Chronicle on Cuba - February 2010

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: In the middle of constant repression, dissidents warn over the grave condition of prisoner of conscience on hunger strike Orlando Zapata Tamayo. Cuba´s Youth Communist League holds meetings in preparation of its 9th Congress. Several minor earthquakes are felt in the eastern part of Cuba. The 19th edition of the International Book Fair takes place in Havana. Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata dies after 85 days on hunger strike to demand better prison conditions. The Cuban Government dismisses all criticism about the death of Orlando Zapata.
 
Economy: Retail outlets selling in Cuban pesos are popping up across the country. Canada and Cuba reach a deal that allows more airlines to operate flights between the two countries. Cuba launches a project to ring urban areas with small farms. Cuba plans to produce ferronickel with Venezuela. Cuba and Brazil sign 10 juridical instruments for collaboration between both nations.
Cuban tobacco sales drop in the international market during 2009.

Exile Community: Exile organizations denounce that independent Cuban NGOs were not invited to a dialogue with Spanish authorities in Madrid. Cuban doctors and nurses in exile present a legal demand against the Cuban and Venezuelan governments for making them work as “modern slaves”. Exile organizations in Spain and the US demonstrate in protest for the death of prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo.   

Foreign Affairs: Cuban doctors leave Panama. Ramiro Valdes’ visit to Venezuela fires up harsh criticism by Venezuelan opposition. Cuba renews its commitment of solidarity with Haiti. Cuba and Russia strengthen relations. Cuba and Spain hold in Madrid the fourth round of discussions on human rights. Raul Castro attends a Rio Group Summit in Cancun. Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva meets in Havana with Fidel and Raul Castro. The international community, including the Spanish and Canadian governments, make calls to release all political prisoners.

Security: Venezuelan opposition denounces the presence of Cuban military advisors in the South American nation. Cuban police begins a program for registering unlicensed weapons in the hands of private citizens.

US-Cuba Relations: US Intelligence officials warn Congress about a potential massive exodus from the island. The wife of a US contractor jailed in Havana makes calls to Cuban authorities to release her husband. The US and Cuba hold migration talks in Havana. Cuba denounces a top US delegation for meeting with political opposition leaders following high-level immigration discussions. The US calls on Cuba to free all political prisoners after a prisoner of conscience died. Cuba will not attend the Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico.