Rob Sequin | Havana Journal
Even the casual Cuba watcher has to be impressed with the scope of Cuba news since the beginning of 2011.
In no particular order of importance or time but here are some major newsworthy events so far for 2011… just about 100 days.
Anniversary of Orlando Zapata death and dozens of political prisoners are released with the help of the Catholic Church.
Jimmy Carter visits Cuba, only US President to visit Cuba since the Revolution.
President Obama announces easing of travel restrictions and new OFAC licensing rules are released allowing more Americans to have the freedom of travel to Cuba.
50th anniversary of Bay of Pigs invasion.
Fidel Castro resigns completely from all Cuban government positions.
Alan Gross is tried and convicted in Cuba.
Cuban Communist Congress voting to ease hundreds of economic restrictions on Cuban citizens.
What I find to be very interesting is that on January 12, Obama Administration officials were in Havana to discuss immigration talks.
Do you think there could have been a discussion that could have laid out this scenario in advance:
Cuba: release political prisoners
US: announce easing of travel restrictions on Americans
Cuba: have Congress to relax economic restrictions
US: publish new eased Cuba travel regulations
Cuba: release of Alan Gross ???
It does take two to tango but this dance is very slow! However, in the rarefied atmosphere of Cuba-US relations, one can only walk forward taking slow steps, as the ones outlined above.
My only doubt is that I don’t believe Gross will be released without some sort of US gesture re: the Miami 5.
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