CUBA BREAKS THE COMMERCIAL EMBARGO. THE CUBAN SOCIALIST ECONOMY GOES ON STRONG.
CUBA IS GOING TO BE COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL CENTER OF LATIN AMERICA. CUBA WIDENS INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN 2003 - 2009.
FIDEL CASTRO IN SOUTH SUMMIT IN HAVANA IN APRIL 2000: THERE ARE FOUR BILLION DEPRIVED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
IN THE UN SUMMIT IN SEPTEMBER 2000 CUBA´S PRESIDENT DEMANDED THOROUGH-GOING REORGANIZING OF THE UN.
IPU CONFERENCE IN HAVANA IN APRIL 2001: PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY KEY TO FUTURE.
FIDEL CASTO IN FEBRUARY 2002: FIGHT AGAINST NEOLIBERAL GLOBALIZATION IS HUMANITY´S COMMON CAUSE.
IN MARCH 2002 FIDEL CASTRO CRITICIZED THE CURRENT WORLD ECONOMIC ORDER AS "SYSTEM OF LOOTING AND EXPLOITATION."
CUBAN HEALTH CARE ON WORLD´S TOP LEVEL.
U.S. THREATENINGS AND PROVOCATIONS AGAINST CUBA HAVE INCREASED IN 2004 - 2009.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES SOCIALISM.
_____________________________________________________________
General features. Contemporary history in nutshell.
The political decisions made on the level of the Cuban government and on the level of organs of the Party lay down the lines for further developement. The country continues on the way of socialism in spite of the economic difficulties caused by the commercial blockade unlegally settled by USA.
How is it possible that this restriction of freedom became true as a resolution of UN without any kind of legal basis?
There gave been several political and military operations directed from USA in order to destroy the Cuban system of a human community.
The western propaganda keeps high noice about human rights in Cuba. However, the actual cases, accusations and sentences are unambiguously based on the Cuban Criminal Code.
According to an opinion survey made by a Miami-based company clear majority of the Cubans want to keep socialism.
The country has been poor, but all the matters have been taken care of. There have been very little crimes or drug problems. The children go to their schools in the mornings safely in their tidy school uniforms. Public health services and the medical services work. In spite of shortages there is no actual poverty. The Cuban community works.
In 1998 there were elections in the country. The elections in Cuba are based on regional representation and on one-party system. The bourgeois media criticize in a hysteric way these elections. Is the reason a complete politological ignorance or is the media afraid for the possible enlargement of democracy?
The level of democracy in Cuba is on higher level than in the primitive political organization of USA. In April 2000 the Cubans confirmed once more the democratic character of their one-party system representing all the people. Voting percentage was about 96.
When visiting Cuba in 1998 the Pope appealed the government of USA to cancel the unlegal trade blockade. Of course, USA denied. USA tries to force the Cubans under the dicatorship of capital by calling this system democracy. In USA they have quite a peculiar sense of humour... the Pope used also strong words against world capitalism.
Obviously because of the hard words by the Pope USA offered "humanitarian" help for Cuba in February 1998. Of course, Cuba rejected this hypocratic suggestion because it was based on dishonest political conditions.
In November 1999 UN voted once more for ending the commercial embargo against Cuba. Only USA and Israel want to continue the embargo.
In 1999 - 2003 the Cuban socialist economy has taken remarkbale steps forwards. Oil production, industry and agriculture have progressed almost explosively. Health care has become one of the best in the world. At the same time commercial channels around the world have openined in spite of the embargo. USA´s criminal boycott against Cuba does not work any more. Additionally, the success of Cuba benefits also other socialist and anti-imperialist countries and nations in the world.
Cuba is able to help other nations. Among other activities Cuba gives significant humanitarian help to the poor capitalist neighbour nations in South and Middle America and in Africa.
Cuba´s signifinance is world politics has remarkably increased. Cuba´s activities and political and economical power grow day by day.
The 9th summit of Ibero-American countries took place in Havana in November 1999. Presidents and govermental level representatives of Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries participated this summit. Other countries and media were represented as observers. The topics of the summit were economics, political and peace questions in South America and all around the world. The summit was succesful for Cuba in developing relations to other countries. Yet USA was blocked out of the conference.
Cuba has begun trials against USA because of the crimes which USA has committed against Cuba and Cubans after the socialist revolution of Cuba. One of the most terrible humanitarian crime has been the massacre of civilians in 1981 commmitted by US by biological weapons.
Because of security Fidel Castro did not participate neither WTO meeting nor the large conference of NGOs against world capitalism and WTO´s plans in Seattle at the same time. According to Cuban authorities there have been 637 murder attempts against him.
In the end of 1999 USA added its military presence at the Caribbean by strengthening the naval base in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Because of people´s strong resistance USA was obliged to withdraw on this project at least for a while. The unrests and arresting of demonstrators were going on in 2001 - 2003. The base has been opposed also in USA. In May 2003 the US navy began to withdraw from Vieques, obviously because of hostility of local people.
The relations between Cuba and USA have worsened because of the provocatory US violations of Cuban air space in 1999 - 2004.
In the beginning of 2001 the socialist Republic of Cuba became through ibero-american and latino-american summits and through opening of Cuba´s trade in a way a center of economics and politics of Middle America and South America. Hardly nobody could anticipate this kind of a new apperance and prosperity of socialism after the collapse of socialisms in Eastern Europe.
Cuba´s international activities increase continuously. Political anc commercial relations are rising up to a new level with the African underdeveloped countries and also with the European industrialized countries.
Economic relations between Cuba and People´s China have developed strongly. Relations with Democratic People´s Republic of Korea, Socialist Republic of Vietnam and People´s Republic of Laos have been advanced alike.
President of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP Group) Council of Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele visited Cuba in August 2000. This visit was an excellent opportunity to exchange top level opinions between the Cuban government and the ACP Group, and to develop and strengthen friendship and solidarity ties, stated Granma daily on its front page.
Leaders of the G-77 had their top meeting in Cuba in April 2000.
Immediately when opening the summit we heard statements against imperialism. In his speech Fidel Castro attacked the still growing global unjustice.
"Another Nuremberg is required to judge the unjust economic order".
"WHILE before we spoke of apartheid in Africa, today we can speak of apartheid in a world where four billion people are deprived of the most elemental human rights: to life, health care, education, safe drinking water, housing, employment, and hope for their own and their children's future," emphasized President Fidel Castro during the closing session of the South Summit.
The Summit reached its most important goal. The co-operation between the countries of the third world in the struggle against imperialism intensified crucially. Cubas has a centric role in this work.
OSPAAAL, the anti-imperialist Organization in Solidarity with the People of Africa, Asia and Latin America has its operational center in Cuba.
Under the title of the "UN of the XXI century", 152 heads attended the summit in NY from the 6th through the 8th of September 2000. Cuba participated the sessions. In this connection USA has friendly called Fidel Castro a murderer. Civilized state level discussion?
Cuba´s president demanded in this summit in his strong speech the UN to be renewed basically. The contemporary UN is not able to correct world´s still more worsening econo-political chaos, impoverishment and unjustice. Castro also repeated his anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist statements.
In the connection of the UN summit Cuba promised medical doctors to world´s emergency areas. In September 2000 Cuba promised MDs also to the poor in USA. In April 2001 Cuba began medical schooling for this purpose as promised. There were students coming from USA to Cuba. The richest country in the world is not able to take care of the basic health care of her citizens.
In October 2000 USA promised by a high level decision to ease the commercial embargo. Later we knew that the embargo was even tightened.
By Cuban initiative, Venezuela joined in the political processes 2001 - 2004 in the south American anti-imperialist front. Quite obviously Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Equdor follow the example.
In the end of March 2001 Cuban President Fidel Castro and visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki issued a joint communiqué announcing an intensification of bilateral relations and questioning the injustice of the current political and economic world order.
Cuba and South Africa have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in health through an increase in the training of medical personnel, the transfer of technology and knowledge and the development of joint scientific investigation projects.
In March 29th, 2001 Cuba became a full member of the Latin America-East Asia Forum -- known by its Spanish acronym FALAE. The Cuban deputy foreign minister said that FALAE is a very important forum, providing for Third World nations from both regions to adopt a common position to face challenges posed by globalization.
IPU Conference In Havana April 1st - April 6th, 2001.
Najma Akbarali Jeptulla, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) affirmed in Havana that Cuban President Fidel Castro is a legendary figure who has contributed his vast knowledge and experience to the IPU 105th Conference, which concluded on April 6th 2001 in the Cuban capital.
Addressing the more than 1400 delegates from 125 nations who participated in the IPU meeting, Akbarali Jeptulla thanked Fidel for his active participation in two work sessions of the conference, sharing his views on the current international situation.
The top IPU official highlighted Fidel Castro's remarks on the poverty affecting Third World nations, and his hope for the adoption of concrete measures that reverse the current situation.
In this regard, the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union pointed to the need to strengthen participatory democracy, which translates into health, education and equal opportunities for all.
In the meeting president Castro listed some frightening statistics: that more than 80 percent of humanity, or 4.5 billion human beings, consume less than 20 percent of the fabulous wealth that industry and speculation capital have accumulated and continue to accumulate. He noted that 1.6 billion people are unemployed worldwide and that their chances of finding work are rapidly shrinking, thanks to technological advances that allow us to build machines capable of producing the same or more in a world that has fewer and fewer job opportunities.
Economic reports in April 2001. Cuba fulfills its projected goals for sugar production for this year, said Jose Luis Rodriguez, Cuban Minister of Economy, despite setbacks suffered in this year's harvest. The petroleum industry in Cuba is doing well and predicted further growth. Last year, Cuba produced over 3.2 million tons of Cuban oil, accounting for 52 percent of the national electricity demand. He hopes to raise the electric cover up to He expressed optimism that Cuba will be able to provide 70 percent of demand in the coming years, with a total expected annual production of 6 millions tons of oil.
Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Cuban President Fidel Castro discussed bilateral ties between their countries in formal talks in April 2001 and agreed to further economic and trade cooperation. Human rights issues were also under discussions.
Cuba was arbitrarily excluded from the summit of the Americas which was opened on April 20th, 2001 in Quebec.
Canadian Andre Michaud commented to the press that Fidel Castro commanded the respect and support of the great majority of his people, whereas the leader of the United States had questionably garnered little more than 50 percent of popular support. He added that Canada's current leader, Jean Chretien, had reneged on the policies of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and adopted an attitude of servility toward Washington. Michaud said that the real reason Fidel Castro was excluded by the United States from the Summit is that he would be the only participant to really defend the interests of the common citizens in the region.
As a result - with heavy riots, demonstrations and protests in Quebec - American free trade area was established among states with capitalist regimes. However, Venezuela submitted the results of the event to a national popular referendum.
The Latin American and Caribbean Students Organization (OCLAE) called on the international community to stand with Cuba at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The Geneva commission, in session in April 2001, discussed a resolution to condemn Cuba for presumed human rights violations. The document, a U.S.-sponsored maneuver, was introduced by the Czech Republic and Poland.
The UNHRC meeting on human right issues in Geneva was a farce. One third of the states did not participate or did not vote. The result was a moral victory for Cuba.
In the latest example of Cuban anxiety over President George W. Bush's administration, Defense Minister Raul Castro said in April 2001 Cuba was better prepared than ever to resist a U.S. invasion, and promised his troops would exact a bloody toll if the country were ever occupied. Under the era of the contemporary US president Cuba gets ready to fight against new US aggressions.
Fidel Castro embarked on a far-flung tour to the Middle East and Asia in May 2001. The main purpose of the tour was to maintain contacts with anti-imperialist countries. He visited also Libya.
Cuba offered 1,489 scholarships to foreign students for the next school year, 2001-2002. The offer was announced on May 17th, 2001 by the island's Foreign Ministry.
Havana, June 6 (AIN) The necessary conditions for life diminish day by day in the planet, denounced the Cuban President Fidel Castro at the closing of the central activity for the World Day of Environment, that took place at the Conventions Palace in Havana.
June 2001. Vietnam, Cuba strengthened trade ties. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai welcomed Cuban Minister of Light Industry Jesus Peres Othow's opinion on strengthening business co-operation between the two countries, particularly in the leather shoes, textile, and garment industries.
Deputy Defense Minister and army chief of staff General Alvaro Lopez Miera met in June 21st, 2001 with Vietnamese prime minister Phan Van Khai, who said that the purpose of the two nation's armies is to defend national sovereignty and independence.
In September 22, 2001 Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien and his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque signed a cooperation agreement ratifying the governments' willingness to further strengthen the already excellent relations that exist between the two nations at all levels.
In October 2001 army General Alvaro Lopez Miera, Deputy Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, and Army Chief of Staff, was in China for an official visit. Lopez Miera arrived in Beijing from Vietnam, where he paid a one-week visit aimed at exchanging experiences between the armed forces of Cuba and Vietnam.
Cuban vice-president said in June 2001 the foreign debts of the poorest countries must be cancelled, military budgets slashed, and ending patent protection for the pharmaceuticals firms who enrich themselves in the AIDS industry.
Cuba offered in the United Nations to provide four thousand medical doctors and other health workers to create, in the poorest nations and with the highest incidence of AIDS, the infrastructure necessary to combat the disease.
Some 40,000 Havana residents from the municipalities of Plaza, Old Havana, Centro Havana and Cerro filled the historic location to demonstrate solidarity with the patriots unjustly accused of espionage, when in reality they were combating the Miami terrorism tolerated by U.S. authorities. The Miami Five case has caused Cuban and international protests continuously. The matter has been especially visible in 2002 -2003.
In July 2001 a German commercial delegation visited Cuba. According to the delegation good preconditions for useful mutual trade exist. Germany and also the UN see Cuba´s future promising.
In July 2001 the US president Bush ordered toughened enforcement of long-standing sanctions against Cuba, against all previous promises. Pope John Paul II condemned again the US blockade on Cuba
In July 2001 Haiti's president Jean Betrand Aristide classified Cuba's scientific development as exceptional. The Haitian leader visited the National Center of Agricultural Health, accompanied by the Cuban Minister of Higher Education, Fernando Vecino Alegret.
About 10 percent of the Cuban population marched in the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana on July 24th, 2001 in the Caribbean island's largest anti-American protest. A communique released said 1.2 million Cubans, from a total population of 11 million, were mobilized to take part in the protest against the aggressions and crimes of imperialism against Cuba.
In the end of July 2001 people in Vieques voted for USA´s ousting. The result was absolute clear. People want to oust USA. Unfortunately, these polls do not have judicial signifigance.
Cuban President Fidel Castro asserted in Venezuela that Latin America must integrate, or it will be disintegrated. Fidel was speaking at the inauguration of a joint Venezuela-Brazil electricity project.
Belgian Foreign Minister visited Cuba in the end of August 2001. Topic of discussions was to develope commercial and political relations between Cuba and the EU. This visit was starting point for normalization of relations between Cuba and the EU. USA remains once again outsider in one important international process.
In the end of August 2001 the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Luis Alfonso Davila, paid Cuba a three-days official visit designed to consolidate the already strong relations enjoyed between both nations.
In September 2001 Fidel Castro participated the anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa. The meeting condemned with strong words the US and Israeli aggressive politics. The US did dared not participate the conference.
In September 2001 Fidel Castro condmened in his strong speech the attack in USA and mourned the civil victims. Cuba officially condemns all type of terrorism. This statement refers also to USA, who has terrorized mankind for decades. Cuba warns for the new absurd war.
In September 2001 Cuba officially announced that it expetcs the anti-terrorist acts to concern also terrorism against Cuba from the US territory.
In October, after the beginning of the US/UK strikes on Afhganistan, Cuba called this military measure a mass murder.
Cuban President Fidel Castro said the United States has shown no proof of who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks against New York and Washington.
In November 2001 Fidel Castro addressed his speech to all the world condemned strongly the US/UK attack on Afghanistan. He reminded mankind of the previous unscrupulous US violations of internationl laws and human rights againsts Cuba and against many countries and nations. They fill no doubt the criteria of the concept "terrorism".
The top Chinese lawmaker Li Peng visited Cuba in the beginning of November 2001.
China promised essential aid for Cuba because of the damages caused by the hurricane in November.
In the end of 2001 co-operation between several US companies and Cuba were established in spite of US governmental embargo politics. The first US commercial vessel arrived Cuba in the middle of December 2001.
Cuban President Fidel Castro participated in December 2001 in Venezuela the 3rd Summit of the Association of Caribbean States. The Cuban leader was one of the 18 dignitaries to attend the summit, held on Venezuela's Margarita Island.
Both Fidel Castro and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez have warned for US attempts for power hegemony in Latin America.
In January 2002 the US provoked Cuba intentionally by shipping captured Afghan people to Guantanamo.
The President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce praised in January 2002 the exceptionally good results obtained by that institution in 2001 in the organization of international fairs, exhibitions and business missions to Cuba.
Among many other countries Cuba has strongly condemned the absurd threatenings by the US president against Iraq, Iran and the DPRK.
In February 2002 Cuba took the role of peacemaker in the Colombian issue. Almost 40 years after Fidel Castro's Colombian disciples trained here for an armed uprising, the Andean rebels returned to Cuba-- this time enmeshed in a prickly peace process with their government.
In 2000 - 2003 the international political and economic weight of Cuba has grown. In addition to Argentine, Venezuelan, Brazilian, Equadorian, Colombian and other Latin American countries´ issues, there will be remarkable conferences and discussions on world politics and economy in Cuba.
Fidel Castro called on universities to devise solutions to global problems. He is supported widely. In February 2002 the Ecuadorian University awarded president Castro honorary dergee.
In February 2002 China expressed her interest in increasing investments in Cuba.
A report in February 2002. According to the UNICEF report -- using figures gathered at the closeof the year 2000 -- Cuba was in sixth place with a mortality rate ofseven deaths for every 1000 live births. Observers pointed out thatlast year's infant mortality rate dropped to a record low of 6.2 -- placing Cuba in the top three nations of the world.
Additionally, in spring 2002 the high standard of general health care in Cuba was noted by the UN officials.
There was a special conflict between Cuba and USA in March 2002. A group of men drove by a hijacked bus to the Mexican embassy in Havana. Cuba said the men responded to an "invitation to assault the embassy" by a U.S. government-funded radio station, Radio Marti. The obvious reason was an attempt to worsen Cuban-Mexican good mutual relations.
In March 2002 the governments of Cuba and Belgium signed a cooperation agreement among universities of both countries.
In an interview published in March 21st 2002 edition of the Mexican daily La Jornada Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon expressed his confidence that the struggle against neo-liberal globalization will grow stronger and take on new allies.
Mexico, UN summit, March 21, 2002. Cuban President Fidel Castro ridiculed efforts by rich nations to reduce global poverty, saying they were masters of a "genocidal" economic system that condemns billions to misery and deprivation.
In April 2002 a US court convicted a Canadian national for selling water purification supplies to Cuban hospitals, in what is being called the first case of its kind. This is and intentional US provocation against Cuba.
In April 2002 the human rights were up in the UNHRC in Geneve. In addition to Cuba also other Latin American countries condemned the hypocritical US views on the human rights. The countries aslo emphasized the blackcmail-style monetary US politics on poor countries.
Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh visited officially Cuba in April 2002.
The Chinese military delegation visited Cuba in April 2002. The visitors were scheduled to tour Cuban military units and places of historic, economic and cultural interest.
In 2002 - 2003 the absurd US terrorist hunt has threatened still more seriously also Cuba.
Former US President Jimmy Carter's visit to Cuba in May 12th, 2002 did not ignite the hope for change among Miami's Cuban-Americans. However, Jimmy Carter has criticized the US politics on Cuba with strong words.
In May 2002 the US tried to force Cuba to accept "mass destruction weapons inspections" like it has been in Iraq. This type of an idiotic provocation ruined also rest of the credibility of the corresponding pretexts for hostilities in Iraq.
By the US manipulated commercial embargo still extended by the US goverment, all the absurd accusations against Cuba and involvement into internal issues of the independent Cuba wake up only disgust against the US all around the world. Has George W. Bush lost rest of his mind?
Millions of Cubans took to the streets across the island on June 12th, 2002 to ratify the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution and its political system. The mobilization was in support of a petition to Cuba's National Assembly from the island's mass organizations, calling on lawmakers to present a constitutional referendum asserting that Cuba's economic, social and political system is untouchable.
In June 2002 Cuban President Fidel Castro warned he might sever his country's limited diplomatic relations with the United States in a speech Wednesday before the nationalassembly.
Zimbabwe´s President Robert G. Mugabe arrived Cuba in the middle of July 2002.
On July 26, 2002, is the 49th anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban Revolution, when Fidel and a few companeros attacked the Moncada garrison in 1953. The National Day of the Rebellion is Cuba's main and most important holiday.
The president of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, said in July 2002 that US President George W. Bush was "ignorant but not crazy,". This means that Bush is responsible for his doings.
The U.S. House of Representatives in July 2002 voted to end the Cuba travel ban. The Senate followed.
According to a Cuban government report sent to General Secretary of the U.N., Kofi Annan, the damage inflicted on Cuba by the U.S. blockade now exceeds 70 billion USD. The report, which was released here on August 16, 2002, characterizes the damage as "political genocide".
The 20th Havana International Trade Fair & Partagas 157th Anniversary was held in Cuba November 3 - November 9, 2002. Some 200 U.S. companies participated the trade fair. The commercial embargo will be gradually ruined.
In August 2002 Cubans began to restore the Soviet/Russian radar station with modern high-tech.
Cuba participated the sustainable developement summit in Johannesburg in August-September 2002. Cuba´s main thema was health care. Cuba made four different environment protection proposals. Additionally, Cuba brought in daylight world´s dangerous inequality with its social and environmental consequences.
In September 2002 Cuba warned the UN about the possible war against Iraq. That kind of an attack would destroy the UN, said Cuban foreign minister Felipe Perez Roque. Whether the attack had acceptance by the Security Council or not, many countries would resing the UN.
September 23, 2002 - Over 240 American companies, representing 31 states plus Puerto Rico, and over 700 U.S. business people gathered in Havana, Cuba for the "U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition." This historic event will be the largest single gathering of American companies and business people in Cuba since the United States imposed an economic embargo on Cuba over four decades ago.
The first commercial agreements between Cuba and U.S. companies were undersigned in September 2002, immediately after the Agribusiness Exhibition.
In October 2002 new commercial agreements have been signed especially on biotech between Cuba and US companies and between Cuba and Malaysia..
In October 2002 former US President and this year's Nobel Peace Prizewinner, Jimmy Carter, once again criticized Washington's policies toward Cuba. Carter told reporters in the U.S. capital on Monday that the United States should end its 40-year-old economic blockade against the island.
Eelections for delegates to the municipal assemblies were held in Cuba on October 20th 2002. The principal political lines created by the government were fully contributed.
Prime minister of the Vietnam Socialist Republic visited Cuba on the turn of October- November 2002. In this connection a wide trade agreement was tied between the two countries.
In November 2002 Canada said it had put relations with Cuba back on track, three years after freezing.
In November 2002 Cuba asked the U.S. to show proof of the absurd accusations of Cuban "bioweapons"
The Havana international trade fair in November 2002 was participated by more the 1500 enterprises from different countries all over the world.
The Gambian health minister visited Cuba in November 2002.
In November 2002 Cuban President Fidel Castro met in Havana with Ecuadorian President Gustavo Noboa and Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Cándido Muatetema Rivas.
More than 1000 delegates from a number of regional countries attended the 2nd Hemispheric Encounter to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which was held in Havana in the end of November 2002.
The Ibero-American Summit was be a success. According to Havana's ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Omar Córdoba, authorities are working hard to make sure everything will go smoothly when the heads of state and representatives from 21 Latin American countries, Spain and Portugal met on 15th November 2002.
In November 2002 for the first time since becoming a member of the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) 17 years ago, Cuba was elected to the regional body's Executive Committee.
In November 2002 Cuba obtained another record vote against the US's economic blockade of the island in consecutive United Nations General Assembly deliberations. 173 members of the most representative UN body voted against the blockade. Only the United States with its vasal states Israel and the Marshal Islands voted against.
In November 2002 Cuba and Ecuador signed a number of bilateral cooperation agreements.
In 2002 - 2003 the fate of the five unlegally prisoned Cubans in Miami worsens further the Cuba - US relations. This may be the very intention of the US authorities.
A light aircraft was hijacked from Cuba to USA in November 2002. The U.S, who speaks of resisting air terrorism, did not even imprison the hijacker.
In the end of November 2002 nearly 1000 delegates from 41 countries attended the 2nd Hemispheric Encounter to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Cuban President Fidel Castro opposed the FTAA with strong words.
In the turn of November - December 2002 Fidel Castro visited Equador.
Talks between the delegations of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) took place in Havana on Dec. 3, 2002.
In the Caribbean states´ summit in December 2002 Fidel Castro emphasized that the only way to successfully confront the difficulties affecting regional economies is through Caribbean unity.
In December 28 2002 The Russian Federation's Association of Communist Youth demanded the immediate release of five Cuban political prisoners, unjustly incarcerated in the United States.
In the beginning of January 2003 Cuban President Fidel Castro visited Brazil where he attended the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The cooperation between Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela strenghtens.
The Governor of the Brazilian State of Acre arrived on January 10th, 2003 at Havana's International Airport, where he was welcomed by the island's Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation.
Cuban President Fidel Castro met in Havana with visiting Chinese Trade and Economic Cooperation Minister Shi Guangsheng on Januar 13th, 2003. Cuba and China signed an economic agreement for the year 2003.
In January 2003 President Fidel Castro visited Equador for inauguration of President-Elect Lucio Gutiérrez.
In the elections for nominations of candidates for Provincial and National Assemblies on January 19th, 2003 the support for Fidel Castro and the prevailing system was in practice unanimous.
Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón met in January 2003 with the visiting Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, Seyoum Mesfin. Since his arrival in Havana over the weekend, the Ethiopian foreign minister has met with Cuban government officials from the island's health and education ministries.
In February 2003 Cuba and France signed several bilateral cooperation agreements in the areas of health, education and agriculture.
Cuba developes its international activities. Cuba sent 87 Doctors to Zambia in February 2003.
With more than 1000 delegates from nearly 30 countries around the world, the 5th International Conference on Globalization and the Problems of Development opened in Havana on February 10th, 2003. Participants at the special conference analyzed economic and financial issues dealing with development.
In February 2003 Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón met in Havana with a visiting legislative delegation from Peru. The delegation is made up of ten legislators and members of the parliament's Peru-Cuba Friendship Association.
In February 2003 Cuba and Lebanon signed a mutual economic co-operation agreement.
In February 2003 Fidel Castro visited Malaysia, where he attended the 13th Summit of Non-Aligned Nations in Kuala Lumpur. In the summit he hold a strong speech against the US imperialism and war.
In February 2003 Cuban president Fidel Castro Ruz visited also Vietnam. In Vietnam Fidel got exceptionally visible welcome ceremony.
In the turn of February - March 2003 Cuban president Fidel Castro visted Beijing. He had constructive talks on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern with President Jiang Zemin and Party leader Hu Jintao.
Cuban President Fidel Castro arrived in Tokyo on a three-day visit on March 3nd, 2003 after his tour of China where he completed a full agenda of political meetings and cultural activities.
On March 4th, 2993 the World Federation of Democratic Youth began its 16th general assembly in Havana, and is expected to issue a strong anti-war statement.
On the basis of elections in March 2003 Fidel Castro will be Cuba´s president for the next five years.
The Miami Five issue has become still more important for the Cuba-USA relations and for international handlings. In march 2003 the State Duma, the Russian parliament's lower house, made an alarmed appeal to the US Congress for the release of five Cubans unjustly incarcerated in the United States. The appeal was jointly launched by the Communist and Liberal Democratic parliamentary groups.
The European Union opened a new office in Havana on March 11th, 2003 in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by EU Development Commissioner Poul Nielson and Cuban Foreign Minister, Felipe Pérez Roque.
In March 2003 Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque visited Guatemala heading the island's delegation to the 2nd Cuba-Guatemala Bi-national Meeting to analyze the current state of relations in areas such as culture, education, health and cooperation.
In March 2003 Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Guerra Menchero conferred in Iran First Vice Speaker Behzad Nabavi on issues of mutual interest.
Senior officials of Communist Party of Vietnam visited Cuba in March 2003.
Hijacking of a Cuban airliner to Key West in March 2003 will obviously again worsen the relations between Cuba and USA.
In March 2003, after the US/UK attack on Iraq completely ignoring the UN/UNSC, Fidel Castro stated that this situation means the end of the United Nations.
In March 2003 a Cuban military delegation visited South Africa at the invitation of the South African National Defense Force.
In a joint statement in March 2003 Russia and Cuba demand for immediate halt of the war on Iraq.
In the end of March 2003 Cuban foreign affairs minister Felipe Perez Roque visited both Armenia and Ukraine for discussions for mutual co-operation and common worldwide political interests.
Minsk, 29 March: "Cuba and Belarus have similar approaches to the realities and problems of international relations," Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhey Martynaw said on 29 March during a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque.The delegation of the Cuban Foreign Ministry came to Belarus on 28 March for a four-day visit.
April 2nd, 2003. As a result of public denunciation and numerous messages of protest,the Government of Washington decided to put an end to the arbitrary solitary confinement that it had imposed to Gerardo Hernández, René González, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González, and to place them again in the general penal population, although maintaining against them several completely discriminatory restrictions.
Another passenger aircraft was hijacked from Cuba to US on April 2003.Cuban government officials said that the handling by the United States of the earlier hijacking prompted the second one. "This act is the immediate fruit of the encouragement give aircraft hijackers with the unthinkable conduct of the U.S. authorities," said an article in Granma, the government-run newspaper in Cuba.
Hijacking of a ferry in the beginning of April 2003 was the third hijacking in 15 days. However, in this case hijackers gave up their attempt to reach the United States at dawn and surrendered to Cuban authorities who returned the boat to port. The three hijackers were sentenced to death and they were excuted.
A Vietnamese parliamentary delegation, headed by Ngo Anh Dung, Vice President of the Foreign Relations Commission of Viet Nam's Parliament, visited Havana on the beginning of April 2003 for a three-day working visit.
Around 170 Cuban representatives participated in Caracas the First Cuba-Venezuela Youth Festival in April 2003.
In April 2003 the issue of Cuban "human rights" was again up in the UNHRC in Geneve. Cuba and almost all the countries on the other side, USA with its few lackeys on the other side.
The US propaganda concerning Cuban "dissidents" in 2003 means that the US is planning for military activities against Cuba by that pretext.
Of course, "dissidents" have been punished in Cuba according to the Cuban criminal code for their concrete deeds against the socialist state. Dissidents are not convicted on the basis of their opinions.
On April 30th, 2003 Cuba was re-elected as a member-nation of the UN Human Rights Commission.
Workers´ May 1st was celebrated in Cuba in 2003 with strong speeches against against imperialism.
Representatives from more than 120 trade union organizations from 47 countries gathered on May 2nd 2003, in Havana for a one-day solidarity meeting. Cuban President Fidel Castro was on hand for the gathering, which was held at Havana's International Convention Center.
5 May 2003. Cuba hosted international conference on Marxist doctrine. Some 200 delegates held in Havana a conference on "Karl Marx's work and the challenges of the 21st century," to mark the 185th anniversary of the German philosopher's birth.
On May 7th, 2003 Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque, visiting the independent Arab emirate of Bahrain, said that a US war against Cuba would last 100 years.
In May 2003 high-ranking officials from the Cuban and Syrian governments signed agreements in the areas of foreign trade and economic cooperation.
In May 2003, one week after announcing the Call to the conscience of the world - that proclaims Cuba's right to self-determination, to defend its sovereignty and live in peace - some 1,687 intellectuals, professionals and public figures from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia have signed their names in support of the document.
On May12th, 2003 Cuba and Venezuela signed a number of cooperation agreements in the areas of finance and health care. Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Marta Lomas, signed the accords with her Venezuelan counterpart.
The U.S. expelled in may 2003 14 Cuban diplomats without any reasons but to show U.S. government´s provocatory bad will.
On May 26th, 2003 the South African Communist Party has ratified its solidarity with Cuba during a plenary session of the party's Central Committee.
In May 2003 Fidel Castro visited Argentina to meet the new president.
Cuba and Equatorial Guinea concluded the Fifth Inter-governmental Mixed Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technological Collaboration in Havana on May 30th, 2003.
In June 2003 the EU joined the U.S. propaganda chorus about the "human rights sitation" in Cuba. At the same time USA continues torturing prisoners in Guantanamo.
A special newspaper format publication was circulated in Havana ton June 9th, 2003 containing 407,188 signatures of intellectuals and personalities from different countries. The paper is a public declaration in support of Cuba, asking the United States to respect the island's sovereignty.
In June 2003 Cuba participated together with Venezuela and Guatemala the anti-imperialist seminar in Bolivia. The seminar was targeted agaist the FTAA.
In the Organization of American States Cuba has achieved a remakable status as the organization has told the US not to be any kind of a master any more. In June 2003 USA was given membership of the human right comission of the OAS.
In june 2003 over one million people marched this morning past the Spanish and Italian embassies in the Cuban capital to protest the provocations and blackmail of their governments along with the European Union. Led by Cuban President Fidel Castro at the Embassy of Spain in downtown Havana and Minister of the Armed Forces Raúl Castro at the Italian Embassy on the other side of the Cuban capital, a sea of people marched for nearly three hours, waving Cuban flags and carrying banners denouncing the European Union.
India's State Minister for International Affairs Shri Digvijay Singh visited Havana in June 2003 invited by his Cuban counterpart Felipe Pérez Roque.
In June 2003 Fidel Castro accepted an invitation to visit India.
An opening ceremony of a Month of the Anti-U.S. Joint Struggle (June 25-July 27) was held in Cuba on June 20th, 2003 . Chairman of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's reunification Juan Jose Leon, addressing the ceremony, said that the Korean people are marking the 50th anniversary of their victory in the war in which they defeated the U.S. styling itself a "superpower" and achieved a historic victory under the wise guidance of President Kim Il Sung.
In the end of June 2003 Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
On July 3rd, 2003 Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
In the beginning of July 2003 South Africa and Cuba signed a co-operation agreement in Pretoria for the mining and energy sectors. At the same time plan for pharmacy co-operation between Cuba and Namibia was published.
In July 2003 a high-level delegation from the Chinese Communist Party visited the Cuban capital. Cuban Communist Party Political Bureau Member José Balaguer met the delegation at José Martí International Airport Sunday evening.
In July 2003 Cuba sent hundrers of health workers to Botswana and medical doctors to Venezuela.
In spite of all negative efforts by the U.S. regime, the first US-flag commercial vessel since 1961 harbored Cuba in July 2003.
A Cuban surveying boat with 27 people on board was hijacked on July 15th, 2003 and eventually entered Bahamian waters. A Cuban government statement, which was released by the Interior Ministry Tuesday, blamed the latest hijacking on the United States, which grants special treatment to Cubans who reach the US soil.
Cuba celebrated the 50th anniversary of beginning of the Revolution in July 2003.
The vice president of Ecuador, Alfredo Palacio González, visited Havana in the end of July 2003.
On August 5th, 2003 the President of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Nguyen Van An, met in Havana with Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque, as well as his Cuban counterpart Ricardo Alarcón.
Fidel Castro attended inauguration of president of Paraguay in August 2003.
In August 2003 Cuba and Russia undersigned an agreement for maintaining Cuban Soviet vehicles.
August 27th, 2003. Cuban President Fidel Castro attended the opening of the 6th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which got underway in the Cuban capital. Havana was host to this major summit on the issue of drought and soil erosion, with the confirmed attendance of at least 20 heads of State or government.
On September 3rd, 2003 the third meeting of the Working Party for bilateral cooperation between Cuba and Brazil has concluded with agreements on tourism, production of sugarcane by-products and support of local economies.
Cuban and Venezuelan education ministers, Luis Ignacio Gómez and Aristobulo Isturiz, respectively, were the center of attention at the 13th Ibero-American Conference of Education Ministers in Bolivia in the early September 2003. The meeting is in preparation for the 13th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, slated for Santa Cruz in November 2003.
A high-ranking military delegation from China met with Cuban army officers and other officials in September 2003 in Cuba as the two countries seek to deepen their military links, according to a government report.
The Minister of Foreign Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Niger visited Cuba in September 2003.
September 2003. Brazil's state owned oil company Petrõleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) plans to resume oil exploration activities in Cuba.
In September 2003 a delegation of Cuban Communist Party led by Mr. Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera, Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba visited PDR Laos.
September 2003. In a letter sent to Republican state legislator David Rivera, the U.S. Under Secretary for National Security, Condoleezza Rice, openly admitted that the arrest on September 10, 1998 of the five Cuban patriots and anti-terrorism fighters was aimed at satisfyingCuban-American mafia leaders.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Cuba capital in September 2003 for a two-day official visit to the island. The Brazil and Cuba inked a large co-operation agreement.
September 30, 2003. In statements made by a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Cuba has been acknowledged as one of the few countries in the world that is very serious about fighting poverty and hunger as an active partner of the FAO's Food Security Program.
III World Congress on law and information technology was held in Cuba from September 29 to October 3, 2003.
In October 2003 Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque flatly denied that Havana is developing biological weapons, as alleged by U.S. government officials.
In October 2003 representatives from Cuba and Malaysia met in Havana to discuss future business arrangements and investments between the two countries.
In October 2003 Cuba and Tanzania signed cooperation agreements.
The Argentine foreign minister, Rafael Bielsa visited Havana in October 2003. The two countries inked normal diplomatic relations.
In October 2003 in an effort to improve his re-election hopes among Cuban exiles in Florida next year, George W. Bush vowed to impose tougher sanctions on Cuba.
In October 2003 US President was in dilemma over Senate vote to lift travel restrictions to Cuba. Barely two weeks after his White House comments promising to go after any US resident traveling without permission to Cuba, George W Bush is in trouble over his insistence on maintaining Washington's travel ban to the island.
In the turn of October-November 2003 the 3rd Latin American and Caribbean Social Sciences Conference was held in the Cuban capital, with workshops and lectures presented by leading intellectuals from around the world.
November 2003. Nearly 1300 companies from 49 countries were taking part in the 21st International Trade Fair (FIVAV 2003) in the Cuban capital. According to Abraham Maciques, president of the event's organizing committee, despite pressure from the United States and the European Union, more and more foreign companies have signed on to the Caribbean's largest commercial fair.
Cuba won a crushing victory on November 4th, 2003 at the United Nations General Assembly, when the vast majority of the international community voted in support of the island's annual resolution to end Washington's economic blockade.
In Novemver 2003 Cuba and Turkey held in Havana their 5th Joint Cooperation, Economic and Commercial Commission in what was considered a further step towards strengthening bilateral relations.
A region free of nuclear weapons is not impossible while the United States has naval bases in Puerto Rico, emphasized the 18th Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Organization for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (OPANAL) in Havana in November 2003.
On November 12th 2003 Cuba and Angola signed an agreement in the area of geological-mining.The accord was reached after three days of meetings in the Cuban capital.
In November 2003 Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage visited Bolivia where he led the island's delegation to the 13th Ibero-American Summit.
November 14th, 2003. The first Joint Commission Cuba-Sudan was concluded with the signing of five bilateral agreements between the two countries.
The 1st International Conference on Energy and the Environment concluded in the eastern Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba on November 18th, 2003.
In November 2003 Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Fernando Remírez de Estenoz visited Russia to strengthen inter-ministerial contacts and bilateral relations between Havana and Moscow.
Delegation of the Communist party of Turkey visited Cuba in November 2003 by invitation of the Communist Party of Cuba.
A delegation of Workers´ Party of Belgium visited Cuba in December 2003.
Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro said on Decmeber 7th, 2003 that should United States invade Cuba its forces would pay a far heavier price than the U.S. troops occupying Iraq.
In December 2003 the 10th Session of the Inter-Governmental Joint Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical Collaboration was held in Havana. The meeting was designed to strengthen economic links between Cuba and the Republic of Laos.
Geneva, December 11th, 2003. Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón addressed the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva -- calling for an end to poverty and hunger before establishing an information society.
In December 2003 the U.N. gave special statement on Cuba´s good progress in national economy.
In December 2003 President Fidel Castro visited Venezuela to talk co-operation with his biggest regional ally Hugo Chavez at a time when the Venezuelan president is facing a campaign by foes to vote him out of`office.
In December 2003 Cuba and Argentina signed in Havana new agreements in the field of education. Argentina's Education, Science and Technology Minister, Daniel Filmus signed the accords with his Cuban counterpart, Luis Ignacio Gómez.
The President of the Colombian Senate, Germán Vargas, ended a successful visit to Cuba on December 29th, 2003. Speaking with reporters in Havana, Vargas said he felt his visit had been very productive.
On December 31st 2003 Cuba announced to be willing to help USA in its fight against mad cow disease by sending scientists and experts to lend hand to U.S. health officials.
January 1st 2004 marked the 45th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. On New Year's Day 1959, the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista fell and the Rebel Army, led by Fidel Castro, advanced toward Havana. Many other countries, among them especially the DPRK and Vietnam paid attention to this event by embassy visits and congratulationary messages.
January 13th, 2004. During a speech delivered at the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico -- and with U.S. President George W. Bush looking on -- the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said that thanks to Cuba's help, one million people have learned to read and write over the past six months. He also noted that Cuban medical assistance offers treatment to more than 10 million of Venezuela's 23 million people.
In January 2004 the President of the Cypriot Parliament, Demetrio Chirstofias, carried out four-day visit to Cuba and met last night with his Cuban counterpart, Ricardo Alarcón.
The Third Hemispheric Meeting against the Free Trade Area of the Americas began on Janury 26th, 2004 in the Cuban capital. The four-day conference brought together over one thousand delegates from a network of social movements known as the Continental Social Alliance. All South and Central American countries are represented at the forum, along with Canada and the United States. The anti-FTAA meeting concluded with promises of continued resistance.
On January 30th, 2004 the II Meeting of Foreign Ministers at the Latin America-East Asia Forum (FOCALAE) took place today Friday in the Philippine capital Manila. Cuba was represented by Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque at the meeting that aims to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two regions in areas of trade, investment, environmental protection, culture, sports and tourism.
February 2nd, 2004. Nearly 2000 delegates from Cuba and 70 other countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America gathered in Havana for the Fourth International Congress Universidad 2004.
In February 2004 the Zambian ministry of health informed about establishing a Zambian-Cuban joint practival project in order to produce anti-HIV medicines for suffering Zambian people. The UN, USA and the EU have not done anything but chatting for the exceptionally serious Zambian HIV-problem. Cuba does not speak. It acts. The Cuban Farko -company begins its operation in Zambia in spring 2004.
The 6th International Meeting of Economists: Globalization and the Problems of Development, was held in February 2004 at Havana's International Convention Center. More than 1300 delegates from 43 countries were taking part in this important economic forum.
On February 13th, 2004 a new group of Cuban medical doctors left for Paraguay in order to join their colleagues already working in that South American country.
February 2004. Cuba attended the First World Meeting for Peace and International Security, which was held in Mexico. The meeting was s sponsored by the Autonomous University of Puebla and the Metropolitan Academy Foundation.
In February 2004 Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque visited both Paraguay and Argentina.
March 2nd, 2004. Kenya and Cuba have stated their interest in strengthening cooperation ties at the Second Inter-governmental Joint Commission, currently taking place in Havana.
March 3 - 10 2004 FM of West Sahara, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, visited Havana visited by his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Pérez Roque.
Zimbabwean - Cuban cooperation activities against imperialism was boosted in a joint meeting in Harere in March 2004.
An Ethiopian delegation visited Cuba in March 2004.
On March 6th, 2004 Viet Nam and Cuba held official talks, as part of the visit by Viet Nam's Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh. President Castro formally received Duc Manh at Havana's Palace of the Revolution.
In March 2004 Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón accused Washington of promoting illegal migration from the island in an attempt to justify a military invasion.
March 2004. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque in Geneva attended the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Belize's Foreign and Defense Minister, Godfrey Smith carried out an offivcial visit to Cuba in the end of March 2004.
The Provincial Governor of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine Anatoly Zasuja visited Cuba in the ens of March 2004 on the invitation of Havana provincial leaders for top-level talks on economic co-operation and solidarity.
March 31st - April 4th 2004. The Angolan Foreign Minister, Joao Bernardo de Miranda, carried out a five-day official visit to Cuba by praising the historic links between the two nations.
A conference for universal ecudation and ethics for children and teens was held in Cuba in April 2004.
April 14th, 2004. In spite of U.S. government´s hostile politics against all mutual co-operation, moving to cement trade ties with U.S. business, Cuba agreed to buy $13 million in food from American companies, including one from North Carolina, and reached a tentative deal for up to $10 million in farm goods from California.
The "human rights issue" was once again up in Geneve in April 2004. As usual, the U.S. manipulated decisions against Cuba. Speaking in Havana, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque described as positive the results of the vote today in the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, where - despite tremendous pressures and threats - only a one vote margin allowed the approval of a US-drafted resolution censuring Cuba.
Parliamentary delegation of Kenya visited Kuba in the end of April 2004.
April 26th, 2004. President Fidel Castro held official talks in Havana with the prime minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit. The visiting Caribbean head of state was leading his country's delegation to the Third Dominica-Cuba Mixed Commission.
In early May 2004 an international Marx-conference war held in Havana.
In early May 2004 Bush began a new absurd political and economical offensive against Cuba.
May 14th, 2004. A massive sea of people flooded through the streets of the Cuban capital marching on the US Interests Section to protest the latest brutal measures against Cuba adopted by Washington.
On May 19th, 2004 Cuban President Fidel Castro met with visiting Chinese Communist Party leader Wang Jiarui in Havana. During the meeting, both expressed their interest in continuing to develop fraternal bilateral relations between Havana and Beijing.
June 15th, 2004. Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Raúl de la Nuez denounced the continuing poverty and injustice plaguing countries of the South. Addressing delegates to the 11th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development -- in Sao Paulo, Brazil -- the Cuban representative noted that 40 years after the creation of the UN agency, the world is actually in worse shape.
On June 20th, 2004 Fidel Castro sent a letter to George W. Bush in order to warn the U.S. for any kind of military activities against Cuba.
June 2004. Sam Nujoma, the president of the Republic of Namibia, visited Cuba on at an invitation of his Cuban counterpart, Fidel Castro.
In the early July 2004 several U.S. private persons and Cuba-solidarity organizations denied to obey Bush´s travel ban to Cuba. The U.S. Pastors for Peace participated this operation. The protest caravan arrived Cuba on Julky 10th, 2004.
On July 8th, 2004 the U.S. House of Representavives rejected Bush´s further restrictions against Cuba.
July 16, 2004 The first meeting of Cuba-CARICOM foreign ministers was held in Havanna. The meeting is viewed as an important step in strengthening bilateral ties. CARICOM delegates strongly condemned the US blockade of Cuba and Washington's latest restrictions on travel to the island that have provoked outrage in the Cuban-American community in the United States.
July 19th, 2004. Cuban foreign minister, Felipe Perez Roque, announced that by July 26, relations with Mexico will be reestablished at ambassador level, with which bilateral links return to normal.
July 27th, 2004. Cuban President Fidel Castro took aim at US President George W. Bush: "We do not fear your enormous power nor your dangerous and cowardly threats against Cuba!"
July 31st, 2004. Julian R. Hunter, President of the 58th UN General Assembly session concluded a three day official visit to Cuba. During his stay, Hunter held talks with Cuban Foreign Affairs officials on reforms and revitalization of the UN that is suffering from a lack of credibility due to the unilateralism of western powers, particularly the United States.
August 1st, 2004. Almost all U.S. Cubans had to leave Cuba because of Bush´s idiotic travel restrictions. The restrictions do not damage Cuban self-supporting directed economy essentially but they split families.
August 4th, 2004. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning visited Havana on an unofficial visit where he nevertheless faces a busy agenda.
On August 20th, 2004 Brazil proposed the Rio-group to accept Cuba as a member of the 19-nations Latin America group.
August 23rd, 2004. Cuba rejected the U.S. government's offer of $50,000 in post-hurricane aid, calling the gesture hypocritical, and the amount humiliating.
August 25th, 2004. The Argentinean House of Deputies has created a Friendship with Cuba Committee aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the parliaments of both nations and promoting activities in the fields of health and foreign trade.
August 26th, 2004. Cuba severed diplomatic ties with Panama in anger at its outgoing leader pardoning four Cuban exiles imprisoned for plotting to kill President Fidel Castro in 2000.
September 4th, 2004. Cuban Health Minister, José Ramón Balaguer, met with Bai Enpei, member of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee who arrived in Havana at the invitation of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC).
September 18th, 2004. The Cuban minister for the 12th session of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-governmental Co-operation Committee, briefed FM Nien on the results of the session, saying many co-operation agreements in economy, commerce, science and technology have been reached.
September 23rd, 2004. A delegation from Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) visited Vietnam. Invited to observe the current session of the Vietnamese Homeland Front Congress, the CDR delegation also met with members of parliament and the government.
Joint Venezuelan-Cuban cooperation comission held its meeting in Havana September 22nd -26th, 2004.
September 25th, 2004. The 8th Cuba-Ukraine Intergovernmental Joint Commission wound up in Havana with the signing of new cooperation agreements between the two sides.
September 25th, 2004. Chinese President Hu Jintao said that China maintains an unswerving policy of strengthening relations with Cuba, and that his country will not change that policy regardless of what happens on the international scene.
September 25th - 30th, 2004 Zambia's Foreign Minister, Kalombo T. Mwansa carried out an official visit to Cuba at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Pérez Roque.
September 28th, 2004. Russia - Cuba. The visit of Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov to Cuba was devoted to development of trade and economic relations between the two countries.
October 1st, 2004. Cuban President Fidel Castro met with his counterpart from the African nation of Djibouti, President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
October 1st, 2004. The Cuban President Fidel Castro led celebrations in Havana for the 55th anniversary of the creation of the People's Republic of China, in a gala attended by the Chinese Ambassador and top Cuban officials and personalities.
On October 6th, 2004 Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jesus Arnaldo Pérez began an official visit to Cuba on at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart Felipe Pérez Roque.The Venezuelan Foreign Minister led a delegation participated in the 9th Meeting of Political Consultation. between both countries. This meeting also included an evaluation of current bilateral relations and interchange on the main issues affecting the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
October 6th, 2004. Seychelles Foreign Minister Emile Patrick Heremie Bonnelame visited an officially to Cuba at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart Felipe Pérez Roque.
October 2004. At the invitation of the Cuban National Assembly, Palestinian Vice President Tassyr Quba visitied Cuba.
October 2004. Chinese parliamentarian delegation visited Cuba.
October 2004. The president of Botswana's Parliament, Ray Molomo, carried out a one-week visit in Havana at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart, Ricardo Alarcón.
October 22nd, 2004. Cuba once again denounced Washington's dangerous use of military aircraft to transmit illegal television signals to the island. During a meeting of a UN General Assembly commission on information, Cuban diplomat Rodney López referred to the use of C-130 military transport planes, equipped with broadcast transmitters, to direct the signals of TV Martí.
Under the slogan "Education and Social Justice," the 12th World Congress of Comparative Educational Societies was held in the Cuban capital October 25th - 29th, 2004.
The Lao Revolutionary Party Delegation (LRPD), headed by Member of Central Party Committee Mr Chaleun Yearpaoher, visited October the Republic of Cuba in response to the invitation from the High Degree School of Cuba Communist Party (HDSCC).
On October 25th, 2004 President Fidel Castro announced that after November 8th, 2004 U.S. dollar is not any more legal currency for buying goods or services in Cuba. After November 15th Cuban Peso will be a convertible currency.
In October 2004 Belarus' Foreign Minister Serguei Martinov visited Cuba.
On October 28th, 2004 the UN voted for lifting commercial embargo against Cuba. As usual, only USA, Israel Marshal Islands and Palau (population 20000) voted against the lifting resolution.
November 1st - 7th, 2004. Havana's 22nd International Trade Fair -- FIHAV 2004 -- were held in the Cuban capital with more than 1000 companies from some 45 countries. More than 400 Cuban companies from different economic sectors displayed their products at the annual fair.
November 7th, 2004. Cuban President Fidel Castro received personally in Havana his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez.
November 18th, 2004. The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Pastor Micha Ondó Bile, begun an official visit to the island at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Pérez Roque.
November 19th, 2004. Cuba participated the 14th Ibero-American summit in Costa Rica.
In November 2004 DPRK military delegation visited Cuba.
November 21st, 2004. Iran is to carry out two industrial projects to supply water and electricity to Cuba.
November 22nd - 24th, 2004 Chinese President Hu Jintao visited to Cuba, invited by his Cuban counterpart, Fidel Castro. During his two-day visit, the Chinese president attended the 1st Cuba-China Investment and Trade Forum and signed important agreements on education, telecommunications, mining and agriculture.
November 24th, 2004. The Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived in Havana for a three day visit during which he was decorated with the José Martí Order, the highest honour awarded by the Cuban government.
December 1st, 2004. The Minister of the Economy of Guatemala, Mario Cuevas Quesada, wrapped up an official visit to the island. During his three-day stay, the Guatemalan official met with Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Raúl de la Nuez and Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister Marta Lomas to review bilateral trade relations.
December 4th, 2004. Members of Cuba's Young Communist League, UJC, enjoyed a gala opening last night of their 8th Congress. The lively opening ceremony which featured popular musicians and colorful dancing, was held in Havana's Karl Marx theater.
December, 2004. The Foreign Minister of Guinea, Mamady Conde visted Cuba. He characterized bilateral relations with Cuba as excellent and added that his country will never stop expressing its solidarity with the Cuban people and government.
December 14th - 15th, 2004. The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez visited Havana for an official and friendly visit, at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. After spending the day in talks, both leaders announced in Havana that they intended to challenge the US sponsored Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by signing an agreement on that will be a formal call to the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean to integrate, creating a viable alternative to what they both see as the rapacious FTAA. An agreement between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Cuba was signed in this connection.
In December 2004 large military maneuvers were held in Cuba in order to warn Mr. George W. Bush.
In the end of 2004 a new oil deposit was found off the coast of Santa Cruz del Norte, east of Havana, during an exploratory drilling. The production at the site could begin during 2006.
In spite of all obstacles and problems Cuba achieved good results in social developement and production in 2004. GNP grew 5%. Even tourism increased 7.6% in spite of U.S. restriction efforts. In the end of 2004 visions for 2005 were good.
In January 2005 the recently worsened relations between Cuba and the EU were normalized by re-establishing the relations with most of EU-countries.
In January 2005 Cuban vice president visited Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Qatar.
In January 2005 Cuba and China agreed to lift aviation cooperation on higher level.
In January 2005 Rwanda's Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Minister, Charles Murigande, was on an official visit to Cuba to foster bilateral relations.
In January 2005 also Algerian, Angolan and Guinea-Bissau´s delegations visited Cuba, as well as a scientist group from Canada.
January 2005. Representatives of the international department of the Chinese Communist Party visited Cuba.
On January 31st, 2005 Cuba and China signed an oil cooperation agreement, China will begin to exploit oil wells at Cuban west coast and to invest to refining activities.
February 2nd, 2005. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, began an official two-day visit to Brazil at the invitation of his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim.
February 2005. Ecuadorian education minister Roberto Passailaigue visisted Havana.
February 2005. The prime minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit was in Havana on a working visit. Skerrit is also Minister of Finances, Planification and Caribbean Affairs.
February 26th - 27th, 2005. The 10th National Solidarity with Cuba Meeting, already rated as historic for the high number of participants was held in Mexico City.
March 1st, 2005. A large crowd holding Cuban flags and banners reading "Long Live Cuba", "Long Live Fidel", welcomed Cuba's foreign minister Felipe Perez Roque,to Montevideo to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Uruguay´s President, Tabaré Vazquez.
March 2005. A delegation of the Cuban Young Communists League (UJC), led by its first secretary Julio Martinez, conducted a working visit to Vietnam after fulfilling a similar commitment in Malaysia.
March 2005. Cuban Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas visited Beijing to attend the 17th Cuba-China Intergovernmental Commission for bilateral trade and economic bonds.
March 16th, 2005. Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque addressed the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) to respond to new US political manoeuvres against his country.
March 22nd, 2005. Cuba and Burundi signed in Havana a foreign relations cooperation agreement that establishes permanent mechanisms for consultation and exchanges at the highest political and diplomatic levels.
March 24th, 2005, The President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon received in Havana Vietnam´s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang and discussed bilateral relations. During his visit, the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister met with the head of the International Relations Department of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, Fernando Remirez Estenoz. Le Van Bang travelled to the island heading a delegation from the Asian nation to participate in the annual inter ministerial meetings between both nations. The Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister also participated in the recently concluded G-77 meeting.
The conference "Latin America on 21st century" was held in Cuba in the end of March 2005. Among othres also a Russian delegation participated the meeting.
April 2005. Some 400 Venezuelan delegates and a large Cuban delegation attended a Mutual Friendship and Solidarity meeting in Caracas, Venezuela.
April 9th, 2005. Cuban Convertible Peso accord came into effect. The 8 percent revaluation of the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) to the American dollar and other foreign currencies came into effect following an agreement by the Central Bank´s Monetary Policy Committee.
In April 2005 a Cuban delegation led by Vice President Raul Castro visited China, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia.
In April 2005 the UNHRC passed again with a small poll majority the resolution against Cuba. At the same time, however, the EU and the U.S. drove themselves into an awkward situation because of Cuba´s claim to put the U.S.-led Guantanamo prison under investigation on its human rights situation..
In April 2005 a Cuban Party delegation visited Mosambique.
In April 2005 the U.S. gave de facto asylum in Miami for an internationally known terrorist, Posada Carriles .
In the end of April 2005 an anti-FTAA meeting was arranged in Havana.
In the turn of April - May 2005 a Venezuelan commercial fair was held in Havana. In this connection Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
May 2005. Cuba's Foreign Ministry and his Iranian counterpart signed an accord in Havana aimed atstrengthening bilateral ties.
May 14th, 2004. Cuban president Fidel Castro, received in Havana Jia Qiglin, president of the National Committee of the Political Consulting Conference of the Chinese People.
Cuban and Mozambican governments took a new step towards strengthening relations during the 15th Intergovernmental Joint Commission from May 25 to 27 in Havana.
In the turn of May June 2005 an international anti-terrorism conference was held in Havana.
In the early June 2005 a Chinese military delegation visited Cuba.
In the turn of June - July 2005 the 2nd Symposium on infectious diseases, vaccines, immunology and molecular biology, among other issues was held inthe 14th International Scientific Congress (CNIC 2005).
In July 2005 the hurricane Dennis caused serious damages in Cuba. Yet Cubans started quick and efficient rebuilding activities immediately. Cubans said "no way" to the formal hypocritical monetary aid offer by the U.S.
July 2005. Pastors for Peace religious foundation leader Lucius Walter conveyed a special greeting to Cuban President Fidel Castro, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the attack on Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes barracks.
In August 2005 the Atlanta appeal court granted a new trial for the five Cuban political prisoners. Their verdicts were reversed.
In August 2005 Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez visisted Cuba.
September 2005. Cuba offered medical aid to USA for victims of the Katrina disaster.
September 2005. President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
President of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, carried out an official visit to Cuba, at an invitation of President of Cuba Fidel Castro.
September 2005. A Vietnamese science and educational delegation visited Cuba.
September 2005. A DPRK delegation visited Cuba.
September 2005. Havana and Beijing signed sister city pact.
October 2005. Cuba and Vietnam signed large commercial and scientific joint projects for the year 2006.
October 2005.To facilitate academic, cultural and scientific exchange, Cuba and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation at the end of the 1st Meeting on University Deans between the two nations.
October 2005. Nigerian governmental delegation visited Havana.
October 2005. President of Mali visited Havana.
November 2005. Russia condemned with strong words U.S. commercial blockade against Cuba.
November 2005. A high-ranking Chinese military delegation visited in Cuba for an official visit during which they will reviewed Cuban troops and seek to strengthen military ties.
November 2005, Cuba and the DPRK inked in Havana commercial cooperation agreement for the year 2006. At the same time Prensa Latina´s delegation visited Pyongyang.
November 2005. The UN voted 182 - 4 against the commercial blockade against Cuba.
November 2005. Cooperation agreement with Uruguay was inked. Additionally, Cuba´s relations with Paraguay and Panama were normalized in connection of the drive to Latin American integration against the failed US-led FTAA-efforts.
December 2005. The conference of World Federation of Trade Unions was held in Havana.
December 2005. The sixth intergovernmental meeting of Cuba and Belarus was held in Havana.
December 2005. Cuba and the Caribbean Community decided in Bridgetown to work together as an effective strategy to handle sustainable development and the well-being of their people.
December 2005. A high-level Chinese delegation visited Cuba.
December 2005. The newly elected Bolivian President Evo Morales visited Cuba.
Turn of 2005/2006 . General of the Army Raúl Castro Ruz, minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, received General of the Army Yuri Nicolaevich Baluyevsky,first substitute of the Ministry of Defense and head of the General Staff of the Russian Federation.
January 2006. Congo's Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism Jean Claude Gakosso visited Cuba and signed an exchange and cooperation agreement.
January 2006. China´s Supreme Soviet delegation visited Cuba.
January 2006. Uruguay´s social minister, general secretary of Communist Party of Uruguay, visited Cuba.
February 2006. Guyana´s president visited Cuba.
February 2006. The Cuban FM visited South Africa and Namibia.
February 2006. Cuba and Iran ratified in Tehran a mutual good-will agreement.
February 2006. A high level Chinese delegation visited Cuba.
February 2006. A high-level Swiss delegation of scientists was in Havana attending the Fifth International Conference on Higher Education "University 2006."
February 2006. In a meeting, Ricardo Alarcon, president of the Cuban parliament and his Iranian counterpart Gholam Ali Haddad Adel analyzed new approaches to cooperation between the two countries.
March 2006. Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong met in Hanoi with Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a special envoy of President Fidel Castro. Ruiz presented a letter by President Fidel Castro inviting Luong to attend the 14th conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Havana in September 2006.
March 2006. A Finnish agricultural parliamentary delegation visited Cuba.
March 2006. Cuba and Uzbekistan inked diplomatic and cooperation relations agreement.
March 2006. A special envoy of Leader of Libyan Revolution Muammar Al-Qathafi met with president Fidel Castro in Havana.
March 2006. Gambia´s Foreign Minister Lamin Kabba Bajo visited Cuba on an invitation from his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque.
April 2006. Venezuelan-Cuban interparliamentary meeting was held in Havana.
April 2006. Cuba and Malaysia boosted their scientific and technical cooperation.
April 2006. Cuba and Ghana inked a healthcare cooperation agreement.
April 2006. The President-elect of Haiti Rene Preval visited Cuba.¨
April 2006. A high level Belarussian delegation visited Cuba.
Turn of April - May 2006. Presidents of Bolivia and Venezuela visited Cuba. Bolivia joined the ALBA.
May 2006. Cuba and the DPRK inked on high party level a coperation agreement.
May 2006. Under the deal signed with Cuba's state-owned Cuba Petroleo (Cupet),Spanish operator Repsol will have a 40-percent share in the project, while Norsk Hydro and Indian ONGC Videsh will each have 30 percent.
June 2006. A Cuban commercial delegation visited Byelorussia.
June 2006. A Cuban Party delegation visted Syria.
June 2006. Nearly one hundred deputies of the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) met in Havana to examine key issues of common concern in Latin America and the Caribbean.
June 2006. Cuba began its work in the new UN Human Rights Council.
June 2006. A DPRK governmental delegation visted Cuba.
July 2006. A Cuban Party delegation visisted Democratic People´s Republic of Laos.
July 2006. Belarusian Defence Minister visited Cuba.
August 2006. Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage visited Colombia.
August 2006. Algerian youth and sports minister visited Cuba.
August 2006. During Fidel Castro´s illness Raul Castro took the presidency.
August 2006. Vietnam granted Cuba special status in foreign trade.
September 2006. The 14th summit of Non-Aligned Countries Movement (NAM) was held in Havana September 11th - 16th. The amount of participating countries was a record, 114 states were represented. Cuba got presidency of the NAM.
September 2006. A Namibian governmental delegation visited Cuba.
September 2006. Russian PM Mikhail Fradkov and his delegation visted Cuba. Russia granted Cuba a remarkable loan.
October 2006. An Ethiopian governmental delegation visited Cuba.
Ocober 2006. FIHAV 2006 -Trade fair was carried out in Havana succesfully in spite of the U.S. government´s furious attempts to set obstacles.
October 2006. Guatemalan president Stein visited Cuba.
October-December 2006. Cuba participated together with Venezuela wide-ranged developement projects in Bolivia.
November 2006. A so far record, 183 U.N. member states voted for lifting blockade against Cuba
November 2006. A high level Zanzibar delegation visited Havana.
November 2006. Cuba and Guyana inked a large-ranged coopreation agreement.
November 2006. Fidel Castro´s 80th birthday was celebrated. Castro himself did not participate but he send an ecouraging message to Cubans and other progressive people.
In their New Year speeches on December 31st, 2006 both president Fidel Castro and president Hu Jintao highlighted the common goals of Cuba and China in world politics.
In 2007 it seemed obvious that Fidel Castro is not coming back to power. However, the political power in Cuba will remain in the hands of the communist party.
January 2007. Panamian President visited Cuba.
January 2007. Guinea Bissau Prime Minister Aristides Gomes visited to Cuba leading a delegation that attended the 13th bilateral session of the Inter-Government Joint Commission.
In the turn of January-February 2007 a delegation of Communist Party of China visited Cuba.
February 2007. A Venezuelan military delegation visited Cuba.
Social priority in the massive use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) at the service of peoples focused the 12th Informatics Convention 2007 in Havanna February 12-16.
February 2007. Indian Prime minister Anand Sharman visited Cuba.
February 2007. A Swiss parliamentary delegation visited Cuba.
March 2007, A high-level Chinese military delegation visited Cuba.
March 2007. Chinese-Cuban intergovernmental delegation meeting was held in Havana.
April 2007. Cuba´s proposal for new methods in the Human Rights Council was adopted in council´s meeting in Geneva. In this new council the U.S. could not arrange the farce it had fabricated before.
April 2007. Cuban Vice Foreign Minister visted Syria.
April 2007. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratino visited Cuba. In this connection Cuba and Spain achieved good results in order to develope further bilateral ties.
April 2007. Cuban Foreign Minister Perez Roque visited Vietnam and China.
April 2007. A high-level Laotian delegation visited Cuba.
April 2007. Senior Chinese Communist Party official Wu Guanzheng met in Havana with Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz on further promoting bilateral cooperation.
May 2007. Cuba started health care cooperation projects both with Panama and Nicaragua.
May 2007. A governmental DPRK delegation visited Cuba.
May 2007. Cuba participated the Social Forum held in Buenos Aires.
May 2007. The Chinese Defence Minister visited Cuba.
May 2007. Gambia President visited Cuba.
May 2007. A Singapore governmental delegation visited Cuba.
May 2007. A DPRK foreign ministry delegation visited Cuba.
May 2007. Cuba appealed to the UN bodies to protest U.S. decision to free notorious terrorist Posada Carriles.
May 2007. A Cuban governmental commercial-technical delegation visited Moscow.
June 2007. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister visited Serbia.
June 2007. A Vietnamese delegation led by General Secretary of Communist party of Vietnam visited Cuba.
June 2007. A Cuban legislative delegation visted China, Vietnam and Laos.
June 2007. Bolivian president Evo Morales visited Cuba.
June 2007. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez met with president Fidel Castro in Havana.
June 2007. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega visited Cuba.
June 2007. Botswana Vice-president visited Cuba.
June 2007. Defence delegation of Guinea-Bissau visted Cuba.
June 2007. An Angolan military delegation visited Cuba.
June 2007. The UN Human Rights Council removed unanimously from the human rights "black list".
June 2007. A delegation of Chinese Communist Youth League visted Cuba.
July 2007. A delegation of Communist Party of Cuba visited Angola.
July 2007. The ALBA -countries Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua started a large project of establishing joint ventures.
July 2007. Cuba and Iran inked a large commercial agreement.
September 2007. Cuba chaired foreign minister meeting of Non-Aligned Countries Movement in Tehran.
September 2007. A high level Ugandan delegation visted Cuba.
September 2007. Zimbabwe Vice President Joyce Teurai Ropa Mujuru visited Cuba.
September 2007. Mali Prime Minister visted Cuba.
September 2007. Alpha Konare, the Chair of the African Union visited Cuba.
September 2007. Myanmar foreign minister visited Cuba.
September 2007. Angolan President visited Cuba.
September 2007. Cuban FM walked out from the U.N. 62nd assembly when hearing arrogant and mediocre speech by Mr. Bush.
October 2007. Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira visited Cuba to enhance bilateral ties.
October 2007. The President of the Republic of Honduras, Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, visited Havana for an official visit at the invitation of the Cuban government.
October 2007. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
October 2007. Seychelles Foreign Minister visited Cuba.
October 2007. Fidel Castro met with Hugo Chavez in Havana.
October 2007. Foreign trade minister of Belize visited Havana.
October 2007. King Letsie III, Head of State of the Kingdom of Lesotho visited Cuba.
October 2007. Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo visited Cuba.
October 2007. The U.N. General Assembly voted once more by overwhelming majority for lifting the blockade against Cuba.
November 2007. Commercial forum of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Havana.
November 2007. Minister of basic industry of Cuba visited China and Vietnam.
November 2007. Panamian vice president visited Cuba.
November 2007. Cuba participated the 17th Ibero-American summit in Chile.
November 2007. Cuba and Ecuador signed cultural cooperation agreement.
December 2007. Cuba and Brazil agreed to start cooperation on science and technology.
December 2007. Cuba and Cambodia signed agreements on economy, science and production.
December 2007. A Finnish University study Group arrived in Cuba.
December 2007. President Fidel Castro announced to give up his position. However, he is going to participate the political decisionmaking.
December 2007. The Petrocaribe Cienfuegos oil refinery started production in Cuba. In this connection Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro met in Havana.
December 2007. Palestine President´s special envoy visited Cuba.
January 2008. An Indian parliamentary delegation visited Cuba.
January 2008. The president of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, visited Cuba. Brazil signed a deal with Cuba to begin exploring its potentially oil-rich waters in the Gulf of Mexico in exchange for a multimillion-dollar aid program.
January 2008. The turn in general elections was exceptionally high, 96%.
January 2008. Cuba and Bengal signed economic coopereation agreement.
January 2008. Cuba and Algeria signed economic cooperation agreement.
February 2008. A governmental delegation of Guatemala visited Cuba.
February 2008. Julio Martinez, first secretary of the Cuban Young Communists League (UJC), visited Belarus.
February 2008. President of Ecuatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo visited Cuba.
February 2008. Vice President of Ghana visited Cuba.
February 2008. China opened three TV-channels in Cuba.
February 2008. Foreign Minister of Benin visted Cuba.
February 2008. Foreign Minister of Congo visted Cuba.
February 2008. Foreign Minister of Vatican visted Cuba.
February 2008. Fidel Castro retired.
February 2008. Cuba´s National Peoples Power Assembly elected Raul Castro Ruz as president of the Cuban Council of State for the next five years.
February 2008. Cuban government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas visited Belarus.
February 2008. Vatican´s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone visited Cuba.
March 2008. Ecuadorian President visited Cuba.
March 2008. Mozambique President visited Cuba.
March 2008. Cuba and Bolivia signed a negotiations protocol to enlarge and deepen the Accord for Economic Complementation between the two countries.
March 2008. Venezuela President Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
March 2008. A high-ranking delegation of Communist Party of Cuba visited China.
March 2008. Cuba and Belarus agreed on large-scale political and economical cooperation.
April 2008. Cuba-Russia joint inter-governmental commission held its eight session in Havana.
April 2008. A North Korean delegation visited Havana.
April 2008. Cuba participated the Expo 2008 -fair in Vietnam.
April 2008. The secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS),Guatemalan Luis Fernando Andrade, met with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque in Havana.
May 2008. Panamanian president and a Panamanian commercial delegation visited Cuba.
May 2008. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, visited Cuba.
May 2008. A delegation of Libyan foreign ministry visited Cuba.
May 2008. Karl Marx -conference was held in Havana.
May 2008. Jamaican Prime Minister viisted Cuba.
May 2008. Foreign Minister of East Timor visited Cuba.
May 2008. A delegation of Communist Party of Sudan visited Cuba.
May 2008. Prime Minister of Antigua y Barbuda visited Havana.
May 2008. A Cuban commercial delegation visited India.
May 2008. A Cuban commercial delegation visited Russia.
May 2008. International Congress on Justice and Law was held in Havana.
May 2008. Bolivian President Evo Morales visited Cuba.
May 2008. Venezuelan foreign ministery delegation visited Cuba.
May 2008. Brazil Foreign Minister with a commercial delegation visited Cuba.
June 2008. Cuba and Dominican Republic signed a large bilateral commercial cooperation agreement.
June 2008. Cuba participated the FAO food meeting in Rome as an active subject.
June 2008. Jamaica Foreign Minister visted Cuba.
June 2008. A decision was made for an underwater cable to connect Venezuela and Cuba. When ready, Cuba is not any more depending on North American telecommunications systems.
June 2008. A delegation of Communist Party of Vietnam visited Cuba.
June 2008. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
June 2008. A high level Uruguay delegation visited Cuba.
June 2008. The EU lifted diplomatic sanctions against Cuba.
June 2008. Cuban Foreign Minister represented the NAM-organization in Egypt in the 11th summit of African Union.
July 2008. Nicaraguan business delegation visited Cuba.
July 2008. Etiopian government delegation visited Cuba.
July 2008. Syrian information minister visited Cuba.
July 2008. Cuba and Equadorian Guinea began health cooperation.
July 2008. Cuban President Raul Castro met with South Africa Presidency Minister Esoop Pahad, with whom he talked on issues of common interest.
July 2008. The governments of Cuba and Chile held the Fourth Meeting of the intergovernmental joint commission.
August 2008. Tanzanian Vice President visted Cuba.
August 2008. A Cuban governmental delegation visited China.
August 2008. South African Foreign Minister visited Cuba.
August 2008. Cuban Vice President visited Honduras.
September 2008. East Timor President visited Cuba.
September 2008. Hurricanes caused damages in Cuba. However, with all the aid from other countries of Latin America Cuba recovered quickly.
September 2008. Cuba sent a group of teachers to Nicaragua to promote literacy campaign.
September 2008. Delegations of Pacific island states visted Cuba.
September 2008. Cyprus Foreign Minister visited Cuba.
October 2008. Cuban Foreign Minister visited Spain.
October 2008. Cuban Foreign Minister visited France.
October 2008. Cuban Foreign Minister visited Mexico.
October 2008. A high level Vietnamese delegation visited Cuba.
October 2008. Cuban President met with a EU Commissioner in Havana.
October 2008. The UN General Assembly approved once more lifting of the U.S. blockade on Cuba.
October 2008. Brazil President visited Cuba.
November 2008. A high level Laotian political delegation visited Cuba.
November 2008. 1423 enterprises from 56 countries participated the Havanna International Fair (FIHAV-2008).
November 2008. Cuban Foreign Minister visited Russia.
November 2008. Foreign Minister of Ethiopia visited Cuba.
November 2008. Foreign Minister of the Republic of Guinea visited Cuba.
November 2008. Cuba became member of the Latin American and Caribbean cooperation organization Rio Group.
Delegations of Lesotho and Equatorial Guinea met with Cuban officials.
November 2008. Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Cuba.
November 2008. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Cuba. Several cooperation plans were agreed between the two countries.
December 2008. CARICOM-summit was held in Santiago de Cuba.
December 2008. Cuban President Raul Castro visited Venezuela.
December 2008. A Russian navy squadron visited Havana.
December 2008. President Raul Castro visited Brazil in conncetion with his participation in the large Latin American and Caribbean Developement and Integration Summit.
The 60th anniversary of Cuban Revolution was widely feted around the globe on January 1st, 2009.
January 2009. Panamian president visited Cuba.
January 2009. Ecuadorian president visited Cuba.
January 2009. Special envoy of Iranian president visited Cuba.
January 2009. A high ranking political and commercial Argentinean delegation visted Cuba.
January 2009. Cap Verde Prime Minister visited Cuba.
January 2009. President Cristina Fernandez visited Cuba.
January 2009. Cuban president Raul Castro visited Russia. Important bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries.
February 2009. Cuban president Raul Castro visited Angola.
February 2009. Cuban president Raul Castro visited Algeria.
February 2009. Chilean president visted Cuba.
February 2009. Namibia president visited Cuba.
February 2009. Guatemala president visited Cuba.
February 2009. A delegation of Mozambique national assembly visited Cuba.
February 2009 Irish Foreign Minister visited Cuba.
February 2009. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
March 2009. Dominican governmental delegation visted Cuba.
March 2009. Haitian governmental delegation visted Cuba.
March 2009. Honduran President visited Cuba.
Marcn 2009. The 11th Globalization and Development Conference was held in Havana.
March 2009. Cuban Workers Federation's General Secretary Salvador Valdes Mesa represented Cuba in the Third Presidential Council of the World Union Federation in Cyprus.
March 2009. Ugandan parliamentary delegation visited Cuba.
March 2009. Both El Salvador and Costa Rica decided to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.
April 2009. Nicaraguan President visited Cuba.
April 2009. An U.S. Congress delegation visited Cuba in order to ease travel restrictions.
April 2009. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez visited Cuba.
April 2009. Cuba participated the 19th International Trade Fair in Vietnam.
May 2009. A governmental delegation of DPRK led by Foreing Minister Pak Ui Chun visited Cuba.
May 2009 Laotian governmental delegation visited Cuba.
May 2009. Cuban governmental delegation visited Nigeria, Botswana and South Africa.
May 2009. Barbados Prime Minister visited Cuba.
June 2009. Diplomatic relations with Cuba and El Salvador were renewed.
June 2009. Cuban delegations visited Honduras and Grenada.
June 2009. Paraguayan President visited Cuba.
June 2009. A Cuban governmental delegation visited Algeria.
June 2009. The Organization of American States agreed to accept again Cuba´s membership. Cuba was not too interested.
June 2009. Bolivian President Evo Morales visited Cuba.
June 2009. The Supreme Court of the U.S. refused to handle the "Cuban Five" case. This scandalous judicial incident was widely noted and protested all over the world.
July 2009. President of Sahara, who is also General Secretary of the Polisario Front, visited Cuba.
July 2009. A delegation led by President Raul Castro visited Algeria.
July 2009. The Cuban delegation participated the 15th Summit of Non-Aligned Countries Movement in Egypt.
July 2009. Raul Castri visited Angola
July 2009. Raul Castro visited Namibia.
August 2009. In the session of Cuban National Assembly Raul Castro assured continuation of socialist developemets in Cuba.
August 2009. Cuban President visited Ecuador.
September 2009. Cuban Foreign Minister visted China.
September 2009. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo visited Cuba.
September 2009. Cuban Foreign Minister visited the DPRK.
September 2009. Cuba ratified its solid revolution with or without the U.S. blockade.
September 2009. Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet visited Cuba.
September 2009. President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias visited Cuba.
September 2009. President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas visited Cuba.
September 2009. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika visited Cuba.
October 2009. 2009 Mali´s President Amadou Toumani Toure visited Cuba.
October 2009. Lesothon Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili visited Cuba..
October 2009. A delegation of the Cuban Insitute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) visited Syria.
October 2009. Prime Minster of Guinea Bissau visited Cuba.
October 2009. A delegation of Communist Party of Israel visited Cuba.
October 2009. Spanish Foreign Minister visited Cuba.
October 2009. The United Nations voted again (187-3) to condemn the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. For the 18th consecutive year, the General Assembly passed this resolution with nearly universal support.
KOMINFORM
The new Constitution guarantees socialism.