Fidel Castro Speaks Out on Egypt?

Possible web posting by Fidel Castro about the situation in Egypt. Probably not real, but I found the statement that was made to be very interesting.

Cuba cutting back on US food imports

Cuba cut its imports of U.S. agricultural products by 26% in 2009. While some have speculated that this is only Cuba trying to get back at the U.S. embargo, it is actually probably a result of Cuba's lack of economic means. Lower-quality food imports are cheaper from Vietnam, China and Spain because of the rules of trade. The U.S. agriculture industry has been pressuring the U.S. government for a lift on the embargo for a long time as it will allow for freer and more productive trade. Cuba continues to suffer from the embargo; in the first nine months of last year trade fell 36%. I thought this article was relevant after our discussion about U.S.-Cuban relations.

U.S. Relations With Cuba Remain Tense

After a meeting Friday, February 19th, between the United States and Cuba discussing immigration control, it is clear that the two countries are still having difficulties in maintaining (relatively) friendly relations. In addition to the immigration issue, other topics of discussion included a Havana-jailed U.S. citizen [Alan Gross was arrested in early December 2009 for unauthorized distribution of satellite technology] and a talk between U.S. diplomats and Cuban dissidents [Cuba criticized the United States for "promoting subversion"].

Source: CNN

Si Cuba! on Campus

You may have seen flyers around campus advertising "Si Cuba!" According to the Stone Center website, it is "a major citywide presentation of arts, music, and culture related to Cuba" that will take place from January through the spring of 2010. Our own Newcomb Art Gallery is participating in the collaboration by hosting Polaridad Complementaria: Recent Works from Cuba. I have not yet seen the exhibition, but it will be right on campus until March 4.

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the University's resources, expand on what we are learning in class and experience a citywide event. If you'd like to be adventuresome and explore off campus, there are events being hosted throughout the city including more exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Go to the event's website for more information.

Cuba Back to Basics

I was looking at videos on cnn.com, and I found this particular one very interesting, especially with the readings we did this week about neocolonialism. The neocolonial period was all about economic growth in Latin American countries, and now, in this time of financial crisis, Cuba is having to return to a time before industry existed, in order to save them money. Luckily, President Obama has lifted the United States' restrictions on the amount of money that Cuban Americans are allowed to send home.

Cuban film festival

The Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, or the Festival of New Latin American Cinema of Havana, has taken place every December since 1979.

Since it is very difficult for most Cubans to travel outside their country, the festival provides a means for them to experience an outside perspective and other cultures without leaving La Habana. Part of the mission of the Festival is to enrich and reaffirm Latin American and Caribbean cultural identity.

Wall Street Journal article: "For Most Cubans, Film Is the Only Way to Travel"

The official website