Southwest Airlines to Begin Direct Flights to Cuba from Florida

Southwest Airlines to Begin Direct Flights to Cuba from Florida

Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it will begin scheduled flights to Cuba on November 13th from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa. Southwest is promoting the new flights with $59 fares each way if purchased at least two weeks in advance. Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Varadero will begin November 13th. Southwest will also fly from Fort Lauderdale … Read more

Obama Lifts All Restrictions on Cuban Rum, Cigars

Obama Lifts All Restrictions on Cuban Rum, Cigars

U.S. President Obama took further steps today to loosen U.S. embargo rules against Cuba. The Obama administration announced a new round of executive actions designed to increase trade and travel with the communist island. And this is the one many Americans have been waiting for — no more Cuba-specific restrictions on the island’s famed rum and cigars … Read more

Greg Norman Opens Cuban Golf Tournament at Varadero

Greg Norman Opens Cuban Golf Tournament at Varadero

Cuba’s Varadero Golf Club hosted the 8th annual Cuba Golf Grand Tournament earlier this week, and attending this time was Greg Norman, a famous former professional golfer, previously ranked number one for 331 consecutive weeks. Norman officiated the opening remarks and offered photography and filming sessions along with special guests, players and the public. Since … Read more

Reflections on the Power of Cultural Diplomacy in Cuba

Reflections on the Power of Cultural Diplomacy in Cuba

A shock of recognition that happens when creative people from different worlds come together. by Kalpen Suresh Modi The flight from Miami to Havana is just over 200 miles, about the same distance as New York to Washington, DC. We touched down at Jose Marti International Airport in less time than it takes to make … Read more

Here’s a New NIH-funded Research Training Program in Cuba

Here’s a New NIH-funded Research Training Program in Cuba

Cuba is the newest training site for a U.S. National Institute for Health (NIH)-funded program that gives U.S. students the opportunity to conduct research in an international setting. Tulane University student Alejandra Marks spent eight weeks on the island this spring, working with a mentor to study maternity homes and their role in prenatal care. … Read more

U.S-Cuba Bilateral Commission Overshadowed By U.S. Youth Program Controversy

U.S-Cuba Bilateral Commission Overshadowed By U.S. Youth Program Controversy

The U.S. and Cuba held the fourth Bilateral Commission in Washington, D.C., on Friday, September 30. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen Aponte led the U.S. delegation, supported by Chargé d’Affaires Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Deputy Assistant Secretary John Creamer, and Chief of Staff and Director of Policy Planning Jon Finer. The … Read more