YEAR X NO 12 DEC 7, 2020 , ISSN 2224-5707 Price: 1.00 CUC / 1.00 USD / 1.20 CAN

New Economic Strategy Underway

P. 3 Cuba - U.S.A Sports Cuba Trump Ruthless against Maradona People’s Response to Cuba in 2020 in Our Hearts San Isidro’s Farce

P. 4 P. 9 P.14 2 TOURISM CUBA 3 Tourism in Cuba: Challenges and Hard Work New Economic

By RobertoCAMPOS Bookings at camp sites in the interior of the country and some hotels opened on June 18 for national tourism. Strategy Underway PCR tests will be conducted on all foreign tourists upon HAVANA.- Big challenges lie ahead for the Cuban tourist arrival in Cuba to identify possible infection. This measure industry due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19 and is the result of the efficient health control on the island, By ElizabethBORREGO the pressures exerted by the U.S. government for more local authorities said. than 60 years, now tightened by the Trump administration, Cuban hotel chains such as Cubanacán, Gran Caribe and as local authorities have reiterated. Islazul, have already announced the hotels that are ready HAVANA.- In a year were world trade has come conducted in the three phases of the first stage Consequently, the sector has been working hard amid to begin operating, as did the Gaviota Group and foreign to almost a total halt, the Trump administration of recovery from the pandemic, said Gil, Minister the pandemic, with maintenance and restoration works hotel chains such as Meliá. continues to worsen the blockade and the health of Economics, at the Cuban Parliament’s most at hotels and other facilities, always complying with the The new promotional campaign “Suyo y Seguro” (Yours crisis caused by COVID-19 affects everyone, Cuba recent session. requirements and protocols established by the Public and Safety) highlights the values of the Cubanacán resorts, hopes to boost its economy with a new socio- The program’s key areas include, among others, Health Ministry and signed by the Ministry of Tourism their safety measures and compliance with the protocols economic strategy. food production, the sugar agribusiness and its by- (Mintur). adopted by the Public Health Ministry. In the meantime, The initiative takes into consideration the products, the tourism industry, the health sector, the Cuba opened up international tourism on July 1, to the Meliá Hoteles Cuba declared that this is an ideal destination complex global scenario caused by the pandemic pharmaceutical, biotechnological and biomedical keys in the central-northern region of the archipelago in the Caribbean, because it is safe and enjoys high levels and focuses on fostering national finances by production industry, telecommunications, and Cayo Largo del Sur (key) in the south-eastern region, of protection against the pandemic. overcoming the main obstacle to its development: construction, and energy. with the objective of protecting tourists and the Cuban Although no statistics have been revealed yet as to specific the U.S. blockade, which according to estimates The strategy is also intended to boost the population as well. bookings, it was announced that Cuba is one of the of the Cuban Executive added 120 new measures manufacturing industry, foreign and domestic Those destinations also have available recovery packages countries that most welcomes Russian tourists. Meanwhile, against the island from 2019 to present day. trade, the financial system, and the national for visitors that in the case that they get infected with the some airlines have already announced upcoming flights, The strategy’s main objectives include increasing policies of employment, salary, security and virus. While enjoying their vacations, foreign tourists can such as ’s OWG (OffWeGo), with direct flights to facilities to the non-state sector; expanding social care. be seen by doctors, epidemiologists and nurses that now Cuba beginning on November 1. imports and exports by the state and private According to Gil, the strategy calls for a faster- form part of working teams in each of the hotels that were The association between Hola Sun Holidays tour operator sector; moving forward in the reordering of paced economy, which is favored by a better allowed to reopen. and OWG will facilitate direct flights to leading Cuban monetary duality, and promoting agricultural epidemiological situation in several Cuban The Cuban government also reopened camp sites and destinations such as the island Cayo Coco, the cities of production, territorial development and provinces since last October, with the reactivation beaches for families to enjoy the summer season, mainly Holguín and Santa Clara and the Varadero beach resort. technological advancements in Cuba. of productive and service activity and the the young population that was so affected by the necessary In addition, Air Transat, Canada’s third most important The actions of this new strategy are a challenge incorporation of state and private workers. isolation entailed by the pandemic. airline, announced the resumption of Cuba flights for the country’s leadership, in particular, the During the presentation of the project, Cuban In this sense, the tourist industry welcomed with joy the beginning on July 23, 2020. monetary and foreign exchange unification, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero described the government’s announcement to undergo three gradual All these efforts and enthusiasm over Cuban tourism could which is one of the main objectives of this document as essential in the transition to new stages during the post-COVID-19 recovery phase, carefully have fruitful results in the near future, depending on how document, as stated by Cuban President Miguel normality and coexistence with the SARS-CoV-2 followed by local authorities. the fight against COVID-19 progresses. According to local Díaz-Canel. Coronavirus. The leading hotel chains also opened some of their authorities, the steady control of the disease in the country “Monetary and foreign exchange unification will Thus, “productive and service activity is re- facilities, both for national tourism now and international may have a strong impact on the reopening of the so- not solve the economic problems as if by magic, established, strengthening epidemiological PHOTOS: Internet. tourism in due time. called lazy industry. Giraldilla, a symbol of Havana. but will no doubt increase labor productivity surveillance, sanitary measures and a responsible and create more efficient performance,” the participation of the people, with the adoption of president said during the presentation of the new lifestyles,” he said. project. The strategy takes into consideration fundamental On the whole, the strategy is structured in 16 key principles of the economic model’s functioning, areas related to economic and social fields that which strengthens the socialist character of have a high impact on the national economy, the Cuban process, based on aspects such as Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Alejandro Gil centralized planning and the defense of national affirmed. production over the import mentality. The measures identified are related to the It also complements different economic actors; progress of the approved guidelines at the VII provides higher autonomy to the business sector; Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, as fosters competitiveness, and acknowledges the well as addressing the obstacles and analysis revitalizing role of domestic demand. Production of food. PHOTO: Prensa Latina.

Sanitary controls at airports. Santa María Key, in the Villa Clara province. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina.

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Likewise, on August 13 it was announced that private Trump Ruthless against Cuba in 2020 charter flights would also be suspended to Cuban airports, with the exception of public ones authorized to and from The Global Fight for Life the Cuban capital. By MarthaANDRÉS The actions aimed at depriving Cuba of financial resources By RosmerysBERNAL population healthy and that those infected do not worsen their in the middle of the pandemic would not end there. On condition. September 23, Trump implemented new restrictions such as In August, Cuba was the first country in and the HAVANA.- Cubans that used to receive remittances from the the prohibition for U.S. travelers to stay at government-owned HAVANA.- The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global 30th in the world to get authorization to begin clinical trials of a through Western Union have been unable to accommodations. challenge, a pressing battle for scientists, health professionals, COVID-19 vaccine candidate known as Soberana 01. get that aid since November 23, when its 407 offices on the That same day the U.S president banned Cuban rum and governments and the whole population. At the beginning of November, WHO included a second vaccine island were forced to close. cigar imports and canceled general licenses for certain travel The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 has upended regular social candidate (Soberana 02) on the official list of projects at the clinical That was the result of a series of measures adopted by the categories, such as those on the participation and organization and economic dynamics as to avoid its transmission and expedite trial phase. Trump administration to limit money sent to the Caribbean PHOTO: Internet. of professional conferences. research in search of a substance or compound to immunize Developed by the Finlay Vaccine Institute, the two of them are on Doctor Ileana Morales, the Public Health country during an electoral year when the U.S. president While Cuba was fighting COVID-19 within its borders and humans. the list of 47 candidates registered in the world, and their clinical Ministry’s Director of Science and tightened the blockade imposed by Washington against Western Union’s counterpart in Cuba, with the feeling that in countries around the world, Washington increased its On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared trials with humans have attained positive results so far. Technological Innovation. PHOTOS: Internet. Cuba for nearly six decades. greater restriction of remittances could come next. defamatory statements against Cuban medical brigades. In the state of pandemic for COVID-19 and that same day, the first In parallel, the Cuban scientific community is working on two Although the entire world has been hit by the deadly The suspicion became true on October 23, when the Office of June, it used them as pretext to keep the island on the list infected people were detected in Cuba. other projects to fight the pandemic, developed by the Genetic COVID-19 pandemic this year, the White House chief Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury of nations that violate the least possible laws to eradicate The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world so far Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB) and with the green wouldn´t mitigate sanctions against the island, even when announced a final regulation to hinder certain general human trafficking. total nearly 60 million people from 186 countries, with more than light to begin their clinical trials. numerous voices in his country and abroad urged him to authorizations connected with sending money to Cuba, directly That month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened 1,400,000 reported deaths. One of them is known as Mambisa (CIGB 669) and will be administered stop the punishments due to the health crisis. affecting the companies on the list of prohibited entities and the Pan-American Health Organization for its role in the In Cuba, that number exceeds 8,000, with over 100 people dead via the nose, while the other, known as Abdala (CIGB 66), will be given In addition to constantly attacking money transfers, forcing the end of Western Union services on the island. agreements of the More Doctors Program between Brazil and and some 8,000 others recovered. via the intramuscular route. the Republican government continued its Cuba travel Several legislators, organizations, solidarity groups and Cuba. Meanwhile, three Republican senators introduced a draft The treatment applied on the Caribbean island includes active Cuban health authorities announced that in December they will prohibitions and campaigns against Cuban medical brigades. Cubans living in the United States condemned the harsh bill to punish countries that would hire Cuban medical services. population inquiries, self-queries on digital platforms, and the present version 1.6 of the national protocol to fight COVID-19, focused Last February, Western Union suspended money transfers blow on remittances and called for the measures to be Together with these and other measures, Trump increased development of local medicine such as Heberferón, Juzvinza on learning to coexist with the disease. to Cuba from any place other than the United States, as a revoked. But Trump turned a blind eye to those calls, as he his hostile rhetoric against Cuba in an attempt to win votes (CIGB 258) and Itolizumab, among others successfully developed Doctor Ileana Morales, the Public Health Ministry’s Director of Science result of Washington’s escalating sanctions. was trying to please the most conservative sector of Cuban- in Florida, which were finally insufficient because he was by Cuban biotechnology, together with the active role of doctors and Technological Innovation, sustained that it will be a stage aimed On June 12, the Department of State enlarged the controversial American voters in Florida. defeated by democrat Joe Biden in the November 3 elections. and the organized work of health services. at stopping its transmission, reducing the number of patients in list of more than 200 Cuban entities and sub-entities proscribed Also with that electoral goal in mind, on January 10 his Due to the reinforcement of the blockade this year and in spite of The country is currently going through the new normality stage; serious condition and focusing the attention on those recovered. to U.S. citizens by including three new hotels, two scuba diving government had announced the prohibition of charter limitations imposed by the pandemic, organizations of solidarity however, calls continue for the population to act responsibly and According to experts, Cuba has maintained a favorable scenario in centers, one dolphinarium and FINCIMEX financial institution. flights to all Cuban destinations but Havana. Similar with Cuba in the United States developed a busy agenda to comply with hygiene and health measures to avoid new outbreaks. the fight against the disease; however, the battle continues to be The inclusion of FINCIMEX in particular called people’s measures had been adopted at the end of 2019 for demand the end of the siege, with different cities approving In the meantime, scientists continue working towards the cure and waged relentlessly from all governmental sectors and the society so attention, because it was the company that had acted as commercial airlines. resolutions in favor of medical collaboration with the island. national protocol is enforced with the objective of keeping the as to preserve the advances achieved so far. Two Other Project to Fight the Pandemic. Cuba Strengthens Epidemiological Surveillance By JoelVARONA Cuba announced the first positive cases and already had a Similarly, the Science Group was created, with an Innovation National Plan to fight the disease. Committee as the executive body, an initiation that Since then, the protocol has been improved with the best contributed to the approval and implementation of over HAVANA.- COVID-19 provides several lessons in Cuba at experiences gathered at the national and international level, 700 researches, including observation and clinical studies. present and on the road to strengthening epidemiological emphasizing social distancing and preventing patients from In the fight against COVID-19, the Biotechnological and surveillance against this disease and other potential getting seriously ill or dying. Pharmaceutical Industry created preventive-therapeutic epidemics. As part of the health strategy, detection and virtual self- products such as national interferon, used in the treatment National Director of Epidemiology at the Cuban Ministry of detection played an essential role in avoiding the collapse of suspicious and confirmed cases. Public Health, Francisco Durán, confirmed the interest that of medical services, especially at intensive care units. It is worthwhile mentioning that the fight against this national authorities have in strengthening care protocols The country increased the number of hospital beds by disease includes three preventive types of medications: and increasing the number of clinical labs. 7,710, while capacities at the ICU rose from 202 to 861 and three antiviral drugs, two anti-inflammatory drugs and At present, the country has 17 labs whose facilities are ventilators to 701. four serological medications, in addition to three ventilator not only dedicated to studying COVID-19 but many other In addition, 61 centers were equipped for quarantine; 286 to prototypes to be used at the ICU and an impedance diseases too. “We hope to have more entities of this type,” monitor contacts and 73 to isolate travelers, a practice that tomography. said the director, one of the most visible faces in Cuba in the allowed the country to largely contain the infection. Many citizens and institutions benefited from the use of fight against the so-called ‘silent enemy.’ The three components that define the fight against Biomodulina T and PrevengHo-Vir, homeopathic products The spread of COVID-19 in Cuba last March was not a surprise COVID-19 are the epidemiological area, the organization of indicated as preventive medication, while other people to anyone, as a series of measures had been implemented to the health services and the handling of the situation based received the Anti CD6 (Itolizumab) monoclonal antibody contribute to control the pandemic since January, based on on science and innovation. and Jusvinza peptide, also known as CIGB 258. scientific development and existing expertise. Cuban experts designed protocol to fight COVID-19 upon The two latter, in combination with the plasma of recovered On March 11, when the World Health Organization identified the basis of two scenarios: prevention and therapeutics, with patients, allow for an index of survival of over 90 percent of the SARS-CoV-2 as the agent responsible for the pandemic, a gradual progression of the services’ level of complexity. the seriously ill and critical patients. The ventilation techniques for the treatment of seriously ill and critical patients, the result of the expertise of Cuban Intensive Medicine specialists and technicians, were also improved. Cuban science is proud of having four vaccine candidates, including Soberana 01. Undoubtedly, there is a huge difference between the pandemic in Cuba and the rest of the world, as indicators and numbers here are lower than those exhibited at the international level. Until now, no child or adolescent has died, nor has a pregnant woman or any member of the Cuban health staff

PHOTOS: Internet. involved in the fight against this pandemic. 6 CULTURE SPOTLIGHT 7 Edesio Alejandro Nationally Screens Mambo Man Havana to Host a Unique Latin The Cuban filmmaker told The Havana Reporter that he was very happy because these By MarthaSÁNCHEZ big awards are never expected. “We did our best to make a beautiful film, but I’m very happy with all the nominations and HAVANA.- Cuban composer and filmmaker Edesio Alejandro presented his film Mambo awards and cannot wait to make other films,” Edesio said. American Film Festival Man, winner of numerous awards at international events, at the 42nd International The Cuban director worked relentlessly for two years from the time the film was being Festival of New Latin American Film. shot in the Cuban cities of Bayamo and Santiago de Cuba until its premiere. But aware that this event had to limit the number of audience members due to COVID-19, “The fact that my first feature film has been so widely recognized makes me very glad, By MarthaSÁNCHEZ For that reason, when talking about the two the director is planning several screenings so that his first work can be made known all also because it was made so that the entire family can enjoy it,” he added. different periods of the festival, reference is over Cuba in 2021, starting with Havana. The independent film was produced by Tumi Music, the English company that has made to two doses of medicine, each one of By mid-2020, Italy’s Florence Film Awards and New York’s Dumbo Film Festival announced recorded a number of Cuban artists that promote traditional music. HAVANA.- The Latin American New Film them with exclusive and modern proposals. that his film would be nominated in the Best Film category. The main characters are performed by actors Héctor Noas, Alejandro Palomino, Idolka de Festival will have to be adapted this year to the “In March, we will launch the contest and other Co-directed by Edesio Alejandro and British-Iranian filmmaker Mo Fini, in May 2020 Mambo Erbiti, David Pérez, Yudexi de la Torre and Camila Chile; with special performances by the context imposed by COVID-19; however, it will works of the International Contemporary Man was granted the Festigious International Film Festival award for Best Direction and musicians Cándido Fabré, María Ochoa, Arturo Jorge, David Álvarez and Julio Montoro. still showcase a comprehensive panorama of Panorama. We will also conduct the theoretical the Best Fiction Film prize at the event held in Los Angeles, California. Luis Alberto Gonzales was the director of photography, with production by Julio Cesar the seventh art, said Iván Giroud, president of session, seminars, and workshops, because we It was also awarded prizes for Best Feature Film at the Florence Film Awards and Best Llamos and Zadoc Nava, editing by Edesio Alejandro himself and music by various artists the film festival. always avail of the people who come to the Foreign Fiction Film at the Moody Crab Film in India. with the Tumi Music label. In order to hold the most important film event,” affirmed the president of the festival. Edesio Alejandro is an active member of the Hollywood Film Academy and of the Latin event in the region, instead of the usual 10- Giroud also added that on that occasion, the Grammy Academy, as well as cultural ambassador of the Latin Music Institute. He is day screening, the festival will last 20 days in San Antonio de los Baños International Film and precisely making a documentary about that institution to celebrate its 100th years of order to provide more opportunities and still Television School will be active, as the academic founding in 2021. hold sessions, lectures and debates over a course starts in January and life in the city will As a composer, he has made music for numerous Cuban films such as Clandestinos, Hello couple of months, when the epidemiological be more normal. “The energy that is created Hemingway, Madagascar, Caravana, Adorables mentiras, La vida es silbar, Suite Habana, situation is to be better controlled and there with the schools, the students and the festival is Madrigal, Kleines Tropicana, Hacerse el sueco, Nada and Bailando Chachachá, among will be more possibilities of traveling. very important to us,” he commented. many other feature films. According to Giroud, for the first time, works The audience will then have two moments to In addition, Edesio has composed music for more than 40 plays, a dozen TV series and will be exhibited on two different occasions: better appreciate the works that interest them. The promotional image of the 42nd edition of the Film Festival, has several national and international prizes to his credit, such as the Batuta International from December 3 to 13, with the screening The International Contemporary Panorama Lo que recetó el doctor (What the doctor prescribed). PHOTOS: Internet Award granted last year in Mexico. of 98 titles, and from March 11 to 21, with section will exhibit about 10 titles in the Mambo Man tells the story of “JC, a local music producer and promoter, farmer and hustler over 100. In the latter, the Coral awards – first screening, while the productions to be that makes his living from his talent and imagination. In order to support his family and the distinctive prize of the event – will be screened in the second period will depend keep his local status, he lives beyond his means. An unexpected phone call gives him granted and talks will be held on the topic on the acknowledgments granted during the possibility to make a fortune and change his life forever. That situation provokes a of the event: young cinema in Latin America. the world famous festival. Edesio Alejandro, 2020 National Music Award winner. PHOTO: Cubadebate. frenzied search for money and a fateful and mysterious date.” During the first period, the audience will As the festival’s president noted, because of be able to enjoy the Latin America in the current situation, it is natural to restrict the Perspective and International Contemporary schedule and have less titles selected in order Panorama categories at the 23 y 12, Riviera, to have more screenings at the movie theaters. Yara, La Rampa and Acapulco movie theaters The Havana Film Festival has never been in Havana, under strict health measures and canceled and their filmmakers try to defend with limited capacity. its continuity, although aware that the The promotional image of the 42nd edition effects of COVID-19 will be felt throughout of the Film Festival, Lo que recetó el doctor the world for several years. (What the doctor prescribed), references In a context marked by the pandemic, the medicine and health staff, in appreciation organizers of this annual event in Cuba of their work against COVID-19, as they recall that it is not only important to cure the make social gathering possible again, as body but also the soul, and in that sense the Giroud stated. cinema is a means to preserve a healthy spirit.

Premio Batuta de San Leopoldo, in México. PHOTOS: Internet.

Press Conference in Havana. 8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CULTURESPORTS 9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Maradona in Our Hearts [email protected] By MaylínVIDAL A few weeks have passed since the celebration of his the Atlantic Ocean cry for his loss, especially in Villa Fiorito, 60th birthday, when his fellow countrymen joined in the fields where little Diego started down the road that him in the festivities. He then looked tired and walked made him achieve glory. .-‘He is the people incarnate in a soccer ball,’ slowly. It was his last appearance on the soccer field, Maradona was a passionate man who spoke freely and everyone says in Argentina, a country deeply moved by in Lobo, the venue of Gimnasia La Plata, the team he always said what he though. He knew how to bring the death, on November 25, of one of the greatest players directed these last years and where an emotional party together the beauty of soccer and his love for his people UPCOMING in the sports’ history, Diego Armando Maradona, whose was given in his honor. and social justice. passing has been a great loss for the South American His passing represents the death of a part of the He always helped the most humble and one of his most nation. Argentinean soccer. Hundreds of fans from both sides of recent initiatives was ‘Las 10 del 10,’ a match conducted in La Matanza, Villa Palito (Buenos Aires) in coordination EVENTS with the Argentinean Red Cross to collect funds for infrastructural work in 10 Argentinean cities. He didn’t even care to face FIFA and as he used to do, he openly criticized the performance of former Argentinean president Mauricio Macri. He also rejected the granting of an award to the former president and his election, at the beginning of this year, as chairman of the FIFA Foundation. Maradona defended the region’s integration projects and other social issues, such as the solidary contribution of large fortunes, which is under debate at Congress these days. “In this time of crisis, we need the help of those who, like me, have more resources. I lost my brother-in-law because of COVID-19 and I know how hard it is not to be able to say goodbye to our loved ones. I know how hard it is not to have anything to eat. That’s why I am at your service, President Alberto Fernández. Go, go, Argentina,” he said last September 1. God’s hand travels to eternity while many in his homeland refuse to say goodbye to him, because men like him are With the leader of the , , during a visit to Havana. PHOTO: José Meriño. always present and never die.

The first two weekends of December, at Bertolt Brecht Theater on Calle 13 Esquina The exhibition-contest Post-it 7 will be open to the public until January 10, 2021 at I (Corner of 13 and I Streets), Vedado neighborhood, Plaza de la Revolución Galiano and 23 y 12 Galleries. The contest has been organized by Collage Habana Municipality, Havana. Art Gallery of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets since 2014.

Coffee Time, the personal exhibition of prominent Cuban painter Luis Enrique Camejo Vento will be on display until January 30, 2021 at Collage Habana Gallery of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets, Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00p.m. 10 ECONOMYU.S.A PHOTO FEATURE 11 Polarization as Trump Scrambles Post-Election Camagüey’s Cemetery, a Patrimonial Jewel

By RichardRUÍZ women, another on tax evasion, a third for was one of the first towns founded by the defamation and another for fraud, filed by By FidelMANZANARES Spanish in Cuba on February 2, 1514, under his niece. Photos By AlejandroRODRÍGUEZ the name of Villa de Santa María del Puerto HAVANA.- After a vote count that “The president has lost the elections but del Príncipe, today Camagüey. proclaimed democrat Joe Biden winner, achieved a resounding victory in what has Office of the City’s Historian Researcher the United States put an end to the four- been his fundamental goal since the very CAMAGÜEY, CUBA.- Considered a jewel of Arisleida Ruffín explained that the hall year administration of Donald Trump beginning: to destroy political order. There Cuban architecture and funerary heritage, the previously used for autopsies and as a who, according to experts, worked hard lies the final legacy of Donald Trump’s four General Cemetery of Camagüey is undergoing morgue was inaugurated on October to undermine his country’s prestige and years (in power),” Spanish analyst Pablo a series of restoration works that enhance its 20, 1887, thanks to the contribution of damage international cooperation. Guimón said. condition as one of Cuba’s tourist attractions. Monserrate Canalejo and Hidalgo Gato. With a margin of six million ballots and According to experts, that panorama is The Historian’s Office of Camagüey, a city Monserrat was the widower of Gaspar an advantage of 74 votes at the Electoral taking place amid a volatile environment located some 538 kilometers east of Havana, Betancourt and Cisneros, one of the most College, the voters decided that Biden will marked by increased polarization resulting plans to highlight the cultural values of the influential personalities in Camagüey’s be the 46th President of the United States. from the COVID-19 crisis and protests place close to the city’s historic district, sociopolitical life, and the main person But on the days following the November 3 against racism. where different places earned recognition behind the efforts that introduced the elections, the world shockingly saw a show “The United States is in a delicate moment. from Unesco. railroad in this central Cuban region. in which nobody actually knew what was Unfortunately, we are returning to an The projects include the creation of the According to the specialist, the remains going on. earlier era in our democracy, an era less Interpreting Center, where visitors interested of Major General Ignacio Agramonte Was it a loser throwing a fit? A coup d’état marked by the power of our institutions,” in knowing the history of Camagüey will Loynaz (1841-1873), one of the most attempt? The last trap intended to keep his stated Rachel Kleinfeld, a researcher of the have the chance to get in-depth information important heroes in Camagüey and the entire operation afloat? Carnegie Endowment for International about it, with two halls comprising more country, were partially incinerated in the Those are some of the questions experts and Peace. than two centuries of the cemetery’s history. cemetery, where Carmen Zayas-Bazán, the public have made about Donald Trump. The elections increased the division The neoclassic-style graveyard, one of the the widower of Cuba’s National Hero, José Those that have followed him more closely prevailing in U.S. society, according to a places included in tourist tours, began Martí, was buried. these four years warn that they possibly are poll published by the Pew Research Center. functioning in 1863, after the City Hall The Camagüey cemetery, the oldest rhetorical questions: the republican tycoon However, the controversial debates gave permission to bury members of noble still functioning in Cuba, is considered does not plan, he just acts. between Biden and Trump’s followers don’t families and relevant personalities there. one of the architectural jewels of the The truth is that Trump has basically spent end with the elections and have greatly Its patrimonial attractions make it one of island, as evidenced by its sculptural and weeks trying to magnify every tall story politicized the coronavirus pandemic. the most-visited places in the city, which monumental value. of alleged conspiracy he finds on social So, 66 percent of Biden’s voters are in favor media. of toughening restrictions, while only 16 “A mass electoral fraud will be proven!” He percent of the people that voted for Trump wrote recently on Twitter. “Unprecedented are in favor of new measures. mass fraud!” “The election is a farce!” In fact, 44 percent of them call for a less Members of his administration say it is rules against the spread of the disease. impossible to have serious conversations Still, Biden continues to generate more these days about concrete policies with hope among U.S. citizens in the way he will the President of the United States without handle the Coronavirus crisis. ending in denunciations and weird With regards to the future, voters from both theories. parties are pessimistic about the peaceful Deprived of the immunity he enjoyed transfer of power. during his presidency, from January 20 on Nearly three quarters of voters (73 percent) he will be a citizen facing at least six judicial said they were not sure that the transition processes, including one on the falsification of power will be carried out without of documents hiding payments to silence problems.

PHOTOS: Internet. 12 LATIN AMERICA ECONOMY 13 Colombia: Cuba’s Necessary Monetary Adjustment Violence over Peace By CiraRODRÍGUEZ HAVANA.- Cuba is dealing with a very By OdalysTROYA by the United Nations, noted the Colombian complex monetary panorama that prevents politician and sociologist. its economy from functioning efficiently, In this regard, of the 13,360 guerilla members that caused by a complex dual monetary and HAVANA.- The unfulfillment of the Peace accepted the Havana pact, 12,642 go on with the currency exchange system that affects the Agreement signed by the Revolutionary Armed process for their reintegration into civil life and are state-owned sector and individuals. Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and willing to contribute to truth, justice and reparation, It is no secret that the current conditions have the government of then President Juan Manuel the senator stated. resulted in price alterations, serious wage Santos is one of the causes for the new outbreak of However, of the over 700 that are no longer in problems, inefficiencies in the entrepreneurial violence in the South American country. the government records, 230 were assassinated, system and a lack of motivation to increase According to experts and politicians, the agreement according to Common Alternative Revolutionary export. has been implemented since November 24, 2016, but Force, a faction that resulted from the Agreement. Macroeconomic imbalances in the its full implementation by the current government of Others died naturally, while the Reincorporation economy (big assignments of the state Iván Duque hinders many of the measures to attain and Normalization Agency does not know the budget to enterprises), high institutional peace in the country. whereabouts of the rest, Sanguino sustained. burden and poor economic comparison In an online interview with The Havana Reporter, According to the Colombian senator, there are two between Cuba and the world also add to Senator Antonio Sanguino of the Green Alliance factors that pose an imminent risk to the Peace this situation. analyzed what has been achieved and what’s yet to Agreement: the intention of the president and The national panorama gets ever more be accomplished after the agreement was reached his ruling party to destroy it, and the escalation of complicated and prevents the economy in the Cuban capital, after four years of dialogue violence in conflict-ridden zones. from growing further, even more so amid and negotiations. Referring to the first factor, he commented that the current global crisis of the COVID-19 “In spite of difficulties in its implementation, the since Iván Duque took power two years ago, he pandemic. Hence, the profound changes agreement has managed to defend life. Violence has has spared no efforts to attack the Special Peace needed to attain progress in the Cuban declined in the country, together with the humanitarian Jurisdiction, cut the budget assigned to implement economic model cannot be postponed. impact caused by the conflict over the years,” he said. the Peace Agreement and ignore the unsafe It is very clear that the monetary reordering Cuban agricultural products. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. Sanguino commented that the number of conditions in which former fighters and signatories is not only necessary but inevitable and will kidnappings decreased by 70 percent from 2012 of the agreement live. be implemented with an interdisciplinary to 2019, as well as the guerrilla actions and attacks “A total of 241 have been killed so far. We’ve seen and transversal nature, as it includes against State infrastructure. an increasing number of massacres in the country monetary and exchange rate unification, The Humanitarian Demining achieved 20 in the past year, with the Institute of Development the elimination of unwarranted subsidies municipalities free of antipersonnel mines and and Peace recording 74,” he stated. and free-of-charge provisions, and the unexploded ammunitions in 2015, with operations The intensification of violence occurs as the current transformation of wages. totaling nearly 720 in 2020, he stressed. Colombian Minister of Defense, Carlos Holmes But the most important thing is that no Likewise, 8,894 weapons were laid down and the Trujillo, remains impassive but occupied with his one will be left unprotected during the disarmament process was followed and certified presidential aspirations, the senator pointed out. PHOTOS: Internet. process. Basic products and mass services will be subsidized to reasonable degrees, because the objective is to protect the most vulnerable people. on power. Pressure was also exerted by the groups who Faced with such complex challenges, Fundamental Issues Persist in took him to the throne and who stepped back as a result Cuban authorities have warned that of the death of two young demonstrators. although the elimination of the monetary By ManuelSOSA According to leaked information, Merino pretended to Resignation was not going to be enough, as the and exchange rate duality will not ignore the condemnation of the people for being the spontaneous and peaceful mass of demonstrators who magically solve the problems accumulated beneficiary of an agreement with minority congressional improvised ways of self-defense against the police, warned by the Cuban economy, it is the most LIMA.- The Peruvian capital is living a relatively calm factions, which on November 9 triggered the conflict as a that they would continue fighting if any of the legislators significant decision to achieve progress in phase following the repudiated and ephemeral regime result of the dismissal of President Martín Vizcarra against who dismissed Vizacarra was appointed to replace Merino. all socioeconomic spheres of the country. of conservative Manuel Merino, who was forced to resign public opinion. The Congress had no other option but to elect the new because of the social indignation the people, particularly With that purpose in mind and according to the president of the Legislative Power among the center PROTECTING PEOPLE AND NOT the youth, stated in mass demonstrations. Hildebrandt weekly, he summoned the military authorities and left wing legislators, who shared the criteria that PRODUCTS Merino was replaced by legislator Francisco Sagasti, to demonstrate their support and eventually used them to Vizacarra’s term should end on July 2021 and answer for Salary reform is the most important of the PHOTO: Internet. considered to be a man of great charisma, which has helped break up the strikes that demanded a new constitution to the accusations of corruption in a court of law. four elements contained in the monetary restore peace after several days of citizen protest in the substitute the neoliberal one in force since 1993. The first proposal that reached consensus was that of restructuring strategy in Cuba, because such as children’s milk and others as a Commission for the Implementation of the In this sense, a strategy that subsidizes streets.Revisar si hay elementos de peso sobre la posición According to other accounts, the military never arrived environmentalist legislator Rocío Silva-Santiesteban, who devaluating the currency and increasing means to ensure equal distribution. Guidelines adopted by the PCC Congresses. losses for some time has been foreseen adoptada por el presidente de Perú. and Merino was forced to resign just five days after taking was rejected for her pro-McCarthyism ideals in spite of being salaries is synonymous with price hikes, Any price increases will ultimately exert “Those of us working with the State will be for the least efficient entities, with the a member of the conciliatory sector of local progressivism. which causes inflation. pressure on people’s income, which thankful for the salary increase and that our objective of avoiding their closure, The street roared again when the left-wing minority Therefore, Cuban authorities warn that the is why wage reform is important. The work is our main source of income. In this unemployment and the interruption of mosaic seemed to be maneuvering a new attempt to take increase of prices should not exceed that objective is that they will be in a better context, it will be difficult to live in Cuba productions and services that are essential the presidency. However, because of the magnitude of the of wages; otherwise, it would result into position once the monetary adjustment without working, but we’ll support those for the population. strike, there was no other choice but to elect 76-year-old unforeseen inflation. is complete. who are vulnerable or unable to work,” he In this regard, Cuban President Miguel Díaz- Sagasti, a former International official and a renowned The basic concept is that a worker’s These measures will be for the good of all, sustained. Canel warned that, “this is a task of great academic, as president. salary must cover the cost of his/her own in line with the Cuban social system for the The monetary adjustment will produce importance; it’s integral, comprehensive The elected president's sober style and his first actions consumption and that of the family. Hence, distribution of wealth. important benefits and, although the work with a profound concept that has taken -including the start of police reform because of the existing the minimum wage scale must be a little Once the measures are implemented, it money unification will not be a long process, years of study and takes into consideration corruption and the waves of repression - finally eased the higher than the value of the family of will be very hard to live without working, it will entail strong devaluation, with the multiple economic interrelations.” situation. reference. said Marino Murillo Jorge, member of the objective of encouraging competitiveness “It should result in greater productivity and As a result of the crisis in which Peru had three presidents in In this regard, retail products will continue Political Bureau of the Communist Party within the business sector, according to more efficient performance of productive

Francisco Sagasti, New Peruvian Presidet. PHOTOS: Internet. over a week, the call for a new Constitution is under discussion. to be centralized, some of them subsidized, of Cuba (PCC), and head of the Permanent experts. forces,” he stressed. 14 ECONOMYCUBA SPORTS 15

the Cuba Money Project portal, over 124 million dollars were allocated to “democratic Rafael Silva, who didn’t show up to the participation and civil society,” 38 million to “human rights” and 25 million to “media and semifinal phase due to an injury. People’s Response to free flow of information.” In previous rounds, the Cuban defeated On November 29, President Miguel Díaz-Canel stressed on his official Twitter account that Cuban Judo Shines in Mexico Canadian Marc Deschenes and Brazilian Cuba “does not tolerate interference, provocations or manipulations” in its domestic issues, David Moura, thus accumulating 700 points San Isidro’s Farce neither from the United States nor any country. By AlexisPÉREZ bronze medals, in addition to two fifth Víctor Ochoa and Peruvian Yuta Galarreta, in for his Olympic ranking, a result he should He stated that “there is a group determined to hurt our country,” doing everything in their places, thus escorting Brazil (4-6-4) and that order, thus guaranteeing his presence in soon improve in order to better his current power so that this year, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the strengthening of the Canada (4-0-3). the final match. position of 20th in the ranking. economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the White House, comes to a After several months of impasse because The gold medals went to the hands For the championship, he faced Brazilian The other male representatives of the bad end for Cuba. of COVID-19, Cuban sports returned to the of Iván Felipe Silva (90 Kg) and Andy judoka Rafael Macedo – the main opponent Cuban delegation, Osniel Solís and Orlando Political analyst Enrique Ubieta highlighted that the so call San Isidro Movement responds to international arena and judo had the honor Granda (+100), who maintained their in that category – and defeated him with Polanco (both 66 Kg), won silver and bronze, a media strategy aimed at the destabilization of the Cuban government. of boosting the reputation of the country at qualification to the Olympic a wazari technique, thus sealing his fifth respectively. He noted that there are blogs financed by the United States that gradually built the the Pan-American Championship, held in the Games, foreseen to be held from July 23 consecutive victory against the South On the female team, the defeat of Maylín news on what was happening in the Havana neighborhood with the purpose of building Mexican city of Guadalajara. to August 8, 2021. American player. del Toro (63) in her second bout against readers and reaching the attention of international media. Cuba finished third as a country after Silva, world runner-up in 2018, was up in the Granda, for his part, gave Cuba the second Venezuelan Anriquelis Barrios took everyone In relation to this, after the detention of Cuban rapper Denis Solís – sanctioned to eight months achieving two gold, one silver and three first round after defeating Mexican player gold medal in the bout against Brazilian by surprise. Del Toro, placed sixth in the world in prison for the crime of contempt of a police officer– the so call San Isidro Movement started ranking, losing in the bout for the bronze an alleged hunger strike to demand his release. medal against Brazilian Ketleyn Quadros, Solís admitted publicly that he has relations with people in the United States who finance acts thus finishing fifth. against Cuba. Nahomys Acosta (52) and Arnaes Odelín (57) Ubieta explained that the term ‘movement’ is used to give the idea that there is something won bronze medals against Ayelen Elizeche structured and thus establish a political stance. (Argentina) and Kristine Jiménez (Panama), Those who designed the San Isidro farce chose the wrong According to the expert, “we are witnessing the execution of a soft-coup script” which is the respectively. Both Cuban judo athletes country..., the President said. PHOTOS: Prensa Latina. result of a cultural and media battle where the social media plays an essential role. concluded their participation in the event In this sense, the local newspaper recalled that soft coups are in many cases a with two victories and one defeat, while By ClaudiaGONZÁLEZ mechanism of indirect foreign interference, created by the Central Intelligence Agency to young Ayumi Leyva (48) finished fifth. create a change in the social system of those countries that are a strategic objective for It is worth mentioning that many of Cuba’s the United States. main figures stayed home, including Olympic HAVANA.- San Isidro, the name of a neighborhood located in the oldest part of the Cuban In light of this, students, artists, intellectuals and athletes showed their support of the Cuban winner in 2012 Idalys Ortiz (+78) and world capital, is perhaps the prevailing reference in the U.S. actions against Cuba at present. What socialist democracy by gathering at a concert held at the Trillo Park, in the capital’s municipality medalist Kaliema Antomarchi (78). started as an alleged hunger strike by a group of 14 people, has grown with attention from of Centro Habana, which was attended by President Díaz-Canel. Those were the results of the Cuban judo the U.S. government as part of its attempts to destabilize the Cuban government, starting to At that gathering, the President said: “those who designed the San Isidro farce chose the team in its first international event since the take the form of a ‘soft coup.’ wrong country, history and armed forces,” because, “the people have the courage and the restart of activities amid the context created On November 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the support given by the U.S. moral authority to sustain a fight for Cuba’s heart.” by the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus. Business Attaché in Havana, Timothy Zúñiga-Brown, to the protestors. The event, which was a resounding success According to General Director for U.S. Affairs at the Cuban ministry, Carlos Fernández de in spite of the difficulties caused by Cossío, Zúñiga-Brown visited San Isidro on several occasions. His embassy knew about the COVID-19 in Mexico, was attended by 125 development of the political and social provocation and he offered himself “to personally judo athletes from 17 nations, including carry and support” those involved. 18 from the United States, 17 from Mexico As Fernández de Cossío said, that represents “a serious violation to his duties as a diplomat,” and 16 from Brazil, as the countries with the and also “a defiant interference in Cuba’s domestic affairs,” which, as the experienced official Iván Felipe Silva (90 Kg). PHOTOS: Internet. Andy Granda (100 Kg). most represented. added, “isn’t the first time.” Cuban authorities are aware of the fact that Washington finances, guides and incites groups and individuals to defy authority and supports the machinery present in the social media to spread defiance and divide the population, he affirmed. Recent announcements have revealed other anti-Cuba actions planned in the United States Local Stars Illuminate Baseball Diamond in 2019, including the derailment of a raw material-loaded train going from the Mariel Port to the city of Matanzas, together with attacks against some state-owned and private businesses By ReinaldoSILVA and service centers using incendiary bottles. The government of the United States has stated that from 1990 to the present day, 261 million dollars have been addressed to subversive projects against Cuba. According to High rivalry characterized the All-Star Games of the 60 National Baseball Series in Cuba, whose organization included a new competitive format with the fight between young prospects and well-known figures. Without leaving room to chance, the rookie team – composed of players under the age of 25 – defeated 8-6 the squad made up of experienced players, although this result doesn’t say much considering the magnitude of the event, organized last November at Santiago de PHOTO: Internet. National Baseball Commissioner Ernesto Reinoso. PHOTO: Prensa Latina. Cuba. Excellent catches, defensive plays and three home runs considering the number of players that are injured,” Correa The official affirmed that the island is willing to hold marked the match, decided by a home run by second told our publication. exchanges with the MLB and enter into safe negotiations. baseman Santiago Torres, who told The Havana Reporter The game concluded with the holding of the skill matches, “We have always been ready to restart talks and strengthen that he was really happy with his performance. which were a real show even though not all tests were ties, in order to increase the level and the quality of our According to Torres, elected MVP of the winning team, the conducted. baseball players,” he added. National Commission’s initiative “is very good, as it allows According to National Baseball Commissioner Ernesto He also recalled that two years ago, MLB and the Cuban youngsters to show their talent to the most experienced Reinoso, the event met expectations as both teams fought Baseball Federation (FCB) reached an agreement so that players, including several of my childhood idols.” for victory and put on a nice show. players residing in Cuba could play in that circuit without First baseman Lisbán Correa, MVP of the senior team, arbitrary conditions; however, the agreement was rejected described the activities organized as part of this event – in CUBA WILLING TO NEGOTIATE WITH MLB by the executive of U.S. President Donald Trump. which he hit a home run with loaded bases - as positive. The All-Star weekend also ratified Cuba’s willingness to Reinoso also stressed that other leagues are also possibilities, “I am pleased with my performance; it is the result of my restart contact with the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), in such as the Caribbean, the Asian Confederation or any other, efforts at training and I hope to continue like this in order order to insert its talents in this circuit’s franchises, Reinoso as what matters most is to provide Cuban players with to help my team as much as possible, because it needs it, highlighted. competitive training. 16 U.S.A