Cuba News-May 2010

Cuban Ballerina to Visit New York in June
Friday, May 7 2010-Alicia Alonso, a prima ballerina from Cuba, is returning to New York and the American Ballet Theatre to celbrate her 90th birthday at the place where she got her start in dance seven decades ago.

Cuba Suffers Exodus of the Best and the Brightest as Economy Remains in the Doldrums
Sunday, May 9 2010-Havana is being emptied of young people who are choosing emigration after Raul Castro's promises of more freedom come to nothing.

The Latest on Cuba-April 2010

Cuban Church Leader Speaks of Harsh Crisis
April 20, 2010-the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Cuba speaks of a harsh crisis in regards to the current situation of the Cuban people.

Poll Shows Americans want Better Ties with Cuba
April 19, 2010-an opinion poll revealed 58% of those surveyed supported full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Cuba News

Cuba-The New York Times
The most recent news on Cuba provided by the New York Times. Castro and Cuba-US relations are both commented on.

Dissident Drowns Attempting Return to Cuba
April 7, 2010-Associated Press-A Cuban opposition activist who moved to the U.S. and was denied permission last year to return home has drowned trying to sneak back to the communist island nation aboard a boat, fellow dissidents said Wednesday.

Miami Herald
Link to the Miami Herald website. Frequent information from Cuba and other Cuban related issues. 

Fellow Prisoner Dies

Havana Journal
February 24, 2010-Cuban dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo is dead after an 80-day hunger strike to demand better jail conditions. Orlando was arrested with Normando back in 2003 due to opposition against the Cuban Government.

Recent News from Cuba

Amnesty Calls for More Freedom in Cuba
March 16, 2010-The human rights group Amnesty international appealed to Cuban President Raul Castro to release political prisoners and scrap laws that restrict fundamental freedoms, using the seventh anniversary of a major crackdown on dissent to call for change.

Castro's Cuba at 50
Pictures of Cuba posted by The New York Times Magazine.

Cuba-The New York Times
The latest news articles on Cuba from The New York Times.

Cuban Crackdown Anniversary Marked with Protest
March 18, 2010-Hundreds of government supporters surrounded a small group of Cuban dissidents as they marched through Havana on Thursday on the seventh anniversary of the arrests of their loved ones, screaming abuse but otherwise allowing the protest to proceed peacefully.

Links to Normando

The following links provide more information on Normando's current condition and other activists looking to bring justice to this case:

Blog: "Uncommon Sense: For a Free Cuba. And More."

Havana Journal: Update on Cuban Dissident Normando Hernandez Gonzalez

Bloomberg.com: Mother of Jailed Writer to Sit With First Lady at Bush Speech

Cuba: Insufficient Medical Assistance for Normando in Solitary Confinement

Cuba in the News-February 2010

Spain Asks Cuba for Better Treatment of Political Prisoners
Latin American Herald Tribune-During a meeting in Madrid last Thursday, Spain asked the Cuban government to provide better humanitarian treatment for ailing dissidents; the meeting was held to discuss the state of human rights on the communist-ruled island.

Cuba Criticizes U.S. Diplomats for Meeting with Dissidents
February 20, 2010-Cuba criticized U.S. diplomats Saturday for meeting with political opponents after bilateral talks on immigration in Havana, accusing the American diplomats of "promoting subversion."

Cuban and U.S. Officials Meet in Havana to Discuss Migration
February 19, 2010-Dagoberto Rodriguez, Cuba's deputy minister of foreign affairs, met with U.S. delegation led by Craig Kelly for several hours this past Friday to discuss migration issues.


Cuba Blasts U.S. Leaders for Meeting With Dissidents
February 20, 2010-Cuba scolded a top U.S. delegation Saturday for meeting with political opposition leaders following high-level immigration discussions, saying it proves Washington is out to topple the country's communist government.