Above: Havana (Photo: Cuba Travel Services) By the Cuba Journal staff They were even ordering office supplies that said Embassy instead of “Interests Section.” After US President Barack Obama’s surprise announcement that he would seek to normalize relations with Cuba, it seemed that it would only be a short time before the US opened its … Read more
By Cuba Journal staff photo by: Anna Rydin On Friday, Reuters cited sources suggesting the Obama administration is expected to announce an agreement with Cuba to reopen embassies and restore diplomatic relations severed more than five decades ago. The announcement is expected in July, clearing the way for Secretary of State John Kerry to visit … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Cuba has reached an important first step in its debt negotiations with the Paris Club, according to the Voice of America. The two sides have agreed that the Caribbean island owes $15 billion relating to a default in 1986. “The final amount of $15 billion has been approved by both … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Given what is at least a strong perception of quality in Cuban healthcare, coupled with world-class beaches, it’s no surprise that Cuba is looking to expand its position in the growing area of health tourism. The island’s health officials have announced plans to expand the island’s health tourism offering, according … Read more
Above: the Melia Cohiba hotel in Havana By the Cuba Journal staff Is now the time to invest in Cuba? The answer is yes, but with conditions; investment will take time to materialize, it seems. An event this week at the Brookings Institution, “Rethinking Cuba: New opportunities for development,” assembled high-level Cuba experts to look … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff The United States House of Representatives has voted to retain restrictions on travel to Cuba by US citizens. The House voted 247-176 to retain the restrictions, which was included in a bill involving transportation funding. According to a report in the Telegraph, the provision “would block new rules issued in … Read more
Above: Roberta Jacobson By the Cuba Journal staff She’s been leading the recently-launched talks between the United States and Cuba for just a few months, but now Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of State Roberta Jacobson is getting a new job. United States President Barack Obama announced this week that he had … Read more
The Obama administration removed Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. While not unexpected, this development adds to the momentum that Washington and Havana have gather in the last few months. Secretary of State John F. Kerry rescinded Cuba’s designation as a terrorism sponsor at the end of a 45-day congressional notification period. … Read more
Above: Holguin, Cuba (Photo: Cuba Travel Services) By the Cuba Journal staff Travel by Americans to Cuba has risen by 36 percent, according to a new report by the Associated Press. The rise came in the first quarter of 2015, with data provided by a University of Havana professor. That represented a total of 51,458 … Read more
Above: Cayo Coco, Cuba By the Cuba Journal staff Accor Hotels is continuing its expansion in Cuba. The company announced this week plans for a Pullman Cayo Coco hotel, following the signing of a management contract with the country’s Ministry of Tourism. The 518-room property (which will include 40 suites) will be located on Las … Read more
