Cuba weighs expanding small private businesses

Agence France-Presse
July 29, 2010

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) -- Cuba's lawmakers on Wednesday mulled legalizing more small private businesses, perhaps expanding a limited program to include farm and food industries in the economically struggling communist nation, state media said.

Committees in the National Assembly were reviewing potential measures ahead of a keenly awaited address on Sunday by President Raul Castro.

Freedom To Travel

U.S. Travel Ban on Cuba

For more than four decades, the United States has tried to isolate Cuba, economically and diplomatically.

When we look at Cuba news, we see an increasingly public and vigorous debate about the economy. We see the nations of the region conducting ordinary and even extraordinary relations with Cuba. What we don't see is a story line involving the United States, the effectiveness of U.S. policy, or even much of a presence or a role as the possibilities of change unfold.

Top 10 List

"This top ten list is a powerful reminder to Congress and all Americans that sanctions against Cuba do nothing but violate American values, cost American jobs, stain our image overseas, and breach our basic rights," said Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas. "As Cuba enters a new era, so should America, and replace our policy of isolating Cuba with one favoring engagement, travel and trade."