by Cuba Journal staff White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Wednesday that the Obama administration is in the final stages of drafting a plan to close the U.S. military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. According to Earnest, “Let me confirm for you that the administration is, in fact, in the final stages of … Read more
by Cuba Journal staff After more than 50 years, the US and Cuba have today restored full diplomatic relations. A ceremony held today in Washington marked the opening of the Cuban embassy in Washington. With today’s re-establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries officially have fully operational embassies and will be able to fly their countries’ … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola visited Cuba this week at the invitation of the International School of Cinema and Television in San Antonio de los Baños. Coppola, whose portfolio includes the Godfather films and Apocalypse Now, among others, said he had been to Cuba many times. Much of The Godfather … Read more
Above: the MV Adonia By Alexander Britell MIAMI — Carnival Corporation is heading to Cuba. The cruise ship giant will become the first US-based cruise line to sail to Cuba, following approval by the US Department of the Treasury and the US Department of Commerce. The company will begin Cuba cruises in May 2016 on … Read more
By Cuba Journal Staff When the state telecom monopoly Etecsa announced in June that it would open numerous WiFi hotspots around the island, Cubans understandably doubted the service. Today, in the center of one of Havana’s busiest streets, Cubans are enjoying the new freedom. Users with an established account with with Etecsa can use the … Read more
Above: US President Barack Obama makes the announcement By the Cuba Journal staff The United States and Cuba have decided to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies, US President Barack Obama announced Wednesday. The move was confirmed in a letter from Obama to Cuba President Raul Castro. “This is an important step forward in … Read more
Above: Havana, Cuba By the Cuba Journal staff After more than a half-century, the United States and Cuba are set to reopen their embassies. The two sides are set to make an official announcement of the moves on Wednesday, according to reports by a number of senior US administration officials. US President Barack Obama and US Secretary … Read more
Above: one of the new planned golf resorts in Cuba By the Cuba Journal staff A major new golf project could be coming to Cuba. The island’s government announced this week the formation of a joint venture aimed at developing a large golf complex in an area east of Havana. Cuba’s Tourism Ministry said the … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff If you only watch one film about Cuba’s love affair with the cigar, it should be this: global cigar expert James Suckling’s Cigars: The Heart and Soul of Cuba. The 50-minute film, which was written and directed by James Orr, is an effort by Suckling to discover “why Cuban cigars … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Cuba has announced that it will be broadening public internet access capabilities by equipping government-run internet centers with Wi-Fi, according to CBC. It will also be reducing the cost of the use of such sites by over 50-percent, and while a $0 per hour fee will remain, this price cut … Read more
