being taken authorities conditioned its lawfulness compared to previous referendums. to the International Court of Justice to it being voted by 60 percent of the The excessive amount of money (ICJ) to finally be settled. population. spent in the voting (some $41 What is known as the adjacency Another opportunity arose in May million) generated fierce criticism in a zone –something like “nobody’s zone”- 2015, when the two countries’ foreign country with more pressing needs to is the scenario of a frequent escalation of ministers signed an agreement invest in high-quality education and tensions and deaths. Guatemala claims saying that the popular consultations job generation. those waters as its own, while Belize needed not to be simultaneous Not to mention the millions says that they are shared jurisdiction. and there would be no limit to the needed to pay the lawyers that will Almost half of the Belizean number of votes. take the case to the ICJ, which could territory –some 12,000 square Hence, the Guatemalan vote take between five and ten years to kilometers including several islands on April 15 was marked by an announce a definite decision that and keys- are included in the claim to information campaign led by cannot be appealed. the former British colony; therefore President Jimmy Morales, who asked Meanwhile, Belize has confirmed posing a threat to its existence, even the population to vote because it that a referendum on the issue will though the latter is willing to solve was an affair of State inherited from be held on April 10th, 2019 once the the case peacefully. previous administrations. electoral lists are updated, a process The details about the dispute The government chiefly insisted currently underway, according to are aplenty, and date back to 1783, on the need to delimit the border diplomatic sources. when Spain granted the first lands to to thus have more opportunities for The case will be brought to the ICJ Great Britain, which later breached trade and diplomatic exchanges in in the Hague only if the Yes vote wins agreements with Guatemala. Then the future, though access to the sea in the two countries. in 1991, Guatemala recognized appears to be in the background of While the case is settled, the Belize’s Independence but without the bilateral dispute. Morales government should generate renouncing the disputed area. Many citizens cast their votes some wealth in the adjacency zone, The more serious attempts to hoping they will immediately recover because they talk more about the resolve the conflict were made in a territory that they consider to be prevailing conflict than the extreme 2008 at the Organization of American theirs, because in some history books poverty affecting the Guatemalans States headquarters, where the Belize still appears to be part of who live near the disputed Sarstoon two countries signed a special Guatemala. River. ECONOMY 13

Business Fair Promotes Development of the National Economy By TeyuneDIAZ the joint ventures and the self-employed workers, in HAVANA.- Cuba´s 5th Business Fair, order to move forward in attended by all sectors of the national the process of conciliation economy, has the purpose of effectively of goods, demands and increasing the substitution of imports services, in the context and improving the country’s industrial of the Economic Plan for capacities. 2019. The meeting, held from May 7 – 23 at Similarly, it allows to the Expocuba fairground, gathers all new have a wider knowledge forms of state management, in addition on the production lines to cooperatives, self-employed workers that are part of the and foreign companies operating in the national economy, as country. well as to promote new One of the main objectives of this fair products, services and is to foster the capacity of the national export items, and to industry in view of the local demand, manage inventories based First Deputy Minister of Economy and on the plan’s logistics. Planning (MEP) René Hernández told the On the possible press. outcomes of the meeting, Compared to last year’s edition, this Hernández said that it

event includes new features, such as a allows MEP specialists to PL PHOTOS: stronger relationship with universities; an identify in a short term application for cellphones – distributed the economic actors that best represent reducing the import of products that The Expocuba Central Pavilion lodges through the Cuban Telecommunications the society – a feedback that facilitates were made in the country. In this sense, all the entities linked to the industrial Company ETECSA - that provides details a better understanding from the macro- he referred to examples related to the activity, including the light and military on the fair, and the attendance of foreign economic point of view. tourism sector, the agribusiness, and the industries, as well as the non-agricultural entities settled in the country, as already- The official added that the fair light and military industries. cooperatives related to this sector. mentioned, noted the official. also contributes to the exchange of In line with the above, almost all the The Business Fair also includes The deputy minister explained that experiences between producers and furniture used today in the tourism field is workshops, where elements related to this is an appropriate occasion to identify those who buy their products, something produced in the country, as well as part of the work principles and scope are taught, the potential of the state-run companies, that in previous occasions allowed the clothing and cleaning products. in view of the 2030 development goals. U.S. Cruise Ship Victory I Docks in Cuba

HAVANA.- The U.S. cruise ship which allows passengers to tour Victory I made its first stop in the localities, he said. Cuba at Havana’s Sierra Maestra With an itinerary of Cruise Ship Terminal after approximately nine days, circumnavigating several provinces passengers get to know the island of the country, a sign of the island’s by staying a couple of days in every increasingly favorable image as a city, commented Nierenberg, who safe destination. added that the passengers are With capacity for 200 eager to know the Cuban culture, passengers, it is the first cruise ship history and food. run by Victory Cruise Lines to dock The small communities that in Cuba. Its voyage started in welcome the cruise passengers are Santiago de Cuba province, the most benefitted from this kind followed by Sancti Spiritus of trip, noted Nierenberg. (Trinidad), Cienfuegos and Havana, The first voyage to Cuba was and continued on to Miami. a positive surprise to all, from the The arrival of Victory I gives crew to the passengers. The Cuban continuity to U.S. cruise lines’ authorities were always very kind operations in Cuba, despite when the cruise ship arrived, the economic, commercial and hotel manager Luis de Souza told financial blockade imposed by The Havana Reporter. the United States against Cuba for Cuba and Victory Cruise Lines more than 55 years. have a promising future ahead, he In remarks to The Havana commented. Reporter, Victory Cruise Lines The Victory I left the Havana chairman Bruce Nierenberg said port on May 5, setting a course for that ever since the shipping Miami. They plan to return to Cuba company was founded at the end by the end of October, in November of 2015, they have always wanted and in January. to include Cuba as one of their In 2016, four companies had destinations. The reasons are the approval to make this kind of several: the proximity to the United trip to Cuba: Carnival Cruise Line, States, the boat’s special features to Royal Caribbean Cruise, Norwegian sail around the coasts, and the time Cruise and Pearl Seas LLP, and now the ship is docked in every city, Victory Cruise Lines. (PL) 14 ECONOMY

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN Growing Awareness of Sustainable Development Challenges By MariaJuliaMAYORAL

HAVANA.- As many as 20 of the 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries today have top level multidisciplinary institutions with their sights set on implementing the 2030 Agenda toward Attaining Sustainable Development. It is “a concrete step toward a new development model;” however, “there are still some gaps, challenges and backwardsteps” that must be faced, said Alicia Bárcena, the executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). By the end of this year, 19 regional governments are expected to have presented their Voluntary National

Reviews on this topic before the UN High Internet PHOTOS: Level Political Forum (HLPF) based in New York. Some of these governments will be Despite the difficulties, the progress presenting it for the second time. so far attained by Latin America and This was confirmed at the Second the Caribbean in fulfilling the 2030 Meeting of the Forum of the Countries Sustainable Development Agenda of Latin America and the Caribbean on represents “a lesson to the world, because Sustainable Development held at the 19 countries will present their reports to end of April in the Chilean capital, with the HLPF and three of them will do so for the attendance of representatives from the second time, Bárcena sustained on 28 countries and 35 nongovernmental the closing day. organizations. The forum stressed the need to Experts from several UN agencies, speed up the pace for implementing and intergovernmental organizations, the increasing awareness of the Sustainable private sector and the civil society Development Goals, taking into attended as well. consideration that the region exhibits the It is well known that poverty, most unequal distribution of wealth in inequalities, the high global debt and the the world. reduction of international cooperation The participants also proposed linking levels threaten the Sustainable the private sector’s incentives with long- Development Goals, it was said during term national public investment goals, the forum. with the objective of reducing equality According to ECLAC, the poverty gaps and all forms of poverty. index in Latin America grew from 28.5 Likewise, they highlighted the percent in 2014 to 30.7 percent in 2016, importance of mobilizing foreign while extreme poverty increased from financial resources and creating the 8.2 to 10 percentage points in the same capacities needed for the development, period. transfer and spreading of eco-friendly More than 100,000,000 people still technologies. live in slums, warned Bárcena, who Taking the road toward a new and also highlighted the negative effects more sustainable development model connected with dangerous climate requires not only political work and changes. approach but also an open and solid From 1990 to 2013, she exemplified, multilateral system, together with more than 43,000 persons died and alliances and institutions that promote some 126 million others were affected policies on the international, national, by disasters of different magnitudes in 16 regional and local levels, the ECLAC countries, largely resulting from climate executive secretary summarized. change-related phenomena. The region is also called to fight tax evasion proficiently and rapidly -which is estimated to reach some $340 billion annually, equivalent to 6.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product- the UN agency noted. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen regional integration and propose new agreements intended to eradicate the financial, technological and commercial asymmetries, it added. The forum was “a good move. The exchange was open and sincere,” with the active participation of the civil society of nations, said Cuba’s first Deputy Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Ileana Núñez. SPORTS 15 Cuban Female Athletes & the 2018 Barranquilla Games By AdrianMENGANA HAVANA.- The Cuban female athletes stand out more than ever in a wide range of sport disciplines. For that reason, their participation in the Barranquilla 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games are not an exception. Over 20 percent of the medals Cuba has won in different sport events have the hallmark of women, especially in judo, track & field and volleyball. In the Central American and Caribbean Games, the Cuban female players have won 850 medals out of a total of 3,071 – which accounts for 28 percent. In the forthcoming games, to take place in the Colombian city of Barranquilla from July 19 to August 3, the female athletes will play an essential role in Cuba’s aspirations to retain the first place reached in such competitions since Panama 1970. Pole-vaulter Yarisley Silva, Olympic runner-up in London 2012 and world outdoor champion in 2015, stands out in that group, as well as discus throwers Denia Caballero – world champion in Beijing 2015 – and Yaimé Pérez, and heptathlon player Yorgelis Rodríguez – who could win two medals: one in heptathlon and another one in long jump. Long-distance runner Rose Mary Almanza also has a shot at the podium in 800 and 1,500 meters, in addition to shot-putter Yaniuvis López, finalist in the London 2017 World Championship. Judo is another sport discipline that can contribute a high number of medals, especially through players Maylín del Toro (63 kg), Onix Cortés (70 kg), Kaliema YarisleySILVA Antomarchi (78 kg) and Idalis Ortiz (+78 kg) – the latter, a three-time Olympic medalist and six-time world champion. The women basketball team is a favorite for the title, which they also won in Veracruz 2014. If successful, this would be their 11th crown in the competition. Meanwhile, the handball team will try to win its 4th title in these events and the field hockey squad hopes to bring home its 5th gold medal. Track cycling will also make a contribution to the Cuban delegation through the Keirin and Omnium modalities, as well as individual and team sprint and pursuit – disciplines that will be represented by Lisandra Guerra, LisandraGUERRA Marlies Mejías and Arlenis Sierra, world cup medal holders. In Veracruz 2014, the Cuban female Furthermore, sport shooters Eglys athletes won 106 medals out of the 253 de la Cruz – Olympic bronze medalist the Cuban delegation brought home. in Beijing 2008 – Dianelys Pérez and Of those, 44 were gold, 28 silver and 34 Laina Pérez are also included, as well as bronze, which accounted for 41.9 percent wrestlers Lianna de la Caridad (57 kg) of the total. and Yudaris Sánchez (69 kg); beach volley Mejías stood out as the best female players Leila Martínez and Maylén Delis; athlete of the delegation by winning rowers Yariulvis Cobas, Aimé Hernández five titles in cycling: road, Omnium, team and Yislena Hernández, and pentathlon sprint (with Guerra), and individual and player Leidy Laura Moya. team pursuit. IdalisORTIZ 16