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Cuba

Quick Facts

Population:	11,346,000
Land area:	110,860 square Km
Capital:	Havana
Language(s):	Spanish
Local Currency:	Cuban peso convertible peso (CU
Exchange:	US$1.00 = 27 convertible pesos
UNDP Human Development Rank:	50 of 177
Life Expectancy:	77.3 yrs
Adult Literacy rate:	77.3 yrs
Official Government website:	http://www.cubagov.cu/

Government

President of the Council of State Fidel CASTRO Ruz
First Vice Pres. of the Council of State Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
Vice Pres. of the Council of State Juan ALMEIDA Bosque
Vice Pres. of the Council of State Abelardo COLOME Ibarra, Corps Gen.
Vice Pres. of the Council of State Carlos LAGE Davila
Vice Pres. of the Council of State Esteban LAZO Hernandez
Vice Pres. of the Council of State Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura
Min. Sec. of the Council of State Jose M. MIYAR Barruecos
Pres. of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz
First Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Osmani CIENFUEGOS Gorriaran
Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Jose Ramon FERNANDEZ Alvarez
Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Pedro MIRET Prieto
Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Otto RIVERO Torres
Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ Garcia
Sec. of the Council of Ministers Carlos LAGE Davila
Min. of Agriculture - María del Carmen Pérez Hernández
Min. of Auditing & Control - Maria PORTELA
Min. of Basic Industry - Yadira GARCIA Vera
Min. of Computer Science & Communication - Ramiro MENENDEZ
Min. of Construction - Fidel FIGUEROA de la Paz
Min. of Culture - Abel PRIETO Jimenez
Min. of Domestic Trade - Marino A. MURILLO Jorge
Min. of Economy & Planning - Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ Garcia
Min. of Education - Luis I. GOMEZ Gutierrez
Min. of Finance & Prices - Georgina BARREIRO Fajardo
Min. of the Fishing Industry - Alfredo LOPEZ Valdes
Min. of the Food Industry - Alejandro ROCA Iglesias
Min. of Foreign Investment & Economic Cooperation - Marta LOMAS Morales
Min. of Foreign Relations - Felipe PEREZ ROQUE
Min. of Foreign Trade - Raul DE LA NUEZ Ramirez
Min. of Higher Education - Fernando VECINO Alegret
Min. of Interior - Abelardo COLOME Ibarra, Corps Gen.
Min. of Iron, Steel and Engineering Industry - Fernando ACOSTA Santana
Min. of Justice - Roberto DIAZ Sotolongo
Min. of Labor & Social Security - Alfredo MORALES Cartaya
Min. of Light Industry - Estela M. DOMINGUES Ariosa
Min. of Public Health - Jose Ramon BALAGUER Cabrera
Min. of the Revolutionary Armed Forces - Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
Min. of Science, Technology, & Environment Mario BERMUDEZ
Min. of the Sugar Industry - Ulises ROSALES del Toro, Div. Gen.
Min. of Tourism - Manuel MARRERO Cruz
Min. of Transportation - Carlos Manuel PAZO Torrado
Min. Without Portfolio Ricardo CABRISAS Ruiz
Pres. Central Bank of Cuba - Francisco SOBERON Valdes
Attorney General - Juan ESCALONA Reguera
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York - Orlando REQUEIJO Gual

Public Holidays: Fixed official holidays are: Liberation Day (January 1); Victory of the Armed Forces (January 2); International Workers’ Day (May 1); Eve of Revolution Day (July 25); Anniversary of the Moncada Barracks Attack Day, Revolution Day (July 26); Revolution Day, 2nd Day (July 27); Commencement of Wars of Independence Day (October 10); Independence Day (December 10); and Christmas Day (December 25).

Economic Development

Economic Trends for 2007

According to the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2007-2008, in 2007 the Cuban economy posted GDP growth of 7.3%, with a similar growth rate in per
capita GDP, since population growth was almost nil. The overall fiscal deficit increased slightly, from the equivalent of 3.0% of GDP in 2006 to 3.1% in 2007. The rate of inflation rose by 2.8%, which was half the previous year’s rate (5.7%). The balance-of-payments current account showed a surplus equivalent to 0.8% of GDP.

Economic Policy for 2007

The main objective of economic policy in 2007 was to continue with efforts to reduce the imbalances built up during what is known as the “special period”. Specifically, the authorities maintained the medium-term objective of de-dollarizing the Cuban economy and creating the economic conditions for monetary unification

PERFORMANCE FOR 2006

Tourism and nickel production became Cuba’s mainstay for the successful growth year of 2006. Real GDP was measured at 12.6%, compared to last year’s 11.7%, and adding to the list of production in Cuba’s GDP, was the value of Social Services (which includes the introduction of modern technology in the health care centers and hospitals). The number of registered tourists grew to over 2 million in the year; plus, with active participation from Venezuela, Cuba yielded over 75,000 tons in the nickel sector. (Source: Cuban Economy 2006)

Current Account and Fiscal Operations

Cuba is a state-controlled economy with a small open market sector. The once long- time nucleus of Cuba’s foreign exchange (sugar and it by-products) is on the decline, and products such as nickel, tobacco, and pharmaceutical products are becoming gradually significant in the exporting culture. Sugar still remains a vital influence to the Cuban by-product and agricultural sector, and in attempt to contain the ever rollercoaster output of sugar, the Cuban government is seeking foreign investment in the sugar industry for the first time. According to Cuba profile for 2006, the depressed agricultural output of 2006, led to sharp increases in imports on agricultural goods.

In the paper "Assessing Fiscal Management and Central Banking in Cuba”, Jorge Lopez states that as of recent, Cuba has taken better control and management over their fiscal operations. In the mid-1990’s Cuba’s fiscal deficit stood at 30% of their GDP, but then dropped it to 4 ½% of GDP by 2004 and further decreased to 4% in 2006. These accomplishments must be applauded, yet, Mr. Lopez still regards the tax burden in Cuba to be terribly high (about 40% GDP in recent years). Further comments from Mr. Lopez suggest that Cuba could reduce the number of taxes, and widen the tax base; this effort would formulate a more efficient and equitable tax system.

Inflation and the Monetary Sector

Inflation in Cuba dropped from 7% in 2005 to 5% in 2006. This positive movement of steady price levels could be associated with the greater alignment between the official and unofficial exchange rates for the Cuban economy. Much of the economic inactivity in the early 90’s caused accelerated money creation and escalated inflationary pressures, which led to a decrease in the purchasing power of the Cuban peso. Subsequent to the lost of purchasing power, was the “dollarization” of the economy. According to an “Overview on the Cuba’s Economy in the 2000s”, this is a major impediment in terms of development for the ‘repressed’ economy. From an economic perspective, unifying the exchange rates of peso and dollar economies would be the essential goal, yet unification means devaluing the peso/dollar parity exchange and more importantly realigning Cuba’s structure of wages and salaries.

Industrial Development

U.S. – CUBA Energy Summit February 2-4 2006
In the last few years, Cuba has embarked on an ambitious program to develop its energy potential. While major problems remain with continuing blackouts caused mainly by out-dated infrastructure and hurricane damage, Cuba has begun deep water exploration in its part of the Gulf. Repsol of Spain recently announced it will conduct its second exploration but this time in cooperation with CNOOC of China, Norsk Hydro ASA of Norway, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. of India. In addition, Cuba announced a few months ago its first new discovery of oil since 1999 -a reserve of 100 million barrels 34 miles from Havana and Pebercan of Canada announced it will explore another potential reserve in the same area.
Source: US-Cuba Energy Summit

Social Development

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2006

Illicit Drugs Shipped Through Caribbean Nations to U.S., Europe
The report cites Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica as major transit points. As a result of their geographic location, many nations of the Caribbean are utilized as transit countries to shift cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs from South America to the United States, Europe and elsewhere, according to the U.S. State Department's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for 2006.
Source:U.S. Department of State

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2006 - CUBA

Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and movement continued to cause great concern. Nearly 70 prisoners of conscience remained in prison. The US embargo continued to have a negative effect on the enjoyment of the full range of human rights in Cuba. The economic situation deteriorated and the government attempted to suppress private entrepreneurship. More than 30 prisoners remained on death row; no one was executed.

Background
There were strikes and riots in January and April as a result of public anger over the economy. The government expressed a desire to change the Constitution in order to accept the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in Belize, replacing the Privy Council.

Prisoners of conscience
Prisoners of conscience continued to be arrested and sentenced for their peacefully held views. Some were released for health reasons. René Gómez Manzano and Julio César López Rodríguez were detained, along with several others, in the capital Havana after participating in a peaceful anti-government demonstration on 22 July. René Gómez Manzano, a member of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society, and eight others remained imprisoned awaiting trial. On 13 July around 20 people were detained while participating in a peaceful event in Havana. They were commemorating the “13 de Marzo” tugboat disaster of 1994, in which some 35 people were killed while attempting to flee Cuba when their boat was reportedly rammed by the Cuban authorities. Six remained in detention without charge and one was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for “peligrosidad predelictiva” defined as “a person’s special proclivity to commit offences as demonstrated by conduct that is manifestly contrary to the norms of socialist morality”. Prisoner of conscience Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández, sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in 2003, was conditionally released on health grounds on 1 December.

Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and movement

Human rights activists, political dissidents and trade unionists were harassed and intimidated. Such attacks were frequently perpetrated by quasi-official groups, the rapid-response brigades, allegedly acting in collusion with members of the security forces.

Freedom of expression and association continued to be under attack. All legal media outlets were under government control and independent media remained banned. Independent journalists faced intimidation, harassment and imprisonment for publishing articles outside Cuba. Human rights defenders also faced intimidation and politically motivated and arbitrary arrests.

The laws used to arrest and imprison journalists, relating to defamation, national security and disturbing public order, did not comply with international standards. According to the international NGO Reporters Without Borders, 24 journalists were imprisoned at the end of 2005.

Oscar Mario González Pérez, an independent journalist, was arrested on 22 July after covering a demonstration. He remained in prison without charge. Dissidents continued to face restrictions when attempting to travel abroad.

Miguel Sigler Amaya, a member of the unofficial Alternative Option Movement (Movimiento Independiente Opción Alternativa), was detained at Havana International Airport when he and his family were about to board a plane to the USA even though they had exit visas as political refugees. He and his family were released several days later and finally left Cuba on 5 October. Miguel Sigler Amaya’s brothers, Guido and Ariel, both prisoners of conscience, continued to serve sentences of 20 and 25 years respectively.

In December, representatives of Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco), a group of prisoners’ female relatives who had marched every Sunday since March 2003 demanding the release of their husbands, brothers and sons, were not given official permission to travel to attend the award ceremony in Strasbourg, France, to receive the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Source:Amnesty International