Cuba News

A couple of interesting articles yesterday and today:

Venezuelan Oil Subsidies to Cuba Top $3 Billion, Report Says The money quote-
"Cuba is probably not paying for imports of crude oil and refined products with hard currency, representing a significant loss of revenue for Venezuela, according to the report.

Venezuela plans oil search off Cuba Effort may start new debate over U.S. sanctions
Sen Craig of Idaho puts in his two cents via a spokesman:
"It's one thing when it's Canada and China, another when Hugo Chavez comes knocking," Whiting said. "This might push folks over the edge" to supporting changes in the sanctions.
Here we go again. It may be time to revise strategy.

Cuban-American group proposes fund to help private enterprise in Cuba
It would be a government fund like those used to help Eastern European countries. At first I was really excited. I said, "finally, here are Cuban American businessmen willing to give to the mother country." No such luck.
It occurs to me that in the Cuban American and Exile community, we have so much in talent, in expertise, and in resources that we could be a force of good in a new Cuba. I've fantasized about forming some sort of 'Cuba 'Corps' to help Cubans on the island join the 21st century, an all volunteer army of sorts. This would be a NONprofit organization made up solely to ASSIST people who have endured the regime in finding their bearings, not to take over or pillage the potential resources of the country. To insure efficacy and limit corruption, it could be run by one of the current or retired Cuban CEO's of major American corporations with all sorts of failsafes.
Contrary to mythology, most in this country are quite content with their lives here and have little or no designs on the property seized by the regime. Many of the lost homes are inhabited by people who were placed there through no fault of their own. On the other hand, if my family had owned a sugar refinery or a beach house in Varadero where Melia has built a hotel, that would be a different story.
But I put the cart before the horse. I don't really see great change coming. Still, I can dream, can't I?