Tag Archives: cuba

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Oil & Gas Prices: South Sudan gives up Sudan oil fields, Sudan invades. Cuban oil exploration not paying off, Mexico wants piece of the action. Argentina nationalizes Spanish oil company. U.S. oil glut will actually increase prices.

April 22, 2012, South Sudanese military officials say they’ve withdrawn forces from Sudan’s Heglig oil fields.

U.S. puppet South Sudan took the Heglig oil fields on April 10, claiming Sudan was using the fields as a military base (gee, if they were it wouldn’t have been so easy to capture them).

On Friday, April 20, Sudan claimed they liberated the oil fields.  But now, April 22, Sudan has invaded South Sudan.  There are reports that Sudanese forces launched at least three attacks, as far as nine kilometers (six miles) into South Sudan’s territory.

The Spanish company Repsol is exploring for oil and natural gas off Cuba’s north coast. However they say progress has been slow.

It’s estimated that just off the Cuban coast line there is at least 5 billion barrels of oil and 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.  So far attempts to get at it haven’t paid out.

Mexico has made it clear that its PEMEX oil company wants to be part of any Cuban oil production.

The irony is that Cuba is supporting Argentina’s nationalization of Respol’s operations in the South American country.

April 20, Cuba announced its support for Argentina’s nationalization of Respol YPF.  YPF was originally a state owned company anyway.  Venezuela, Nicaragua and several other Latin American countries support the move.

While Mexico wants in on Cuban oil, it opposes the Argentine nationalization of Respol YPF.

The reason Argentina nationalized its YPF oil production is that the privatized oil industry spent most of its profit on paying off stockholders, the result was an oil industry that fell behind in production, to the point that Argentina now has to import oil!

During the 1990s, Argentina privatized their oil industry.  The obsession with profits at any cost resulted in Argentina being left without enough of its own oil for its own use, which cause fuel prices to skyrocket: “That led to a lack of reinvestment in utilities, little exploration and dwindling reserves, as oil fields dried up and productivity fell.”-Eduardo Fernandez, oil industry consultant

That’s Corporate America and Corporate Europe for you!

In the United States, oil traders are hoping a reverse flow from the Seaway pipeline will increase the price per barrel of oil!

On May 17, a glut of oil from Cushing, Oklahoma, will begin flowing through the pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico.  U.S. oil traders say the bottle neck of oil in Oklahoma is one reason U.S. oil prices are low (if you call $100 per barrel low).  They hope that by getting the oil to the Gulf of Mexico, and therefore to the world oil market, that the price of U.S. oil will go higher!

A week ago India had become the number one buyer of Iranian oil.  Now, Indian officials say they’ve had to cut back because of the high price of oil: “Of course, the high price of oil has caused immense problems for the Indian economy…But actually we have to pay the average price of $100-115 per barrel…”-Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister of India

India is currently buying 14 million metric tons of oil from Iran (the report didn’t specify if that was per day, week or month). Indian officials said they had hoped oil would be at $90-95 USD per barrel by now.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Evil U.S.A.: Catholic Pope denounces decades old U.S. sanctions against Cuba

On March 28, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI says the 50 years old U.S. “Restrictive economic measures imposed from outside the country unfairly burden its people.” of Cuba.

The Pope made his comments after a three day visit to Cuba.  Vatican officials have denounced the U.S. sanctions in the past.

The United States ordered the sanctions in 1960, after Cuba’s Revolution overthrew the repressive U.S. supported Batista regime.  After 50 years you’d think U.S. officials would realize that sanctions do not work!  After all, many U.S. corporations missed out on trade deals when Cuba opened its business doors to foreign investments (and don’t forget the oil that’s been discovered just off the shores of the island country).

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

The Beast Emerging? Russia says CELAC one more step to a one world government, wheat being sperated from the chaff

On December 3, all Latin American and Caribbean countries came together under CELAC (Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños, or Community of Latin American and Caribbean States).

The United States and Canada were intentionally left out.  China has expressed support for CELAC, and so has Russia.

However, in the official Russian statement there is an ominous mention of a one world government: “The rise of the new system-forming integration structure proceeds in line with the formation of a polycentric world and the strengthening of the role of regions in the system of global governance, which meets the interests of the entire international community.”

The push for global dominance is an ancient one, but it is not the goal of only one group. There are several elite groups in our global societies that are pushing to take over the world (why do you think there’s so many wars throughout history?).

Obviously the formation of a new economic order in the Americas, one that excludes the U.S. and Canada, is a sign of the ‘wheat being separated from the chaff’.  Do you know which camp you’re in (because for most of us powerless ‘commoners’ we really don’t have much choice)?

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: CELAC holds first summit meeting, the U.S. & Canada are not invited! “Death sentence” for the United States! IMF begging CELAC for money to bail out Europe. Get ready for Second Falkland Islands War!

“This is the achievement after 200 years of battle…The [U.S.] Monroe Doctrine was imposed here: America for Americans, the Yankees. They imposed their will during 200 years, but that’s enough…As the years go by, CELAC is going to leave behind the old and worn out OAS! [U.S. controlled Organization of American States]”-Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, December 3, 2011

“Today, we are going to give a death sentence to the Monroe Doctrine…that battle is culminating today with the creation of CELAC.”-Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua, December 3, 2011

CELAC was formed in February 2010.  On December 3rd, 2011, they held their first official meeting, and the Chinese were overjoyed: “I’d like to send my warmest congratulations. China is always looking to approach its ties with Latin America and the Caribbean from a strategic perspective and is willing to deepen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation.”-Hu Jintao, President of China, December 3, 2011

CELAC stands for Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños, or Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.  CELAC is made up of 33 countries from the America’s and Caribbean. It now dominates North and South American economic policies. The United States, Canada, and the European countries were intentionally left out.

“A union of Latin American countries is the weapon against imperialism. It is necessary to create a regional body that excludes the United States and Canada …therefore, it is the best time for prime ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean to gestate this great new organization without the United States to free our peoples in Latin America and the Caribbean.”-Evo Morales, President of Bolivia, February 2010

Even supposed South American allies of the U.S. are involved: “This is in our interest, not against the OAS or Iberoamerican Summit, this is integration between Latin America and the Caribbean. I laud the meeting as a step in the right direction for Latin America.”-Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, December 3, 2011

The Mexican President, Felipe Calderón, had the honor of opening the CELAC summit with the first speech: “Today we continue in a long process that never before had managed to achieve the integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries!”

Almost 30 years ago Argentina lost a war to take back the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom.  The islands are called the Malvinas in Argentina, and at Saturday’s first CELAC summit there was unanimous support for Argentina’s continued diplomatic efforts to take back the Malvinas: “The Argentine government has shown a permanently constructive attitude and willingness to reach, via negotiations, a peaceful and definitive solution to this anachronistic, colonial situation on American soil.”-CELAC declaration

The issue of the Falklands/Malvinas is even more serious as major oil reserves have been discovered there.

In a twist of irony, it’s been revealed that the U.S. controlled International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approached CELAC for loans to help bailout Europe!  Normally countries south of the U.S. border have always been stereotyped as beggars waiting for hand out loans from the IMF:  “This time, the IMF did not come to bring money but to ask for money! I would prefer to be a creditor than a debtor.”-Guido Mantega, Finance Minister of Brazil

“It seems like the tables have been turned. Latin American finance ministers used to shudder when IMF officials came to the region. And they were scolded, they were berated by IMF officials, who told them the way to do things… Now they’re the model of fiscal discipline and responsibility.”-Michael Shifter, Inter-American Dialogue

The President of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, was in Brazil, just before the CELAC summit in Venezuela. She admitted CELAC was the economic boss now: “It’s often the case that when one part of the world is not doing so well, the other ones are going to drive the bus and take the global economy forward.” 

 

 

Business/Economics, International

Global Economic War & fighting Global Food Crisis: Communist Cuba starts Credit program for farmers

“The regulations ruling the new credit policy and other banking services will enter into force on December 20, aimed primarily at stimulating domestic production, which could generate incomes of foreign currency or replace imports.”-Cuban government statement

In July the Cuban banking sector started granting small loans to farmers, but in December much bigger loans will be made available.  The move is meant to increase local food production and decrease reliance on imported food.

The plan is part of more than 300 proposals adopted at the Sixth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in April.  Cuba’s current leader, Raul Castro, is pushing to update the Cuban economic model.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Venezuela, and 9 other countries, join Syria, take stand against the ‘west’

“We came to Syria to express our support and solidarity with the Syrian people, and to express our resentment of the media war against Syria.”– Temir Porras, Deputy Foreign Minister of Venezuela

The South American country, who is a major oil supplier to the east coast of the U.S., said they support the current government of Syria.  It’s not just Venezuela, but nine other South American and Caribbean countries who’re expressing support for Syria.

The organization is called ALBA, or Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América.  It’s members are Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Cuba refuses to recognize U.S. backed Libyan Rebel government, withdraws Ambassador, says World must stop U.S. led War with Syria

The following is the official Cuban declaration against U.S. led NATO activities in Libya, loosely translated from Spanish:

“The Foreign Ministry has withdrawn its diplomatic staff in Libya, where foreign intervention and military aggression of NATO have exacerbated the conflict and the Libyan people have impeded progress towards a negotiated and peaceful solution, in the exercise of self-determination.

The Republic of Cuba does not recognize the National Transitional Council or any provisional authority and only give recognition to a government that is formed in that country, legitimately and without foreign intervention, by free, sovereign and single will of the brotherly people Libyan.

Ambassador Victor Ramirez Peña and the first secretary Armando Pérez Suárez, accredited in Tripoli have maintained a good character, strictly attached to their diplomatic status, have taken risks and accompanied by the Libyan people in this tragic situation. Have witnessed the NATO bombing civilian targets and killed innocent people.

With the gross pretense of protecting civilians, NATO has killed thousands of them, has ignored the constructive initiatives of the African Union and other countries and even the questionable decisions that violated the Security Council imposed, particularly attacks on civilian targets, funding and supply of arms to a party and the deployment of operational staff and diplomats on the ground.

The United Nations has ignored the clamor of the international public opinion in defense of peace, and have been complicit in a war of conquest. The facts confirm earlier warnings from the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and timely reports of Cuba at the UN. Now we know better what it has called “responsibility to protect” in the hands of the powerful.

Cuba claims that nothing can justify killing innocent people.

The Foreign Ministry demands the immediate cessation of NATO bombing to continue to claim lives and reiterates the urgent need to allow the Libyan people find a peaceful negotiated solution, without foreign intervention, in the exercise of their inalienable right to independence and self-determination, sovereignty over their natural resources and territorial integrity of that sister nation.

Cuba claims that the conduct of NATO aims to create similar conditions for an intervention in Syria and demanding an end to foreign interference in the Arab country. Call the international community to prevent a new war, urges UN to fulfill its duty to safeguard peace and supports the Syrian people’s right to full independence and self determination.

Havana, September 3, 2011″

Link to Spanish version

 

International

Iran & Cuba join forces to counter Hillary Clinton’s U.S. media war

“In line with the imperialistic interests of the U.S. and Europe, the American and European media outlets don’t reflect the exact reality of what happens in our nations.”-Ramin Mehman-Parast, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Recently Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked Congress to spend more money on increasing pro-U.S. international media organizations.  She said the U.S. was losing out to foreign media.

Now the Iranians, and Cubans, have joined the international media war, by joining forces.

Besides wanting to show their side of the story, in Latin America, the Iranians say they need a more trustworthy source of Latin American news than the U.S. media.  

Business/Economics, International

For the first time since 1959 Cubans can buy & sell homes, get access to Credit

Cuban President Raul Castro announced that Cubans can now sell, and buy homes.  Up ’till now Cubans could only pass on their homes to children, or arrange complicated trades.

Raul Castro warned that Cubans will not be allowed to collected large amounts of property, under the new rules.

Fidel Castro approved of the communist party decision.  The Cuban communist party also agreed to let the general population have access to credit.  Since October 2010 more than 200,000 Cubans have started businesses.

The Cuban communist party also made the revolutionary statement that they will not be involved with the administration of the state government.