Weekly Cuba News Roundup: January 21st, 2022
A head scratching headline coming from the New York Times this week, with the C.I.A. claiming that the ailments known as Havana Syndrome are unlikely to have been caused by Russia or another adversary. While believing a statement the C.I.A. puts out could be parallel to believing in Santa Claus, it does seem that nobody knows will say what the real story is.
Look to the southeast and you’ll find a kidnapped Cuban doctor in the D.R. This is after a ransom payment was made (and that my friends is why you don’t negotiate with terrorists). Six mass trials have concluded, leaving Cuban protestors to await potential lengthy prison sentences. Tensions remain high between Russia and U.S. leaving many to ponder Putin’s plans for Cuba. Spain’s EFE is likely to have to leave Cuba. A Miami Herald opinion piece calls out Miami politicians for calling for democracy while acting like fascists. And, Puerto Rico has received judge approval for its debt restructuring – the largest public sector bankruptcy deal in U.S. history. Read on… it gets juicy this week.
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.
AP: Cuban protesters await sentencing, facing long prison terms
Cuban courts have wrapped up the hearing phase of six mass trials for people accused of involvement in the largest and most unruly protests on the island in decades, leaving more than 100 defendants awaiting potentially heavy sentences. Read more at apnews.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.
Miami Herald: A kidnapped Cuban doctor is being held by a gang in Haiti even though ransom was paid
More than a week after she was kidnapped, a Cuban doctor is still being held for ransom in Haiti, where violent gangs keep disrupting essential services. Read more at miamiherald.com.
Al Jazeera: How real is Russia’s threat to deploy missiles to Latin America?
Bringing Communism to Washington’s back yard meant dealing a double blow to the White House and raising the stakes in the Cold War. Read more at aljazeera.com.
NY Times: Judge Approves Deal to Resolve Puerto Rico Bankruptcy
Puerto Rico received approval from a federal judge on Tuesday to leave bankruptcy under the largest public-sector debt restructuring deal in the history of the United States, nearly five years after the financially strapped territory declared it could not repay its creditors. Read more at nytimes.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.
VOA News: Spain’s EFE Could Leave Cuba ‘Within Weeks’
For almost half a century, Spain’s EFE news agency has reported from Cuba, covering everything from the historic visit by President Barack Obama to the death of Fidel Castro. But its independent coverage in one of the world’s most censored societies could be about to end. Read more at voanews.com.
NY Times: Most ‘Havana Syndrome’ Cases Unlikely Caused by Foreign Power, C.I.A. Says
The C.I.A. has found that most cases of the mysterious ailments known as Havana syndrome are unlikely to have been caused by Russia or another foreign adversary, agency officials said, a conclusion that angered victims. Read more at nytimes.com.
Miami Herald: Miami pols, how can you call for democracy in Cuba, but stand with fascism in Florida? | Opinion
I hardly recognize you, Cuban-American Republican lawmakers from Miami. You are a shameful bunch. How can you call for democracy in Cuba with a straight face — and any measure of credibility — when you subscribe and indulge the fascist, racist impulses of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida. Read more at miamiherald.com.
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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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