C U B A N O L O G Y - B I W E E K L Y

 

Is a Peaceful Transition to Democracy Really Possible in Cuba?

By Elena Maza

When the evil Soviet Empire crumbled of its own internal contradictions in 1989, sparking the Velvet Revolution in Eastern Europe, we Cubans waited with bated breath, to see how these developments would affect our homeland. In early 1990 with the end of the enormous Soviet subsidies, Cuba entered the so-called Special Period and a complete collapse of the country seemed imminent. This sparked among our exile community in the USA quite a number of “Cuba Transition Workshops”, designed to implement, first, emergency aid measures to forestall a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions, and once the situation stabilized, a transition to a democratic government based on individual rights and a free market which we so anxiously desire for the country of our birth.

The Castro regime, fearing their downfall through a popular uprising à la Romania’s (the Maleconazo of 1994), took a few steps to open the Cuban economy to private initiative such as permitting the circulation of the US dollar (thus legalizing the de facto currency at the time), and allowing small enterprises such as home-based restaurants the “paladares” run by “cuentapropistas,”(1) to operate, though these had to pay steep licensing fees. This was enough to give us Cubans around the world the hope that gradually, Fidel Castro would have no choice but to implement more economic reforms leading towards a free market and greater individual freedom, if only to insure his own survival.

We seriously underestimated the duplicity and craftiness of the old Coma-andante… no sooner had his poor captive slaves managed to dig themselves a bit out of the hole enough to continue “luchando”(2) than he took back these and imposed yet more tributary taxes. Realizing that the remittances sent by the exile community to their relatives on the island constituted the largest sector of the otherwise anemic Cuban GNP (to the tune of an estimated one billion dollars last year), he figured out a way to tap into these by creating the CUC (convertible Cuban peso) as the official currency and imposing a 20% currency exchange fee, thereby effectively skimming one-fifth of every dollar sent to Cuba. It’s no wonder the Castros’ personal fortune amounts to the several billions estimated by analysts!

Almost two decades have passed, and today Cuba is being subsidized by Venezuelas’ petrodollars. The old senile tyrant may be history but his dynastic successor brother Raul (AKA as “the pragmatic” or “reformer”) seems to have learned his lessons well. So far the much-publicized “reforms” are anything but: calculated cosmetic changes designed to improve the regime’s image abroad among left-leaning liberal western democracies, in order to continue applying international pressure against the only obstacle to greater subsidies from US citizens: the decades-old U.S. embargo.

It’s clear Raul does not intend to allow any changes that would threaten the Castro clan’s stranglehold on power, utilizing the only effective portion of the Cuban government—the repressive apparatus for citizen control comprised by its many departments: the DGI(3), State Security, the PNR (4)on down to the neighborhood level of the CDR’s (5)The recent show of force against the Damas de Blanco during their attempt to publicly petition Raul Castro himself at his office for the release of their relatives imprisoned during Cuban’s Black Spring in 2003 was a clear demonstration that nothing has changed. Many of us interpret the recent accusations of “mercenaries on the payroll of the empire” levied against these women as the opening round of soon-to-come arrests and show trials.

Raul may be less adept than his older brother at strutting center stage (media-wise), but I do believe he is more practical. Even before he became the official successor, he was preparing behind the scenes, expanding his Chinese contacts and investments. He and his people seem to have carefully studied the fall of the old Soviet Union and the Romanian uprising well enough to understand that allowing any perestroika will sweep them away from power as surely as allowing the pressure of popular discontent inside the island to build up too much. Thus they play for time, manipulating their “useful idiots” to help convince the world that they really are trying to change.

In view of the above observations, can any reasonable person really hope the internal opposition can achieve the sort of power that could bring about a democratic change for Cuba in the near future?

In the case of the Soviet Union, bloodshed was avoided because the Soviet army refused to fire on its own people despite orders from their generals. In Romania, General Militaru later admitted the army had been looking for a way to get rid of Ceausescu long before the popular discontent surfaced as the Timi?oara protest and events got out of hand.

If it ever came to that, would Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces, with the indoctrination and privileges they’ve enjoyed, disobey their old commander Raul and refuse to fire upon their own people? It’s hard to believe they would, when we constantly read about the brutality routinely manifested by today’s officials in Cuba—the commanding officers in prisons, members of the Rapid Response Brigades, the political police, the PNR—could one really expect any sort of human solidarity from such an abased people?

On the other hand, the prestige and moral authority the Cuban dissidents enjoy in the free world rests on their adherence to non-violent resistance and stoicism in the face of brutal repression. It would be unthinkable for any of them to support, even tacitly, any kind of armed struggle.

What about the young, the current generation so alienated their life-dreams are focused solely on leaving so they can get on with their lives? Could any of these young people be counted upon to organize an effective uprising that would put a decisive end to the Castro dictatorship?

If one is to believe certain rumors, an unknown group recently claimed responsibility for the fire that destroyed the El Encanto store in Camagüey this past April, as well as a number of other small acts of sabotage that have not generally been divulged, specially in Cuba. Could this really be more than bragadoccio, considering the penetration of the State Security spies at every level? Could a number of small clandestine groups of young people manage, even with external help, to last long enough to have the necessary impact? What should be the role of the exile community in the face of such a possibility?

Remembering my grandfather and his generation in the 1895 War of Independence, I sincerely hope there are such youth in Cuba today. Jose Martí’s generation didn’t wait for the Spaniards to gradually give autonomy to Cuba—they knew that was an illusion, and that true freedom cannot be a gift from others. I know many will disagree, but I believe Cuba after almost fifty years of totalitarian rule, can only be freed by all of us Cubans fighting together, in every way we can, and that ultimately, force will be the deciding factor. Are we prepared to fight?

Elena Maza’s Website: Elena Maza.com

Her Studio Blog: Maza Studio Blog

 

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(1)One who works for oneself.

 

(2)“Luchando” literally meaning “struggling”, but is actually used as a euphemism for stealing from the only employer—the State.

 

(3)Direction of General Intelligence is the central branch of Castro’s spy network.

 

(4)Spanish acronym for Policia Nacional Revolucionaria: National Revolutionary Police.

 

(5) Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

“Nessun Dorma”

(No one sleeps)

With my demitasse of espresso, a great book and Pavarotti’s rendition of Puccini’s Turandot, “Nessun Dorma”, playing in the background, I find myself at a wonderful Italian Café on Columbus Avenue in San Francisco, waiting for a friend.

There are a couple of men at a nearby table. They are immersed in conversation. The older man seems to do most of the talking, while the other listens attentively. At first, I am too engrossed in reading my book. However, the enthusiasm of the older gentleman catches my attention. Little do I know that just like in Turandot’s decree of “Nessun Dorma” (No one sleeps until Turandot learns the name of the prince), I would not be able to sleep well until I learn more about the subject these two men are discussing?

The older man is describing the country he visited a month ago. He points out that the country had some dilapidated buildings and vintage cars were everywhere. However, he explains that he was pleased and impressed with his trip. He goes on to explain that he and a group had attended a medical conference. He effusively praises the leader of the country for his brilliant approach for the containment of HIV and the AIDS virus. His exact words are: “Castro is a genius”! “You won’t believe what he has done”!

Upon hearing Castro, I have no doubt that this man is talking about Cuba. I try not to be too obvious, but I want to take a close listen to what he has to say. He explains that at the Conference, they learned that the Cuban government’s “brilliant” solution to the spread of HIV and AIDS was to designate specific sanatoriums through out the island exclusively for HIV and AIDS patients. Without hesitation he praises the effectiveness of isolating HIV and AIDS patients from society to contain the spread of the disease.

At this point, I have to contain myself from approaching them. Since I had never heard or read about this before, I could not question or refute his statements. Nonetheless, my first reaction was that of disbelief. The irony of the situation was that of all places I could be listening to this “tragedy”, I was a “captive audience of the theater of the absurd” in San Francisco. I slowly replay his statements in my head. I could not help to think of the times when lepers were ostracized from society and placed in isolated Leper colonies. Could you imagine if our government would decide in this day and age, to forcefully send every HIV-Positive and AIDS patient residing in San Francisco into exile? Possibly designate Alcatraz as the “sanatorium” where they would be sent in order to contain the spread of the virus and disease? What about these patients’ basic human rights? Where’s the outrage? How come 20/20 or a news documentary has not covered this Cuban monstrosity? Is it because exposing this particular AIDS story goes against the agenda of our MSM?

I had no access to the Internet while in San Francisco, so I had a couple more “sleepless nights” until I got back to Charleston. I was eager to get educated on this controversial matter. I searched about the subject in various search engines (SIDA/VIH/CUBA/etc), but I barely found a couple of links with information. Interestingly enough, neither was in English nor from our MSM … I guess something like this would not have been relevant to Michael Moore’s agenda in praising the glories of socialized medicine in Cuba. How about Cuba’s world-class healthcare? How about the statistics?

The United Nations and other international agencies statistics are “collected” and provided by the Cuban government, which manipulates and defines the truth in political terms. A perfect example of this is the low infant mortality rate provided to these agencies. By the same token, I would hesitate to believe the accuracy of whatever statistic is generated in Cuba about HIV and AIDS.

Cubans who are either HIV positive or have AIDS are stigmatized. They are victims of discrimination, social isolation and rejection. Once diagnosed with either HIV or AIDS, patients are forced to leave their normal lives and are admitted into designated clinics. Patients must stay at the designated sanatoriums for a minimum of 3 months. Their discharge back to mainstream society is contingent to subjective medical and psychological evaluations by a committee, which determines if the patient is reliable and trustworthy of returning back to society.

The following links will shed some light on the inhumane practice by the Cuban government of “SOCIAL EXCLUSION” for all Cubans who are either HIV positive or have AIDS. Learn about one more atrocity committed by the Castro regime and his immoral legacy.

http://www.finlay-online.com/tomasromay/darsi5.htm

http://www.elveraz.com/articulo132.htm

http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y07/mar07/28a9.htm

The fact of the matter is that there are plenty of people eagerly waiting to deceive us, if we are unwilling to think for ourselves. In these days when the MSM, Castro apologists and admirers are constantly bombarding us with half-truths and misinformation about Cuba

to suit their agendas, we must take the time to educate ourselves and understand the reality of Cubans under the Castro regime for almost 50 years.

Moreover, I would also like to encourage you to google names like Dr. Darsi Ferrer, Las Damas de Blanco, Oscar Biscet, so you can see how these brave Cubans are denied of basic freedoms … that in this country, we take for granted!

CAMBIO – IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

I wish you well,

Melek

“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.” ~ B. Russell

BIOTERRORIST IN OUR BACKYARD © 2008 ABIP

By Agustin Blazquez with the collaboration of Jaums Sutton

Why have Americans been kept ignorant about Castro’s factories of bacteriological and chemical weapons in Cuba?  Undoubtedly, there is a deliberate effort by the main stream U.S. liberal media not to report negative information about Cuba.

Among the U.S. liberal media there are many Castro sympathizers.  And others are willing to cooperate in order to keep their access to Cuba, their bureaus and star reporter’s hopes of getting an interview with whoever is in charge.

Morally this is dishonest because they are compromising the freedom of information.  This selfish and arrogant attitude of the media has rendered a disservice to the American people by giving them a false sense of harmlessness about Castro’s Cuba for decades.

It is extremely frustrating to raise awareness of a problem when people are so misinformed.  Invariably the people’s reaction is rejection or scorn when confronted with information that contradicts those acquired beliefs, especially if they are maliciously fed for many years.

For example, I remember Sue Anne Pressley’s September 25, 2001, outrageous article in The Washington Post equating Cuban Americans to terrorists like bin Laden.  But you will see below that the result of this misinformation has placed the American people in danger.

There are many academic studies, articles and books in public records exposing Castro’s long-term involvement with bacteriological and chemical weapons.  The information has been presented in public forums.  The U.S. media has been invited but they systematically choose to be absent.  Perhaps so that by being absent they can claim, “but we didn’t know.”

Also revealing this information will clash with the heavily orchestrated campaign to present Castro’s regime today as non-threatening in order to normalize relations with Cuba.  This full collaboration of the main stream U.S. liberal media with the Castro regime is reprehensible.

I remember attending a presentation on Capitol Hill on October 28, 1997 about Castro’s regime bacteriological warfare.  As usual, the U.S. media did not show up.

I was shocked by the October 1997 paper titled Castro: A Threat to the Security of the United States by Dr. Manuel Cereijo, a professor at Florida International University who has written over 500 articles published in national and international journals.

The paper details Cuba’s work in the fields of bacteriological and chemical warfare “since the mid 80’s.”  And the “several centers and institutes that do research and development,” and that “there are special groups, working on projects to develop chemical, biological and bacteriological warfare.”

It listed the names of these centers and institutes:  “the Biotechnology Center, the Immunology Center, the Genetic Engineering Center, the Tropical Medicine Institute, the Findlay Institute, the Biocen, the Academy of Sciences, the Oceanographic Institute, the Biological Preparations Center, the Center for the Breeding of Laboratory Animals, the National Center for Animal and Plant Health, the Neuroscience Center and La Fabriquita or Little Factory.

These centers are spread around Havana.”  Dr. Cereijo’s paper specifies their addresses and says, “Many Cuban engineers and scientists have been trained by former East Germany and the Soviet Union as well as North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam and China.”

Over the years, Castro’s Cuba has developed very ingenious ways to deliver their deadly materials to the U.S.  As Dr. Cereijo says, “To conduct a bacteriological attack, a country or a terrorist group does not need to have any sophisticated means of delivery, such as a missile.  A container, the size of a 5 pound of sugar bag, can bring bacteriological material capable of causing over 50,000 casualties in an urban area depending on the flow of air and atmospheric conditions.”

In one of my articles titled Castro and International Terrorism, I mentioned the evidence pointing to Castro’s involvement with the introduction of West Nile virus into the U.S. via migratory birds.  In addition to people affected and some deaths caused by the virus in the U.S., it is affecting endangered species.

An AP dispatch in The Washington Times dated September 18, 2001, on page A7, says, “Many zoos across the country have agreed to begin tracking the West Nile virus, which is blamed for the deaths of at least three birds at the Philadelphia Zoo in the past month.”  Among the dead birds was “a rare Humboldt penguin.”  The same virus “is suspected in the death of a second Humboldt penguin.”

According the AP dispatch, “The only other zoo believed to have lost birds to West Nile is the Bronx Zoo in New York, where more than 20 birds died from the virus when it was first detected in 1999.”  NewsMax reported on September 26, 2001 that “Wisconsin health officials Wednesday said tests have confirmed the presence of the West Nile virus in seven more dead crows found in Milwaukee County.”  Would it take the death of Sesame Street’s Big Bird for the U.S. media to begin showing an interest in Castro’s bacteriological program?

Scientifically cooperating with Castro’s Cuba in the study of migratory birds - birds apparently are being used as carriers of lethal virus against the U.S. - were the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Ornithology of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and The Audubon Society, among others.  So much for scientific exchanges with the enemy.

Also listed in Dr. Cereijo’s paper, are other ingenious ways researched in Cuba to deliver deadly biological agents including the developing “from marine technology, with the assistance of Japan, which never knew what the final product was, a paralyzing toxin.

“In 1992, the Institute of Oceanographic Studies, conducted an experiment with the Academy of Sciences [both politically controlled by Castro as all organizations in Cuba are], to find which places on the Cuban coast were the best to let bottles and containers reach the United States coast line fastest and most effectively.”

The regime’s official motivation (for public and international consumption) was “a study of marine streams.”  The scheme was, as Dr. Cereijo’s reveals, “to put notes inside the bottles, asking for replies.  They found where in Cuba was best to release containers with bacteriological material.

The north coast of Havana province was found to be the best, as well as the region around the town of Sagua La Grande.  This has been documented by several finders of bottles as well as by engineers from Cuba who worked on the project.”

The U.S. media has the duty and responsibility to inform the American people of these matters.  The people in the southern and southeastern coastal areas of the U.S. should be on notice not to pick up or open any floating objects.

Children are very curious, so parents should instruct their children of the danger of picking up and opening what they find at the beach.  Information and precaution is the only way to prevent a major catastrophe caused by bacteriological material sent that way.

These and more facts in Dr. Cereijo’s paper alarmed me and made me more inquisitive about what was going on and I had the opportunity to read more on the subject.

In 1997, a confidential report was smuggled from Cuba.  A July 20, 1998, Insight Magazine article appeared in The Washington Times titled Fidel Castro’s Deadly Secret - Five BioChem Warfare Labs by Martin Arostegui.  “The credibility of the smuggled documents is enhanced by a recent classified Pentagon analysis”, said Arostegui.

Among other shocking information I learned from this confidential report was that the bacteriological and chemical warfare capabilities of Castro are now known by the U.S. government.  And that there are about 12 centers producing bacteriological agents strategically located around Havana.

The newest and most notorious, “La Fabriquita”, or Little Factory, was built by the Military Enterprise of Strategic Works (EMPI).  It has a 10,000-RPM centrifuge and other laboratory equipment bought through COMICONDOR, an Italian company in Milan that also supplies technology to Libya for Muammar Qaddafi’s biological-weapons experiments.  This factory in Havana was “inaugurated in 1993 on Armed Forces Day on December 2, 1993,” and has been in operation since then.

 

In order to enter “La Fabriquita” you need “top-secret credentials – you must pass through a station of the Cuban Armed Forces (FAR), odd for a place supposedly producing cattle feed, which is its disguise.  It is called ‘Animal-Feed Plant.’  This does not correspond to details known to U.S. authorities.”

The report gives a lot of specific information about “La Fabriquita,” which is located just across the street from “Cuba’s premier medical center – the Luis Diaz Soto General Hospital, formerly known as the Naval Hospital.  At that hospital’s School of Medicine, the report says “are three pools of cadavers that may be used for additional tests, using human tissue.”

Oddly, that “Animal-Feed Plant” located in Havana “is well protected by rapid action defense units.  The hospital area is inside the FAR’s north coastal fringe defense zone.”

In relation to its Italian 10,000-RPM centrifuge equipment, Dr. Cereijo says, “These are of a high capacity and they are shielded against lethal agents.  Also Cuba is involved in the so-called ‘binary weapons’ where two chemicals are used (harmless, otherwise) to form a toxic agent when a weapon is exploded.  They can be disguised as common agricultural chemicals, which make them more difficult to detect.  This new weapon is part of the ultra-lethal Novichok class.

“They have also the capability to develop A-232, made from agricultural and industrial chemicals that are not lethal until mixed.  These new agents are as toxic as VX, a persistent nerve agent.  Also, more difficult to detect and easier to manufacture than VX.  In fact, A-232, or A-234, can be made using common industrial solvent and an organic phosphate compound, disguised as a common pesticide.”

Pastors for Peace is a supposedly “religious” and “humanitarian” New York-based organization.  But records and sources say that they are apparently a fanatical and prone-to-violence pro-Castro front organization advancing Castro’s agenda and misinformation.  They are an important part of his support network inside the U.S. conducting fundraising to advance their radical agenda.

On July, 13, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that the pastors, after returning from Cuba, were trying to cross the border with Mexico smuggling 30 pounds of “rat poison” (Biorat) made in Cuba.

The head of Pastors for Peace is Rev. Lucius Walker, a close friend of Fidel Castro who is constantly traveling to Cuba.  His group specializes in creating border-crossing incidents with the U.S. border authorities.  On October 23, 1996, he delivered a pro-Castro speech for the celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Communist Party USA.

According to the Los Angeles Times’ report,  “he [Rev. Walker] openly challenged U.S. officials to block the shipment of Biorat, asserting that the move would ‘show the true colors’ of President Bush’s Cuba policy.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, “Biorat is not admissible into the United States,” because “it poses a public health risk worldwide.”  The report cites “A 1996 article in the British medical journal Lancet asserting that the product could easily cause food-borne disease in people.”

Dr. Cereijo says, “The Cubans also have carried out studies on the propagation of microorganisms by means of fumigation aircraft or micro-jets.”  On September 24 and 25, 2001, it was reported on U.S. television news that members of the suspected ring of terrorists that executed the September 11 attack against the American people, were inquiring about crop-dusting airplanes in Florida.

“The same system could become the basis for the application of bacteriological weapons,” pointed out Dr. Cereijo’s 1999-updated version of his paper.  “’La Fabriquita’ could be engaged in producing an anthrax toxin like the one reported being developed by the Russians, according to the defense publication Jane’s.  Russia’s new variant of the anthrax toxin is totally resistant to antibiotics and could cause a catastrophe.”

“The United States, as recognized by government officials, is not prepared for a biochemical attack, or germ warfare.  Intelligence sources in the United States do not question if there will be an attack, but when will it be.

The 1998 Washington Times’ Insight Magazine article by Martin Arostegui, questioned the inaction by the U.S. government, “Why does the President ignore this?  Clinton just wants to avoid another confrontation; said Ernesto Betancourt, former director of Radio Marti, a U.S. government broadcasting service.  Betancourt believes that the administration is terrified of provoking a confrontation, which could lead to another wave of Cuban refugees.  While maintaining the economic embargo to placate Cuban-American voters, Clinton desperately avoids making waves with Castro, Betancourt added.”  Apparently, that way of thinking is continuing to this day.

The blunder of John F. Kennedy by betraying the April 1961 invasion of Bay of Pigs to get rid of Castro, brought on the October 1962 Missile Crisis that put the world at the brink of nuclear war.  And this situation led to the Kennedy-Khrushchev deal for which the U.S. became Castro’s protector by agreeing to prevent any invasion of Cuba.

However, Castro and the former Soviet Union violated their part of the Kennedy-Khrushchev deal by exporting revolutions to Latin America and Africa.  And Castro not only destroyed the once prosperous and advanced Cuba, bringing misery to his people, but also extended his hands supporting terrorism throughout the American continent and abroad.

To date Castro’s regime now under his designated successor, his brother Raul continues training, arming and offering sanctuary to international terrorists and placing his agents and spies in the U.S.

Castro – obviously threatening the U.S. - said on January 28, 1997, “This lamb cannot ever be devoured, not with planes, nor with smart bombs, because this lamb has more intelligence than you and in its blood there is and always will be poison for you!”  Don’t miss the key word “poison.”

According to Declan McCullagh’s February 9, 2001 article Feds Say Fidel Is Hacker Threat, “These must be jittery times for anyone in the military who uses the Internet.  Not only do they have to guard against Love Bug worms and security holes in Microsoft Outlook - now they’ve got to worry about Castro’s regime hacking into their computers.

“Admiral Tom Wilson, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told the Senate Intelligence Committee during a public hearing that Castro’s armed forces could initiate an ‘information warfare or computer network attack’ that could ‘disrupt our military.’  The panel later went into closed session to discuss classified material.”

This article further supports Dr. Cereijo’s 1997 paper in relation to Castro’s regime being actively involved in terrorism directed at U.S. computer systems.  Castro’s unpublicized-by-the-media war against the U.S. is on all fronts.

On May 9, 2001, Castro proclaimed in Iran, “Today, there is a king in the world a thousand times stronger than the shah you overthrew, and that is the imperialist king living next to my homeland.  However, this imperialist king will finally fall, just as your king was overthrown.”

According to Agence France Presse, Castro affirmed in Iran on May 10, that “Iran and Cuba, in cooperation with each other, can bring America to its knees.  The U.S. regime is very weak, and we are witnessing this weakness from close up.”

An in his May 16, 2001 visit with Moammar Qaddafi, Castro said, “Cuban and Libyan revolutions have similar objectives.”

On September 22, 2001, Castro in Havana accused the U.S. of being “a world military dictatorship.”

Apparently, foreseeing the possibility of his ties to terrorism, his “secret” bacteriological and cybernetic war against the U.S. being finally exposed, he sent a warning to the U.S. in case the U.S. attacks Cuba in pursuit of terrorists.  Castro proclaimed, “the Cuban people will fight until the last drop of blood if they are attacked by the U.S.”

The blackmail potential that this represents renders the U.S. and its people in grave danger and in an almost impotent situation.  The U.S. must not lower its guard in relation to Cuba.

© 2008 ABIP

Agustin Blazquez, founder and president

UNCOVERING CUBA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (UCEF) A non-profit organization [501 (c) (3)]

AB INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS (ABIP)

Producer and director of the documentaries:

COVERING CUBA, premiered at the American Film Institute in 1995, CUBA: The Pearl of the Antilles, COVERING CUBA 2: The Next Generation, premiered in 2001 at the U.S. Capitol in and at the 2001 Miami International Book Fair COVERING CUBA 3: Elian presented at the 2003 Miami Latin Film Festival, the 2004 American Film Renaissance Film Festival in Dallas, Texas and the 2006 Palm Beach International Film Festival, COVERING CUBA 4: The Rats Below, premiered at the two Tower Theaters in Miami on January 2006 and the 2006 Palm Beach International Film Festival and the 2006 Barcelona International Film Festival for Human Rights and Peace, Dan Rather “60 Minutes,” an inside view , RUMBERAS CUBANAS, Vol. 1 MARIA ANTONIETA PONS, COVERING CUBA 5: Act Of Repudiation premiered at the two Tower Theaters in Miami, January 2007, at the Hispanic Cuban Club in Madrid, Spain and the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival, COVERING CUBA 6: CURACAO premiered at the Tower Theater in Miami on March 29 2008, the University of Miami’s Casa Bacardi on April 3, 2008 and featured in Miami’s famous television shows A MANO LIMPIA and Maria Elvira Live.

Author of more that 300 published articles and author with Carlos Wotzkow of the book COVERING AND DISCOVERING and translator with Jaums Sutton of the book by Luis Grave de Peralta Morell THE MAFIA OF HAVANA: The Cuban Cosa Nostra.

Issue number 8 will be released on Wednesday, June 18th! If you are interested in writing for the BI-WEEKLY please do not hesitate. Any language is acceptable! More Info HERE: Recruiting Writers