tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41663731474177542572024-03-06T15:02:48.790-05:00El YumaRejecting the derogatory term "Gringos" and the accusatory epithet "Yanquis," Cubans prefer to refer to us, their North American neighbors, as "Yumas." This blog is simply one Yuma's way of sharing his thoughts on all things Cuban, a subject that often generates more heat than light.El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.comBlogger897125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-82721491118905539272020-11-01T18:10:00.010-05:002020-11-01T21:56:02.704-05:00 Trump: Elections, What For?<p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:=""></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw4XoutYn-uxKrl7oF035tmLj9AZQT_U9aBXIA9T2d4JW1HavG_rIsYt3ibbMjmqJDYnp4Pjlpy0hyphenhyphenU1rt7qEY_oOJd1p15U5b_kLXSqBJsF7dFM_CAuJIfwPqLmcx1ofejZugaWoDQw/s740/2003-740x560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="740" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw4XoutYn-uxKrl7oF035tmLj9AZQT_U9aBXIA9T2d4JW1HavG_rIsYt3ibbMjmqJDYnp4Pjlpy0hyphenhyphenU1rt7qEY_oOJd1p15U5b_kLXSqBJsF7dFM_CAuJIfwPqLmcx1ofejZugaWoDQw/s320/2003-740x560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />"We’re going to have to see what happens" was <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-peaceful-transfer-power-election-e615d8fb-acef-4e63-9446-be1dd935464a.html">the response</a> of President Donald Trump on September 23 when asked if he would accept the result in <a href="https://www.hypermediamagazine.com/seccion/dosieres-hm/la-cuba-de-noviembre/">the November elections</a>. This is the same defiant stance he held during the <a href="https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/donald-trump-joe-biden-1st-presidential-debate-transcript-2020">first presidential "debate"</a> on September 29 when Chris Wallace asked him if he was committed to a peaceful transition of power.<p></p><p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">Trump responded by questioning the legitimacy of the election based on alleged fraud in mail-in ballots and encouraged his supporters to go to the polls as "observers" to verify the integrity of the vote. This translates into a strategy of intimidation of his opponents and voter suppression, or simply an effort to discourage citizens from participating in a process declared shady before it even begins.</span></p><p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">Perhaps with the increasingly clear awareness that <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/">he is highly unlikely to win “fair and square” based on the popular vote or the Electoral College</a>, his strategy is to sow distrust over the results. He also said in the debate that he was counting on the possible intervention of the Supreme Court to grant him victory after bringing the electoral process to litigation. And during Senate hearings on her nomination to the high court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett refused to say whether she would recuse herself from potential cases related to the November election if she is confirmed.</span></p><p><span><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">I am hopeful - and confident - that Biden and Harris will emerge victorious <b>after all the votes are counted</b> given their wide lead both nationally and in many key swing states through November 1. But from his most recent statements and as well as from other public statements <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/trump-2020-election-twitter-mail-in-voting-tweets-a9645981.html">via Twitter</a>, I am anything but confident that Trump will accept an electoral defeat. Actually, I fear that his obstinacy could very well produce a constitutional crisis in the weeks following the </span><u 13px="" arial="" elvetica="" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" neue="" quot="" sans-serif="">November 3</u><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:=""> </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 13px;">election.</span></span></p><p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">If Biden doesn't win by such a substantial margin that he can be declared the winner on election night, perhaps <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-if-trump-loses-and-wont-leave/">the most likely and terrifying scenario</a> is that Trump will declare himself as such with only the votes already counted. This would happen before the mail-in ballots are recorded - and given the continued threat of the pandemic, such voters promise to be <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-pennsylvanias-vote-count-could-change-after-election-night/">more numerous than ever</a> this year. In such a late “<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/08/brace-blue-shift/615097/">blue shift</a>” scenario, Trump and his supporters would accuse Democrats of fraud and turn to the Supreme Court and Senate (and the National Guard?) to intervene on their behalf.</span></p><p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:=""></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdXPX228smC1e439qSUdaHtDieoXSbe0yo-k9j2xj3-ok2vfvA1o6GgtSICmleOzmousPVNR1pmXEJq_HPel-7bgZKi7zmZUsfiYTZaXqO-JtA0g6RxXcmh1_HV2L4PHLbNo7cnLfpD0/s575/skelley-BLUE-SHIFT-1029-1.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="575" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdXPX228smC1e439qSUdaHtDieoXSbe0yo-k9j2xj3-ok2vfvA1o6GgtSICmleOzmousPVNR1pmXEJq_HPel-7bgZKi7zmZUsfiYTZaXqO-JtA0g6RxXcmh1_HV2L4PHLbNo7cnLfpD0/w320-h312/skelley-BLUE-SHIFT-1029-1.webp" title="From Geoffrey Skelley: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-pennsylvanias-vote-count-could-change-after-election-night/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Geoffrey Skelley<br />https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-pennsylvanias-vote-count-could-change-after-election-night/<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;"><br />Indeed, this is exactly <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/we-cant-believe-we-have-to-say-this-but-you-win-an-election-by-being-ahead-when-all-the-votes-are-counted/">the scenario</a> that Trump senior advisor Jason Miller attempted to pass off as normal in an appearance on <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/election-2020/undemocratic-garbage-jason-miller-roundly-slammed-for-false-claim-about-democrats-stealing-election-from-trump/">ABC News' "This Week"</a> on Sunday, November 1. </span><p></p><p></p><blockquote><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">"If you speak with many smart Democrats, they believe that President Trump will be ahead on election night, probably getting 280 electoral [votes] somewhere in that range, and then they’re going to try to steal it back after the election. We believe we will be over 290 electoral votes on election night, so no matter what they try to do, what kind of hijinks or lawsuits or whatever kind of nonsense they try to pull off, we’ll have enough electoral votes to get President Trump re-elected."</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span 13px="" face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size:="">This is not how elections work in the United States of America! </span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">No state certifies final results at midnight on election day and all states will be counting legitimate votes well after then.</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d78wD8fl0cIBhn_DW9AeWzq4_i07tR6IpN3lQqXTHWfhzrjZVlUSoiEWV7yU3Zv6iHAEx6fyivanJaKbj16hLz09lr6UaCHKBoMTFJyYTFEF8M4_AnORKgdzZPGmspOZXd0Hc8N84vk/s575/skelley-BLUE-SHIFT-1029-2.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="575" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d78wD8fl0cIBhn_DW9AeWzq4_i07tR6IpN3lQqXTHWfhzrjZVlUSoiEWV7yU3Zv6iHAEx6fyivanJaKbj16hLz09lr6UaCHKBoMTFJyYTFEF8M4_AnORKgdzZPGmspOZXd0Hc8N84vk/w320-h282/skelley-BLUE-SHIFT-1029-2.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Geoffrey Skelley<br />https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-pennsylvanias-vote-count-could-change-after-election-night/<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;"><br />The threat that Trump represents to American democracy should provoke chilling memories in Cubans (both on the island and in the diaspora) if we recall three facts from their own history:</span><p></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">(1) the chronic <a href="https://thinkabouthistory.podbean.com/e/episode-6-crooks-in-the-shadow-of-the-eagle/">electoral sabotage</a> practiced by the presidents in power during the Republic (1902-1958) who always put their own political and economic interests (and those of their parties) above national interests,</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">(2) the <a href="https://www.refworld.org/docid/47c567be11.html">demonization </a>of the independent press and other institutions of civil society by the Castro regime now for more than half a century, and</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">(3) the cult of the personality built around the messianic figure of Fidel Castro, which made it easier for him to declare (and for the majority of Cubans to accept) with absolute anti-democratic demagoguery: "<a href="https://www.cubanet.org/opiniones/elecciones-para-que/">Elections, what for?</a>"</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">In the years since his 2016 election, Trump has systematically politicized or worked to delegitimize the key institutions for democracy in the United States, now including the presidential elections themselves.</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">Using his own words ("We're going to have to see what happens"), Trump is repeating the same demagogic message that Fidel Castro sounded so ominously and to such disastrous effects so many years ago.</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;">Are we listening? Are we prepared to resist?</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" font-size: 13px;"><b>Note</b>: An <a href="https://www.hypermediamagazine.com/dosieres-hm/la-cuba-de-noviembre/trump-elecciones/">earlier version of this post</a> was published as part of a dossier on the 2020 US election and Cuba in Hypermedia Magazine.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-45030965108463368682018-12-15T12:12:00.002-05:002018-12-15T12:12:24.328-05:00Carlos Acosta's 2007 memoir is titled "No Way Home" but with the 2018 film "Yuli," he may just have arrived!On a trip I made to Havana just over 10 years ago in the summer of 2008, I attempted to track down and interview Cuban ballet sensation <a href="https://www.carlosacosta.com/">Carlos Acosta</a>, the author of the deeply moving and personally revealing memoir, <i><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/books/review/Balderama-t.html">No Way Home</a></i>. Though Acosta then lived most of the year in London, a mutual friend had given me his Havana address and tipped me off that he was then visiting his family there. After making my way under Havana’s scorching sun to his newly renovated <i>Nuevo Vedado</i> house, I was greeted at the doorway by one of his associates and led through an elegantly shaded patio into the tastefully decorated front room of his spacious home.<br />
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Disappointed to learn that Acosta was not in, I proceeded to leave my business card with the hope that we could meet later. However, before turning to leave, my eyes finally adjusted to the muted light inside the cool, dark living room and I suddenly realized that sitting directly in front of me in a wooden rocking chair was an impossibly old, rail-thin, charcoal black man who could be none other than Acosta’s father Pedro.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2U9kZbVFDSielQ29F5AILOkA9pHvbbeDr4bgO5pAZIGvjDG3rsvl_ebP2G4-tnnfQ8_ZQoeIkZwwQ9muVugPAZNxHTmyV02mPveqLv_3iug8beCs7j8_vnnwMufjK-Mzdr1h46ew06c/s1600/Pedro+Acosta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="197" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2U9kZbVFDSielQ29F5AILOkA9pHvbbeDr4bgO5pAZIGvjDG3rsvl_ebP2G4-tnnfQ8_ZQoeIkZwwQ9muVugPAZNxHTmyV02mPveqLv_3iug8beCs7j8_vnnwMufjK-Mzdr1h46ew06c/s320/Pedro+Acosta.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Pedro Acosta by Ted A. Henken.</td></tr>
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Not wanting to pass up the opportunity to talk with the man who was surely Acosta’s greatest single influence (if often vividly described in the book as a fierce disciplinarian), I quickly introduced myself saying how I felt that I already knew him through having read his son's memoir.<br />
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“You must be very proud of Carlos’s accomplishments and happy that he thought to dedicate his memoir to his family, even singling you out as, ‘one of the greatest men I have ever known’,” I asked.<br />
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At this, 90-year-old Pedro did not respond but instead began to smirk at me. Taking note, I jokingly reprimanded him, saying, “Your son has achieved great things but don’t you think you were just a little too harsh on him all those years, always telling him to forget his home and family and focus only on achieving his goals as a dancer?”<br />
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As I said this, the smirk on his face slowly grew into an electric, ironic grin, as he leaned back comfortably in his rocking chair and spread his arms out wide as if to say, “Nothing in this life comes without hard work and sacrifice. Look around and you can see, at long last, the result.”<br />
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What follows below is the book review that I wrote following that visit. It was first published exactly 10 years ago in <i><a href="http://www.plutojournals.com/ijcs/">The International Journal of Cuban Studies</a></i> (Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2008). I'm republishing it here since few people ever read it then in that low circulation, hard to access academic journal (!) and also because I recently looked it up in the archives of my laptop and reread it given that it is the basis of the new film "<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/cuban-ballet-icon-carlos-acosta-stars-biopic-yuli-gets-goya-n947496">Yuli</a>" (directed by Spaniard Icíar Bollaín and staring Acosta himself), which just premiered in Cuba at the International Havana Film Festival.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CQVYb5JDwH0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CQVYb5JDwH0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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One major, bitter irony is that while the film did premier in Havana this month, the book on which it is based <b>has never been available to Cubans on the island</b> - still 11 years after it was first published to rave reviews in Europe. For more on that controversial saga, see this excellent article from <i>Havana Times</i> by Maykel Paneque, "<a href="https://havanatimes.org/?p=119559">Cuban Dancer Carlos Acosta in the World of Alicia Alonso</a>."<br />
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<b>Carlos Acosta.<i> No Way Home: A Dancer’s Journey from the Streets of Havana to the Stages of the World</i>. New York: Scribner, 2008.</b><br />
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First published in the United Kingdom in 2007 under the title, <i>No Way Home: A Cuban Dancer’s Story </i>(and translated from the original Spanish by Kate Eaton), Cuban ballet sensation Carlos Acosta’s deeply nostalgic autobiography was released in the United States in May, 2008, with the subtitle, <i>A Dancer’s Journey from the Streets of Havana to the Stages of the World</i>. This dramatic new subtitle of the American edition captures Acosta’s successful journey from poverty and obscurity on the outskirts of revolutionary Cuba’s capital to wealth and fame in cities as diverse as Milan, Lausanne, Houston, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow, New York, and London. However, the underlying message of his engaging and intimately reflective coming-of-age story is more accurately captured by its heartbreaking, three-word title, <b><i>No Way Home</i></b>.<br />
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Though there does not yet seem to be a Spanish language edition of Acosta’s memoir in print, “<i>No hay regreso”</i> is the way a Cuban might translate <i>No Way Home</i>.<br />
<br />
[Note: There is now an Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sin-mirar-atr%C3%A1s-historia-bailar%C3%ADn-ebook/dp/B07KZT629N/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1544891448&sr=8-5&keywords=carlos+acosta">digital Kindle edition</a> of the book available in Spanish. Entitled, <i><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sin-mirar-atr-s-carlos-acosta/1129962275?type=eBook">Sin mirar atrás: La historia de un bailarín cubano</a></i>, this Spanish language edition is being published or re-published - it seems - to coincide with the release of the film "Yuli"]<br />
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For example, the slang Cuban expression “<i>no tiene regreso</i>,” is frequently used among Cuban émigrés in the United States to describe someone for whom the experience of exile has been so harrowingly transformative that the person in question “can never go home again.” Since, as with Acosta, even if they do make it home again physically, home is no longer the home they left behind, and they are not the same person they once were. Thus, while Acosta’s rags-to-riches story abounds with the many details and dilemmas specific to the Cuban diasporic experience and to his own impoverished Afro-Cuban family background and revolutionary generation, it is his constant focus on the personal and emotional price of his success and his tragic inability to ever fully recover the past – to ever go home again – that makes his tale a compelling, universal one.<br />
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Throughout the book, the portrait Acosta paints of himself is that of an insecure and almost paralyzingly lonely boy from the wrong side of the tracks who succeeds in turning himself into a world-class dancer and a confident and accomplished young man. However, in order to reach his artistic destiny, he must first pass through an often awkward and solitary adolescence, endure his father’s strict discipline and emotional impenetrability, abandon his childhood dream of being a football star like his hero the famous Brazilian Pelé, and slowly loose touch with that part of himself he most values: his easy intimacy and emotional connection to his family. However, while he succeeds in this Herculean task through a combination of raw talent, an iron will power and work ethic, making the best of revolutionary opportunity, and the loving if often insensitive guidance of his disciplinarian father, each success only serves to make him ever-more aware of the bitter price of his ticket to fame.<br />
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Despite his steadily increasing success, Acosta’s battle against insecurity and nostalgia continues to haunt him well into his professional career. At one point toward the end of his first year as a dancer in the Houston Ballet, Acosta finally figures out the source of the anxiety that had been plaguing him. Since arriving in the U.S., he had managed to make good friends, achieve professional success, and even fall in love. However, he had not succeeded in pushing out of his mind his deep, almost suffocating fear of living a life without roots. Suddenly, with his defenses down and his nostalgia on the rise while watching the Gregory Nava film, “<i>Mi Familia</i>,” about the hardships endured by multiple generations of a Mexican immigrant family, Acosta is overcome by “a terrible fear that […] I would be a foreigner for the rest of my life.” As a result, he resolves to abandon his promising career abroad and return to the familiar and protective cocoon of his family in <i>Los Pinos</i>, the humble Havana neighborhood where he grew up.<br />
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Each of the numerous times Acosta comes to this decision, however, he is rebuffed by his father, who repeatedly gives him the stern advice, “The only way you’re going to help your sisters, your mother, and all of us, is by being the best dancer you can be. […] Forget about everything else and concentrate on your career. It’s not only what you owe yourself, it’s what you owe us, the ones who didn’t have the luck to be born with your talent.” Later, his father advises him, “Don’t give in to nostalgia. Forget everything. […] Men are born into the world to fulfill their destiny, and yours isn’t here. We’re the ones who were born to live and die in <i>Los Pinos</i>. Your future lies elsewhere. However much you want to, […] never look back.”<br />
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Toward the end of his tale and during a particularly wrenching family crisis when his sister has attempted suicide due to her chronic suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, his father makes him promise to follow the path of “great men” and never be distracted from achieving his goals. Though Acosta manages to keep this promise to his father, he later tearfully rebukes him after Pedro tries to convince him that the fate of great men is to “belong to the world,” arguing, “Your art is your house, my son.” Carlos agrees that his success has assured him that he will have many fine houses [much like the largely empty one in <i>Nuevo Vedado</i> where I met his father], but he says, “all I really wanted was a home.” However, his years of travel plagued by chronic nostalgia have only taught him the bitter lesson that “a house is not a home.”<br />
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That his struggle is as much an emotional one against the ghosts of his past as it is an artistic one to master the proper techniques of classical ballet is most clearly expressed late in the book when Acosta has a chance sighting of Baryshnikov while performing at a benefit in New York City in 1996. Instead of praising him for his signature artistic achievements, Acosta admires and identifies most closely with Baryshnikov for “the courage he showed in swapping the certainty of his old life for the uncertainty of a new one, knowing that by doing so he could never go back.”<br />
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Thus, for Acosta, Baryshnikov is both an artistic muse and an emotional mirror – a reflection of his own inner turmoil over what he had to leave behind to fulfill his destiny. Others marvel at the outer trappings of Baryshnikov’s success. Acosta marvels at the inner triumph of spirit few others can see, since few others but he have experienced it personally. Later that same day, when observers see Acosta dance, they marvel at how he is “Just like Baryshnikov!” However, for Acosta, his most important similarity to the great Russian dancer is not in their accomplished interpretative ability or seemingly effortless technique, but in the fact that they are both permanent foreigners, always exiles, “not afraid to burn [themselves] in [their] efforts to reach the sun.”<br />
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One minor, frustrating shortcoming of the book is Acosta’s decision in a number of instances to share with us only <i>part</i> of his story – perhaps with the calculated aim of preserving his tenuous ability to periodically return to his homeland and see his family. While the book is clearly more of a personal and artistic memoir than a political one, when Acosta does touch on political matters his opinions and criticisms of Cuba’s authoritarian system (and the authoritarian functioning of some of its cultural institutions) are more often implied than clearly stated.<br />
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For example, in a chapter dedicated to one of his mentors, Ramona de Sáa (known to all by the nickname Chery), Acosta celebrates her brave decision to arrange his contract with the English National Ballet without the prior approval of the Cuban authorities. As a result, “When Chery got back to Havana, she was accused by the directorate of the Cuban National Ballet of acting irresponsibly by exposing me, so young, to the brutalities of capitalism. Her detractors said I would be sure to undergo an irreversible ideological subversion and that foreign influences would undermine my Cuban identity.” While Chery ultimately prevailed over her detractors with her reputation intact, Acosta’s description of this episode shows his preference for oblique sarcasm and satire over direct criticism and denunciation.<br />
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This tendency is even more evident in Acosta’s descriptions of his relationship with the most important and powerful figure in the history of Cuban ballet, <a href="https://havanatimes.org/?p=119559">Alicia Alonso</a>. “Alicia is a legend,” Acosta writes, “she is a figure of such importance that her power could be compared to that of the president. One word from Alicia can change your future.” While Acosta is careful never to openly criticize such a concentration of power in a single person, he does make clear that his future, like that of all Cuban ballet dancers, rests in her hands.<br />
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In one particular instance, for example, he must gain her blessing before signing a contract to dance with the Houston Ballet. However, his cryptic and abbreviated description of this tense, life-changing meeting only hints at Alonso’s haughty, belittling bearing and thinly-veiled racism, leaving the reader confused and unsatisfied. But, alas, cryptic communication and self-censorship among artists and intellectuals is one of the pernicious hallmarks of the Cuban Revolution's infamous "<i>Política Cultural</i>," first established by Fidel himself in his 1961 "Words to the Intellectuals."<br />
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In the end, even as Acosta’s beautifully written memoir recounts his professional development and mounting artistic success, it succeeds as a powerful work of autobiography because it does so through the prism of the personal sacrifice, emotional trauma, and almost paralyzing loneliness that accompany him, haunting every step on his journey. Again and again throughout his Horatio Alger (Billy Elliot) tale, Acosta finds that his artistic achievements are often overshadowed, very nearly eclipsed, by an almost palpable, aching nostalgia.<br />
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While standard-fare memoirs of “escape” from Cuba often suffer from the facile assumption that all good things go together and are available only beyond the shores of this poor, “imprisoned” isle, Acosta’s memoir succeeds due to its commitment to painting a fiercely honest, personally searing, and politically complex portrait of his homeland where success beyond Cuba is always paid for with a deep sense of loss and gnawing nostalgia for what was left behind – the life taken from you, the life you did not get to live.<br />
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In Acosta’s case, this nostalgia is for his rough-and-tumble yet dignified, idyllically remembered childhood; for his sense of belonging and rootedness in his homeland; and, most importantly, for the closeness and intimacy of his increasingly distant, conflict-ridden, and tragedy-prone family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFy7Kw4FIGPE60YiYtXDLK_z36PY5D3ZYG53q50vAvtvf3SQj91m_25C2fxJQ67fZo2Il1lmfREWXsEcSoKnQGyIq4OlstLevgmzPs_blbaKGiz6x6G6EumcJSP_AERCigvLnTAKPijw/s1600/Cc_by-nc-nd_euro_icon.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="1280" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFy7Kw4FIGPE60YiYtXDLK_z36PY5D3ZYG53q50vAvtvf3SQj91m_25C2fxJQ67fZo2Il1lmfREWXsEcSoKnQGyIq4OlstLevgmzPs_blbaKGiz6x6G6EumcJSP_AERCigvLnTAKPijw/s200/Cc_by-nc-nd_euro_icon.svg.png" width="200" /></a></div>
*Copyright for this work is held jointly between Ted A. Henken and the International Journal of Cuban Studies under a Creative Commons, Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative 3.0 License <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/%C2%A0">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/</a> <br />
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*An earlier version of this review was published in IJCS, Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2008.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-24562926970620833542017-07-07T01:39:00.001-04:002017-07-07T01:39:51.374-04:00Cuba: Navigating in a Turbulent World<div><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Cuba: Navigating in a Turbulent World</span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"><br></span></span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; padding-left: 36px;"></span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Contact: </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Blanca Silva</span></span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="tel:786-493-7210" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="36/0">786-493-7210</a></span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="mailto:blancaesilva@bellsouth.net">blancaesilva@bellsouth.net</a></span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s51" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s65" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE CUBAN ECONOMY </span></span></p><p class="s51" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s65" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 14.399999618530273px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">TO HOLD 27</span></span><span class="s66" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 8.399999618530273px; vertical-align: super; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 12.600000381469727px;">th</span></span><span class="s65" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 14.399999618530273px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ANNUAL CONFERENCE </span></span></p><p class="s51" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s67" style="line-height: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Cuba: Navigating in a Turbulent World" Taking Place at Downtown Miami Hilton July 27-29</span></span></p><p class="s63" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Miami – July 7, 2017 – </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">The Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy (ASCE) will hold its 27</span></span><span class="s68" style="line-height: 7.199999809265137px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">th</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> Annual Conference at the downtown Miami Hilton (1601 Biscayne Boulevard) July 27-29. Titled "Cuba: Navigating in a Turbulent World," the three-day event will focus on evaluating the state of the Cuban economy, taking into consideration the impending changes in Cuba's relations with the United States. The conference program will feature scholarly individual presentations and roundtable discussions by world-class experts, including specialists from the island. </span></span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"With Venezuela's collapsing economy, one of the key issues to be discussed at this year's conference is the future of Cuba without Venezuelan trade and subsidies," says Helena Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D., ASCE president and an engineering professor at University of Miami. "Another key issue is whether Cuba will implement the economic reforms needed to stimulate the private sector and attract foreign investment to spur economic growth."</span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px; padding-left: 36px;"><br></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px; padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s64" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Cuba's dual currency system, current economic policies, and prospects for future growth and change will be covered at the conference, together with social and legal issues related to the economy. This year, there will be two sessions dedicated to legal issues in Cuba titled "Foreign Investment in Cuba: Law, Policies, and Practicalities" and "Coordinating U.S. and Legal Principles to Resolve Property and Damage Claims." Continuing law education credits are available for both sessions. Additional topics include tourism, real estate, and agriculture. </span></span></p><p class="s5" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">An impressive roster of presenters who have been chosen based on the quality of their paper submissions include keynote speaker Marc Frank, a journalist working in Havana for Reuters and "Financial Times," and author of "Cuban Revelations: Behind the Scenes in Havana." Others include faculty from many esteemed universities in the United States</span></span><span class="s69" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">and experts from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of State. </span></span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Special guest presenters who will be able to travel from Cuba include leading economist </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Omar Everleny Pérez Villanueva</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> who will speak about economic anticipations on the island; intellectuals </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Dagoberto</span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> Valdés Hernández</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> and </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Yoandy </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Izquierdo Toledo</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, both from Centro de </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Convivencia</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, who will speak about Cuba's education system and its impact on the economy; </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Dr. Alina Lopez </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"></span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Hernández</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, a philosophy professor and essayist, who will speak about the realities of the Cuban economy; top journalist </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Ernesto Perez Chang</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> of </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Cubanet</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> News who will speak about journalistic interpretations of Cuba's economy; </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Dr. </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Olimpia </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Gómez </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Consuegra</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, an agricultural engineer and a member of the Cuban </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Academy of Science until 2011 who will participate on a panel about agriculture;</span></span><span class="s70" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Laritza</span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Diversent</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, a lawyer, independent journalist and human rights defender who will discuss the struggle to establish independent civil society organizations</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">; and </span></span><span class="s62" style="line-height: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Joanna Columbié</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">, an activist with Academia del </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Movimiento</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> Politico </span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">Somos</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> + who will also touch on the struggles of independent civil society</span></span><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">. Sessions by these guest presenters will be conducted in Spanish.</span></span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We aim to gauge the state of the Cuban economy with scholarly discussions and research where the participation of intellectuals in Cuba is very relevant," said Solo-Gabriele. "With this valuable exchange, we are creating a rich body of knowledge that supports ASCE's mission of promoting scholarly discussion on the Cuban economy."</span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In addition to scholars and professionals, the conference will feature a graduate and undergraduate student panel with papers addressing Cuba's housing sustainability, the influence of foreign policies, and even the influence of foreign fashion on the Cuban identity. Student papers were judged by a panel of experts and the winning students will receive a modest scholarship award plus travel funds to participate in the conference. These students are represented internationally from the U.S., the Netherlands, and Belgium. </span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s64" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We are very appreciative of the financial support received from the Christopher Reynolds Foundation for the student paper competition and the Cuban scholar travel plans," says Solo-Gabriele.</span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s71" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">"Cuba: Navigating in a Turbulent World" will open on Thursday, July 27</span></span><span class="s72" style="line-height: 7.199999809265137px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;">th</span></span><span class="s71" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> with two plenary sessions after an 8 a.m. breakfast; concurrent sessions will follow lunch and will dominate the Friday and Saturday programs. While a cocktail reception will take place on Thursday after the conference, an ASCE business meeting will be held on Friday at 6:45 p.m. The event closes on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. with two concurrent sessions. For more information on this conference, go to </span></span><span class="s73" style="line-height: 12px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.ascecuba.org">www.ascecuba.org</a></span></span><span class="s74" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">. </span></span><span class="s71" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">To</span></span><span class="s71" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;"> register, go to </span></span><a href="http://www.ascecuba.org/2017-asce-conference-registration-form"><span class="s75" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">http://www.ascecuba.org/2017-asce-conference-registration-form</span></span></a><span class="s76" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 24px;">.</span></span></span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s36" style="text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="s77" style="line-height: 10.800000190734863px; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy (ASCE) is a non-profit, non-political organization incorporated in the state of Maryland in 1990. With members from the US, Latin America and Europe, its mission is to promote research, publications, and scholarly discussion on the Cuban economy in its broadest sense, including on the social, economic, legal and environmental aspects of a transition to a free market economy and a democratic society in Cuba. ASCE is committed to a civil discussion of all points of view. Affiliated with the American Economic Association and the Allied Social Sciences Association of the United States, ASCE maintains professional contacts with economists inside Cuba –whether independent or associated with the Cuban government-- who are interested in engaging in scholarly discussion and research. </span></span></p></div><div><br><br>Salaam Alaikum, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 13pt;">Ted</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-6278311233269574432017-06-17T17:28:00.001-04:002017-06-20T21:57:25.359-04:00Así comienza el día...<div>
At 9:42 a.m. yesterday almost 4 hours before President Donald Trump took the stage in Miami's Little Havana a good friend of mine got this cancellation for her BnB across the waters in Old Havana. </div>
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Tell me again how the new Trump-Rubio-Díaz-Balart measures will help Cuba's cuentapropistas?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyEzWuhS7JNbyQcY5tZfWVqgTPC0ZuQRpecaxEauFhrBvzv1iIo5iAdBP-ScFmhFNltHgw3-1aNxugXP9PSkujYr3oVJpFzNJwVsbAJOJRdGMSlOv6fshP_uywGKv71LKN3KYiMMNfso/s1600/FullSizeRender-707803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6432722454531176770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyEzWuhS7JNbyQcY5tZfWVqgTPC0ZuQRpecaxEauFhrBvzv1iIo5iAdBP-ScFmhFNltHgw3-1aNxugXP9PSkujYr3oVJpFzNJwVsbAJOJRdGMSlOv6fshP_uywGKv71LKN3KYiMMNfso/s400/FullSizeRender-707803.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-29764084121603001332017-06-17T12:34:00.001-04:002017-06-20T21:59:36.915-04:00Join me on a completely legal group P2P trip to the new #Cuba!<div>
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Dear friends,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
If you want to know my take on the new Trump Cuba regulations you can check out my Facebook or Twitter timeline (@elyuma).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, after reviewing those new regulations I realize that he and Marco Rubio just threw some new business my way!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was already scheduled to be the on-board educator for a 10-day people-to-people educational and cultural cruise to Cuba in late December. The Trump policy ratifies the basic legality of those trips, so contact me if you want to join.<br />
<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:YumaTed@gmail.com">YumaTed@gmail.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Additionally, I'm scheduled to lead a group people-to-people tour to Cuba in early January. We currently have 6 travelers but given the fact that by then individual people-to-people travel will be outlawed, I realize we may get a surge of interest in joining our fully legal group visit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So contact me if you're interested in joining me and our other happy travelers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
E-mail: YumaTed@gmail.com</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rest assured that every effort will be made to spend our hard earned currency in private sector establishments (including private BnBs and paladar restaurants) which has been my policy for > 20 years now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>¡Que vivan los cuentapropistas!</b></i></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-47790023855569442542017-06-16T11:14:00.001-04:002017-06-16T11:14:14.894-04:00CubaOne Statement on President Trump’s Cuba Policy<div><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><br></div></blockquote><div><span></span></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-dfbb4732-b11e-97a3-a02e-a86be8dfb90e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZpiQxUCTA9brZs8yZIAt0aAJC4yae56eXKMRr80CEbusKwXWT__XQIPp6AsMquMUNw-TjuLhVtDYN_0qeaGphVLvOb-ovOAOEyeXoLIcmuCHpMpDyNUTGeHxsbjy78kLKgA5oVGOxfY/s1600/CubaOne+Logo-754896.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZpiQxUCTA9brZs8yZIAt0aAJC4yae56eXKMRr80CEbusKwXWT__XQIPp6AsMquMUNw-TjuLhVtDYN_0qeaGphVLvOb-ovOAOEyeXoLIcmuCHpMpDyNUTGeHxsbjy78kLKgA5oVGOxfY/s320/CubaOne+Logo-754896.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6432254936289941202" /></a><br><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">CubaOne Foundation: President Trump's Cuba Policy is Largely Consistent with Our Recommendations</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">MIAMI—Earlier this week, the CubaOne Foundation, the Miami-based nonprofit that sponsors heritage visits to Cuba for young Cuban Americans, sent President Trump and his National Security Council a letter urging him to pursue a pro-family Cuba policy. Our letter made six key recommendations:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span></p><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Promote America's Commitment to Human Rights</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Affirm the Rights of Cuban-Americans to Visit and Help Family in Cuba</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Encourage U.S. Travelers to Support Cuba's Private Sector</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Engage the Cuban Government to Lower its Passport and Visa Fees</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Maintain the U.S. Embassy in Havana</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Support Cuba's Entrepreneurs, Youth, and Access to Technology</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We look forward to seeing the final details of the President's policy, but our initial assessment is that it is largely consistent with our recommendations to the White House.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We thank the President for recognizing the rights of Cuban Americans to freely visit and send remittances to their families. This is a strong victory for the Cuban American community, the Cuban people, and our organization.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We were also encouraged to learn that Americans can continue traveling to Cuba individually so long as they stay in Cuban family homes and directly support the private sector. While it remains to be seen how the regulations are written, this general approach would be welcomed news for the island's young entrepreneurs and small businesses if it does not prevent Americans from visiting the island. As we said in our letter to the President, kitchen table diplomacy works and there are no better ambassadors for our values than the American people. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration:line-through;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We also applaud the President's decision to maintain our diplomatic mission in Havana. The U.S. will continue to be better positioned to advocate its values and engage Cuba on important issues, such as human rights and lowering passport fees that penalize low-income families. We're also encouraged by the White House's indication that U.S. technology and telecommunication companies may continue supporting the Cuban people's access to information and the internet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br class="gmail-kix-line-break"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">CubaOne remains committed to working closely with the Administration and members from both parties on U.S.-Cuba policy. For us, Cuba is an issue where there is no such thing as political parties—it's about our families, our community, and the Cuban people.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">####</span></p><div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></div></span><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:12.800000190734863px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-bottom:5px"><div><div dir="ltr">Giancarlo Sopo | <b>Chairman<br></b><font color="#666666">M: <a href="tel:(917)%20244-4107" value="+19172444107" target="_blank">1.917.244.4107</a></font><br><br><img width="179" height="47" src="http://cubaone.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CO-foundation.png" style="margin-right: 0px;"><br><b><font color="#666666">CubaOne Foundation | </font></b><font color="#666666"><a href="http://cubaone.org/" target="_blank">cubaone.org</a></font></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-80757826099521275612017-06-15T13:08:00.000-04:002017-06-20T22:00:08.722-04:00Cuban women entrepreneurs urge Ivanka Trump to lobby on their behalf Ms. Ivanka Trump,<br />
<br />
First Daughter and Assistant to the President<br />
The White House<br />
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW<br />
Washington, DC 20500<br />
<br />
June 13, 2017<br />
<br />
Dear Ms. Trump:<br />
<br />
Your passion to help female entrepreneurship around the world has been very inspiring for Cuban
entrepreneurs. As women entrepreneurs in Cuba, it is a great honor to send you this message. We
are reaching out to introduce you to our reality and to strengthen the relationship between our
countries. We also write to you with great concern U.S. policy toward Cuba might be headed
backward, in turn threatening our economic livelihoods and the overall well-being of Cubans on and
off the island.<br />
<br />
For many years, entrepreneurship, small businesses, and the private sector were almost nonexistent
in Cuba. However, over the last several years they have begun to flourish. Still incipient, we can see
accelerated development and growth of small businesses in the country. Millions of Cubans have
benefited from this private sector growth, including higher wages, better quality products and
services, innovation, and the ability to dream about the future.<br />
<br />
Undoubtedly, the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States has been key to the
success of the private sector. Many businesses have been directly influenced by increased U.S. visits,
improved telecommunications, and the introduction of new U.S. products and services. Other
businesses have also been stimulated indirectly by the resuscitation of the domestic economy in
general. A setback in the relationship would bring with it the fall of many of our businesses and with
this, the suffering of all those families that depend on them.<br />
<br />
Much of the growth has been led by Cuban women. There are hundreds of thousands of Cuban
women working in the private sector. Today we are owners of boutique hotels, B&Bs, restaurants,
and shops. We are designers, photographers, and computer programmers, and much more. On
behalf of Cuba’s female entrepreneurs, we ask for your support.<br />
<br />
We hope you, as a successful businesswoman, understand the valuable contribution that the
exchange of trade, people, and ideas represents for our businesses. An alliance between women
would not only contribute to the stability of the private sector, but would also open a new chapter in
relations between our countries.<br />
<br />
We would like you to accept our sincere and warm invitation. Come to Cuba and get to know our
companies, which we have built with our own efforts and that make us prouder by the day. Please
support travel, trade, and exchanges between our two countries.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your interest and dedication to women. Thank you for building bridges worldwide.
We really appreciate your help in shaping a better future for our daughters.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
***<br />
<br />
Estimada Sra. Trump:<br />
<br />
Ha sido muy inspiradora para las empresarias cubanas su pasión por ayudar el emprendimiento
femenino a nivel mundial. Como mujeres emprendedoras en Cuba, es un gran honor hacerle llegar
este mensaje. Le escribimos para invitarle a conocer nuestra realidad y para fortalecer las relaciones
entre nuestros países. También le escribimos con gran preocupación de que haya un retroceso en la
política de EE.UU. hacia Cuba y, a su vez, en nuestros medios de vida económicos y el bienestar
general de los cubanos dentro y fuera de la isla.<br />
<br />
En Cuba durante muchos años el emprendimiento, la pequeña empresa, el sector privado, eran casi
nulos. Sin embargo hace algunos años comenzaron a florecer. Aunque aún incipiente podemos ver
un desarrollo y crecimiento acelerado de los pequeños negocios en el país. Millones de cubanos se
han beneficiado por el crecimiento del sector privado, incluyendo salarios más altos, productos y
servicios de mejor calidad, innovación y la posibilidad de soñar sobre el futuro.<br />
<br />
Sin dudas, el restablecimiento de las relaciones entre Cuba y Estados Unidos ha sido clave para el
éxito del sector. Muchos negocios se han visto influenciados directamente con el aumento de
visitantes estadounidenses, el mejoramiento en las telecomunicaciones, y la introducción de nuevos
productos y servicios de los EE.UU. Otros negocios también se han estimulado de forma indirecta
por la reanimación de la economía interna en general. Un retroceso en las relaciones traería consigo
la caída de muchos de nuestros negocios y con esto, el sufrimiento de todas aquellas familias que
dependen de ellos.<br />
<br />
Gran parte de este auge ha sido protagonizado por mujeres cubanas. Hay cientos de miles de
cubanas trabajando en el sector privado. Hoy existen propietarias de hostales, casas de renta,
restaurantes y tiendas, diseñadoras, fotógrafas e informáticas, entre otras. En nombre de todas ellas
le solicitamos su apoyo.<br />
<br />
Como exitosa empresaria esperamos que entienda el valioso aporte que brinda el intercambio de
comercio, personas e ideas para nuestros negocios. Una alianza entre mujeres, no solo tributaría a la
estabilidad del sector, sino que abriría un nuevo capítulo en las relaciones entre nuestros países.<br />
<br />
Quisiéramos que aceptara nuestra sincera y calurosa invitación. Venga a Cuba y conozca nuestras
empresas, aquellas que hemos construido con nuestros propios esfuerzos y que cada día nos hacen
sentirnos más orgullosas. Por favor apoye los viajes, el comercio y los intercambios entre nuestros
dos países.
Gracias por el interés y la dedicación a la mujer.<br />
<br />
Gracias por tender puentes a nivel mundial. Le
agradecemos en verdad que nos ayude a labrar un mejor futuro para nuestras hijas.<br />
<br />
Sinceramente,<br />
<br />
Maida Rodríguez, Adorgraf<br />
<br />
Claudia González Muñoz, Artprint<br />
Laura Amelia González Triana, Artprint<br />
Laura González Muñoz, Artprint<br />
<br />
Niuris Higueras, Atelier<br />
<br />
Gisela Vilaboy, Bambú<br />
<br />
Gabriela Ogando Madruga, BnB Altamira’s<br />
<br />
Julia de la Rosa, BnB La Rosa de Ortega<br />
<br />
Malinalli Cortes, BnB Malinalli<br />
<br />
Patricia Godinez Alonso, La Caja de Luz<br />
<br />
Dayana Fajardo & Lisandra Muñoz, Club Salseando Chévere<br />
<br />
Celia Mendoza & Amanda Castenado, Concierge Habana<br />
<br />
Ilse Garcia Menendez, Confecciones MERCIL<br />
<br />
Caridad Limonta, Confecciones PROCLE<br />
<br />
Sandra Aldama, D'brujas<br />
<br />
Yamina Vicente, Decorazón<br />
<br />
Amanda Miguel Reyes, D'Marie<br />
Ileana Sanchez, D'Marie<br />
Maricel Ponvert Iser, D'Marie<br />
<br />
Irina García, Deus Expertos Contables<br />
Johanna Estrella Ruiz, Deus Expertos Contables<br />
Mevelyn Alonso, Deus Expertos Contables<br />
Marta Deus, Deus Expertos Contables, Mandao Express, & Negolution<br />
<br />
Zaylhi Linares, D’Eventos<br />
<br />
Diana Hernandez Herrera, DiDi, Velas y Regalos<br />
<br />
Elena Sanchez, Donde Dorian<br />
Yuneisi Fonseca, Donde Dorian<br />
<br />
Elizabeta Castro, ELITEC<br />
<br />
Marcia Roque, English Tutor<br />
<br />
Yamilet González, Gimnasio Charlotte<br />
<br />
Marla Recio, Havana Reverie<br />
<br />
Yosleidy Miranda, Hostal Muy Way<br />
MIRANDA Tours<br />
Tienda Colecciones Freixas<br />
<br />
Amarilys Fernández, Isladentro<br />
Ana Dunay Porras, Isladentro<br />
Laura Brito, Isladentro<br />
<br />
Gilda Flores, Lombao Estudios<br />
<br />
Mabel Poblet Pujol<br />
Mabel Poblet, Artista<br />
<br />
Yasym Ruiz, Mandao Express<br />
<br />
Nidialys Acosta, Nostalgicar<br />
<br />
Marlene Sánchez & Odalys Suárez, PAPELART<br />
<br />
Clara Camalleri, Perfumes Clara<br />
<br />
Patricia Santa Coloma, Producciones Almendares<br />
<br />
Wendy Betancourt, QueBolaHavana<br />
Reyna Hernández - La Reyna, La Reyna y La Real<br />
Yadira Pintado - La Real
La Reyna y La Real<br />
<br />
Marianela Pérez, Restaurante Pizzanella<br />
<br />
Yordanka Fleitas, Restaurante Salsa Suarez<br />
<br />
Sandra Borges, S Borges, Joyería Cubana<br />
<br />
Lieng-Sut Joo Lledo, SUTPRINT<br />
<br />
Ailette Hernandez, Tin Marin<br />
Gretel de la Rosa, Tin Marin<br />
<br />
Yanelis Pavón, TostoneT<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-63277436051743407392017-06-12T21:14:00.000-04:002017-06-12T21:14:11.101-04:00An Open Letter to the President of the United States From Young Cuban AmericansAn Open Letter to the President of the United States From Young
Cuban Americans<br />
June 12, 2017<br />
<br />
President Donald J. Trump<br />
The White House<br />
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue<br />
Washington, D.C. 20500<br />
<br />
Dear Mr. President:
Since our founding, the CubaOne Foundation has worked to inspire a
new generation of Americans to reconnect with their heritage, family,
and peers in Cuba. Over 2,000 millennials from across the country and
all walks of life have applied to our program, which many have
described as “life-changing.” We have seen young Cuban Americans
hug their grandparents for the first time, explore their heritage,
develop friendships with Cuba’s youth, and return to share these
deeply moving experiences with their loved ones and communities
here in the United States.<br />
<br />
Today we are among the largest Cuban American organizations in the
country. While much of our efforts would not be possible without the
policy changes that began on December 17, 2014, our work transcends
Washington’s politics, administrations, and political parties. We are
willing to work with any administration. As the children and
grandchildren of political prisoners, Pedro Pan refugees, Bay of Pigs
veterans, and people who fled Cuba on the Mariel boatlift, we
understand the pain of exile and the importance of human rights.<br />
<br />
As a presidential candidate, you said that you would pursue “a better
deal” with Cuba. To the majority of Americans and our Cuban American
community, a “better deal” means advancing U.S. interests and
improving the quality of life of the Cuban people, not returning to Cold
War policies. In advance of your upcoming visit to Miami, we
respectfully ask that you consider our recommendations which
represent the views of the majority of Americans, Cuban Americans,
and Cubans on the island:<br />
<br />
1. <b>A PRO-FAMILY POLICY PLACES AMERICA FIRST AND PRIORITIZES HUMAN RIGHTS</b>.
The North Star of your Cuba policy should be advancing U.S. interests and the wellbeing
of the Cuban people. To this end, we encourage you to pursue a pro-family
policy of principled engagement. We also strongly support our U.S. diplomats working
with their Cuban counterparts to address a variety of issues, including upholding
America’s longstanding commitment to human rights around the world.<br />
<br />
2. <b>AFFIRM THE RIGHT OF CUBAN AMERICANS TO VISIT AND HELP OUR FAMILIES</b>. Until
2009, Cuban Americans were only allowed to visit the island once every three years.
Returning to similar travel regulations would be counterproductive, cruel, and do
nothing to improve human rights. No one should ever have to choose between visiting
an ailing relative at their bedside or attending their funeral. We strongly urge you to
reject these misguided recommendations that disproportionately penalize Cuban
American families.<br />
<br />
3.<b> ENCOURAGE U.S. TRAVELERS TO SUPPORT CUBA’S PRIVATE SECTOR</b>. Thousands of
Americans are visiting Cuba and fueling the fastest growth in its private sector since
1959. Rather than burdening Americans with government regulations that make it
harder to visit the island, your Administration should encourage U.S. travelers to stay
in Cuban family homes, support privately-owned small businesses, and go beyond the
beaten tourist path. We would gladly work with you on developing such an initiative,
as this is how we plan our visits to Cuba. Americans are the best ambassadors of our
nation’s values, and we should want more of our people engaging and supporting
broader cross-sections of Cuban society. Kitchen table diplomacy works, and we
should encourage it.<br />
<br />
4. <b>ENGAGE THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT TO LOWER FEES ON TRAVELERS TO CUBA</b>. We
hope that your Administration will encourage its Cuban counterparts to ease the
hardships posed by high fees on Cuban passports and entry visas, which
disproportionately affect lower-income families and young Cuban Americans.
Moreover, Cuba has indicated it might unify its dual currency system. Your
Administration should support this initiative. Cuba’s 10% penalty on exchanging U.S.
dollars should also be removed.<br />
<br />
5. <b>MAINTAIN THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN HAVANA</b>. We have read reports that you and
Secretary Tillerson have decided to continue our diplomatic mission in Havana. We
commend this decision. As the dozens of young Cuban Americans who have visited
their loved ones on the island through our program can attest, the U.S. Embassy is vital
to American interests and has graciously hosted Cuban Americans, Cuban youth,
activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and students.<br />
<br />
6. <b>SUPPORT CUBA’S ENTREPRENEURS, YOUTH, AND ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY</b>. Since
2009, Cuba’s licensed private sector workforce has grown by over 300 percent, largely
due to an infusion of remittances and visitors from the United States. We have been
inspired by the Cuban entrepreneurs--particularly the youth--who work hard to offer
better lives for their families. As a father and highly successful businessman, we are
sure that you can appreciate the important role of entrepreneurs in societies and
families and want to support them. To that end, we also encourage your
Administration to double-down on ongoing efforts to facilitate the ability of U.S.
telecommunication and technology companies to offer their services to the Cuban
people.<br />
<br />
These recommendations are actionable, would constitute a “better deal” for the United
States, and reflect the views and values of the majority of the American people, Cuban
Americans, and the 11 million Cubans on the island. We will always welcome an opportunity
to discuss with you the importance of US-Cuba policy to our generation, our community,
and our country.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<b>CubaOne Foundation </b><br />
100 SE 3rd Ave #1514, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33394<br />
www.cubaone.org<br />
<br />
President & CEO
Daniel Jiménez<br />
<br />
Board
Giancarlo Sopo
(Chairman)<br />
Lissette Calveiro<br />
Cherie Cancio<br />
Andrew Jiménez<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-33447340930462257832017-06-08T23:35:00.001-04:002017-06-08T23:35:48.899-04:00Venezuela Pide La Libertad con Una Sola Voz<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwKgJP9vUDXuFOCH3K4tj7iy33V8SKGZCtwwapRwihR5h88eoeLMvkyLL7jgZ0Np1HP0XUuXiQriVaq2TzUog' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br><br></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-49271204807826016642017-06-01T12:26:00.000-04:002017-06-12T21:15:14.352-04:00Can we afford to lose $6.6 billion in revenue and 12k jobs?!<div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thurs., June 1, 2017<br /><br />CONTACT: Madeleine Russak <a href="tel:(626)%20390-2158" target="_blank" value="+16263902158">(626) 390-2158</a><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ROLLING BACK CUBA POLICIES WOULD C</b><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">OST THE U.S. ECONOMY $6.6 BILLION AND AFFECT OVER 12,000 JOBS</b><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">~ New economic impact analysis is released following reports that President Trump is <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/05/29/exclusive-trump-set-to-roll-back-obamas-cuba-policies/">set to to roll back</a> President Obama's Cuba policies ~</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Engage Cuba led a coalition of business groups, economists and leading Cuba experts in releasing an <a href="http://engagecuba.org/s/Economic-Impact-of-Tightening-US-Regs-on-Cuba.pdf" target="_blank">economic impact analysis</a> estimating that a reversal of Cuba policies would cost the U.S. economy <b>$6.6 billion</b> and affect <b>12,295 American jobs</b> over the course of the first term of the Trump Administration. Obama Administration policies to loosen regulations on U.S. companies interested in doing business in Cuba have contributed to significant economic growth and job creation throughout the country.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The economic impact analysis was released on the heels of <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/05/29/exclusive-trump-set-to-roll-back-obamas-cuba-policies/" target="_blank">reports</a> that the Trump Administration is set to roll back Obama-era Cuba policies, despite an ongoing inter-agency review that <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/335714-trump-weighs-shift-on-cuba" target="_blank">largely favors</a> expanding travel to and trade with Cuba and <a href="https://www.engagecuba.org/press-releases/2017/4/20/ret-us-military-flag-officers-urge-white-house-to-expand-cuba-engagement-to-strengthen-us-national-security?rq=national%20security">concerns</a> from U.S. military experts that reversing progress with Cuba would threaten U.S. national security interests. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Rural communities across the country most reliant on agricultural, manufacturing, and shipping industries would be disproportionately affected by adding regulations on travel and trade to Cuba. This analysis excludes agricultural and medical exports because provisions allowing for limited exports in these sectors were authorized by Congress in 2001, thus predating Obama-era regulatory changes. However, new regulations on exporting agricultural commodities to Cuba could cost an additional <b>$1.5 billion</b> and affect <b>2,205 jobs </b>more U.S. jobs.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Given their deep water ports and proximity to Cuba, imposing regulations on Cuba would particularly threaten economic growth and job creation in the Gulf states, including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, all of which supported President Trump in the 2016 election. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />"Our new relationship with Cuba has led to tangible results for American companies, created U.S. jobs, and strengthened Cuba's growing private sector. If President Trump rolled back our Cuba policy, he would add job-killing government regulations on U.S. businesses. This directly conflicts with President Trump's campaign promises of removing onerous regulations and red tape on U.S. businesses," <b>said President of Engage Cuba, James Williams. </b>"Reimposing restrictions on traveling to Cuba would force Americans to jump through even more bureaucratic hoops to exercise their right to travel freely."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"How sadly ironic and short-sighted it would be if, soon after singing the praises of the repressive leaders of Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, President Trump were to return to a failed 55-year-old policy of sanctions and ultimatums against tiny Cuba,"<b> said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). </b>"Rather than cave to the pressure of a dwindling minority who are stuck in the past, he should go to Cuba and speak directly with the Cuban people on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Americans who favor closer relations. He would see that the current policy has given the Cuban people real hope for a better future, a future that is naturally linked to the United States and the American people."</span><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"In the past two years since President Obama announced his policy of opening up to Cuba, we've seen economic exchanges, investments and jobs growth in the U.S. and in Cuba's private sector. For a jobs-focused President, to reverse these jobs creating reforms, especially one that affects many of the agricultural states that voted for him, makes little economic sense and no political sense," <b>said Christpher Sabatini, a Latin America specialist and executive director of <a href="http://latinamericagoesglobal.org/">Global Americans</a>.</b> "Ending economic ties and killing U.S. jobs won't improve human rights in Cuba; continuing engagement and expanding those job opportunities--on both sides of the Florida Straits--will."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dozens of U.S. businesses in almost every sector have begun exploring opportunities for expansion into Cuba. The four major U.S. telecommunications providers now offer roaming on the island, and Google will now allow fast and easy access to its online services.<br /><br />U.S. travel to Cuba has skyrocketed. As a result, seven U.S. airlines fly direct to Cuba and three cruise lines have reached deals. American travel giants including AirBnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor now offer services in Cuba.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Since December 17, 2014, the Obama Administration issued six rounds of <a href="https://www.engagecuba.org/regulatory-changes/" target="_blank">regulatory changes</a> that eased travel and trade restrictions on Cuba. These policy changes have contributed to significant economic activity throughout the country, particularly in the U.S. travel, tourism and manufacturing industries. Additionally, as a result of diplomatic relations, the agreement between the U.S. and Cuba to end the policy known as "wet foot, dry foot," which granted permanent residency and federal benefits to Cubans who arrived by land to the U.S., will save U.S. taxpayers a significant amount of money and <a href="https://www.engagecuba.org/press-releases/2017/4/20/ret-us-military-flag-officers-urge-white-house-to-expand-cuba-engagement-to-strengthen-us-national-security?rq=national%20security">strengthen U.S. national security</a>. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /><b>Cost Summary:</b><br />Summaries of the major areas affected by potential rollback are listed below, totaling <b>$6.6 billion and 12,295 jobs. </b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Travel:</b> U.S. travel to Cuba was liberalized over the past few years by expanding legal travel in 12 categories, self-authorization, and allowing both airlines and cruise lines to offer passenger service to the island. Rolling back expanded travel could cost airlines and cruise lines <b>$3.5 billion</b> and affect <b>10,154 jobs</b> in those industries.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Manufacturing:</b> Manufacturing companies in the energy, chemical, and technology industries are finalizing commercial contracts that will create $929 million worth of exports from the U.S. to Cuba over the next four years. Revoking authorization for manufacturing exports would deal a blow of nearly <b>$1 billion</b> to American businesses and could cost up to <b>1,359 </b>jobs.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Remittances:</b> Estimates on U.S. remittances to Cuba show that Cubans working in the United States send up to $4 billion back to the island every year. Over four years, cutting the remittance flow could cost American money transfer companies <b>$1.2 billion</b> and affect <b>782 jobs</b>. Additionally, the increase flow of remittances has significantly helped Cuba's growing private sector. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Immigration</b>: In January 2017, the Obama Administration and Cuba reached a deal to end the controversial "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which granted permanent residency to Cuban immigrants who arrived in the U.S. by land. Because the policy granted refugees access to federal social and healthcare entitlements, reinstating it would cost U.S. taxpayers <b>$953 million</b> over four years.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*Estimates do not include agricultural exports, which would bring the total to <b>$8.1 billion USD</b> and <b>14,500 jobs. </b></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*All estimates represent an accumulated cost over the four years of President Trump's first term. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The full report is available <a href="http://engagecuba.org/s/Economic-Impact-of-Tightening-US-Regs-on-Cuba.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. This economic impact analysis was prepared by Engage Cuba in collaboration with: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">American Society of Travel Agents</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tomas Bilbao, Avila Strategies</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Center for Democracy in the Americas</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cuba Educational Travel</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Richard Feinberg, Professor, University of California San Diego</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ted Henken, Associate Professor, Baruch College</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vicki Huddleston, Former U.S. Ambassador</i></div>
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">William Leogrande, Professor, American University</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">National Foreign Trade Council</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pearl Seas Cruises</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Philip Peters, President, Cuba Research Center</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chris Sabatini, Executive Director, Global Americans</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">United States-Cuba Business Council</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Washington Office on Latin America</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></i></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><u>About Engage Cuba</u></b><br />Engage Cuba is the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba. As a 501(c)(4) bipartisan non-profit whose funds are entirely dedicated to advocacy efforts, Engage Cuba is the only organization whose focus is U.S.-Cuba legislative advocacy. Engage Cuba is also committed to supporting the Cuban people and helping organizations and businesses navigate Cuban and U.S. regulations. The organization has the largest bipartisan lobbying operation working on U.S.-Cuba policy. Together with the Engage Cuba Policy Council of renowned experts, Engage Cuba provides timely updates on opportunities for U.S. business in Cuba, regulations, and market analysis. To get involved with Engage Cuba's mission or learn more, visit: <a href="http://www.engagecuba.org/" target="_blank">http://www.engagecuba.org</a>.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-52993741701311720412017-01-12T18:21:00.001-05:002017-06-12T21:16:16.025-04:00Declaración del presidente Barack Obama<h1 class="page-title" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.35; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px;">Declaración del presidente Barack Obama sobre la política migratoria hacia Cuba</span></h1>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hoy, Estados Unidos está dando pasos importantes para normalizar las relaciones con Cuba y para lograr una mayor consistencia en nuestra política de inmigración. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional está poniendo fin a la llamada política de "pies mojados / pies secos", que se puso en práctica hace más de veinte años y fue diseñada para una época diferente.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Con efecto inmediato, los cubanos que intenten ingresar a los Estados Unidos ilegalmente y no califiquen para ayuda humanitaria estarán sujetos a deportación, de acuerdo con la ley de los Estados Unidos y las prioridades de su cumplimiento. Al dar este paso, estamos tratando a los emigrantes cubanos de la misma manera que tratamos a los migrantes de otros países.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">El gobierno cubano ha acordado aceptar el regreso de los nacionales cubanos que tienen orden de deportación, al igual que ha aceptado el retorno de los inmigrantes interceptados en el mar.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hoy, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional también está poniendo fin al Programa de especial de inmigración para médicos cubanos. Estados Unidos y Cuba están trabajando juntos para combatir enfermedades que ponen en peligro la salud y la vida de nuestro pueblo.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Proporcionando un trato preferencial al personal médico cubano, el programa especial de inmigración para médicos cubanos contradice estos esfuerzos y corre el riesgo de dañar al pueblo cubano. El personal médico cubano ahora será elegible para solicitar asilo en las embajadas y consulados de los Estados Unidos alrededor del mundo, de acuerdo con los procedimientos para todos los extranjeros.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Los Estados Unidos, una tierra de inmigrantes, se han enriquecido con las contribuciones de los cubano-americanos durante más de un siglo. Desde que asumí el cargo, hemos puesto a la comunidad cubanoamericana en el centro de nuestras políticas. Con este cambio continuaremos recibiendo a los cubanos mientras acogemos a inmigrantes de otras naciones, de acuerdo con nuestras leyes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Durante mi Administración, trabajamos para mejorar la vida del pueblo cubano, dentro de Cuba, proporcionándoles un mayor acceso a recursos, información y conectividad con el resto del mundo.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sostener ese enfoque es la mejor manera de asegurar que los cubanos puedan disfrutar de la prosperidad, perseguir reformas y determinar su propio destino. Como dije en La Habana, el futuro de Cuba debe estar en manos del pueblo cubano.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-56740972280462167502016-12-07T17:46:00.004-05:002017-06-12T21:17:06.530-04:00Dear Donald...December 7, 2016<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQCNVvxn7ZirW5bbWI9FNjDHf8ccSU0CL4txe6Y1Ch_Pl5IdlNBtagTHxBzXThr-Ac_7dsuqW0CnQg20NTteRAfsCYQA7hqyban6sF4iz-BswtKR6Eip5wC9mV5IR2u0vvOU-yQOnPJw/s1600/CzCAY6uXEAAkFyl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQCNVvxn7ZirW5bbWI9FNjDHf8ccSU0CL4txe6Y1Ch_Pl5IdlNBtagTHxBzXThr-Ac_7dsuqW0CnQg20NTteRAfsCYQA7hqyban6sF4iz-BswtKR6Eip5wC9mV5IR2u0vvOU-yQOnPJw/s400/CzCAY6uXEAAkFyl.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://linkis.com/www.engagecuba.org/p/AAUzf">Cuban Entrepreneurs Announce Letter to President-elect Donald Trump</a> </span></b><br />
<br />
Dear President-Elect Donald Trump:<br />
<br />
Congratulations on your election as president of the United States. The Cuban people, particularly the private sector in Cuba, watched the election with much interest. As you know, U.S. policy towards Cuba greatly affects our day-to-day reality, including our commercial relationship with the United States and the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
As Cuban entrepreneurs, we have experienced a great deal of change over the last several years. Changes by our government allow for increased private sector activity and we’ve seen significant growth in small businesses in our country. Over a half of million people now work in the private sector, earning considerably more money than state jobs and offering more autonomy in business decisions. We’re hopeful that our government will make additional changes to the legal framework and market conditions in the future.<br />
<br />
Reforms made by the U.S. government to allow for increased travel, telecom services and banking have helped substantially as we attempt to grow our businesses. An influx of American and Cuban American visitors stimulates growth for our businesses, directly and indirectly. Better internet and long-distance calling improves marketing, product sourcing and interaction with customers. Improved banking relations to facilitate payments by U.S. companies and U.S. travelers is key to long-term growth. Increased interaction and business dealings with U.S. travelers and U.S. companies has had important economic benefits, the exchanges of ideas and knowledge, and offered much hope for the future.<br />
<br />
As a successful businessman, we’re confident that you understand the importance of economic engagement between nations. Small businesses in Cuba have the potential to be drivers of economic growth in Cuba and important partners of the U.S. business community. Additional measures to increase travel, trade and investment, including working with the U.S. Congress to lift the embargo, will benefit our companies, the Cuban people and U.S. national interests. We look forward to taking advantage of any openings that your administration makes to the Cuban private sector and the Cuban economy as a whole.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>Estimado Presidente-Electo Donald Trump:
<br />
<br />
Felicidades en su elección como presidente de los Estados Unidos. El pueblo cubano, en especial el sector privado en Cuba, prestamos mucho interés durante las votaciones. Como usted sabe, la política de los Estados Unidos hacia Cuba influye mucho en nuestra realidad del día a día, incluyendo nuestras relaciones comerciales con su país y con el resto del mundo.
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Como emprendedores cubanos, hemos visto muchos cambios durante los últimos años. Estos cambios han permitido un incremento de la actividad del sector privado y hemos visto un crecimiento significativo en los pequeños negocios en nuestro país. Más de medio millón de personas ahora trabajan en el sector privado, ganando considerablemente más dinero que en el sector estatal y aumentando la autonomía en la toma de decisiones empresariales. Tenemos fe en que nuestro gobierno hará cambios al marco legal que favorezcan el desarrollo de este sector.
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Las reformas hechas por el gobierno estadounidense han conllevado a un incremento en viajes, servicios bancarios y de telecomunicaciones, lo cual nos ha ayudado sustancialmente mientras nos esforzamos por crecer nuestros negocios. El flujo de visitantes americanos y cubano-americanos estimula este crecimiento directa e indirectamente. La mejora del Internet y las llamadas de larga distancia, facilitan los avances en marketing, el acceso a insumos y la interacción con los clientes. La mejora de las relaciones bancarias que facilitan pagos de las compañías y viajeros estadounidenses es un factor clave para el crecimiento a largo plazo. El aumento de nuestras interacciones con visitantes y empresas de los Estados Unidos ha resultado en importantes beneficios económicos, el intercambio de ideas y conocimientos, y ha ofrecido percepciones positivas para el futuro.
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Por su éxito como hombre de negocios, confiamos en que usted entiende la importancia del compromiso económico entre naciones. Los pequeños negocios en Cuba tienen el potencial de ser conductores del crecimiento económico en nuestro país y socios importantes de la comunidad empresarial de los Estados Unidos. La toma de medidas adicionales para incrementar viajes, comercio e inversiones, incluyendo trabajar con el Congreso de los Estados Unidos para levantar el embargo, beneficiarán a nuestras compañías, al pueblo cubano y al interés nacional de los Estados Unidos. Esperamos poder tomar provecho de las oportunidades que su administración ofrezca al sector privado y a la economía cubana en conjunto.
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Sinceramente,
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Ailyn Garces Fernández<br />
Andrés Garcés Zamora<br />
Aún a FernándezCrespo<br />
Aylen Garces Fernández<br />
<b>3C</b><br />
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Ruben Valladares<br />
Mayda Rodriguez de la Torre<br />
Mayrene Valladares Rodriguez<br />
Yeini Valladares Acosta<br />
<b>Adorgraf</b><br />
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Gabriela Ogando<br />
<b>Apartamento AltaMira</b><br />
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Rigo García Berriel<br />
<b>ArtPrint</b><br />
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Niuris Higuera<br />
<b>A'telier</b><br />
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Vanessa Arocha Ochoa<br />
<b>Bolsos Vanessa </b><br />
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Rafael Rosales<br />
Ricardo Vidal<br />
Juan Carlos Sánchez
Petro Cepedo
Danilo Lerma<br />
<b>Café Madrigal</b><br />
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Osmary Armas Ruiz<br />
<b>Casa Colonial 1923</b><br />
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Carolina Rodriguez
Rafael Lenin<br />
<b>Casa Sandélis</b><br />
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Rocío Lopez<br />
Orlando Ochoa<br />
Heidis Grande<br />
Leandro González<br />
Roy Recio<br />
<b>CET Eventos </b><br />
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Hector Higuera<br />
<b>Chansonnier</b><br />
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Idania Del Rio González<br />
<b>Clandestina</b><br />
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Roberto Carlos Vidal García<br />
<b>Clínica del Celular</b><br />
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Pedro Antonio Rodríguez Díaz<br />
Dayana Fajardo Hoyos<br />
<b>Club Salseando Chévere</b><br />
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Cardidad Luisa Limonta Ewen<br />
<b>Confecciones PROCLE</b><br />
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Lester Sinconegui<br />
<b>Cooperativa de Construcción</b><br />
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Yamina Vincente<br />
<b>Decorazón</b><br />
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Marta Deus<br />
Irina García<br />
Mevelyn Alonso<br />
Johanna Ruiz<br />
<b>Deus Expertos Contables</b><br />
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Zaylhi Linares Hernandez<br />
<b>D’evento</b><br />
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Maricel Ponvert Iser<br />
José Manuel Amaro Came<br />
Damián Jorge More<br />
<b>De'Marie</b><br />
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Norlin García<br />
Emilio García<br />
Manuel Hernández<br />
<b>Diseñadores Independientes</b><br />
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Augusto González<br />
Adriana González<br />
Paulino García Rams<br />
Alina González Rams<br />
<b>Divina Pastora</b><br />
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Dorian Carbonell<br />
Damian Carbonell<br />
<b>Donde Dorian</b><br />
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Vanessa Pino Arocha<br />
<b>Dulce Detalles</b><br />
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Sasha Ramos<br />
<b>El Cocinero</b><br />
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David Horta<br />
<b>Galería Pedro Pablo Oliva</b><br />
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Ernesto Antonio Figueredo Castellanos<br />
<b>GERSTAR</b><br />
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Miguel Hernández Fernández<br />
<b>GESTOUR</b><br />
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Manuel Pérez Escribano<br />
<b>Ecodafo</b><br />
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Elizabeta Castro Ferrera<br />
<b>Elitec</b><br />
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Ubaldo Huerta<br />
<b>Fonoma</b><br />
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Oscar Matienzo<br />
<b>Graphicos</b><br />
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Marla Recio Carbajal<br />
<b>Havana Reverie</b><br />
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Roger Juaristi Guede<br />
Freddy Rossel Orta<br />
<b>Highvista Promotions </b><br />
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Indhira Sotillo Fernández<br />
<b>Isladentro</b><br />
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Juan Alejandro Hernández<br />
Juan Luis Santana<br />
<b>Ke Hay Pa Hoy</b><br />
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Carlos Garcia<br />
<b>Kewelta</b><br />
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Ode Baullosa<br />
Enrique Nuñez del Valle<br />
<b>La Guarida</b><br />
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Julia de la Rosa<br />
Silvio Ortega<br />
<b>La Rosa de Ortega B&B</b><br />
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Mabel Poblet<br />
<b>Mabel Poblet Estudio</b><br />
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Nestor Brito Medina<br />
<b>Making the Web</b><br />
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Mariela Flores Iriarte<br />
<b>Manane Records</b><br />
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Marta Deus<br />
Yasym Ruiz<br />
Lisandra Palma<br />
<b>Mandao</b><br />
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Marta Vitorte<br />
<b>Marta</b><br />
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Mario Otero<br />
<b>Mayito B&B</b><br />
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Marta Deus<br />
Charly Morales<br />
<b>Negolution</b><br />
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Julio Alvarez<br />
Nidialys Acosta<br />
<b>Nostalgicar</b><br />
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Yudith Almaguer Calzadilla<br />
<b>Opera</b><br />
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David Novo Curiel<br />
Félix Curiel Calviño<br />
<b>Optart</b><br />
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Patricia Ramos<br />
<b>Patricia Ramos B&B</b><br />
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Patricia Santa Coloma<br />
<b>Producciones Almendares</b><br />
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Gilberto “Papito” Valladares<br />
Camilo Condis Mojena<br />
<b>Proyecto Artecorte</b><br />
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Karen Zerquera<br />
<b>Pyxel Solutions Software</b><br />
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Marianela Pérez Benítez<br />
Gilberto Smith Alvarez<br />
<b>Restaurante Pizzería Pizzanella</b><br />
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Hiram Centelles<br />
<b>Revolico</b><br />
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Carlos Cristobal Marquez Valdes<br />
<b>San Cristobal </b><br />
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Luis Alberto Dueñas<br />
Alfonso Larrea<br />
<b>SCENIUS</b><br />
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Danisvel Rodriguez Perez<br />
Dario Pages Caraballo<br />
Yasmani Ribes Acosta<br />
Davel Lazaro Ramos León<br />
José Pérez Aguilar<br />
<b>Taxistas</b><br />
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Gretel de la Rosa Suárez<br />
Aiette Hernández González<br />
<b>Tin Marin</b><br />
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Ariel Viera<br />
<b>Tissca</b><br />
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Angel Edel Pino Arocha<br />
<b>ToDoDesign</b><br />
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Liber Puente<br />
<b>Tostonet</b><br />
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Víctor Rodríguez Río Seco<br />
Yoanis Franca Badillo<br />
<b>Víctor Bikinis </b><br />
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Celia Mendoza Suárez<br />
<b>Vip2Cuba</b><br />
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Yoilan Fimia<br />
<b>Wydapps Merkat</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-9304609744867091102016-12-02T01:16:00.001-05:002017-06-12T21:17:43.840-04:00White House Pushing Cuba on Deals for GE, Google (WSJ)<div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px;">White House Pushing Cuba on Deals for GE, Google</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px;">Three cruise lines also expected to announce new service to Cuba</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;">By</span> </span><br />
<div data-scrim="{"type":"author","header":"Carol E. Lee","subhead":"The Wall Street Journal","list":[{"type":"link","icon":"bio","url":"http://topics.wsj.com/person/A/biography/7767","text":"Biography"},{"type":"link","icon":"twitter","url":"http://twitter.com/CarolELee","text":"@CarolELee"},{"type":"link","icon":"email","url":"mailto:carol.lee@wsj.com","text":"carol.lee@wsj.com"}]}" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span itemprop="name" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;">Carol E. Lee</span> and </span></div>
<div data-scrim="{"type":"author","header":"Felicia Schwartz","subhead":"The Wall Street Journal","list":[{"type":"link","icon":"bio","url":"http://topics.wsj.com/person/A/biography/8039","text":"Biography"},{"type":"link","icon":"twitter","url":"http://twitter.com/felschwartz","text":"@felschwartz"},{"type":"link","icon":"email","url":"mailto:felicia.schwartz@wsj.com","text":"felicia.schwartz@wsj.com"}]}" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Felicia Schwartz</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><time class="date" style="display: inline-block; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%;">Dec. 1, 2016 </time></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The White House is putting pressure on Cuba to firm up deals with General Electric and Google before the start of the Donald Trump administration. WSJ's Felicia Schwartz explains on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Reuters</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">WASHINGTON— <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/GE" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">General Electric</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Co.</span> and <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/GOOGL" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Alphabet</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Inc.</span>'s Google unit are among firms U.S. officials believe will secure agreements to operate in Cuba as the Obama administration presses Havana to complete pending deals before Donald Trump takes office, according to people familiar with the discussions.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In addition, three American cruise lines are expected to announce deals to start service to Cuba, including <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/NCLH" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Ltd.</span>, <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/RCL" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Royal Caribbean</a> Cruises Ltd. and Pearl Seas Cruises.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The new business agreements are expected to be announced over the next few weeks, those familiar with the discussions said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the White House, which ramped up an effort before the election to prod Havana, the deals are aimed at cementing President Barack Obama's policy of advancing U.S.-Cuba relations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">White House officials are unsure how Mr. Trump, the president-elect, will approach Mr. Obama's Cuba policy. He has said he would reverse the effort to build relations, and this week wrote on <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/TWTR" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a> that "if Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate the deal."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While there is no formal deal between the U.S. and Cuba that can be undone, there has been a broad effort to expand economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries since Mr. Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced in December 2014 that they would re-establish diplomatic relations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Asked about the possible agreement, a GE spokesman said: "We continue to talk to Cuba and we're in the middle of negotiations."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman, Vanessa Picariello, said the firm is "in continued talks with appropriate authorities in Cuba on behalf of all three of its brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She added: "We remain optimistic that we will receive approval for one or more of our brands and be able to offer our guests Caribbean cruises including Cuba in the near future."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cynthia Martinez, a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean., said, "We've expressed our belief that the market holds promise for the cruise industry, and remain interested in exploring its potential."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Charles B. Robertson, Pearl Seas Cruises' director of marketing, said: "We are very excited and optimistic about the prospect of going to Cuba and we have a number of trips planned in 2017 that we hope to be able to run."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Officials from Google didn't respond to requests for comment.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A number of companies have been granted licenses by the Obama administration to do business in Cuba, but are awaiting approval by Havana. The move at the White House to accelerate the process for U.S. companies holding U.S. licenses became a renewed focus late this summer.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Officials reviewed deals pending before the Cuban government and brought in a U.S. government official, Angela Mariana Freyre, formerly senior vice president and general counsel of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, to focus solely on this issue.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ms. Freyre was dispatched to Havana shortly after the presidential election to meet with officials about the White House's desire for deals awaiting Cuban government action to move forward.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Google and General Electric made limited forays into Cuba this year. Google in March opened a technology center in the Havana studio of one of Cuba's most famous artists. Cubans at the site can access the internet at speeds 70 times faster than those available to the Cuban public. Google has been trying to offer other services to try <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/google-and-obama-administration-connect-over-cuba-1458763836" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">to improve internet access on the island</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">GE in March signaled its intent to <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-seeks-to-sell-power-medical-equipment-to-cuban-government-1458609478" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">provide power, aviation and medical equipment to the Cuban government</a> by signing a series of memorandums of understanding with the Cuban government. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another American firm, Caterpillar, signed a distribution deal in February with Puerto Rican-based Rimco to begin selling its products in Cuba, once trade restrictions are eased.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The move to normalize relations has prompted a flurry of deals. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., now owned by <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/MAR" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Marriott International</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Inc.,</span>signed a deal <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/starwood-signs-deal-to-renovate-run-three-hotels-in-cuba-1458438989" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">to run three hotels in Cuba</a>earlier this year. The properties are still government owned but will be run by Starwood. The company began operating a Four Points Sheraton in Havana in June, with the others to follow. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meanwhile, American carriers Verizon Wireless, <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/T" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">AT&T</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Inc.,</span> <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/S" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Sprint</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Corp.</span> and <a href="http://quotes.wsj.com/TMUS" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">T-Mobile US</a><span style="max-width: 100%;"> Inc.</span> have all reached deals <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/sprint-signs-deal-to-offer-roaming-service-in-cuba-1446502533" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">to offer service in Cuba</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">U.S. airlines resumed commercial flights to Cuba earlier this year. This week, eight airlines, including American Airlines Inc. and JetBlue Airways, began <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/more-u-s-scheduled-flights-to-havana-on-tap-in-coming-days-1480353659" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">commercial service to Havana</a>. By the end of 2016, U.S. airlines are expected to conduct more than 500 round-trip flights to Cuba, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ben Rhodes, Mr. Obama's adviser who led the effort to re-establish relations with Cuba, traveled to Havana this week. Tom Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also was supposed to travel to Havana this week but canceled the trip following <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/fidel-castro-cuba-revolutionary-dies-at-90-1480141526" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">the death of Fidel Castro on Friday</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="max-width: 100%;">Write to </strong>Carol E. Lee at <a href="mailto:carol.lee@wsj.com" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">carol.lee@wsj.com</a> and Felicia Schwartz at <a href="mailto:Felicia.Schwartz@wsj.com" style="max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Felicia.Schwartz@wsj.com</a></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-6037796340770143512016-11-26T22:20:00.001-05:002016-11-26T22:20:28.364-05:00Trump v. Obama v. Trudeau<div><div><b>Trump v. Obama v. Trudeau: Three very different statements on Fidel Castro's passing </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>President Elect Donald Trump on Fidel Castro's Death</b></div><div><br></div><div>"Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.</div><div><br></div><div>"While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.</div><div><br></div><div>"<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty</span>. I <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba."</span></div><div><br></div><div><b>Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Fidel Castro</b></div><div><br></div><div>"At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. </div><div><br></div><div>"For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.</div><div><br></div><div>"Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America."</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro</b></div><div><br></div><div>"It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba's longest serving President.</div><div><br></div><div>"Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.</div><div><br></div><div>"While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro's supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for "el Comandante".</div><div><br></div><div>"I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.</div><div><br></div><div>"On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader."</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-64025202310160877282016-11-26T11:00:00.001-05:002016-11-26T11:00:32.338-05:00Statement by President Barack Obama on the Passing of Fidel Castro<div><div class="panel-pane pane-node-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.286em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. </span></h1><h1 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.286em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;">For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.</span></h1><h1 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.286em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;">Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.</span></h1></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-42432361644029726162016-11-26T02:35:00.003-05:002016-11-26T02:35:45.744-05:00My take on the legacy of Fidel Castro, 1926-2016Fidel Castro (1926-2016)<br />
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Born on August 13, 1926, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz has become a political and historical figure of truly mythic proportions not only for Cubans but also across the developing world as an inspiration for the anti-capitalist struggles of the 20th century. Unlike other Latin American dictators, Castro’s iron hand has often been covered by a velvet glove permitting him to rule more often through his extraordinary rhetoric and spellbinding charisma than with brute force and coercion (though he has not hesitated to resort to these when he felt necessary). He has also benefited from the powerful, if often frustrated nationalism of the Cuban people; the U.S. threat to Cuban sovereignty; and the enactment of an ambitious successful program of social justice in Cuba since 1959.<br />
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Originally from the town of Birán in the eastern province of Oriente, Castro came of age as the son of the self-made sugar planter and Spanish immigrant Angel Castro. As a young man, Castro studied in private Jesuit schools and excelled both in the classroom and at a wide array of sports, exhibiting a work ethic, fierce competitive streak, and almost egomaniacal confidence that would serve him well in the years to come.<br />
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After entering the University of Havana to study law, he became involved in the often violent student-led political activities of the time. Unable to run for congressional office in the cancelled elections of 1952 because of Batista’s coup, Castro organized an unsuccessful raid on the Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953, after which he delivered his historic “History Will Absolve Me” defense speech at trial. Amnestied from prison in 1955, he regrouped with his guerrilla forces abroad in Mexico. He clandestinely invaded Cuba at the end of 1956, and two years later, marched triumphantly into Havana.<br />
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Initially taking on the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in January, 1959, Castro soon became Prime Minister and First Secretary of the Communist Party. He was named President in 1976 with the passage of Cuba’s new Constitution. Until a life-threatening intestinal illness forced him to step down in July 2006, Castro was served as President of the Councils of State and of the Council of Ministers.<br />
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While his rule has been characterized by the evisceration of Cuban civil society, the trampling of civil liberties and political freedoms of Cuban citizens, and woeful economic incompetence, Castro has also distinguished himself as a consummate political operator on the world stage, offering aid and inspiration to leftist regimes and emergent Third World nations across the world, many of whose citizens see him as a champion of social justice, a fearless defender of national sovereignty, and a fiery symbol of defiance in the face of U.S. domination.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-52630943106617246382016-11-26T01:22:00.001-05:002016-11-26T01:22:35.728-05:00Muere Fidel Castro (palabras de Raúl)<div>Palabras de Raúl Castro. </div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">De @14ymedio</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><p dir="ltr" class="mce" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6;"><span class="mce" style="line-height: 1.6; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mensaje leído por Raúl Castro frente a la televisión nacional </span></p><div dir="ltr" class="mce" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6;"></div><p dir="ltr" class="mce" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6;"><span class="mce" style="line-height: 1.6; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Querido pueblo de Cuba: </span></p><p class="mce" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6;"><span class="mce" style="line-height: 1.6; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Con profundo dolor comparezco para informar a nuestro pueblo, a los amigos de Nuestra América y del mundo que hoy 25 de noviembre del 2016 a las 10:29 horas de la noche falleció el comandante en jefe de la Revolución Cubana Fidel Castro Ruz. Cumpliendo la voluntad expresa del compañero Fidel sus restos serán cremados. En las primeras horas de mañana sábado 26 la comisión organizadora de los funerales brindará a nuestro pueblo una información detallada sobre la organización del homenaje póstumo que se le tributará al fundador de la revolución cubana. Hasta la victoria siempre"</span></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-31657912423207746142016-11-17T01:41:00.002-05:002016-11-17T01:41:45.818-05:00Donald Trump has a choice to make on Cuba<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAVzBbktoTjCP-MOT7TNj97eRAdqmJGKAjc9S6t6tXZf1fKVQ5rgnQdjowjow_yfGtBU-4FA_7lRTzx7RcMaW8uYjtKwhfjdLpSn6l1zU-AnLhyphenhyphen4shDBgA66YpvSUKi7Qnj0UH_VLalo/s1600/Lilliam+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAVzBbktoTjCP-MOT7TNj97eRAdqmJGKAjc9S6t6tXZf1fKVQ5rgnQdjowjow_yfGtBU-4FA_7lRTzx7RcMaW8uYjtKwhfjdLpSn6l1zU-AnLhyphenhyphen4shDBgA66YpvSUKi7Qnj0UH_VLalo/s400/Lilliam+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One example of freer markets in Cuba is the Paladar <i>La Cocina de Lilliam</i> (Lilliam's Kitchen), a home-based restaurant garden where President Jimmy Carter ate on his first visit to Cuba in 2002.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4>
Originally published at <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/15/donald-trump-has-a-choice-to-make-on-cuba-commentary.html">CNBC.com</a> ahead of the documentary, "<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/the-profit-in-cuba/">The Profit in Cuba</a>."</h4>
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While Americans have been reeling over the shocking outcome of our presidential election, Cubans are experiencing perhaps even greater vertigo as a result of the surprise victory of Donald Trump.<br />
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As the saying goes, "When the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold." Or perhaps the old Mexican adage is more appropriate to the situation Cubans find themselves in: "Poor Mexico! So far from God, but so close to the United States!"<br />
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<h4>
See me discuss the CNBC documentary, "<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/the-profit-in-cuba/">The Profit in Cuba</a>" with host Marcus Lemonis at the CNBC studios <a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-fate-of-cuba-relations/vi-AAkkwpu?ocid=st">here</a>.</h4>
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Cubans went from a largely acrimonious relationship with the U.S. prior to December 2014, to one of unprecedented "hope and change" during the past 22 months under bilateral efforts to achieve diplomatic normalization between the erstwhile adversaries, to one of great trepidation and uncertainty over the past week given the president-elect's campaign promise to "cancel Obama's one-sided Cuban deal." President Raúl Castro perfectly captured the moment's ambivalence for Cuba by quickly sending the president-elect a brief note of congratulations while simultaneously ordering a five-day military mobilization.<br />
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In my more than half-dozen trips to the island over the past year, I have noted a palpable, ebullient expectation among Cubans for a better, more prosperous future under Obama's "new rules" of engagement. This was especially pronounced among Cuba's emergent entrepreneurial class, which includes old school cabbies in their even older school American cars, hip app designers in Cuba's surprising tech start-up scene, and some of the many restaurateurs behind the island's surging circle of "<i>paladares</i>" (private, home-based restaurants) which now number more than 1,800.
This hard-won hope was also born of Cuba's own "new rules" introduced in late 2010 under President Raúl Castro aimed at expanding the island's long-suppressed private sector. However, I also found that most entrepreneurs were under no illusions that the Cuban government would be fully lifting its own counter-productive "<i>auto-bloqueo</i>" or internal embargo against grass-roots entrepreneurial innovation and inventiveness any time soon.<br />
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This sense of rising hope inside Cuba reached its climax in Obama's brilliant deployment of soft power during his historic state visit to the island in March 2016. Many Cubans identified with this youthful, optimistic, and eloquent African-American family man endowed with both a sense of history and of humor much more than with their own waxworks of old white ideologues.
However, Cuba's old guard realized that Obama's charm offensive had begun to fatally undermine their own authority and undercut their long-effective use of the U.S. boogeyman as a scapegoat for their own economic failures and as a justification for their continued political authoritarianism.<br />
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In response, the Cuban leadership has spent the past eight months constantly reminding Cuban citizens of the continued U.S. existential threat to Cuban sovereignty under the Revolution and simultaneously dashing their hopes for a better, more open and prosperous future by stepping up detentions of peaceful political opponents and independent journalists and slowing economic reforms to a manageable trickle.<br />
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The clearest example of the Cuban government's efforts to lower expectations has come on the economic front. First, April's Seventh Party Congress included no new resolutions about deepening or expanding much needed market-oriented reforms apart from a vague reference to studying the possibility of granting status as legal businesses to a portion of the half-a-million strong micro-enterprise sector. Nothing has come of this idea in the intervening seven months.
Second, price controls have been reimposed in the private agriculture and transportation sectors, reducing incentives for greater production.<br />
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Third, this past summer saw the government scale back economic growth estimates for 2016 to under 1 percent and impose severe energy saving and cost-cutting measures across the state sector due to a liquidity crisis and the Venezuelan debacle.
Finally, the issuing of new licenses for Havana's surging private, home-based restaurant sector were suspended for six weeks in the fall in order to root out legal violations such as providing bar services and live entertainment without permission, obtaining supplies from black-market sources, staying open past the state-imposed 3 a.m. closing time, and tax evasion. Some have even been accused of doubling as sites of prostitution and drug trafficking and shut down.<br />
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However, the government has so far not delivered on its promise to provide affordable access to wholesale markets for these restaurateurs nor has it allowed them to legally import supplies from abroad or expand beyond the arbitrary limit of 50 place settings. Moreover, the tax system for the private sector provokes "creative bookkeeping" by imposing a rigid 40-percent deduction limit for business often burdened by much higher supply costs due to Cuba's environment of chronic scarcity. It also imposes a labor tax on any more than five employees disincentivizing legal hiring.<br />
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To add insult to this injury, the moribund network of their state-run competitor restaurants do enjoy access to wholesale markets and suffer no seating or size restrictions or employment taxes. Especially frustrating for Cuban entrepreneurs is the fact that this emphasis on law and order comes in the context of shrinking output in the state enterprise sector, a looming emigration crisis with record numbers of new Cuban arrivals in the U.S., and in the midst of a tourism boom that the state hospitality sector has proven unable to absorb.<br />
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As Cubans like to say: "<i>¡No es fácil!</i>" (It ain't easy!)
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President-elect Donald Trump could follow the recommendation of some Congressional Republicans by adding his own isolationist wind to the already full sails of the Cuban government's rigid control that attempts to keep Cuban entrepreneurs in their frustrated and impoverished places. Or he could send Cuba's business pioneers a message of support and solidarity as they attempt to build a more prosperous future by continuing America's historic opening to Cuba that aims to empower the island's emergent capitalists through engagement, investment, and trade.<br />
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For someone who campaigned as a anti-politician who would bring a hard-nosed business sense to Washington, Cuba presents Trump with a golden opportunity to place economic pragmatism and the tangible benefits it would bring to citizens of both countries over the out-dated and counterproductive Cold War ideology that undergirds the embargo. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-79296359296816948372016-11-11T13:25:00.002-05:002016-11-11T13:25:27.108-05:00The Profit in Cuba: Marcus Lemonis hits Havana to profile #Cuba's new breed of entrepreneurs - Tues., Nov. 15th at 10 p.m.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WlK7R7jgAz7ej6q4nkmwKKnSr-w1bhDYXgq-rS4IBo3v2RWKNZaaTGo5nDYI7YRiTGnUEp4cUHrJHVOGRUX7i3_gArdFQK9FaXEqml8vAPCUvcZU4e6t-EBeHCk4iG3Z_mETtVIG6-Q/s1600/The_Profit_Cuba_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WlK7R7jgAz7ej6q4nkmwKKnSr-w1bhDYXgq-rS4IBo3v2RWKNZaaTGo5nDYI7YRiTGnUEp4cUHrJHVOGRUX7i3_gArdFQK9FaXEqml8vAPCUvcZU4e6t-EBeHCk4iG3Z_mETtVIG6-Q/s400/The_Profit_Cuba_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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CNBC is airing a documentary called “<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/the-profit-in-cuba/">The Profit in Cuba</a>” on Tuesday November 15<sup id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1478886903564_24809" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">th</sup> at 10pm ET/PT.</div>
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At a time of historic change on the island, CNBC follows The Profit’s Marcus Lemonis as he travels to the island and profiles a new breed of business owners determined to succeed under one of the most oppressive regimes in the world.</div>
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I was honored to work as an unpaid consultant on the show and appear in it as I give Marcus the blow-by-blow of the slings, arrows, and new opportunities of opening and running a private business in today's Cuba as we stroll down Obispo Street in Old Havana.</div>
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After years of Communist rule and the opening of relations with the U.S., Cuba is taking historic steps to revive its troubled economy. For the first time in decades, Cuban citizens can strike out on their own, open a small business, and begin to shape their future. In shops, factories, farms, and homes, Marcus meets them to learn about their opportunities and challenges firsthand – to see what’s working, and help fix what isn’t.</div>
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The tenacity of these small business owners is impressive – but obstacles they face, including a longstanding U.S. trade embargo and what Cuban's bitterly refer to as the "auto-bloqueo" or internal embargo, are staggering. </div>
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Despite these problems, some half a million Cuban citizens are benefitting from the new laws, and in a nation where the average income is less than $30 a month, many have already improved their way of life.</div>
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In this fascinating one-hour documentary, Marcus Lemonis profiles these strivers and takes viewers along to see the groundbreaking changes taking place inside Cuba.</div>
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Below are a few clips from the documentary:</div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">·<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000565977" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1478886903564_19755" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">The Profit in Cuba: First Look</a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">·<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000565406" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1478886903564_19757" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">The Profit in Cuba: Small Business Revolution</a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">·<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000565408" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1478886903564_19759" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">A Startup on Wheels</a></div>
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<b style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">Tune-in Details:</b> “The Profit in Cuba” premieres Tuesday, November 15<sup style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">th</sup> at 10pm ET/PT on CNBC. You can also join the conversation on Twitter with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TheProfitCuba&src=typd" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">#TheProfitCuba</a>, and<a href="https://twitter.com/TheProfitCNBC?lang=en" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">@TheProfitCNBC</a> or on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheProfitCNBC/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheProfitCNBC</a>. Log onto <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/the-profit-in-cuba/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">cnbcprime.com/the-profit-in-cuba/</a> for more details.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-44293801839712615072016-10-26T15:18:00.001-04:002016-10-26T15:18:26.350-04:00US Abstains on UN Vote on Cuba Embargo<div><b>Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power: U.S. Abstains on UN Vote on Cuba Embargo Resolution</b></div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><b><br></b></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Friends –</span></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div class="WordSection1"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Please see below the remarks delivered this morning by Ambassador Samantha Power on today's General Assembly Vote on the Cuba Embargo Resolution. Historically, the United States has always voted against this UN resolution calling for an end on the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Today, for the first time, the United States abstained their vote in yet another important step towards normalizing U.S.-Cuba relations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif">Link: <a href="https://usun.state.gov/remarks/7510">https://usun.state.gov/remarks/7510</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#222222">Remarks at a UN General Assembly Meeting on the Cuba Embargo<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222">Ambassador Samantha Power<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222">U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222">U.S. Mission to the United Nations<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222">New York City<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222">October 26, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">AS DELIVERED<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">For more than 50 years, the United States had a policy aimed at isolating the government of Cuba. For roughly half of those years, UN Member States have voted overwhelmingly for a General Assembly resolution that condemns the U.S. embargo and calls for it to be ended. The United States has always voted against this resolution. Today the United States will abstain. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Thank you. Let me explain why. In December 2014, President Obama made clear his opposition to the embargo and called on our Congress to take action to lift it. Yet while the Obama Administration agrees that the U.S. embargo on Cuba should be lifted, I have to be clear, we don't support the shift for the reason stated in this resolution. All actions of the United States with regard to Cuba have been and are fully in conformity with the UN Charter and international law, including applicable trade law and the customary law of the sea. We categorically reject the statements in the resolution that suggest otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">But the resolution voted on today is a perfect example of why the U.S. policy of isolation toward Cuba was not working – or worse, how it was actually undermining the very goals it set out to achieve. Instead of isolating Cuba, as President Obama has repeatedly said, our policy isolated the United States. Including right here at the United Nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Under President Obama, we have adopted a new approach: rather than try to close off Cuba from the rest of the world, we want the world of opportunities and ideas open to the people of Cuba. After 50-plus years of pursuing the path of isolation, we have chosen to take the path of engagement. Because, as President Obama said in Havana, we recognize that the future of the island lies in the hands of the Cuban people, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">In the nearly two years since President Obama announced the shift in our approach, we have amended the regulations implementing the embargo six times – most recently on October 14 – finding ways to increase engagement between our governments and our people. We have re-established diplomatic relations with the Government of Cuba; re-opened embassies in our respective capitals; resumed regularly scheduled commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba; facilitated people-to-people travel; eased restrictions on American businesses and entrepreneurs who want to do business in Cuba; and stopped limiting how often Cuban Americans can visit their families on the island. President Obama memorably became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Cuba since 1928; and, in a much more modest journey here in New York, I made the first visit by a U.S. Ambassador to the UN to Cuba's mission to the United Nations since the Cuban revolution. Today, we add to that list the first-ever U.S. abstention on the UN General Assembly resolution calling for the embargo to be ended.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Abstaining on this resolution does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government. We do not. We are profoundly concerned by the serious human rights violations that the Cuban government continues to commit with impunity against its own people – including arbitrarily detaining those who criticize the government; threatening, intimidating, and, at times, physically assaulting citizens who take part in peaceful marches and meetings; and severely restricting the access that people on the island have to outside information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">As President Obama made clear when he traveled to Havana, we believe that the Cuban people – like all people – are entitled to basic human rights, such as the right to speak their minds without fear, and the right to assemble, organize, and protest peacefully. Not because these reflect a U.S.-centric conception of rights, but rather because they are universal human rights – enshrined in the UN Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which all of our 193 Member States are supposed to respect and defend. Rights that are essential for the dignity of men, women, and children regardless of where they live or what kind of government they have.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Let me be among the first to acknowledge – as our Cuban counterparts often point out – that the United States has work to do in fulfilling these rights for our own citizens. And we know that at times in our history, U.S. leaders and citizens used the pretext of promoting democracy and human rights in the region to justify actions that have left a deep legacy of mistrust. We recognize that our history, in which there is so much that makes us proud, also gives us ample reason to be humble.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">We also recognize the areas in which the Cuban government has made significant progress in advancing the welfare of its people, from significantly reducing its child mortality rate, to ensuring that girls have the same access to primary and secondary school as boys.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">But none of this should mean that we stay silent when the rights of Cuban people are violated, as Member States here at the United Nations have too often done. That is why the United States raised these concerns directly with the Cuban government during our historic dialogue on human rights in Havana on October 14, which shows that, while our governments continue to disagree on fundamental questions of human rights, we have found a way to discuss these issues in a respectful and reciprocal manner. We urge other Member States to speak up about these issues as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">The United States believes that there is a great deal we can do together with Cuba to tackle global challenges. That includes here at the United Nations, where the decades-long enmity between our nations has at best been a distraction – and at worst, an obstacle – to carrying out some of the most important work of this institution and helping the world's most vulnerable people.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Let me close by giving just one example – a very moving example. In 2014, we were confronted with the deadliest outbreak of Ebola in our planet's history. The most dire projections estimated that more than a million people could be infected within a few months. Yet while experts made clear that the only way to stop the epidemic was to confront it at its source, the international community was slow to step up. Many were paralyzed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">It was in that context that President Obama decided to deploy more than 3,000 U.S. personnel to the epicenter of the outbreak, where they joined hundreds of Americans working for non-governmental organizations and humanitarian agencies in the hardest hit areas. President Obama also set about rallying other Member States to do their part. One of the very first countries to step forward was Cuba, which sent more than 200 health professionals to the region – an awe-inspiring contribution for a country of just 11 million people.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">One of them was a 43-year-old Cuban doctor named Felix Sarria Baez, who was dispatched to an Ebola Treatment Unit in Sierra Leone. In the course of treating those infected, Dr. Baez came down with the symptoms of the virus – and he quickly went from being the doctor to being a patient. As his condition deteriorated, he was airlifted to Geneva, where, for two days, he drifted in and out of consciousness. He nearly died, yet miraculously he pulled through, and eventually returned to Havana, where he says he regained his strength by cradling his two-year-old son.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">I'd like you to think, just for one moment, about what it took to save the life of Dr. Baez – a man who risked his life to save people from a country on the other side of the world. He was initially treated in the clinic where he worked, which had been built with the help of a U.S.-based NGO. From there, he was transported to a clinic run by doctors from the British ministry of defense. Then he was airlifted to Switzerland aboard a medical transport plane operated by an American charter service. Upon arriving at the hospital in Geneva, he was treated by Swiss doctors with a Canadian-developed experimental treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">Look at all the nations that played a part in saving the life of that brave doctor – a doctor who, after recuperating in Havana, actually chose to return to Sierra Leone, so that he could rejoin his colleagues in the field, saving the lives of Sierra Leoneans. Dr. Baez and all his colleagues belonged to Cuba's Henry Reeve Contingent – which responds to international disasters and epidemics – and takes its name from a young American born in Brooklyn, who at the age of 19 traveled to the Cuba to join the country's struggle for independence, and gave his life in 1876 fighting alongside Cubans for their freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">When Dr. Baez returned to Sierra Leone, he was asked why he had come back after all he had been through. He said, simply, "I needed to come back. Ebola is a challenge that I must fight to the finish here, to keep it from spreading to the rest of the world."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">That – what I've just described – is what the United Nations looks like, when it works. And noble efforts like these are precisely why the United States and Cuba must continue to find ways to engage, even as our differences persist. Today, we will take another small step to be able to do that. May there be many, many more – including, we hope, finally ending the U.S. embargo once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">I thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;background:white"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:#222222">###<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif">Rumana A. Ahmed<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:gray">Senior Advisor to the Deputy National Security Advisor <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:gray">Global Engagement/Press <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:gray">The White House<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> </blockquote><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Helvetica; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:"Book Antiqua"; panose-1:2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3 4;} @font-face {font-family:"Arial Narrow"; panose-1:2 11 6 6 2 2 2 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:inherit; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;} h1 {mso-style-priority:9; mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:18.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; color:#222222; font-weight:normal;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:#0563C1; text-decoration:underline;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-priority:99; color:#954F72; text-decoration:underline;} p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText {mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;} p {mso-style-priority:99; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"inherit",serif;} span.PlainTextChar {mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char"; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-link:"Plain Text"; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;} span.Heading1Char {mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char"; mso-style-priority:9; mso-style-link:"Heading 1"; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; color:#222222;} p.rtecenter, li.rtecenter, div.rtecenter {mso-style-name:rtecenter; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"inherit",serif;} span.date-display-single {mso-style-name:date-display-single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --></style><div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-49671272978700694862016-05-23T03:09:00.000-04:002016-05-23T03:09:01.335-04:00#LASA2016 - NYC - LGBTIQ Activism in Today's #Cuba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZznuHSMbN4071XazanKf7KTWpxWpR2VhROoqzo9wv4HTCtpZuJ8aUd4LsOy3NYZ_xAU_fXeYfHNAk2KwDSWnRGZQJbVfedXips4Ug5I9agdM9sv8zwpRNUm42Cjoiuq_lxI77Z4CddnU/s1600/CjEK7JsUgAAh_L5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZznuHSMbN4071XazanKf7KTWpxWpR2VhROoqzo9wv4HTCtpZuJ8aUd4LsOy3NYZ_xAU_fXeYfHNAk2KwDSWnRGZQJbVfedXips4Ug5I9agdM9sv8zwpRNUm42Cjoiuq_lxI77Z4CddnU/s640/CjEK7JsUgAAh_L5.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
<br />
523 // GEN - Panel - Saturday, 2:30pm - 4:00pm, Liberty 2<br />
<b>Comunidad LGBTIQ. Un acercamiento al activismo en Cuba </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Session Organizer</b>: Norges Carlos R. Rodríguez Almiñan<br />
<b>Chair</b>: Yaima Pardo La Red, AHS-UNEAC-ACAV<br />
<br />
1. "Más allá de La Habana: El activismo LGBTIQ y sus expresiones en
el Archipiélago Cubano" - Taylor E. Torres Escalona<br />
2. "Los 'colores' políticos del activismo LGBTIQ en Cuba" - Norges
Carlos R. Rodríguez Almiñan<br />
3. "Un paneo nacional a las comunidades LGBTIQ desde el audiovisual
participativo" - Yaima Pardo La Red, AHS-UNEAC-ACAV<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Discussant</b>: Taylor E. Torres Escalona<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-51521630625009103782016-05-14T13:07:00.000-04:002016-05-14T13:08:04.687-04:00Asedian a activistas LGBT anticapitalistasEn estos momentos agentes de la Seguridad del Estado asedia a los activistas LGBTI Jimmy Roque y Yasmín Machado, quienes asisten a la Jornada contra la Homofobia con un gran cartel que dice: "No más violencia policial contra nosotr@s".
<br>
<br>Ambxs activistas forman parte del Proyecto Arcoiris Anticapitalista r Independiente, y del Observatorio Crítico cubano.
<br>
<br>El cartel hace referencia a las recientes redadas policiales contra personas LGBT en Cárdenas.
<br>
<br>Denunciamos esta represión y recabamos solidaridad.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-16622128453314776792016-05-11T22:50:00.001-04:002016-05-11T22:50:38.859-04:00ASCE Student Paper Prize for 2016ASCE Student Paper Prize for 2016
<br>
<br>THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE CUBAN ECONOMY
<br><a href="mailto:asce@ascecuba.org">asce@ascecuba.org</a>
<br><a href="http://www.ascecuba.org">www.ascecuba.org</a>
<br>
<br>PO Box 28267
<br>Washington, DC
<br>20038-8267
<br>
<br>ANNOUNCES ITS 2016 GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE PAPER COMPETITION
<br>
<br>The Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy (ASCE) is a nonpolitical, professional international association dedicated to the study of the Cuban economy in its broader political, social, and cultural context.
<br>
<br>The Jorge Pérez-López Student Award Competition
<br>ASCE Student Award Committee is accepting nominations for the 2016 Jorge Pérez-López Student Award Competition.
<br>
<br>A panel of scholars will judge all submissions on the basis of relevance, originality, quality, contribution, and clarity of presentation. Papers should not be co-authored with an instructor or teaching assistant. At a minimum, all papers must outline a thesis statement, present evidence or data supporting it, not exceed 5,000 words double-spaced length, and follow one of the standard academic writing and citations styles. The 5,000-word limit will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.
<br>
<br>Self-nominations are welcomed. All correspondence must be accompanied by a letter stating the name, university affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and email address of the nominee, as well as a brief statement describing the merits of the nomination.
<br>
<br>A condition of submission is that the paper will be considered for publication in Cuba in Transition at the discretion of the committee if it wins any prizes and whether or not the author is able to present it at ASCE's meetings. However, authors are free to submit revised copies of their papers elsewhere.
<br>
<br>All submissions are expected to conform to ethical and publication guidelines published by the professional association of the author/s field of study.
<br>
<br> Graduate Awards
<br>• First prize $600 & up to $600 for domestic travel or $800 for overseas travel.
<br>• Second prize $150 & up to $600 travel.
<br>
<br>Undergraduate Awards
<br>• First prize $400 & up to $600 domestic travel or $800 for overseas travel.
<br>• Second prize $100 & up to $400 travel.
<br>
<br>All participants receive a one year complimentary ASCE membership and may attend the annual meeting in Miami including the luncheon for free. First and second prize winners will also receive an additional two years of complimentary ASCE membership.
<br>
<br>Deadline: May 30, 2016
<br>
<br>Submission and Information
<br>Send MS Word or PDF via email to:
<br>Dr. Enrique S. Pumar,
<br>Chair Student Award Committee
<br>Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy
<br><a href="mailto:pumar@cua.edu">pumar@cua.edu</a> & <a href="mailto:asce@ascecuba.org">asce@ascecuba.org</a>.
<br>
<br>* * *
<br>
<br>2016 Concurso Estudiantil
<br>Jorge Pérez-López
<br>
<br>La Asociación para el Estudio de la Economía Cubana (ASCE) es una organización sin fines de lucro ni afiliación política alguna, radicada en el Estado de Maryland, Estados Unidos. ASCE ha tenido como su objetivo fundamental el promover el estudio de los problemas económicos de Cuba en su más amplio sentido social, político y cultural.
<br>
<br>El Concurso Anual para el Premio "Jorge Pérez-López"
<br>El Comité de ASCE del Concurso Estudiantil Jorge Pérez-López está aceptando nominaciones para el concurso del año 2016. Un panel de expertos juzgará a los trabajos sometidos basado en su relevancia, originalidad, calidad, contribución y la claridad de su presentación. Los trabajos no deben tener como coautor a un instructor, profesor o asistente. Como mínimo, todos los trabajos deben incluir una tesis, evidencia o datos que la apoyen, y seguir uno de los estilos académicos. Un límite de 5.000 palabras será ESTRICTAMENTE APLICADO.
<br>
<br>Las auto-nominaciones son bienvenidas. Toda la correspondencia debe ir acompañada de una carta indicando el nombre, afiliación, dirección postal, número de teléfono y correo electrónico del candidato, así como una breve descripción de los méritos de la candidatura. Se entiende que cualquier trabajo sometido será considerado para ser publicado en Cuba in Transition, a discreción de ASCE si gana algún premio y si el autor lo presenta en las reuniones de la ASCE. Sin embargo, los autores pueden enviar copias revisadas de sus trabajos a otras publicaciones. Se espera que los trabajos sometidos se ajusten a las normas éticas y de publicación de la asociación profesional del campo del estudio.
<br>
<br>Premio de postgrado
<br>• Primer premio: $600 y hasta $600 para gastos de viajes o $800 gastos de viaje internacional.
<br>• Segundo Premio: $150 & $600 para gastos de viaje.
<br>
<br>Premios de pregrado
<br>• Primer Premio: $400 y hasta $600 para gastos de viajes o $800 en gastos de viaje internacional.
<br>• Segundo Premio: $100 & $400 en gastos de viaje.
<br>
<br>Todos los participantes recibirán una membrecía en ASCE por un año y podrán asistir a la reunión anual en Miami y el almuerzo de la conferencia de gratis. Los ganadores del primer y segundo premio también recibirán dos años adicionales de membrecía en ASCE.
<br>
<br>Fecha límite: 30 de mayo de 2016
<br>
<br>Bases para la selección de premios
<br>Un grupo de académicos juzgará los ensayos sobre la base de la pertinencia, la originalidad, la calidad, la contribución y la claridad de la presentación.
<br>
<br>Presentación e información
<br>Adjunte el ensayo en formato MS Word o PDF y la carta de nominación a:
<br>Dr. Enrique S. Pumar
<br>Presidente del Comité del Premio Estudiantil
<br>Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy
<br><a href="mailto:pumar@cua.edu">pumar@cua.edu</a> y <a href="mailto:asce@ascecuba.org">asce@ascecuba.org</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-63909618397452067902016-04-25T11:10:00.000-04:002016-04-25T11:00:51.074-04:00UPDATE: POSTPONED - Internet and Economy: Perspectives and Opportunities for Cuba Today and Tomorrow (May 25-26, 2016) Hilton Midtown Hotel – New York City<span style="color: red;">Regretfully, we have decided to postpone for a future date our previously announced symposium "</span>Internet and Economy: Perspectives and Opportunities for Cuba Today and Tomorrow<span style="color: red;">," originally scheduled to take place on May 25-26, 2016 in New York City just prior to the LASA conference.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">The logistical and financial challenges of organizing such an ambitious event with so little time have proven impossible to overcome for the time being. We regret this change of plans but do hope to hold this event in the near future. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Sincerely, </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Ted, Taylor, and Norges
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPkqEj3HIHYIxTbmjY0VVP2kdhvuqllWOBQiEiGT35igzh9uZVEiyHDulEAk4trWwHeuyfo8CcOp-6bK7wtxwShqBv7QundZdvQZmCQrzSR1vpz2DtAvzEQdjh4rNa69kSc-vLkl_0vQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-17+at+11.15.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPkqEj3HIHYIxTbmjY0VVP2kdhvuqllWOBQiEiGT35igzh9uZVEiyHDulEAk4trWwHeuyfo8CcOp-6bK7wtxwShqBv7QundZdvQZmCQrzSR1vpz2DtAvzEQdjh4rNa69kSc-vLkl_0vQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-03-17+at+11.15.19+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5pKXXuCr7VCQ3lmX1ozak5Gc0k/view?usp=sharing">Click here for preliminary program</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Want to meet some of the creative Cubans behind the <b>tech start-ups</b> that President Barack Obama will be learning about during his historic trip to Havana this week? </div>
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<b>Join us in NYC on May 25-26 for the following event!</b></div>
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<b id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47260"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47259" lang="EN-US" style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 18pt;">Internet and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #70ae47; font-size: 18pt;">Economy</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;">:</span></b></div>
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<b id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47262"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47261" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Perspectives and Opportunities for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #70ae47; font-size: 14pt;">Cuba Today </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 14pt;">and Tomorrow</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">May 25-26, 2016</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Hilton Midtown Hotel – New York City</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5pKXXuCr7VCQ3lmX1ozak5Gc0k/view?usp=sharing"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preliminary Program</span></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47263" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">With the support of Baruch College, CUNY, the Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy (ASCE), and the Latin American Studies Association (LASA), we are pleased to announce: “</span><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47265"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47264" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Internet and Economy: Perspectives and Opportunities for Cuba Today and Tomorrow</span></b><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47252" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">,” a two-day seminar that will take place on May 25-26, 2016 at the Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York City.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Building on the success of the previous event, “</span><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Internet y Economía: Perspectivas y Oportunidades para el futuro de Cuba</span></i></b><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47205" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">,” that took place at Havana’s Royal Norwegian Embassy on October 1-2, 2015, the New York event aims to take advantage of the synergies generated by the attendance of leading academics, policy makers, and practitioners in the world of Cuban Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) at the annual Latin American Studies Association International Congress (LASA) on May 27-30, 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5pKXXuCr7VCQ3lmX1ozak5Gc0k/view?usp=sharing">Preliminary Program</a></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Objective</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47241" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">The main objective of the seminar is to bring before a broader industry, policymaking, and academic audience the current state of and debate over ICT in Cuba, focusing on public access, competing models and uses of the Internet, and the development of a digital economy on the island in order to promote greater connectivity and prosperity for the Cuban people.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47244" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Seminar speakers will include Cubans who have developed some of the island’s most popular mobile apps, Cuban and American academics, Cuban journalists, leading independent media organizations, representatives of international NGOs, and U.S. government officials. Invited guests also include representatives from leading U.S. tech companies, tech journalists, and representatives from Cuba’s permanent mission to the United Nations.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Seminar topics will include</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">• Digital economy and tech startups</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">• Public policies for ICT development</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">• News media and digital technology</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47246" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">• U.S. engagement with Cuban ICT</span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5pKXXuCr7VCQ3lmX1ozak5Gc0k/view?usp=sharing" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preliminary Program</span></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Rationale</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47327" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">The development of ICT has transformed societies in recent decades. The falling cost of technological equipment and increasing levels of broadband access have facilitated this development. So great has been this transformation that we commonly refer to it as the “Digital Revolution,” one that will rival the industrial revolution in its impact on society. This revolution cuts across all sectors of society, transforming economies, politics, international relations, and the media.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47324" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">However, due to Cuba’s low rate of Internet access and weak telecommunications infrastructure, it has not been able to fully benefit from the dynamic effect ICTs are having on the global economy. Still, Cuba remains a leader in the skill and competence of the population in ICT use, a fact especially noteworthy among Cuba’s many often underemployed computer science graduates.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47321" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Some Cubans have creatively overcome the barriers imposed by low connectivity by developing offline mobile apps and coming up with ingenious </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">ways to use flash drives to distribute digital data across the island without the Internet. Others have used alternative modes of data transmission to build an independent media-sphere that successfully competes with the state media monopoly. All this has generated new social dynamics and significant commercial activity that, paradoxically, remain beyond the reach of the country’s antiquated legal framework.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47250" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Thus, Cuba faces a scenario where access to digital technology will be crucial for economic development both in the short and long term. Despite this, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">there is no clearly defined public policy toward ICT. Recently, the Cuban government announced its intention of achieving “massive” public access to the Internet so that by 2020, 50% of households would enjoy broadband connectivity. In fact, during 2016 Cuba will roll out its first-ever pilot program for household Internet access.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47287" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">The recent rapprochement between the U.S. and Cuban governments provides an important opportunity for the development of Cuban ICT given that </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">the twin issues of Internet access and entrepreneurial expansion are among the top issues in bilateral negotiations. This situation is especially important given that one of the reasons for Cuba’s low connectivity has been the lack of access to modern technology and telecom services provided by U.S. companies.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym18_1_1458263263267_47283" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;">Nevertheless, this situation has changed in recent months given the Obama administration’s relaxation of previous restrictions on telecom companies doing business in Cuba and the roll out on the island of Cuba’s first-ever Wi-Fi hotspots.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5pKXXuCr7VCQ3lmX1ozak5Gc0k/view?usp=sharing"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preliminary Program</span></a></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-90052682813088299392016-04-16T02:25:00.001-04:002016-04-20T02:15:55.807-04:00Cuba-U.S. Entrepreneurial Forum with @POTUS in #Havana - March 21, 2016 [Video]Below is the full video feed from MinRex (Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Relations) of the <b>Cuba-U.S. Entrepreneurial Forum</b> that I was honored to attend at the invitation of the White House last month in <i>Habana Vieja</i>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBLIC3oIv_4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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If your time is limited, I suggest you skip to <b>32:20</b> when Obama took the stage.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
1.</div>
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His most interesting initial comments came between <b>34:30-35:30</b>, when he referred to the past exploitation of Cuban labor (before the revolution) and the fact that for the last 50 years it's been virtually impossible for Cubans to operate their own business on the island (because of the revolution). But that, "in recent years, that's begun to change..."<br />
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2.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4KwyyJtlQszjBQpFORPam6yiroRbpk1jNkhofaelptSYFz1VlN1eyAM5ChHsbyuHbb_gPdXI7mx5gulNPEZY3spiKmJe9UismCISMwkLmKxlSGINFwFwsQt6YNsjMyduWQ2Tc8vnK3c/s1600/Perlmutter+Mandilego+Mcintyre.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4KwyyJtlQszjBQpFORPam6yiroRbpk1jNkhofaelptSYFz1VlN1eyAM5ChHsbyuHbb_gPdXI7mx5gulNPEZY3spiKmJe9UismCISMwkLmKxlSGINFwFwsQt6YNsjMyduWQ2Tc8vnK3c/s320/Perlmutter+Mandilego+Mcintyre.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google's Brett Perlmutter, Cuba Emprende's <br />
Jorge Mandilego, and the Cuba Emprende<br />
Foundation's John McIntire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then between <b>36:04-37:00</b>, Obama gave a shout out the the good work done my my friends at <b><a href="http://www.cubaemprendefoundation.org/">Cuba Emprende</a></b> training thousands of Cuban entrepreneurs over the past three years. He also mentioned the fact that there are now half-a-million licensed self-employed who - together with the other parts of the non-state sector - now make up one-third of the Cuban workforce.<br />
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One of Obama's best lines came here when he struggled through Spanish words like "<i>cuentapropistas</i>," "<i>casas particulares</i>," and "<i>paladares</i>," finishing up with the self-deprecating line:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
"My family and I ate in one [<i>paladar</i>] last night, and the food is really good even if my Spanish is not that great!" </blockquote>
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3.</div>
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A third notable moment came (at <b>39:14-40:03</b>) when he indirectly noted the obstacles that continue to hobble the expansion of Cuban entrepreneurship, saying "We also know that entrepreneurship flourishes when the environment encourages success." He then ticked off a laundry list of the key internal obstacles in this area including:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>a ban on most private professions</b>, </li>
<li><b>little access to small business loans or wholesale sources of inputs</b>, </li>
<li><b>the inability of the private sector to import supplies</b>, </li>
<li><b>a dual currency</b>, </li>
<li><b>infrastructural bottlenecks</b>, and </li>
<li><b>the need to include women and Afro-Cubans</b>.</li>
</ul>
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With deft diplomacy and an offer of an olive branch, he shifted from these critical comments to a hopeful note saying, "All are areas where the United States hopes to be a partner as Cuba moves forward."<br />
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4.</div>
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The next section between <b>46:20-1:25:30</b> is a fascinating back and forth between Obama and a series of (mostly) young Cuban entrepreneurs moderated by Afro-Cuban-Irish-American (!) Soledad O'Brien.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zNrF5nQv6RYSk2oXA6KaMqcLDjw-yn8Niuru8n8Soe5D0HgrVS0a402OIfO1iHbzgJ8p3IuSMGH-u5_kL1pHt4IJgQBLoUvpSwmUlCmZWuiDeiTYZkqo8rsbO6psG5N55zOGOr_tCuw/s1600/IMG_4608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zNrF5nQv6RYSk2oXA6KaMqcLDjw-yn8Niuru8n8Soe5D0HgrVS0a402OIfO1iHbzgJ8p3IuSMGH-u5_kL1pHt4IJgQBLoUvpSwmUlCmZWuiDeiTYZkqo8rsbO6psG5N55zOGOr_tCuw/s320/IMG_4608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5.</div>
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The final - and in my mind most important - part of the event came at <b>1:28:03</b> when, after advising Cuba to "steal ideas from where ever they see them working," Obama added the rejoinder:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
"Don't steal ideas from places where it's not working, and there's some economic models that just don't work. That's not an ideological opinion, but just an objective reality."</blockquote>
Perhaps to soften this blow, he quickly added that these changes will be internal to Cuba, "<b>that's not gonna be determined by the United States, that's gonna be determined by the government and people of Cuba</b>." He also reassured his mostly Cuban audience that the U.S. is not interested in Cuba failing (which is arguably the basis of the embargo) but instead, "we're interested in Cuba succeeding."<br />
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However, of the entire interaction my favorite quote came as Obama signed off (<b>1:30:09</b>) and drew a telling (and somewhat humorous) parallel between the necessary changes still needed in U.S. policy toward Cuba (Congress ending the embargo) and the necessary changes still sorely needed in Cuba itself.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b>"When I initiated the change in policy, one of my arguments was that if something is not working for 50 years you should stop doing it and try something new, and... [big applause] that applies to what the United States is doing, that also applies to what Cuba is doing."</b></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Desde El Yuma</div>El Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.com0