Viewing from March 2007

Buena Vista Social Club's Faustino Oramas Passes Away

Campaign News | Friday, 30 March 2007

One of the last makers of seminal album diesFaustino Oramas, adored for his saucy ballads and one of the last remaining stars behind the acclaimed "Buena Vista Social Club" album, died yesterday at age 95 of liver cancer in a hospital in his hometown of Holguin, Cuba.Nicknamed "El Guayabero" after ... read more

Cuba: A success story

Campaign News | Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President of the International Movement of a Just World writes about a recent visit to HavanaI had a pleasant surprise when I visited Cuba for the first time a few weeks ago. There were hardly any billboards in Havana dedicated to the man who has dominated Cuban ... read more

Latin American School of Medicine: Bringing health to the world

Campaign News | Sunday, 25 March 2007

More than 14,000 students in Cuba and 3,000 graduatesBY SUNDRED SUZARTE MEDINAGranma International staff writerSOME 20 kilometers west of Havana, young people are sowing the seed of hope for a future of sturdy children and lively older adults, conspiring against the reigning dehumanization, with their white coats the banner of ... read more

Bush removes six of his Cuba team

Campaign News | Friday, 23 March 2007

Changes cause concern in MiamiBY GABRIEL MOLINA of GranmaInternationalTWO officials with the U.S. State Department’s Cuba Desk were sent to Iraq in a shift that has affected to date this year six of the individuals who were in charge of Cuban affairs. This movement of personnel has caused concern in ... read more

22 MEPs sign declaration in support of Miami Five families

Campaign News | Thursday, 22 March 2007

Campaigners urged to continue lobby of EU22 MEPs from across the UK have signed a motion which condemns the United States for its treatment of the Miami 5.Thanks to the work of CSC members, the UK boasts the highest number of European politicians to have so far signed the Written ... read more

UK Women Trade Unionists give strong support to the Miami Five

Campaign News | Thursday, 22 March 2007

77th Women's TUC passes resolution condemning US treatment of the FiveWOMEN trade unionists have pledged support for the Miami 5 at a key conference held in England.Delegates at the 77th Women’s Trades Union Congress (TUC) Conference showed solidarity with the Miami 5 by passing a resolution that condemns the United ... read more

Cuba minister sees Castro more active soon

Campaign News | Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Fidel already involved in decision making processHAVANA, March 20 - Cuba's convalescing leader, Fidel Castro, is recovering well from his July surgery and could soon take a more active role in running the country, a government minister said on Tuesday."We think that, as has been said, our leader is recovering, ... read more

Nicaragua and Cuba restore diplomatic relations

Campaign News | Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Ortega calls for end to blockadeMANAGUA, March 20 - Nicaragua and Cuba officially restored their diplomatic relations on Tuesday.Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accepted the credentials from new Cuban Ambassador Luis Hernandez Ojeda, marking the formal restoration of the ties between the two countries.Speaking at a ceremony, Ortega said that Nicaragua ... read more

Minister: Cuba open to American investment in oil ventures, but blocked by US

Campaign News | Wednesday, 21 March 2007

First oil and gas congress in Cuba opensHAVANA: Cuba is open to American companies that want to join the communist country's new oil-drilling ventures but any such deals are being blocked by Washington, the minister overseeing energy matters said Tuesday.Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia said exploratory drilling in the Gulf ... read more

Cuba leads charge to end UN Human Rights special rapporteurs

Campaign News | Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Cuba and China argue that they are a political toolGENEVA - Cuba is leading a bid by a number of countries to strip the Human Rights Council of its power to investigate and condemn violations, a move some activists warn could jeopardize the whole UN’s credibility.The 47 member states of ... read more

Women show rousing support for Cuba at TUC

Campaign News | Friday, 16 March 2007

More than 70 delegates attend meeting on Latin AmericaTHE role of women in social movements sweeping across Latin America was debated at a joint fringe meeting co-run by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.More than 70 delegates heard talks by three speakers at the Women's TUC conference in Scarborough, which took place ... read more

Cuba protects rights of AIDS patients

Campaign News | Friday, 16 March 2007

Jobs and free medical care are guaranteedHavana, Mar 13 (Prensa Latina) Cuba guarantees jobs, labor protection and free medical care to HIV AIDS patients, because the State prioritizes human development, AIN news agency reported on Tuesday.Cuban experts attending the Second International Congress on Health and Work, being held in Havana ... read more

Cuba and Venezuela create a $1bn fund for Haiti

Campaign News | Thursday, 15 March 2007

Fidel makes another phone call to ChavezBesides the USD 1 billion fund, President Hugo Chávez officially announced that Venezuelan state-run Economic and Social Development Bank (Bandes) would create a USD 20 million to finance development projects in HaitiMARIA LILIBETH DA CORTEEL UNIVERSALCuba and Venezuela created a USD 1 billion fund ... read more

Miami right wing wish to punish investors who help Cuba drill for oil

Campaign News | Thursday, 15 March 2007

Bill introduced by Cuban-American senator intoduces extra-territorial billWASHINGTON - Cuban American US Senator Mel Martinez introduced a bill on Wednesday that would punish foreign companies and investors who help Cuba drill for oil and natural gas near the shores of Key West.Martinez, a Republican, and Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, ... read more

Cuba-China trade doubled in 2006

Campaign News | Wednesday, 14 March 2007

Now valued at $1.8 billionThe trade volume between Cuba and China in 2006 saw a twofold increase from the previous year and reached 1.8 billion dollars, Cuban newspaper Opciones quoted Chinese Ambassador Zhao Rongxian as saying on Tuesday."Growth has been really successful," Zhao told the newspaper, adding, "There are many ... read more

Cuba's Acosta is star of the Bolshoi

Campaign News | Wednesday, 14 March 2007

From the Guardian newspaper, LondonWhen Carlos Acosta dances with the Bolshoi this summer it will bring together the most feted male star of British ballet and the most celebrated dance company in the world.The Cuban-born Acosta, whose breathtaking artistry has led to comparisons with Rudolf Nureyev, will take the title ... read more

Raul Castro warns of "high cost" against invading Cuba

Campaign News | Tuesday, 13 March 2007

Massive military manoeuvres in western CubaCuban Defense Minister Raul Castro on Monday warned against an invasion of his country, saying the price paid by invaders would be high."If anyone attacks us, we're ready to pay any price necessary, but the price paid by the invaders of our country would be ... read more

Cuba denounces US manoeuvres against the UN Human Rights Council

Campaign News | Tuesday, 13 March 2007

Speech by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez RoqueCuba Demands that the Hypocrites Let us WorkGeneva (PL) - Speech of the Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque before the 4th Session of the Human Rights Council.Excellencies:First and foremost, and since Cuba is the current Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, comprising ... read more

A shameful injustice: Former CIA agent speaks out for Cuba and the Miami Five

Campaign News | Saturday, 10 March 2007

Philip Agee writes in the Guardian newspaper, LondonCuba's 50-year defiance of US attempts to isolate it is an inspiration to Latin America's peoplePhilip AgeeSaturday March 10, 2007The GuardianThere is a wave of progressive change sweeping Latin America and the Caribbean after the many lonely years in which Cuba held high ... read more

International Women's Day in Cuba

Campaign News | Friday, 9 March 2007

Bread and Roses Tooby Carolina CositoreMarch 08, 2007In 1975 the United Nations gave official recognition to International Women's Day, March 8, which, like International Workers' Day (May 1) has its roots in the union and socialist struggles at the beginning of the last century. Unlike Workers Day that is celebrated ... read more

Cuban medical aid extends to the Pacific

Campaign News | Friday, 9 March 2007

Medical school for young people from Solomon Islands to be establishedTHE governments of Cuba and the Solomon Islands have signed a cooperation agreement in Havana laying the bases for subsequent and systematic progress on ties between the two nations in different areas.They also signed a separate cooperation agreement, between the ... read more

US denies softball president permission to go to Cuba

Campaign News | Thursday, 8 March 2007

Top official regrets decisionHavana, Mar 7 (Prensa Latina) The US government forbade Don Foster, president of the International Softball Federation, to visit Cuba to award the first Cuban coach in the Hall of Fame, Granma newspaper reported on Wednesday."I regret much not having gone to Havana for the ceremony of ... read more

Bush says communisim 'should end' in Cuba after Fidel

Campaign News | Wednesday, 7 March 2007

Eve of Latin America tour speechWASHINGTON - Communist rule of Cuba should end when ailing leader Fidel Castro dies, U.S. President George W. Bush said as he prepared for a Latin American tour this week.Bush's trip is widely seen as offering a counterpoint to the populist appeal of Venezuelan President ... read more

Chavez says associates of Posada Carriles in plot to kill him

Campaign News | Monday, 5 March 2007

Venezuelan leader calls US diplomat "professional killer"CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez on Sunday said he believes enemies including the CIA are out to kill him, and called U.S. diplomat John Negroponte a "professional killer."Chavez said Venezuelan officials have intelligence that associates of jailed Cuban anti-communist militant Luis Posada Carriles ... read more

Honduras names first ambassador to Cuba in 45 years

Campaign News | Thursday, 1 March 2007

Cuba is for integration of Latin America says Foreign MinisterTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras: Honduras named its first ambassador to Cuba in 45 years on Wednesday, restoring full diplomatic ties with communist-run island for the first time since the Cold War."Today, we have sealed our relationship with Cuba," said President Manuel Zelaya following ... read more

UK MPs slam Hilton hotels

Campaign News | Thursday, 1 March 2007

Parliamentary motion gathers 93 signaturesA Parliamentary motion criticising the Hilton hotel chain for banning Cubans from its hotels in the UK had gathered 93 signatures from all parties by 1 March.Early Day Motion 828, tabled on 5 February by Dr Ian Gibson MP, Chair of the All Party Cuba Group ... read more

Cuba-Venezuela alliance strengthened

Campaign News | Thursday, 1 March 2007

Two countries sign 350 cooperation agreementsHavana, Mar 1 (Prensa Latina) Cuba and Venezuela government representatives met at the 7th Mixed Commission Session ending Feb 28 in Havana, signing agreements in science, technology, social security, health, communications and education.Acting Cuban President Raul Castro, Vice President Carlos Lage and Venezuelan minister of ... read more