Cuba Caught in Crossroads as Castro Turns 83

<div align="justify"> On Wednesday, the U.S.-based religious group Pastors for Peace - an anti-embargo organization - released several photos on their Web site of Castro taken, they said, just 13 days ago. Several members of the group, including Harlem Rev. Lucius Walker met with Castro on August 1 in Havana. </div> Read More

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U.S. Easing the Cuba Travel Ban

<div align="justify"> After eight years of cultural freeze, it seems the ice is thawing between the United States and Cuba. In the coming months, a major Hispanic musician from Miami and a New York orchestra are planning to perform in Cuba, an apparent reversal of the Bush administration policy of isolating the island regime. A sudden surge of Cuban performers are coming here as well. </div> Read More

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Cuba: Castro Celebrates His 83rd Birthday with an Essay

<div align="justify"> Castro spent his birthday out of the public eye but with an essay on the global economic crisis, climate change and immigration. In it, he criticized the American president and the leaders of Canada and Mexico for failing to resolve problems affecting Mexican immigration to the United States and Canada's decision to impose new visa requirements on Mexicans. </div> Read More

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It's Time to Lift Restrictions to Cuba and Drop the Failed Policies of the Past

<div align="justify"> I spent four days in Havana last month with six other chiefs to U.S. senators from both political parties as a guest of the Center for Democracy in the Americas, a non-governmental organization advocating improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba. </div> Read More

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Food Sales to Cuba Fell 15% in 2009 in U.S.

<div align="justify"> U.S. food exports to Cuba fell to $23.6 million in June from $45.3 million the previous month, according to figures released by the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a New York-based group monitoring trade between the two countries. </div> Read More

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