Weekly Cuba News Roundup: November 12th, 2021
Apparently Air Century airline – a charter gig out of the Dominican Republic – is stepping up its number of flights to Cuba with the tagline, “Improving The Experience.” No judgement but at 35,000 feet, the experience is best already improved (on the ground). Either way, if it’s got enough gas and the wings bolted on, hopping a plane to the DR then skipping over to Cuba could be a good option.
In other news, there are really only two stories coming out of Cuba right now; the reopening of tourism and the planned protests. Both on Monday, November 15th. For the latter, nobody really knows what to expect with one exception two exceptions. First, there’s Yunior Garcia, the Cuban playwright leading the call for protests saying that he’ll walk alone, in silence, holding a white rose the day before the planned march. And then second, there’s the Cuban government who has made it pretty clear that they will not tolerate a march planned for Monday. Where this meets in the middle is anyone’s guess. All this, and CNN’s Patrick Oppmann’s report on what Havana looks like as it gets ready for tourists, below.
By the way, none of the opinions in any of the stories shared on this page represent ours; we’re just sharing them with you. If you are a journalist or you have seen a story that you’d like us to consider for future weekly news roundups, please send us a note and a link to the story here. (Hero image: Alejandro Rojas)
Reuters: Cuban protest leader to march alone, white rose in hand, ahead of rallies
A Cuban playwright leading the call for protests on Nov. 15 on the communist-run island said on Thursday he will walk alone, in silence and holding a white rose, the day before the planned march to show the non-violent nature of the movement. Read more at reuters.com.
CNN: See what Havana looks like as Cuba set to reopen to tourists
Cuba will reopen its international borders in a bid to bring back badly needed tourists after being shut to visitors for most of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more at cnn.com.
Reuters: U.S. vacations in Cuba still come with hangovers from Trump’s sanctions
Cuba opens its borders next week signaling new opportunity for pandemic-weary travelers and the island’s tourism industry, but for U.S. citizens getting there requires jumping through hoops like never before, according to the heads of eight U.S. tour agencies. Read more at reuters.com.
10 Curious Creatures Endemic to Cuba
The status of these wonderful native Cuban animals ranges from vulnerable to critically endangered.
Dominican Today: Air Century increases flights between Dominican Republic and Cuba
From November, flights between Cuba and the Dominican Republic will increase through the Air Century company. This was confirmed by the Cuban airport company ( ECASA ) in its update on November 4. Read more at dominicantoday.com.
Miami Herald: Airlines add flights to Havana, but new U.S. travel rules pose a challenge for Cubans
U.S. airlines will add daily flights to Cuba starting next month, as the island’s government prepares to lift strict COVID-related measures on Nov. 15. Read more at miamiherald.com.
Miami Herald: Cuba’s foreign minister warns diplomats his government won’t allow protest march
Cuba’s foreign minister summoned foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Havana on Wednesday to warn them that his government will not tolerate an opposition march planned for Monday that the island authorities said is a regime-change plot orchestrated by the United States. Read more at miamiherald.com.
Here’s How You Can Support Art Brut Cuba: Cuba’s Outsider Artists
Samuel Riera’s Art Brut Cuba opens channels for Outsider Artists to sell their art when they otherwise couldn’t earn a living from their work.
Reuters: Biden policy on Cuba remittances needs more work, U.S. official says
The White House has received recommendations for restarting remittances to Cuba but sent some back for further work to craft “innovative options” to ensure that money sent by Cuban Americans to families on the island does not fall into the hands of Cuba’s government, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. Read more at reuters.com.
ConBAC: Cuba’s Blooming Craft Cocktail Scene
Top bartenders and mixologists from around the world pitched up in Cuba’s top beach resort last year to compete in the IBA World Cocktail Championship shining a spotlight on global drinks and craft cocktails.
Sun Sentinel: Versailles, the ‘most famous Cuban restaurant in the world,’ celebrates its 50th anniversary
Little Havana’s iconic Versailles Restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary on Wednesday with a special menu with 1971 prices — ham croquette for 20 cents, breaded steak for $3.25, Cuban coffee, 20 cents — and fans, celebrities, South Florida politicians, lots of dancing and music. Read more at sunsentinel.com.
(Hero Image: Karen Vierbuchen)
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El Equipo
Hola todo el mundo. Sometimes our stories are sourced from multiple people on our team. Or, we like to keep you guessing... You know... anonymous. And, for that, soy el escritora; "El Equipo." We exist to amplify the voices of writers, photographers, and content creators in the space between the United States and Cuba, and we also feature stories from Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the Latinx community in the US. Topics of interest are personality-driven and include pop culture and music, featured current events, climate and the environment, and travel and tastemakers. Oh, and of course we're always 100% independent. No governments, businesses or other influencing factors play a role in our work.
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