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 Secretary of State John F. Kerry rescinded Cuba’s designation as a terrorism sponsor at the end of a 45-day congressional notification period.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
The Havana Biennial Art Exhibition takes place in Havana every two years. Its aims is to promote the developing world in contemporary art. The biennial is considered an important forum for underrepresented voices, and Latin American and Caribbean artists still have priority over artists from elsewhere. 12th Havana Biennial – Between the Idea and Experience … Read more
Yesterday the State Department confirmed that the Cuba government is seeking to establishing a banking relationship with a US bank. Today, we have learned that bank is South Florida-based Stonegate Bank. “We hope this is the initial step to normalize banking ties between the two countries, which will benefit American companies wanting to do business … Read more
“Papa”, a biopic about author Ernst Hemingway, was shot on location in Cuba with special permission from the US government. The film stars Giovanni Ribisi as a young Denne Bart Petitclerc and Adr ian Sparks as Hemingway. The director, Bob Yari, wrapped filming in Cuba in May 2014 and was able to gain access to … Read more
One of the most tangible of Raul Castro’s economic reforms since 2010 is the wave of new private restaurants – called paladares – located mostly in Havana. Don’t be fooled into thinking that decades of iron ideology have limited Cuba’s imagination for self-expression. Food has become a beacon for Cuba’s future possibilities, and visitors to … Read more
By Cuba Journal MIAMI — You can now fly from New York to Havana, Cuba. Air carrier JetBlue has announced its first-ever charter service from New York City to Havana, Cuba. The flights, which will be operated by licensed travel firm Cuba Travel Services, are the first announced from New York to Cuba since recent … Read more
Google announced yesterday a Spanish-language toolbar for Cubans. The new toolbar, or barra de busqueda, streamlines Internet searching and bookmarking. In August of last year, Google made its Chrome web browser available in Cuba so people can search “faster and safer,” according to Pedro Less Andrade, the company’s director of public government and political affairs … Read more
