Chronicle on Cuba - April 2010

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: A national vaccination campaign is expanded against the pandemic A (H1N1) influenza virus. Cuba’s Communist Party makes calls against small-time corruption, petty theft and apathy that plague daily life. The 9th Congress of the Young Communist League (UJC) takes place in Havana. Health and education sectors are under scrutiny by Government authorities. State Security breaks up weekly marches by The Ladies in White and tightens repression against dissidents. Prominent individuals warn against corruption and on the need to apply urgent changes. Elections take place at municipal levels. Guillermo Farinas remains on hunger strike.

Economy: President Raul Castro lowers down expectations about the implementation of immediate changes, at same time that warns on severe economic difficulties. An acute drought affects most Cuban provinces. Cuba and Iran examine trade relations. Cuba turns over state-run barber shops and beauty salons to employees. A corruption scandal involves Chilean entrepreneurs and high-ranking Government officials. Cuba and Venezuela sign new trade and co-operation accords. After 49 years, golf courses are back in the island.    

Exile Community:  Several demonstrations take place by Cuban exiles in Spain, the US, and other countries in support of The Ladies in White. Cuban resident songwriter Silvio Rodriguez holds an unprecedented debate with exiled Cuban journalist and writer Carlos Alberto Montaner.  Writer and prominent figure of the Cuban Revolution, Carlos Franqui, dies in Puerto Rico.

Foreign Affairs: Farinas’ hunger strike and repression against the Ladies in White spark controversial reactions by international Governments and organizations, as well as by prominent individuals. The Cuban Government denounces what it calls an international media campaign against the island sponsored by the European Union and the US. The Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Cuba. President Raul Castro meets with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after participating in the ALBA Summit. The head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti congratulates the Cuban government and health professionals working in the Caribbean nation.

Security: Independent sources inform of several actions taken by Government authorities to prevent against acts of civil unrest by the population. Venezuelan opposition denounces the widespread involvement of Cuban troops in President Hugo Chavez’s military. A Cuban military delegation headed by the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff visits Russia, Vietnam, North Korea, and China. President Raul Castro meets in Havana with the Angolan Defence Minister.

US-Cuba Relations: Cuba’s foreign minister meets with a top US State Department official to coordinate medical help for Haiti. Cuban media denounces the US and the EU for organizing a campaign to destabilize the Caribbean nation. Statements made by US Secretary of State spark a new controversy between Cuba and the US. Business and human rights groups in the US urge Congress to ease the embargo on Cuba.