Chronicle on Cuba - May 2010

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: Cuba's Roman Catholic Church intervenes with authorities in favour of dissidents and political prisoners. The Sugar and Transportation ministers are removed from their posts. Authorities report an increase in the number of patients suffering the A H1N1 influenza virus. Cuba joins the international campaign against homophobia. Cuba's problems in food production and distribution are analyzed in the 10th Congress of the Cuban Association of Small Farmers. Dissident Gulliermo Farinas continues his hunger strike.

Economy: An import program that brought cars to Cuba has been cancelled. Authorities announce plans to allow foreigners to develop golf courses, marinas and related land projects to boost the nation's tourism industry. The sugar harvest is Cuba’s worst since 1905. Cuba faces shortage of rice. Farm and livestock production plummets. A severe drought is affecting the water supplies of more than half a million people. Cuban experts watch closely the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Exile Community: From 2006 to 2009, over 25,000 Cubans settled in Spain. Several exile organizations in different countries march in support of Cuban dissidents. The exile organization Cuba Democracia Ya! accuses the Cuban Government of “entertaining” the international public opinion with false promises about political prisoners.

Foreign Affairs: The Vatican's foreign minister is traveling to Cuba in June. Cuba has already given medical assistance in Haiti to 345,689 patients since the earthquake. A Cuban delegation headed by the Cuban vice president participates in the swearing-in ceremony of the new Costa Rican head of state. Raul Castro meets with the vice chairman of the Russian Duma. A group of Spanish writers and intellectuals present a platform for democracy in Cuba. The Foreign Affairs Minister heads the Cuban delegation to the Sixth European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Madrid. Raul Castro chairs in Havana the official meeting to mark Africa Day.

Security: Venezuela President Hugo Chavez acknowledges that Cuban officials are involved in Venezuela's armed forces. Meteoro 2010, a national civil defence drill, takes place from May to June. Cuban President Raul Castro presides over a meeting of the National Defence Council.  

US-Cuba Relations: The US and Cuba are holding talks on how to respond to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Cuban National Assembly issues a statement against the Arizona immigration law. Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister says Cuba sent the US a proposal for bilateral talks. Cuba has yet to open a legal case against the US government contractor imprisoned in the island.