THE © YEAR VI Nº 7 APR, 6 2017 HAVANA, CUBA avana eporter ISSN 2224-5707 YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE H R Price: A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN Caribbean Cooperation on Sustainable Development P. 3 P. 4 Cuba Health & Economy Sports Maisí Draws Tourists Science Valuable Cuban Boxing to Cuba’s Havana Hosts Sugar by Supports Enhanced Far East Regional Disability Products Transparency P.3 Conference P. 5 P. 13 P. 15 2 Cuba´s Beautiful Caribbean Keys By Roberto F. CAMPOS Many tourists who come to Cuba particularly love the beak known as Coco or White Ibis. Cayo Santa Maria, in Cuba’s the north-central region “Cayos” and become enchanted by their beautiful and Adjacent to it are the Guillermo and Paredón has become a particularly popular choice because of its very well preserved natural surroundings and range of Grande keys, which are included in the region´s tourism wonderful natural beauty, its infrastructure and unique recreational nautical activities. development projects. Cuban culinary traditions. These groups of small islands include Jardines del Rey Cayo Coco is the fourth largest island in the Cuban 13km long, two wide and boasting 11km of prime (King´s Gardens), one of Cuba´s most attractive tourist archipelago with 370 square kilometers and 22 beachfront, Cayo Santa María has small islands of destinations, catering primarily to Canadian, British kilometers of beach. pristine white sands and crystal clear waters. and Argentine holidaymakers, who praise the natural Cayo Guillermo extends to 13 square kilometers Other outstandingly attractive islets such as environment, infrastructure and service quality. with almost six kilometers of beaches, including the Ensenachos and Las Brujas can also be found in Jardines del Rey encompasses several small islands stunning Playa Pilar, which feature 15m high sand the vicinity. ideal for tourism along the Sabana-Camagüey archipelago. dunes, the Caribbean region‘s highest. Las Brujas has an overall area of 6.7sq. km, is four It was named by Diego Velázquez, in honor of King Off the south-western coast, Cayo Largo del Sur long, 1.9 wide and home to flocks of flamingo, lazy Ferdinand the Catholic between 1513 and 1514. is also very attractive and especially renowned for its iguanas, exotic crabs and many species of fish. Several centuries later, the area was immortalized colorful settings, beautiful beaches and hidden coves. Ensenachos is horseshoe-shaped and has two by U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway in his ‘Islands in the Considered a Garden of Eden by vacationers who heavenly beaches, Ensenachos and El Mégano. Stream’ novel. value tranquility, intimacy and natural beauty, this Home to endemic 22 plants and 39 animal species, Cayo Coco is the regions crown jewel. formerly isolated place is now famous for both tourism it was a formerly an indigenous settlement that is now Its name is comes from a white bird with curved and environmental protection initiatives. an ideal place to simply unwind. CUBA 3 Caribbean Cooperation on Sustainable Development By AdrianaORTIZ Caribbean nations are promoting seven joint projects on interconnectivity to facilitate short-distance trade and regional air and sea connectivity, natural disaster-related transport. risk management and climate change responses. Soomer stressed that since its creation in 1994, the The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) recently ACS has recognized the Caribbean Sea as a common assessed progress on the initiatives at a ministerial resource with a role in regional development. meeting that followed talks and a cooperation forum In an assessment of challenges, the ACS Council of aimed at mobilizing foreign funds. Ministers highlighted that “excluding and repressive The 22nd Ordinary Meeting of the ACS Ministerial migratory policies” announced by the United States Council in Havana, attended by Cuban President Raúl Courtesy of granma.cu and other powers could result in greater deportations Castro, passed the bloc’s 2017-2018 pro tempore PHOTO: and discrimination against Latin American and presidency to Venezuela and welcomed three new Officials reiterated that such issues are relevant to Caribbean migrants. countries as observers: Palestine, Japan and the United small insular economies given the need to consolidate The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, warned Arab Emirates. fishing and tourism as sources of income. that the above -- and the application of protectionist The seven projects should stimulate the training of According to ACS Secretary General, June Soomer, measures in the commercial sector -- could “seriously personnel, the creation and strengthening of institutional fighting coastal erosion is presently the bloc’s primary affect our countries development, due to their consequent management, and the implementation of joint works on project due to the number of member countries affected impact on job generation, income, industry and trade”. problems identified through research. and aid from international collaborators. “Unity, solidarity and harmony continue to be our best In the current context of climate change, the ACS The program “Uniting the Caribbean by Sea and Air” response to the walls being planned today, in defense of is concentrating on the search for solutions to halt project has not progressed as planned, she noted. the most legitimate rights of our peoples,” he said. the deterioration of sandy shores and coral reefs. The The plan’s first phase includes the creation of a The ministers said the economic problems hindering supervision of gulfweeds and invasive exotic species Greater Caribbean Maritime Routes Map, the design of trade and investment in key spheres such as transport including the lionfish is also a regional priority. a regional port and maritime strategy and improved and tourism demand new, feasible solutions. Maisí Draws Tourists to Cuba’s Far East By YadiraCRUZ Maisi, Cuba´s easternmost municipality in the province A restaurant, a bar, ten rooms and a swimming pool can of Guantanamo, is a region renowned for its captivating be enjoyed by guests at the hotel, particularly appealing beauty, where tradition, history and nature combine to because of its proximity to the famous Maisi Lighthouse. offer visitors something special and unique. Local highlights include the beautiful Pozo Azul, a Last October, this natural balance and the everyday life cavern with crystal clear waters and a pristine environment of residents were shattered by the passing of Hurricane some 12 kilometers from the resort, the La Patana Cave Matthew and the consequent trail of destruction and the lighthouse itself, a comforting and protective seemingly impossible to recover from over a short period signal to all Caribbean seafarers. of time. Only a short five months later, the region has become a new eastern Cuban tourist attraction, thanks to the heroic efforts of its residents, their government and the Courtesy of Venceremos PHOTO: PHOTO: The huge horseshoe-shaped marine terraces that run from Baracoa Bay to the Punta de Maisí are especially beautiful and ideal for diving. An abundance of endemic flora and fauna make Maisi solidarity of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Asunción Hotel, ruined by the hurricane. ideal for eco-tourism and traditional culinary dishes, juices Two fine hotels operated by Cuba´s Islazul hotel group With 20 rooms, including two suites, the hotel offers a and wines made from local fruits typical are not to be missed. and the area‘s charming features now offer visitors keen fine menu and areas like the spacious bar-terrace to relax Since both hotels opened at the beginning of the year, to establish direct contact with nature and interact with and unwind. tourists from Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the United the rural population, an appealing option. The Punta de Maisí resort, located in an area of States have experienced the beauty of this eastern Cuban In just 35 days, the three-star Faro de Maisi Hotel was same name, was erected with Venezuelan aid on a site region and have particularly enjoyed getting to know its constructed on the site formerly occupied by the La devastated by Matthew in only 20 days. hospitable local population. A Weekly 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: Laura Reyes. Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Information Vice President: Hector Miranda. Chief Graphic Editor: Alfredo G. Pierrat Prensa Latina, S.A. Editorial Vice President: Maitté Marrero Canda. Advertising: Irina Hernández Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba. Chief Editor: Ilsa Rodríguez. Circulation: Commercial Department. Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Fax: (53)7833-3068 Translation: Dayamí Interián/ Sean J. Clancy/Yanely Interián Printing: Agencia de Comunicación Publicitur S.A. E-mail: [email protected] 4 CUBA Festival Celebrates the World’s Best Cigars By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ U.S. publicity agent Gary Heathcott He has professed his love for hosted the auction for the first time this the aroma and taste of Cuban year at the Pabexpo exhibition center cigars which for him, like so many and raised more than1,000,000 Euros others, are undoubtedly the best for Cuba’s public health service. in the world. Heathcott, winner of the 2015 He has been writing and making communications category Habano of documentaries about Cuba, and Roberto F. Campos Roberto F. the Year Award, replaced Simon Chase Cuban cigars in particular since 1999. from the UK, who had done so since it He says that he aims not to PHOTO: PHOTO: was first held. commercially promote Cuban cigars The owner of a publicity agency but to communicate the perspective in Little Rock, Arkansas, he has of the humble people who invest an been coming to Cuba with his wife enormous effort to manufacture a for 26 years.