San Salvador, Dec 19 (Prensa Latina) The second National Assembly of the National Resistance and Rebellion Bloc (BRP) in El Salvador approved a Resolution of solidarity with the people of Cuba, a statement said today.
“The BRP expressed its firm support for the heroic people of Cuba, who have been able to confront and defeat the blockade and other forms of aggression by US imperialism for more than 60 years,” the document said.
He also expressed his rejection of the criminal and illegal blockade of the United States, which has cost the island more than a billion dollars and caused much social and economic damage.
The BRP also expressed its conviction that the Cuban people will remain firm in their struggle for socialist construction and the defense of their sovereignty.
In Cuba, the statement concluded, the imperialists and other enemies of the revolution will not pass.
At the meeting he also expressed his solidarity with the cause of Palestine and the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela.
Dec 17 (Belly of the Beast – Cuba in Context) – The U.S.-Cuba thaw had a positive impact on Cubans, but also on people from the U.S. Take it from Pablo Menendez, a U.S.-born musician who has spent most of his life in Cuba. He says before Obama it was “practically impossible” to tour in the United States with his Cuban band. But after the opening, Menendez and his band toured multiple times stateside.
All that changed when Trump ended engagement with Cuba. Menendez says his fellow musicians are no longer able to get a visa at the U.S. embassy in Havana. Nothing has improved since Biden was elected, according to Menendez.
“Right now, it’s harder than ever for a Cuban artist to get a visa,” he says. “The United States misses out on all of this wonderful culture coming from this little island which is basically posing no threat whatsoever.”
Pablo Menendez was born in the U.S., but has lived in Cuba most of his life. For decades, he has tried to find ways for music to be a bridge between the two countries. Obama’s detente with Cuba brought Pablo closer to his goal, but the economic warfare unleashed by Trump and Biden has further separated Cuba and the U.S.
Moscow, Dec 18 (Prensa Latina) Russia strongly condemns the decision of the United States to keep Cuba on the list of sponsors of terrorism, said today the spokeswoman for the Slavic country’s Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.
All measures taken to put pressure on Havana are completely illegal and blatantly violate the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which is why we strongly condemn this inhuman and illegitimate practice, Zakharova said in a statement on Wednesday.
The spokeswoman also stressed that Russia advocates the complete and immediate lifting of the US economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, as well as the removal of Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
It is absolutely clear that Washington, with the sole purpose of achieving a change of power in Cuba, is ready to use any method, treacherously interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign country, he added.
Zakharova also expressed confidence that Cuba will continue to progressively develop its foreign economic relations despite any obstacles.
On December 12, the US State Department decided to keep Cuba on its list of nations that sponsor terrorism, which also includes the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Iran and Syria.
Havana, Dec 17 (Prensa Latina) Cuba is willing to sit down with the United States in search of a serious relationship based on respect for sovereignty, self-determination and non-interference in internal affairs, official sources said today.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told reporters that the island’s disposition had been in effect since before diplomatic relations were reestablished in 2014.
Previously, the Vice-Chancellor said that, in the face of the new presidential term that is approaching, the behavior of the Caribbean nation will continue to be consistent, when participating in the 21st edition of the series of conversations Cuba in the foreign policy of the United States of America.
He stressed that Cuba will not be the one to take the initiative to suspend dialogue, cooperation and discreet exchanges that exist on some sensitive issues.
Over the past decade, bilateral relations have been characterized, according to Fernández de Cossío, by four realities: Cuba fulfilled all its commitments, seeking progress, while the United States failed to fulfill practically all of its own.
He also noted that this short period was beneficial to both nations and had received support and congratulations from the majority of the population and neighbouring governments.
However, the vice-chancellor pointed out that, in the last eight years and throughout much of the history of diplomatic relations, aggression has defined bilateral ties, and made clear the existence of an aggressor country and an attacked country in the difficult relationship between Cuba and the United States.
He recalled that despite the continuation of the policy of maximum economic pressure, there are certain political differences in the behavior of the current government of the North American nation, that of Joe Biden, compared to the previous one, of Donald Trump.
He noted that while there were some changes in various areas, the island’s presence on the State Department’s list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism remained.
Paradoxically, he added, “the United States has practiced terrorism, including state terrorism, against Cuba, as well as other parts of the world.”
Fernández de Cossío said that these are realities that cannot be ignored when “we try to approach the difficult coexistence between Cuba and the United States.”
He said there are areas that have demonstrated the usefulness of a civilized and respectful relationship, and that the Caribbean country, despite the hostility expressed, has been willing to guide and develop it.
At another point in his speech, the vice minister referred to the issue of Cuban medical cooperation and how the northern nation is trying to classify this activity as “human trafficking” when it is by no means such.
He stressed that despite the US government’s objective of mercilessly harming the Caribbean nation, “what it will not be able to do is achieve the goal of bending the will of the Cubans, because it does not have the capacity to convince Cuba that abandoning and renouncing self-determination are viable options.”
Dec 17 (Belly of the Beast – Cuba in Context) The Obama opening inspired countless people in both Cuba and the United States to launch projects seeking to bring people from the two countries closer together.
One of them was Adriana Heredia, the CEO of Beyond Roots, a thriving business in Havana that promotes Afro-Cuban culture.
“If you look at the numbers, you can see the incredible growth of Cuba’s private sector during the Obama years,” said Heredia. “You can see the economic prosperity the country had, the change of mentality, the desire to be entrepreneurial.”
What began as an Airbnb experience is now Cuba’s first Afro-Cuban store.
“Thanks to Obama’s change of policy, a woman who never thought she would be an entrepreneur has had a business for eight years,” said Heredia. “A business that is not only growing, but also employs 52 people, and a project that impacts the lives of thousands. The fact that Obama, a Black man, came to Cuba, gave many Black people in the U.S. the chance to understand that there’s a cultural legacy here for them.”
Things haven’t been easy for Heredia and Beyond Roots since Trump rolled back Obama’s policy.
With the intensification of sanctions under Trump and Biden combined with Covid, tourism dried up and Heredia had to close her store temporarily. Recently, Heredia has shifted her business model to attract a Cuban clientele, launching a salon and café.
With Trump’s second term looming, Heredia says she may have to pivot her business model yet again.
Beyond Roots was born as an Airbnb experience during Obama’s normalization of relations with Cuba. It is now Cuba’s first Afro-style store and a thriving business that includes a café, a hair salon and a cultural center promoting Afro-Cuban culture. “Thanks to Obama’s policy, a woman who never thought she would be an entrepreneur has had a business for eight years,” said Adriana Heredia, the CEO of Beyond Roots. But since Trump reversed Obama’s policy, the business has struggled. Despite the challenges, Adriana continues to adapt and find a way to keep Beyond Roots going. Learn more about Beyond Roots: https://beyondroots.net/
Watch the full interview with Adriana Heredia HERE.
And to learn more about Beyond Roots, check out their website.
This meeting takes place a few months before Cuba and Namibia reach the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their relations, in March of next year. Photo: @PresidenciaCuba
Havana, December 16 (Radio Habana Cuba) — The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel received this Monday his Namibian counterpart, Nangolo Mbumba, who is on an official visit to the country.
At the Palace of the Revolution, where the official talks will take place, and after listening to the national anthems of the two nations, the dignitaries reviewed the guard formed in their honor.
The Cuban head of State personally greeted the members of the delegation accompanying the distinguished visitor.
This meeting is taking place just a few months before Cuba and Namibia celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their relations, in March of next year.
On February 4, Nangolo Mbumba became the fourth president of his country.
This Monday, the Namibian leader placed a wreath at the monument to José Martí, in the Plaza de la Revolución, which bears the name of the Cuban National Hero, in Havana.
Dec 17 (Belly of the Beast) Ten years after Obama’s historic opening with Cuba, we ask Cubans what they think about Obama, Trump and Biden.
We hit the streets in Havana to hear directly from Cubans about the impact of Obama’s opening on their lives. From cruise ships to fashion shows, they describe the day-to-day impact of re-engagement, how things have changed under Trump and Biden, and their view on Trump’s impending second term.
Havana, Dec 17 (Prensa Latina) President Miguel Díaz-Canel today reiterated his call for a people’s march to end the United States blockade of Cuba and its exclusion from the U.S. list of countries sponsoring terrorism.
A message released on X by the president asserts that on December 20, “together with the heroic Cuban people, we will go out in combat march to demand the end of the blockade and the permanence of #Cuba on the illegitimate list of countries supposedly sponsoring terrorism.”
He also recalled that on that day, “as we have so often accompanied Fidel (Castro, leader of the revolutionary process on the island), we will see each other in the streets,” the head of state invited.
The Cuban president announced the parade, scheduled in front of the embassy of the northern country in Havana, while speaking at the closing session of the 9th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Party, held Thursday and Friday in this capital.
In this context, Díaz-Canel called on Cubans to gather and march in front of the diplomatic legation in order to demonstrate the socialist direction of the island’s revolutionary process, which is suffering coercive measures from the Biden administration, and is alert to the rhetoric of maximum pressure from the next occupant of the Oval Office.
Washington continues to reinforce its harassment measures against Cuba, “but it will be impossible for us to surrender and kneel,” said the first secretary of the Communist Party, at the close of the party meeting.
Havana, Dec 16 (Prensa Latina) The President of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, began an official visit to Cuba, which will last until December 18.
On his arrival, the day before, at the capital’s José Martí International Airport, the African president was greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodríguez.
The visitor will hold official talks in Havana with his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and other officials of this Caribbean nation.
He will also receive the José Martí Order, the highest decoration awarded by the government of the Republic of Cuba.
Agreements are also expected to be signed that will foster bilateral ties.
Madrid, Dec 16 (Prensa Latina) Donations of medical supplies were ready today to be sent to Cuba from Spain, as part of a campaign of solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Rafael.
It is a cargo of 1.3 tons of medical supplies, with a value of approximately 300,000 euros, which was prepared by the Embassy of Cuba in Spain, together with numerous Associations of Solidarity with the Caribbean island.
Also participating in the initiative were the Movimiento Primero de Febrero, Rincón Cubano Granma, Asociación de Solidaridad y Cooperación para el Desarrollo Ernesto Guevara, Medicuba España, Comisiones Obreras de Madrid, Izquierda Unida, Partido Comunista de España de Madrid and Cubans living in the Iberian country.
The donation will soon be sent by air and will be received by the Ministry of Public Health, and distributed in the western provinces affected by Hurricane Rafael.
According to the organizers, this gesture of solidarity is another example of the bonds of friendship that unite the peoples of Spain and Cuba.
Cubans are grateful for the continued support it receives from solidarity movements and political parties, and appreciate “the tireless work they do to overcome the handicaps imposed by the unjust and inhumane blockade of Cuba by the U.S. Government.”
