Headlines on Cuba (most of them not having to do with Fidel Castro)

* A senior fellow at the Council for Hemispheric Affairs examines how Cuba is using its bevy of doctors and advanced health care as tools for medical diplomacy around the world.

* Cuban-American exile groups are none to happy over the planned unveiling of a giant sculpture of Fidel Castro in New York’s Central Park. Perhaps they should save their ire if the rumors are true that Steven Soderbergh will direct two biopics on Che Guevara.

* Ramón Castro- Fidel Castro’s older brother- said that Fidel is doing fine and relaxing before a possible return to work. He echoes remarks made in August by another sibling not involved in Cuba’s political echelon: Fidel’s exiled younger sister.

* Fidel Castro appeared in a brief video on Cuban state television last weekend (image) where he showed to his “compatriots and friends” that he is alive and in a fair state of health. Cuban government figures were delighted at the images though Cuban-American Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that Fidel’s television appearance meant little for Cuba’s future.

* Cuban newspaper Juventud Rebelde claimed that the U.S. impedes internet access on the island as part of the U.S. embargo.

* Approximately 800 companies from 48 countries have gathered this week in Havana for an international trade fair that has been promoted by the Cuban government as a sign of the U.S. embargo’s failure.

* The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned the Cuban government for widespread human rights violations against dissidents and also left the door open for reparations if there should be a change in government.

* Cuba’s ambassador to Spain warned the U.S. not to execute a military invasion of Cuba and cited a July report from the Bush administration as evidence of a “secret plan” against Cuba’s government.

Links- Council on Hemispheric Affairs, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Xinhua (China), International Herald Tribune, The Latin Americanist (blog), Prensa Latina (Cuba), Bradenton Herald (U.S.), New York Daily News, Guardian UK

Image- EiTB (Spain)

Tags- international politics, Fidel Castro, Cuba