Center for Democracy in the Americas

Ending a ban on imports of goods in high demand by startup businesses, Cuba’s General Customs office published a resolution on May 20 that immediately allows imports of appliances with higher electricity use. Beginning Monday, travelers to Cuba can bring appliances such as stoves, air conditioners, and microwave ovens. Imports… read more »

Jorge Ebro, Miami Herald – The idea came from a comedian, but it’s far from being a joke. Some of the best baseball players who have donned the Industriales uniform will visit Miami at the end of July to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the most loved and hated team… read more »

EFE- Cuba’s vice president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, says that any attempt to silence the vast flow of news over today’s technologies is an “impossible illusion” and instead urged discussion and debate, state television said Monday. “The news today comes from all sides, good and bad, manipulated and truthful, it circulates over… read more »

Patricia Mazzei, Miami Herald- A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a ruling that struck down a Florida law prohibiting the state and local governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba. The ruling continues to block the 2012 law from taking effect. The law “conflicts directly with the… read more »

Drew Harwell, Tampa Bay Times – Three months after the flights were suspended, Tampa International Airport announced Thursday it would host new seasonal flights to Holguin, Cuba. Starting next month, ABC Charters will fly once a week to the east Cuban beach town, about 500 miles from Havana, airport officials… read more »

Jane Meinhardt, Tampa Bay Business Journal – A revolting response to Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s stand on the embargo against Cuba and her recent trip to the island galvanized hundreds of area residents — especially Patrick Manteiga, publisher of La Gaceta. A person described as the self-appointed leader of a minority pro-embargo group pinned… read more »

William March, Tampa Tribune - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, fresh back from a trip to Cuba, has told President Barack Obama in a letter that the U.S. travel ban and trade embargo against Cuba are outdated, unproductive and harmful and should be reformed. In the four-page letter, Castor never… read more »

Juan O. Tamayo, Miami Herald – Secretary of State John Kerry has declared the U.S. government will not swap five Cuban spies held in the United States for American Alan Gross, serving a 15-year prison term in Havana, but is pushing to win his release as a “humanitarian gesture.” “They… read more »

Havana Times- Federal Judge Joan Lenard has once again granted permission for paroled Cuban agent Rene Gonzalez to visit Cuba for two weeks, this time to attend a memorial service for his father Cándido, who died on April 1. Gonzalez still needs to obtain a passport from the U.S. State… read more »

Bay News – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has returned from a four-day trip to Cuba. The Democrat from Tampa says America’s trade embargo on the island nation should end, saying “it’s time to try something new.” She is the second member of Congress from Florida to visit Raul Castro’s country… read more »