Weekly Cuba News Roundup: May 20th, 2022
It was a big week in Biden Administration Cuba policy news. We’ve got the latest headlines on that for you below – including Cuba’s statement that it’s not enough. First though, we wanted to lead with NBC News’ story of a man who migrated from Cuba, across the Rio Grande, with one leg. Politics aside, any Cuban who makes the 90 mile float or trek across the border deserves respect. This guy that did it with one leg.
As you know, good news from the Biden Administration; Cuba policy is loosening a bit. Of course, with that comes complaints that this news is going to hose democrats in Florida (probably not wrong), that it’s not enough (from Cuba’s vice foreign minister), and that it’s not the right thing to do (from Ron Desantis – shocker). Oh and then there’s AMLO (remember him?) who this week called the US Embargo on Cuba “genocidal policy.” To be clear, we too think the US Embargo is shit; it only hurts the Cuban people. It’s just the fact that AMLO wants to talk again so that he can continue to insert himself into global politics. Umph. Oh, and there’s more 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.
CNN: Biden reverses some Trump policies related to Cuba, making it easier for families to visit relatives in country
The State Department on Monday announced a series of measures it said is aimed at supporting the Cuban people, including reinstating the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program and increasing consular services and visa processing. Read more at cnn.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.
NBC News: Mexican president: U.S. embargo against Cuba is ‘genocidal policy’
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said on Tuesday the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba was “genocidal policy,” raising the stakes in a standoff with Washington over its treatment of the Communist-ruled Caribbean island. Read more at nbcnews.com.
Is the Face of Havana Changing?
Havana’s modern “international” architecture has Cuba’s urban planners worried.
France 24: Cuban boxers set for professional comeback after 60 years
Four Olympic medalists, in a squad of six Cuban boxers, will make their professional debuts in Mexico on Friday, “for the first time in the history of boxing,” event organizer Gerardo Saldivar said. Read more at france24.com.
Politico: Biden’s Cuba and Venezuela policy shifts leave Florida Democrats dismayed
President Joe Biden hemorrhaged South Florida Hispanic voters in 2020 — one reason he lost the state to Donald Trump during the last election. Two moves by his administration this week — easing sanctions on Venezuela and loosening restrictions on Cuba — signal he’s likely not interested in improving his standing with the key demographic. Read more at politico.com.
NBC News: A Cuban migrant crossed the Rio Grande with one leg. ‘I’m going to take the risk.’
Now safe in Florida, Julio Martínez, described the multicountry journey that started in Cuba last month and got him reunited with his family members in Miami after 21 days of perilous travel. Read more at nbcnews.com.
Reuters: Cuba brands U.S. rollback of curbs as light on detail, heavy on hostility
Cuba´s vice foreign minister denounced the Biden administration’s partial rollback of Trump-era restrictions on remittances and travel to the island, calling U.S. policy toward the island one of continued “hostility” and “economic blockade.” Read more at reuters.com.
The Guardian: Cuban parliament approves penal code which activists warn curbs dissent
Cuba’s parliament has approved a new penal code that officials say modernizes the country’s laws but human rights groups warn tightens already strict limits on dissent. Read more at theguardian.com.
Miami Herald: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes Biden’s reversal of some restrictions in Cuba
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking on May 17, 2022 in Miami, criticized President Joe Biden’s reversal of some restrictions on Cuba, including relaxing travel restrictions and limits on remittances. 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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