Simons Chase

U.S.-Cuba Reportedly Close on Scheduled Flights, Postal Service

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U.S.-Cuba Reportedly Close on Scheduled Flights, Postal Service

According to a report by Reuters, recent negotiations between Cuba and the US have been productive.  The Bilateral Commission meeting, the second of which took place last week, addressed resuming scheduled flight service and postal service, among other matters, after decades of suspension. “We are very close to the first agreements or arrangements that we … Read more

Expert Panel on Cuba Yachting Speaks to Overflow Crowd

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Expert Panel on Cuba Yachting Speaks to Overflow Crowd

Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show – A standing-room only crowd attended the Destination Cuba panel yesterday to learn about yachting to, from and around Cuba; the legal aspects and permitting requirements; how the yachting world can participate in good environmental stewardship of the island nation; and commercial opportunities available now.  See link at bottom of … Read more

Anticipation Builds for the First Startup Weekend in Havana

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Anticipation Builds for the First Startup Weekend in Havana

The Cuba Journal caught up with Alex Medina today to discuss tomorrow’s kickoff of Startup Weekend’s first event in Cuba — to be held in Havana at the Panorama Hotel. Startup Weekend organizes high-impact, experiential events that foster entrepreneurship and community building in every corner of the world.  As of last year, the organization hosted … Read more

US Unable to Abstain in Historic UN Vote Condemning the Cuba Embargo

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US Unable to Abstain in Historic UN Vote Condemning the Cuba Embargo

The United States on Tuesday voted against a nonbinding UN resolution condemning its embargo on Cuba.  Despite President Obama’s vocal calls on Congress to lift the trade restrictions, neither side was able to compromise. Cuba’s much anticipated victory is the 24th year the US embargo against Cuba has been condemned go the UN. The General … Read more

Cuban-Emirates Business Forum Addresses Investment Protection, Taxation

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Cuban-Emirates Business Forum Addresses Investment Protection, Taxation

Last week, first ever bilateral UAE-Cuba Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi highlighted the opportunities for investment in the Cuban economy. It was the culmination of a week-long program for a group of senior Cuban Government officials and businessmen led by Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment.  The Cuba group also visited … Read more

Exclusive Video Interview with Hemingway’s Chef in Cuba

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Exclusive Video Interview with Hemingway’s Chef in Cuba

In October, the Cuba Journal traveled to Cuba to explore Ernest Hemingway’s history there.  On this trip we concentrated our efforts on Ernest’s residence in Cuba, the Finca Vigía (Lookout Farm). On a bright day in early October we found Fico, Ernest’s chef in Cuba, relaxing on his front porch with his wife.  Like the … Read more

Cuba Restricts Imports Amid Reports of Cash Shortage

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Cuba Restricts Imports Amid Reports of Cash Shortage

According to a report by Reuters, Cuba’s government is responded to a liquidity shortage by cutting imports and extending credit terms with trading partners. The effects of a severe drought and low commodity prices are the culprits in the latest challenge for the struggling island nation. Cuba is dependent on both exports of commodities and … Read more

Air China Will Fly From Beijing to Havana Via Montreal

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According the French publication Air Journal, Air China will begin flying to Havana from Beijing at end of December in a continuation of an existing flight to Montreal. Air China is the first Chinese airline to fly to Cuba. The Cuban capital will be its ninth destination in North America after New York-JFK, Los Angeles, … Read more

Images of Havana Under Construction

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Images of Havana Under Construction

by Simons Chase

Anticipation in Havana has been building for years as US President Obama has steadily re-built a relationship with Cuba.  At the same time, Raul Castro, who took over as President of Cuba after his brother Fidel retired in 2008, has loosened restrictions for real estate trading by expanding permitted transfers to include outright sales.  Previously, transfers were permitted only in the case of cashless exchanges.

The US-Cuba relationship building has translated into a small but promising real estate building and reconstruction boom fueled by Cuban-American cash and domestic demand for housing.

These images were captured in Old Havana and surrounding neighborhoods including Vedado.