Cuba reports on blockade damages in advance of UN vote

Cuba has published a report outlining the extensive damages caused by the US blockade during the last year in advance of the annual United Nations General Assembly vote on 1 November.

Education, health, sports, culture, industrial development, tourism, food and information and communications technology continue to be some of the sectors most affected by the aggressive US policy which has cost the island $US1.3 trillion since it was imposed 55 years ago.

This Report, presented by Cuba every year as a prelude to the UN vote on the resolution, also exposes the widespread condemnation of the blockade within US society and the international community, and the Cuban people’s demand for an immediate end to the failed policy.

• Read the full story from Granma here.
• Download a copy of the report here.

Cuba Solidarity Campaign slams Trump decision to expel diplomats

Cuba solidarity campaigners have accused US President Donald Trump of pandering to hard-line Republicans by expelling Cuban diplomats from its Washington embassy.

Britain’s Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) spoke out after the US government ordered Havana to cut staff at the embassy by 60 per cent.

Trump’s drastic move follows bizarre claims that at least 21 US embassy staff in Havana — mainly spies operating under diplomatic cover — were made ill by “sonic attacks” starting in November last year, days after US President Donald Trump’s election.

CSC Director Rob Miller stressed that Cuba had denied involvement in the alleged attacks — and the US had not yet explicitly blamed Havana for the mysterious high-pitched noises reported.

• Read the full story from the Morning Star.

Further reading:

• Cuba responds to US expulsion of diplomats: MINREX Statement.
• TeleSUR: ‘Cuba denounces US Move to Expel Embassy Officials.
• Watch: CSC’s Rob Miller responds to Trump’s Cuban diplomat expulsions on TRT.

Fifty years gone but Che’s legacy lives on

Half a century ago, on October 9 1967, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, was assassinated by Mario Terán, a Bolivian army officer, following orders from the CIA. The Argentinian-born Cuban revolutionary hero died leading a guerrilla struggle against the US-backed Bolivian military regime of Rene Barrientos, eight years after playing a leading role in the Cuban revolution.

The enduring legacy of the Cuban revolution has been at the heart of the longevity of Che’s legend.

It has delivered sovereignty, dignity and independence to the Cuban people, with achievements including free and universal healthcare, education and social care, despite all the difficulties imposed by the US blockade.

• Read the full Morning Star feature.

Dates for your diary :– Aleida Guevara Tour, Cuban MPs meeting and Latin America 2017

We have a packed winter schedule with the nationwide Che Guevara Anniversary Tour with Che’s daughter, Aleida, and a special parliamentary meeting with Cuban MPs in November, plus the 12th annual Latin America Conference in December.

Please check event details to ensure you register for tickets with plenty of time.

Che Guevara Anniversary Tour with Che’s daughter, Aleida Guevara

Monday 6 November – Belfast – 7.00pm
First Presbyterian Church in Rosemary Street, BT1 1QB.
Contact lyndaernest@btinternet.com for more information.

Tuesday 7 November – Denbigh – 7.30pm
Denbigh Town Hall, Denbigh, North Wales, LL16 3TB.
Reserve places in advance by writing to gales2007-compras@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 8 November – Manchester – 6.30pm
The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD.

Thursday 9 November – Sheffield – Doors 6.30pm/7pm start
The Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, S1 2EW.

Friday 10 November – London – 6pm
UCL Medical Sciences Building,
Room 131 AV Hill Lecture Theatre, Malet Place, WC1E 7JG
Register in advance at >http://bit.ly/CheUCL

Saturday 11 November – Glasgow – 4pm – 6.30pm
Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign Rally
Contact scottishcuba@yahoo.co.uk
STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, G3 6NG

• Click here for full tour details.

Elections and the role of MPs in Cuba

Tuesday 28 November – House of Commons – 6.30pm

A high level Cuban parliamentary delegation will visit their counterparts in the British parliament in November as part of an exchange visit co-ordinated by the Inter Parliamentary Union. The six National Assembly members make up the largest ever delegation from the Cuban parliament to the UK, and the visit falls just before important general elections are due to take place in Cuba in early 2018.

CSC in association with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba will host a public meeting with the MPs about their work and elections in Cuba.

Place are limited so please register in advance to attend by emailing campaigns@cuba-solidarity.org.uk or call Ollie Hopkins on 0207 490 5715.

• Find out more here.

Latin America Conference 2017

Saturday 2 December – 10am-5pm Registration from 9.15am
Congress House, London

With countries across Latin America facing a resurgent right and the threat of external intervention from Trump, this year’s Latin America Conference will be the most crucial yet. More than 50 speakers representing progressive movements and governments from across Latin America, and politicians, journalists, trade unionists and campaigners from Britain and around the world will take part in plenary and workshop sessions throughout the day.

• Find out more and book your tickets here today.