CUBA

Annual U.S. report on religious freedoms says Cuba eased some controls but still imposed many restrictions

U.S. State Department finds some religious reforms but says controls on Cuban churches remain strong 1369169566

CUBA

Fiber optic cable linking Cuba to Jamaica active

Cuba has activated a branch of its submarine fiber optic cable that connects to Jamaica, giving it greater bandwidth and a backup in case the main leg to Venezuela is not available, according to a U.S. company that monitors global Internet traffic. 1369175384

Cuba

Gloria Estefan delivers a message of freedom in the Vatican

During a brief encounter with Pope Francis, Gloria Estefan asked him to keep the plight of Cubans in mind

Venezuela

Pro-government TV host at center of Venezuelan tape scandal steps down

Mario Silva, whose alleged comments provoked a brewing government scandal in Venezuela, stepped down from his television show Tuesday amid calls for a congressional investigation. 1369167105

Venezuela

Chávez ally paints picture of power struggles in alleged tape

Venezuela’s opposition released a tape of a conversation that pro-government television host Mario Silva allegedly had with a Cuban official. In it, Silva paints a picture of power struggles and corruption.

Cuba

Ladies in White say they want both material and moral support

Members of the Cuban opposition group were in Miami the same day that Cuba’s traditional Independence Day is celebrated

Cuba Nostalgia allows for a stroll down memory lane

Cuba Nostalgia, a three-day event that celebrates pre-Castro Cuba, once again drew those wanting to relive the past and those trying to reconnect with their roots.

CUBA

Cuban food production drops despite reforms

Part of the decline could be the result of devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in agriculture-rich Eastern Cuba.