Fidel Castro Turns 89, Claims U.S. Owes Cuba Millions

Congressional critics, who see normalization as appeasement of the repressive Castro government, have decried the increase in arrests of reputed political dissidents this year.

“With a more open relationship between our two countries, we can work together to expand economic opportunity, support democratic reforms, and strengthen human rights”.

“The Administration’s unfounded elevation of Cuba on human trafficking sends a chilling message that the U.S., at least under this president, is more interested in headlines about its historic Cuba policy than it is in challenging the Castro regime to protect Cuba’s youth from human trafficking exploitation”, he added.

Ramos sat down with Gates, an expert on race relations, to discuss how racial tensions on the island compare to those here in the U.S., and the similarities between black communities in both countries.

Friday’s flag-raising ceremony put U.S. diplomats in the same knot.

He did not go into detail on precisely how much money he reckons Washington owes Havana.

Citing the Cuban government’s continued arrests of anti-government protesters and dissidents, he said the Castro government had been “emboldened”, because it had yet to receive U.S. pressure to improve human rights.

The Cuban government hosted a lavish event for its re-opening last month, but the U.S. chose to hold off on its formal ceremony until Secretary of State John Kerry could lead a delegation to Havana. He has also been criticised for failing to invite Cuban dissidents to the flag-raising ceremony. They say oh, we remain concerned.

“The Secretary plans, obviously, to meet with a broad range of civil society throughout the day”.

The Cuban government has given no indication it is willing to provide compensation, though President Raúl Castro said in April during the Summit of the Americas in Panama that he is willing to discuss “everything”. The decision remains in effect despite efforts by President Barack Obama, who wants Congress to lift it, Manila Bulletin reported.

Earlier at the march, protester Angel Moya – Soler’s husband – slammed Obama, and said the December announcement to normalize relations between the former Cold war foes had bolstered Havana’s crackdown on dissidents.

“We are deeply concerned by this round-up of peaceful activists by Cuban authorities”, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

Elena Diaz, a retired teacher, voiced a common concern about the motives behind Washington’s warming towards Cuba, saying “the United States is going to continue to harass us, though now they’ll do it in a more subtle and diplomatic way”. Such a move by Kerry could signal a new era in U.S.-Cuban relations.