Cuba Update 14 February 2017

US Blockade against Cuba Still in Place 55 Years Later

February 2017 marks 55 years since the US blockade was imposed on Cuba.

Although diplomatic relations have been restored and some US travel restrictions have been relaxed, the bulk of the blockade legislation still remains in place. To mark the anniversary of the blockade, Telesur looks at how the blockade is still costing the island $4.7 billion annually and more that than $125.873 billion since it began 55 years ago.

• Read the full article from Telesur.
• Why a blockade and not an embargo – Granma article.

Cuba won't compromise sovereignty to normalise US relations

President Raúl Castro has told a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders that although Cuba was willing to continue building relations with the US, the Trump administration should not expect concessions over Cuban sovereignty.

Speaking at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in the Dominican Republic the Cuban President said: “Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live side by side in a civilized manner,” but the US “should not hope that to achieve this Cuba will make concessions inherent to its independence”.

• Read the full report from The Guardian.
• Read President Castro’s speech in full.

Medical brigade awarded WHO prize

The Executive Council of the World Health Organisation (WHO) awarded its Dr Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health to the Cuban medical brigade which responds to emergency and disaster situations.

The Henry Reeve Brigade which has provided medical and humanitarian aid following earthquakes and natural disasters around the world received the award in recognition of their work and the contribution of more than 250 Cuban health workers who volunteered in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak in 2014/15.

• Read the full report.

Greater maternity protection for working mothers

Maternity benefits have been extended to grandparents in Cuba in order to encourage a greater birth rate.

From now on women are also entitled to continue to receive their maternity benefit as well as their salary if they return to work before the child is a year old.

Cuba already allows both parents to take more than a year off from work at partial pay. The new law extends these benefits to grandparents who can receive maternity benefits together with their pensions for caring for their grandchildren.

• Read the full story.

Volunteer for the Revolution
Be more than just a tourist. Experience the real Cuba on our Summer Solidarity Brigade.

Great Cuba gifts
Choose from our range
of books, t-shirts,
coffee, chocolate, music
and more

Cuba on your doorstep
What’s on near you in February events in Norwich, Manchester, Leicester, Brighton and London