News from Cuba:
Fifty-six Cuban migrants repatriated by US Coast Guard
June 14, 2013
MIAMI, USA -- Following three separate migrant interdictions, the US Coast Guard has repatriated a total of 56 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba. Watch-standers at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Florida, received a report of a rustic vessel south of Marathon, Florida, on June 7.
Marathon swimmer abandons long crossing from Cuba to US after jelly fish stings
June 14, 2013
KEY WEST, USA -- Australian ultra marathon swimmer Chloë McCardel and her team have safely returned to Key West in Florida after her attempt to swim from Cuba to the US was ended by severe and debilitating jelly fish stings. After swimming non-stop for 11 hours, McCardel was stung around...
Marathon swimmer begins long swim from Cuba to US
June 13, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba -- Australian ultra marathon swimmer Chloë McCardel entered the water at Cuba for the start of her attempt to be the first person to swim from the island nation to Florida in the United States without a shark cage or wet suit. She began her swim at 0959 local Havana time.
Australian swimmer to attempt Cuba-US crossing
June 12, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba -- On Tuesday, Australian ultra-marathon swimmer Chloë McCardel expected to commence her record breaking attempt to swim from Cuba to the US within the next 24 hours should weather conditions remain favourable. The 28-year-old swimmer has been in training...
Experts from eight countries address regional integration in Cuba
June 11, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Experts from eight countries are due to address prospects of Latin American and Caribbean integration, during an international seminar that is being held in Havana, Cuba. The forum, organized by the Havana University’s Center for Research on...
Solar energy complex to be constructed in Eastern Cuba
June 11, 2013
GUANTANAMO, Cuba (ACN) -- A 2.5 megawatt solar energy complex, which will be hooked into the national power system, is being constructed in Guantanamo in Eastern Cuba. The facility, which will utilise five hectares (12.35 acres) of land, is considered the most important...
Cuba and Jamaica sign cultural cooperation agreement
June 7, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuban Culture Minister Rafael Bernal and his counterpart from Jamaica, Lisa Hanna, on Wednesday signed in Havana a cooperation agreement in the field of culture, which will allow for the organization of bilateral programs of development and training in that sphere.
Internet access expanded in Cuba
June 5, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The 118 new locations now available in Cuba for public access to the Internet were ready to offer services as of Tuesday, an official of the Telecommunications Company of Cuba SA (ETECSA) said. Luis Manuel Diaz Naranjo, director of ETECSA, reiterated that the...
Florida delegation returns from historic trip to Cuba
June 5, 2013
TAMPA, USA -- A delegation of members of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce in Florida took a historic experiential learning trip to Cuba from May 29 – June 2. The delegation returned with a renewed perspective on living and economic conditions in Cuba, with their sights on continuing...
Cuba rejects renewed US designation as state sponsor of terrorism
June 1, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected Washington’s renewed designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of international terrorism. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said that, once again, the decision was taken in deliberate disregard of truth.
Dominican Republic and Cuba to expand trade relations
May 31, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The Dominican Republic and Cuba have taken new steps aimed at increasing commercial relations, as the two Caribbean nations are currently making efforts to develop their economies and cushion the effects of the current global crisis.
US Coast Guard repatriates 24 Cuban migrants
May 31, 2013
MIAMI, USA -- The US Coast Guard repatriated a total of 24 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, in two separate incidents last week. On Saturday, Coast Guard Sector Key West, Florida, watch-standers received a report from a Customs and Border Protection maritime patrol aircraft...
Cubans will soon be able to access the internet through cell phones
May 30, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cubans will be able to access the Internet through their cell phones in the relatively near future as part of the country’s strategy to increase the population’s access to information technologies, said deputy minister of Communications Wilfredo Gonzalez.
Cuba to expand public internet access
May 29, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba will expand public internet services next June 4 in some 118 cyber centers operating throughout the country, according to a statement issued by the island’s communications ministry. Internet services will be offered in all commercial offices of the...
Cuba is a special friend, says Saint Lucia PM
May 28, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Kenny Anthony described Cuba as a special friend upon his arrival in Havana on Monday for an official visit. After arriving at Havana’s Jose Marti International airport, where he was welcomed by deputy foreign minister Rogelio Sierra...
In reversal, USAID raises budget for Cuba regime change programs
May 24, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA -- In a statement on Wednesday, the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) criticised the Obama administration for "knuckling under to Congressional pressure" and raising the budget for USAID's regime change activities in Cuba.
US Coast Guard repatriates seven Cuban migrants
May 24, 2013
MIAMI, USA -- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores repatriated seven Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, on Wednesday. Watch-standers at Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report from a good Samaritan of a rustic vessel taking on water east of Card Sound, Florida.
US Coast Guard repatriates 23 Cuban migrants
May 18, 2013
MIAMI, USA -- Crewmembers aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter William Flores repatriated 23 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, on Wednesday. This repatriation was a result of two migrant interdiction cases. Watch-standers at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Florida...
Cuba to host ALBA ministerial meeting on social issues
May 16, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba will host the fourth meeting of the ministerial council on social issues of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America (ALBA) on Friday. The forum will focus particularly on education, health, culture and sports. The meeting of the regional integration bloc...
Letter: Cubans no longer require visas to come to SVG
May 15, 2013
There are already 30 private Cuban persons residing here [300 more to come] who are somehow eking out a living here in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). How does a private Cuban citizen, who previously earned US$30 a month in Cuba, afford to get to SVG and pay a rent when here?
Huge hotel project planned for Cuba
May 14, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- A huge tourist investment aimed at building a large number of hotels on the keys off the northern Cuban coast has been revealed by the executive secretary of the design office, Jesus Lacera. Lacera said that the sector is pursuing a very ambitious project.
Cuba hosts CELAC coordination meeting
May 10, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba is hosting the fifth meeting of national coordinators of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Thursday and Friday of this week. The gathering aims at getting approval of the 2013...
Cuba and Guatemala to extend bilateral relations
May 10, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The foreign ministers of Cuba and Guatemala, Bruno Rodriguez and Luis Fernando Carrera, expressed their interest in Havana in extending their bilateral relations. After welcoming his Guatemalan counterpart...
Colombia peace talks make progress in Cuba
May 6, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Peace talks in Havana between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the government of Colombia made important advances, according to both delegations.
Amid hunger strike, UN rights experts urge US to close down Cuba detention facility
May 2, 2013
NEW YORK, USA -- With some 100 prisoners at the Guantánamo Naval Base in Cuba on a hunger strike, a group of United Nations independent human rights experts on Wednesday reiterated their calls on the United States to shut down the detention centre.
US lifts travel ban on Cuban president's daughter
May 1, 2013
PHILADELPHIA, USA -- The US State Department has lifted its travel ban on Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, and has authorized her to visit Philadelphia to participate in Equality Forum 2013.
Commentary: The terrorist list and terrorism as practiced against Cuba
May 1, 2013
Of all the components to the United States hostile strategy against Cuba, nothing raises the ire of the Castro government more than its inclusion on the State Department’s list of states that sponsor terrorism. The designation is seen by Havana...
Venezuela pledges continued close alliance with Cuba
April 29, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba -- Cuba and Venezuela signed new cooperation accords on Saturday for 51 projects, as newly elected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, on his first trip to the island since his election on April 14, pledged to maintain the...
Colombia peace talks resumed in Havana
April 25, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The parties involved in the Colombia peace talks underway in Cuba, resumed talks on Tuesday with the commitment to advance a solution for the social and armed conflict in that country.
Cuba and Saudi Arabia expand commercial bonds
April 25, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba and Saudi Arabia ratified their intention to increase commercial relations by way of the signing of a bilateral agreement to contribute to the restoration of water mains in Havana. The agreement between the Ministry for...
New itinerary offers Americans legal travel to Cuba
April 25, 2013
MOONACHIE, USA -- Central Holidays presents an exciting new “Discover Cuba” travel program that takes US travelers to connect with locals in Cuba and learn about the architecture, music, art and culture of this enchanting country.
Cuba and China renew sports cooperation agreement
April 24, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- A cooperation agreement in the field of sports was renewed on Monday between Cuba and China with the purpose of contributing to the promotion of cooperation, mutual understanding and friendship between the athletes and...
US Coast Guard repatriates 32 Cuban migrants
April 23, 2013
MIAMI, USA -- The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber repatriated 32 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, on Thursday, who had been interdicted in three different cases since April 12.
Russian drilling rig latest to pull out of Cuban waters
April 20, 2013
NASSAU, Bahamas -- Amid crucial repairs to the drilling apparatus, the Russian oil rig located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Bahamian border plans to pack up and leave by June 1. In a release by Songa Offshore, crews are evaluating...
Cuban doctors to keep working in Venezuela
April 18, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The Cuban doctors currently working in Venezuela will continue to assist the citizens of that country, said Cuban deputy health minister Roberto Gonzalez. The Cuban doctors are meeting their duty by assisting each citizen...
Search for deep water oil off Cuba abandoned
April 16, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba -- International energy companies, including Spain’s Repsol, have virtually abandoned their search for oil in the deep waters off the north coast of Cuba. However, a Russian company, Zarubezhneft, is drilling an exploratory well in...
Legal travel to Cuba isn't just for celebrities
April 13, 2013
NEW ROCHELLE, USA -- Even though the Obama Administration reauthorized legal educational travel to Cuba in 2011, most Americans still aren't aware they are allowed to travel with a licensed operator to the country under the Treasury Department's...
Reporters visit Cuban prisons
April 10, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba’s Interior Ministry invited local and foreign reporters to visit Havana penitentiaries on Tuesday so that they could take a first-hand look at prison conditions of inmates in those facilities. Among the penitentiaries on the list is...
CELAC favours unity and consensus
April 8, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Foreign ministers of the troika of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Friday ratified in Havana the bloc’s willingness to serve legitimate collective interests, regional consensus and unity.
Foreign ministers of CELAC's expanded troika meet in Cuba
April 6, 2013
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The second meeting of foreign ministers of the expanded “troika” of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), composed of Cuba, Chile, Costa Rica and Haiti, opened on Friday at the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
