HavanaReporter YEAR VINº 1

JAN, 7 2017HAVANA, CUBAISSN 2224-5707

Price: 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN

Y O U R S O U R C E O F N E W S & M O R EA Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency

©THE

EconomyChinese Invest in Cuban PortP. 13

Culture Carlos Acosta Takes to the Screen P. 10

PoliticsBarack Obama‘s Aspirations, Achievements and Setbacks P. 6

Health & ScienceCOP 13: Protecting World Flora and Fauna P. 5

New Dawn for Cuba-EU Relations

Cuba-US: Challenges Ahead

P. 4

P. 3

2 TOURISM

Cuban cigar industry chiefs have announced that the 19th International Cigar Festival will take place in Havana from February 27 to March 3 next. More than one thousand participants from at least 70 countries are expected to attend.

This is the most important Premium cigar – the famous hand-rolled Habanos considered to be the best of their kind -- in the world.

The Habanos S.A. international corporation said in a press release that the February festival program will include the now traditional activities that combine access to the latest information about Cuban cigars and the tasting of the new products.

This time around, the festival will honor the Habanos H.Upmann launch of its first Gran Reserva, 2011 Vintage brand and Montecristo and Quai d’Orsay, which will launch new products under their regular brand name.

Visits to tobacco plantations in the province of Pinar del Rio and to cigar factories, a range of conferences and sessions of the International Seminar are once again included on the Festival agenda.

Other activities that have previously proved popular also return, such as the event combining cigars and famous rums and the International Habano-sommelier Contest.

This consists of testing sommeliers’ excellence in choosing wines that best match Cuban cigars and food at luxury restaurants, in order to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.

The 19th Cigar Festival will close on March 3 with the traditional gala dinner and auction of quality Cuban artisan humidors. Money raised every year goes into the Cuban public health system.

Habanos S.A. (www.habanos.com, www.lacasadelhabano.com) sells Premium Cuban cigars in more than 150 countries and holds the franchise for the Casa del Habano group, which has a similar number of shops worldwide.

In addition to cigars, the franchise sells Cuban rum and coffee and contributes to making Cuban traditions more widely known, not only among the consumers of such products, but also amongst a wider public with an interest in learning more about Cuban culture generally.

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Havana‘s Premium Cigar FestivalBy BenjamínMICERINOS

CUBA 3

President: Luis Enrique González.Information Vice President: Hector Miranda.Editorial Vice President: Maitté Marrero Canda.Chief Editor: Ilsa Rodríguez.Translation: Dayamí Interián/ Sean J. Clancy/Yanely Interián

Graphic Designers: Laura Reyes.Chief Graphic Editor: Alfredo G. PierratAdvertising: Irina HernándezCirculation: Commercial Department.Printing: Imprenta Federico Engels.

Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Prensa Latina, S.A.Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba.Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Fax: (53)7833-3068E-mail: thehavanareporter@prensa-latina.cu

YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MOREHavanaReporterTHEA W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r o f t h e P r e n s a L a t i n a N e w s A g e n c y SOCIETY.HEALTH & SCIENCE.POLITICS.CULTURE

ENTERTAINMENT.PHOTO FEATURE.ECONOMY SPORTS.AND MORE

The US Internet company Google has signed a deal in Havana with the Cuban Telecommunications Company S.A. (ETECSA, in Spanish) to open access to the Google Global Cache (GGC) service on the island.

Mayra Averich and Eric Schmidt, the CEOs of ETECSA and Google respectively, signed the agreement to facilitate faster access for Cuban users to Internet content provided by the US tech giant and to improve both connectivity speeds and service quality.

The legal instrument also optimizes ETECSA’s international network capacities to ease local downloading with a higher bandwidth demand, such as YouTube videos and Gmail accounts stored within the GGC server network.

According to a press release issued by Google, Cuban users who access the Internet can now make better use of

these services in terms of quality and faster access to their content.

Google’s participation in Cuba dates back to November 2014, when the company authorized access to the

Google Chrome browser, Play Store apps for free app and games installation and a free version of Google Analytics, a website statistics service.

Last October, the US company

announced that its Cuban users could access their Chrome Web Store, a supplier of free extensions, themes and apps.

In March this year, Google opened its first tech center in the studio of visual artist Alexis Leyva (Kcho), in Havana, where free access is provided to the Net and where the company’s high-tech products can be used.

There are presently in excess of one thousand points nationwide here for public Internet access. This figure does not include institutions or educational, scientific and other such centers with Net access.

According to ETECSA’s official website, there are 237 WiFi „hot-spots“ in the country, in addition to 193 cyber-rooms and 613 other internet-surfing sites located in -- amongst other places -- hotels, airports, Computer and Electronics Clubs, Public Health Ministry buildings and Post Offices.

Donald Trump’s victory in the November 8th presidential elections have triggered speculation in recent weeks by US experts and the media in relation to future ties between the neighboring States.

In this context, authorities in Havana have reaffirmed their willingness to advance their relationship with Washington and to build mutually beneficial and respectful links in line with the principles that govern the Cuba‘s position.

This was stated by Josefina Vidal, Director General for U.S. Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MINREX, in Spanish), who described a 5th Cuba-USA Bilateral Commission meeting as positive.

This meeting, the last of the present year, was held on December 7 in Havana to assess work undertaken by both sides.

Vidal led the Cuban team at the talks and the US delegation was led by Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State, Mari Carmen Aponte.

The Cuban official stated that the meeting had once again established that the restart of diplomatic relations, the reopening of embassies and the development of cooperation served the interests of both nations.

“Cuba hopes that the next administration, to be headed by president-elect Donald Trump, takes into consideration results achieved since the December 17, 2014 announcement by President Raúl Castro and his US counterpart, Barack Obama about the start of a new era

for bilateral relations,” she added.In fact, the majority of people in Cuba, of US

citizens and of the Cuban-American community living in the United States, support the continuity of these new interactions and steps taken to consolidate the ongoing process.

Since the creation of the Bilateral Commission in August 2015, both parties have signed agreements on health issues, scheduled commercial flights have resumed and talks on human rights, disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons have been held.

Both governments plan to continue these exchanges until the swearing-in ceremony is held at the White House.

For this reason, high-level visits and meetings on regulations and intellectual property issues have been scheduled for this period, in addition to technical meetings between the Cuban Coastguard and the US

Coastguard Service.Economic and commercial issues, however, continue

to lag behind. Only preliminary steps have been taken as a result of restrictions imposed by the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by Washington for more than 50 years.

Cuban authorities consider that both countries can only move towards the normalization of bilateral relations when these unilateral sanctions are lifted, when the United States returns the territory occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base against the will of the Cuban government and its people and when policies aimed at disrupting the domestic order Cuba cease.

Specialists affirm that Cuba--US relations will not be a priority for Trump, at least during the first months of his mandate, when he will have other priorities to address.

The truth is that ultraconservative sectors in the US Congress, in close cooperation with Trump’s staff, are planning a series of actions to revert about a hundred executive measures taken by Obama on domestic and foreign policy issues.

On the basis of the information available to date, it’s difficult to foretell with precision what decisions Trump might make during the first months of his administration.

Experts say that the initial list for Trump’s cabinet and advisors provides some insights into the potential conduct of the Oval Office head, but prospects in relation to domestic issues or the international implications remain difficult to define.

Google Signs Deal in Havana

Cuba-US Relations Face New ChallengesBy RobertoGARCÍA

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Cuba and the Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM) enjoy fruitful political, economic and commercial ties, 44 years after the establishment of formal bilateral relations.

These date back to December 8, 1972, when the then newly independent Caribbean countries of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica established diplomatic relations with Cuba, despite U.S. attempts to thwart any signs of admiration for, or solidarity with, the Cuban revolutionary process.

Back then, due to Washington’s pressures, Cuba only had diplomatic relations with Mexico and its regional commercial ties were of little consequence.

Therefore, the solidarity then shown by these four Caribbean nations was seen as the beginning of the end of the U.S.‘s policy of isolating Cuba after the Revolution triumphed on January 1, 1959.

In addition to having broken this diplomatic blockade, what the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro described as the noble gesture by Caribbean brothers, opened the way toward cooperation between Cuba and CARICOM member countries.

In 2002, December 8 was declared CARICOM-Cuba Day, coinciding with the celebration in Havana of the first summit between the regional bloc and the island.

FIDEL, ARCHITECT OF CARIBBEAN UNITY

The role played by Fidel Castro was essential in strengthening relations between Cuba and the

Caribbean Community and it formed the basis for ongoing mutual cooperation.

His thinking is presently reflected in every cooperation project, act of solidarity or human accomplishment attained in the region.

His legacy was recognized by the Prime Minister of Dominica and Pro Tempore Chairman of the CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerrit, during the posthumous homage held in Havana to honor Fidel.

“It’s quite hard to identify a sector in our economies that Cuba and Fidel Castro have not contributed to its improvement,” he said when addressing the massive crowd gathered at Havana’s Revolution Square to pay their respects to Fidel Castro, who died on November 25.

“I can state it with absolute certainty that our health services would now be among the (world’s) poorest, had it not been for the generous hand that Fidel extended to us during decisive moments for our development,” Skerrit pointed out.

According to analysts, Fidel Castro considered it very important to initiate join efforts for the improvement of productivity, infrastructure, air and maritime connectivity and economic and commercial ties within the Caribbean region.

In order to reciprocate policy on integration and the unity of peoples, Cuba offered solidarity to the newly independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Examples of its contribution to these nations are the training of doctors and other health professionals in Cuba and the academic grants for foreign students to study other disciplines here.

More than 1,000 Caribbean students have graduated from Cuban institutions since 2005 and more than 1,800 Cubans are rendering services in Caribbean countries.

However, some regional challenges, such as the recovery and reconstruction of Haiti are outstanding, a topic to be reassessed by regional leaders in 2017 during the 5th Havana Ministerial Meeting and the 6th CARICOM-Cuba Summit to be held in Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

According to Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra, these meetings will once again ratify the decision to continue strengthening political and cooperation relations and give a renewed boost to economic and commercial ties to confront current challenges and threats that face the region.

Cuba-CARICOM: Integration and UnityBy LiviaRODRÍGUEZ

Cuba and the European Union (EU) have entered a new era in bilateral relations with the recent signing in Brussels of a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement that paves the way for more dynamic relations based on equity, reciprocity and respect.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini received Cuba’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez at the European Council’s headquarters, where they signed the document on December 12 together with the representatives from the 28 EU member countries.

The Italian diplomat told a press conference that “this is a strong statement

on our part. All EU member states have co-signed today, as a demonstration of the commitment to work with Cuba.”

The Cuban foreign minister asserted that the agreement will contribute to the enrichment of a historic and culturally intense relationship and further enhance political, cultural, commercial, financial, scientific, academic, sport and cooperation links.

The agreement follows the decision by the regional bloc to end the so called Common Stance it had adopted since 1996 and rejected by Havana due to its unilateral, interfering, selective and discriminatory nature.

In this regard, Cuban Deputy Foreign

Minister Abelardo Moreno declared recently that the unilateral policy had been in reality been almost void since 2008, given the positive progress in Cuba-EU relations over recent years.

Bruno Rodríguez stressed that this accord is of great importance to the progress of bilateral relations, which continue to face the obstacle posed by extraterritorial nature of the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

Many European companies and Banks have had multimillion fines imposed on them in recent years for maintaining links with Cuba, as a result sanctions applied by Washington against Havana as part of a hostile policy condemned by practically

the entire international community.Mogherini also recognized this fact

by reiterating EU concerns about the extraterritorial scope of the blockade and noted that the sanctions impact on Cuba and its people and European interests as well.

Rodríguez however expressed optimism by saying “despite the extraterritorial application of the long-lasting U.S. blockade of Cuba, particularly favorable opportunities and conditions exist for the European Union and its member countries to play a greater role in our development plans.”

When commenting on the importance of the bilateral agreement, the two diplomatic representatives agreed that the document will also benefit joint work and the search for solutions to pressing world problems such as migration and the fights against climate change and terrorism.

Mogherini also stressed the regional significance of the agreement as a mechanism to demonstrate the EU’s will to work with Latin America and the Caribbean.

„When someone in Europe speaks about transatlantic links, people used to think only about the US, but they are so much more than that. Our transatlantic links with the Caribbean and Latin America are now as strong as those with the United States,” she said.

New Dawn for Cuba-EU Relations

HEALTH & SCIENCE 5

In one of the world’s most bio diverse regions, Cancún, Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico), specialists from all over the world discussed biodiversity loss during the December 2nd -17th Conference of the Parties (COP 13).

In a break with the format of similar meetings, the High-Level Segment meeting was attended by 200 environment, tourism, forestry agriculture and other sector ministers on the threshold of the COP.

This meeting’s objective was to focus efforts on the strengthening of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The meeting formed part of a trilogy of events conducted under the UN Framework Convention to address Climate Change and Desertification related issues.

These three conferences commenced after the Rio Summit – or Earth Summit, as it is better known – in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, when the recently-deceased leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel

Castro, warned about the survival of the planet as a result of global warming and the disproportionate emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

At the time, Fidel foresaw that the human species was in danger of extinction.

The 7-point document signed by delegations from 196 nations opens by stating that “It is essential to live in harmony with nature, as a fundamental condition for well-being.”

The text explains that biodiversity can offer solutions to pressing developmental and societal challenges that the world community is currently confronting.

It also urges changes to human development patterns, behaviors and activities to respect nature and recognizes the role that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development plays in providing new opportunities to address development problems in a transformative manner.

The ministers promised to incorporate biodiversity values into national accounting and reporting systems and urged for an update of the implementation

of national strategies and biodiversity action plans as required, to strengthen biological diversity integration.

The 18 commitments also include increasing and strengthening ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.

The signatories also agreed to undertake actions to empower indigenous peoples and local communities’ to implement the CBD by respecting their rights and through a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of their traditional knowledge and practices.

The text also states that life on planet Earth and our common future are at stake.

Consequently, robust but responsible actions must be taken to ensure the survival of the biological wealth and the healthy ecosystems that support human development and well-being.

The text highlights the need to strive to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the 2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature.

Environmental works on the Laguna Larga (lake) and the transfer of sand to El Paso Beach are among projects underway in Ciego de Ávila province‘s Jardines del Rey archipelago that will have a positive environmental protection impact.

Specialists from the Coastal Ecosystems Research Center (CIEC) on the Cayo Coco key, are responsible for their implementation in the context of a contribution to the attainment of sustainable development goals and the preservation of coastal areas.

Assistance lent by the Autonomous University of Mexico has made the projects possible and water from Laguna Larga should soon be mixing again with the sea in a natural way.

To realize this objective, the creation of a new water circulation method using wave energy was required, because the lake is located in an important area for

the development of the Jardines del Rey beach resort.

The transfer of sands to the El Paso Beach is both increasing and enhancing the shoreline near the Sercotel Club Cayo Guillermo Hotel, which has been affected by the erosion due to climate change.

Works undertaken there are very important for both their positive impact on the environment and their contribution to the quality of the region‘s tourist product.

Frontline coastal flora, essential for the prevention of sand loss and the protection of dunes, was also rescued and restored.

The works have been underway for four years now to improve bathing conditions, because up to three meters of seashore has been lost in some places due to erosion.

The principal works are being executed at Playa Pilar Beach --

one of Cuba‘s most beautiful -- on the Cayo Guillermo key, where recovery efforts take into account sustainability and beach resort certification criteria.

Works include the preservation of the highest (15m) dunes in the insular Caribbean and the local flora.

Experts recalled that the Sabana- Camagüey project for biodiversity conservation, completed in 2015, led to a series of tasks intended to protect natural resources and implement correct economic practices.

Jointly funded by the World Wildlife Fund and the UN Development Program, that project is among those with the greatest impact so far executed in Cuba and it has contributed to the development of eco-friendly tourism.

Other positive results of the program include the desalination of Bahía de los

Perros (Dogs’ Bay), the preservation of areas with a high presence of endemic plant and animal species and the application of a scientific approach to environmental protection.

According to Fabián Pina, a Biological Sciences Doctor, studies have been conducted on Jardines de la Reina group of keys off Cuba‘s southern coast since the 1990s to preserve the natural land and sea biodiversity there.

This research take into account the relationships between different keys and analyzes important ecological processes for the protection of species living in such ecosystems.

The Jardines de la Reina archipelago comprises some 600 keys and small islands.

It is Cuba’s largest virgin natural setting and the best preserved of four that surround the island.

Cuban Scientists Care for Coastal Ecosystems By NeisaMESA

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COP 13: Protecting World Flora and Fauna By Ana LauraARBESÚ

6 POLITICS

U.S. President Barack Obama‘s second and last term in office is drawing to a close with a long list of outstanding tasks and unfulfilled 2008 election campaign promises made prior to taking up residence in the White House.

A glance over his eight year mandate shows that he will hand the reins of State over to President elect Donald Trump on January 20 without having accomplished some of his primary objectives: an agreement with Congress on firearms control and the full implementation of a long-term health program.

Though he tried hard, he also failed to create a consensus on the implementation of migratory reform to regularize the situation of the more than eleven million undocumented people.

Despite pressures from human rights advocacy organizations, urgent requests by Obama himself and his fellow Congressional Democrats, the Republican leadership foiled several endeavors in this regard.

This issue held the spotlight in debates over the past eight months during the November 8 general election campaigns. Trump’s xenophobic, racist remarks held center stage, as did his promises to deport the undocumented and build a wall along the Mexican border.

Other Obama failures on the domestic

front were a projected reform of the U.S. judicial system and the fight against all forms of discrimination.

Even as increasing policy brutality in U.S. society became a priority presidential issue on his agenda, results fell far below expectations.

The closing of the illegal U.S. naval base in the southeastern Cuban territory of Guantánamo remains for the moment unresolved, despite Obama‘s promises to close it since he first took office in 2009.

The U.S-led coalition campaign against the Islamic State is another unsolved problem. Positive remarks from the White House on the one hand contrast with the negative opinions of Republican legislators and experts on the other, concerning the alleged progress of this war.

The full normalization of relations with Cuba is also still pending because, despite having reestablished diplomatic ties on July 20, 2015, many obstacles are yet to be overcome.

The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by Washington against Cuba for more than 50 years is undoubtedly the greatest impediment.

Only the U.S. Congress can definitively lift the blockade; however Obama made limited use of his executive powers to

reduce it to almost nothing.Even so, both countries signed

important accords in different spheres in the past 15 months and the U.S. president passed several presidential initiatives that represented some --- if insufficient -- steps forward.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry’s General Director for U.S. Affairs, Josefina Vidal, reiterated on December 7 in this regard that Cuba is willing to continue developing relations with Washington.

Vidal stated that Cuba hopes Trump and his team take into consideration

the progress made since Presidents Raúl Castro and Barack Obama announced the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations on December 17, 2014.

In any case, given Trump’s characteristics and the fact that his cabinet and advisory committees have not been fully established, it’s uncertain and rather premature to predict to what extent the new president will keep controversial promises he made as the Republican candidate, many of which are too risky and completely contrary to the line espoused by Obama.

Barack Obama‘s Aspirations, Achievements and Setbacks

By BobHERNÁNDEZ

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SPOTLIGHT ON 7

SPOTLIGHT ON

Zulueta,one of Havana’s most busy streets, marks one of the boundaries of Parque Central and passes the landmark Plaza Hotel.

It also runs along one side of the National Fine Arts Museum and Sloppy Joe’s Bar.

The street was originally named Zulueta in 1874, but in 1909 and renamed Ignacio Agramonte, in honor of the renowned warrior for Cuban independence.

Although this name was reconfirmed in 1936, it has always remained popularly known as Zulueta Street.

But, where does the name Zulueta come from and who was it that warranted the dedication of this central Havana street to his memory?

The street is named after Julián de Zulueta y Amondo, Marquis of Álava and Viscount of Casablanca, who through the trading of black and Chinese slaves, bribery and official corruption, was one of Cuba‘s most prominent capitalists.

Leví Marrero called him “the most distinguished representative of the new type of slave bourgeoisie-trader-factionalist-landowner-dealer and nobleman, all in one.” A town in the province Villa Clara is also named after him.

Zulueta, of Basque origin, was a supplier of goods, a sugarcane producer, a businessman; a Treasury advisor during the colonial government, a consul of the Royal Court of Commerce, a chairman of the Central Commission of Colonization and the Board of Debt, Landowners and

Proprietors, Mayor of Havana Mayor, a volunteer Colonel, a lifetime court senator, a court deputy, chairman of the Havana and Gran Cruz’s Spanish Clubs, and a Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.

His significance in life was contradicted by the most mundane nature of his death.

Zulueta died in 1878. After falling from his horse, his head got stuck in a sewer.

Captain General Joaquín Jovellar attended his funeral.Eduardo Marrero Cruz, his biographer, wrote that

immediately prior to his death, Zulueta was planning the construction of a project covering the Monserrate, Zulueta, Neptuno and San Rafael blocks that face Parque Central; a 5,502 m2 area, worth over 200,000 pesos at the time.

Work had already commenced on the construction of a retail commercial center, the first mall in the history of Havana.

The project was abandoned because of his sudden death and for a long time the site was known as “Zulueta’s ruins.”

The project, eventually finished by “Chichón” Gómez Mena, essentially became the Manzana de Gómez mall, a commercial center with shops and other independent outlets.

It was one of the Havana‘s most attractive places and a popular meeting point.

The historian Emilio Roig claimed that the suspension of the works was because Zulueta’s had become bankrupt.

In his opinion, the expenses incurred by the construction of the Zaza railway had ruined him financially.

But this was not in fact the case. Julián Zulueta’s children inherited enough money

to finish the building facing Parque Central. They simply did not want to.

Their interests differed from those of their father, who had instinctively chosen a site that would become central to Havana’s commercial and social life.

That same site is today being transformed into the Manzana Hotel, which will ensure that both the history and the legend live on.

The History of Havana’s Zulueta StreetBy CiroBIANCHI ROSS

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Rumba, a fusion of musical expressions and dance and an integral part of Cuba’s cultural identity, was included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in recognition of its significant patrimonial value.

In acceptance of Cuba‘s proposal, the United Nations organization declared that rumba is a form of musical and dance expression based on verbal (chants and vocal sounds) and non-verbal (gestures and body language) forms of communication.

Practiced by families, neighborhood circles and at community festive and religious events, the report stated that rumba “mixes tradition with modernity and promotes self-esteem and a sense of belonging among the performers”.

Cuban ethnologist and chairman of the National Association of Cuban Writers and Artists, Miguel Barnet, described the tradition as pertaining to “the very essence of our identity.”

According to UNESCO specialists, rumba‘s principal inherent values include the unification of people of all genders, social classes, geographical origin or religious beliefs, “which strengthens

social cohesion and mutual respect, and promotes friendly relations between individuals and communities.”

They also praised rumba’s diverse origin, where African, Afro-Caribbean and Spanish roots intertwine and promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.

“Rumba also increases the profile

of Latin American popular cultures developed by traditionally marginalized sectors of society and recognizes the role of the African population in the cultural identity of the Americas,” they added.

According to Cuban experts, the genre arose from an agro-Spanish trend, and its main promoters were free slaves and their descendants of the Lucumí, Gangá,

Arará and Bantú ethnic groups.Improvisation is an integral

element of rumba. In its earliest days, performers were accompanied by the sound of any percussion instrument of African origin, which supported dancing, chants and choruses.

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Heritage, which recently met in Ethiopia, analyzed 37 proposals from around the world.

Cuban rumba and Belgium’s beer culture were amongst the first to be endorsed, thanks to the detailed files presented.

Thirty three proposals were eventually approved by the Committee, including Indian yoga; Saudi Arabian Almezmar dancing; Iraqi Khidr/Elias feasts and vows; the Nigerian Argungu international fishing and cultural festival and Vietnamese Viet beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms.

In addition to rumba, the Latin American carnival of El Callao, Venezuela; Charrería, a Mexican equestrian tradition and Merengue music and from the Dominican Republic, were also added to the list.

Cuban Rumba Recognized by UNESCO

By Luisa MaríaGONZÁLEZ

8 ENTERTAINMENT& LISTINGS

Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso (Grand Theater of Havana)

Paseo de Martí esq. boulevard San Rafael. Centro Habana. Tel: 7 861-7391. Jan. 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8:30 PM and Jan. 8, 15 at 5:00 PM: The Nutcracker by Cuba’s National Ballet Company.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Museo Nacional de Artes Plásticas (National Fine Arts Museum)

Paseo del Prado, Habana Vieja. Through February: Exhibition “Abstractivos” (Abstracts) by Pedro de Oraá, 2015 National Plastic Arts laureate.

Galería HabanaPlaza de la Revolución. Through Jan. 16: Collective exhibition “Expo (In) Mobiliario.”

Galería ObispoObispo no. 460 esquina Aguiar, Habana Vieja. Through Jan. 9: Painting exhibition “Autómatas” (Automatic Machines) by Miguel Alejandro Machado.

Fototeca de Cuba

Calle Mercaderes 307, Habana Vieja. Through Jan. 11: Exhibition Eyeife by Roland Val and Harold Ferrer. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Cuba

Obispo 61 esquina Oficios, tel: 7 8639361. Through Jan. 10: Painting exhibition “Por Puro Endonismo” by Héctor Montaner Naranjo.

GETTING AROUNDRECOMMENDS

•1st International Meeting of HABANADANZA Project, from January 9 to 13 at Teatro Nacional.

(THR is not responsible for any changes made by sponsoring organizations)

By MaylínZALDIVARthr@prensa-latina.cu

DANCE

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

AWARDS OF

THE 38TH

INTERNATIONAL

FESTIVAL OF

NEW LATIN

AMERICAN FILM

The international Film Festival of Havana held in December granted the following awards:Best Fiction Feature Film: Desierto, Mexican-French coproduction directed by Jonás Cuarón.Jury’s Special Award: Últimos días en La Habana by Cuban filmmaker Fernando Pérez. This film also earned Sheyla Pool the Choral Music Award.Direction: Víctor Gaviria for the film La mujer del animal (Colombia)Photography: Inti Briones for his work in the Chilean films Aquí no ha pasado nada and El Cristo ciego.Artistic Direction: Estefanía Larraín for the Chilean film Neruda.Edition: Hervé Shneid (Neruda)Script: Andrés Duprat (El ciudadano Ilustre, Argentina)Original Music: Woodkid (Desierto, Mexico)Best Female Performance: Sonia Braga en Aquiarius (Brazil).Best Male Performance: Luis Alberto García, Cuban film Ya no es antesPublic’s Award: Ya no es antes by Cuban filmmaker Lester Hamlet

Cuba Receives Actress Sonia

Braga with Applause

Brazilian actress Sonia Braga was applauded by the audience during the 38th Havana’s Latin American New Film Festival, in which she participated with Aquarius, a film that talks about the importance of memory, she commented. Winner of the Festival’s Best Actress award, Braga explained that some countries deny their history and added that Kleber Mendoça Filho’s film is a metaphor that can be applied to several nations, and that Clara, the character she portrays, is a symbol of resistance. The 66 year old Brazilian actress, who’s in great shape, both physically and artistically, considers that the recent achievements this film has attained are a success for Latin America. However, in her own country, the government of Michel Temer launched a harsh attack on the film and prevented it from being nominated to the Oscar awards.

El ciudadano ilustre tries its luck at

the Havana’s Film Festival After winning the Volpi Cup’s Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival, Argentinean actor Oscar Martínez tried his luck in Havana with El ciudadano ilustre, a Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn’s film that was given an ovation at the opening gala of the Latin American New Film Festival, in addition to receiving the Festival’s Best Script award (Andrés Duprat). “The film had been though up for a long time, four years ago, but there were problems with the production… However, it was always clear who would play the role of Daniel Mantovani: Oscar Martínez,” said actress Andrea Frigerio. Irene, Mantovani’s love during his youth, a grown-up woman who stayed in the town Mantovani left and who’s the central theme of his books, is played by Frigerio. “It’s difficult to think about anybody else to play the role of Daniel Mantovani,” Frigerio added.

The famous Cuban director Enrique Pineda Barnet received the Coral of Honour of the 38th International Latin American New Film Festival to a life’s work.

Recalled for the role he played in films such as Giselle and La Bella del Alhambra, the 80 year old director told the press he was deeply moved. “The Coral of Honour raises new hopes in me… It’s an acknowledgement to all

the filmmakers of the island, and to all the cinema buff, because they’ve been my greatest Coral award.”

Coral of Honour to Enrique

Pineda Barnet

ENTERTAINMENT& LISTINGS 9

GETTING AROUNDChilean Actor Moved by the Cubans’

Reaction to Neruda

Últimos días en La Habana wins collateral

awards at the Latin American Film

Festival

The Cuban film Últimos días en La Habana, by Fernando Pérez, won the collateral awards of the 38th Latin American New Film Festival, in addition to the Jury’s Special Award and the Coral Sound Prize, which

were handed in by Sheyla Pool.In relation to the collateral prizes, the film of the famous Cuban director won the Cibervote of the feature film section in the web survey organized by the Latin American New Film Foundation. It also received the El Mégano award, by the Cuban Federation of Film Societies, “for showing a ‘naked Havana’ that is not generally shown, and for doing it with great courage.”The film also won the International Federation of Film Societies’ main award and the Don Quixote prize, which distinguishes works that show people’s daily life issues and life in the society.

Chilean actor Luis Gnecco stated in Havana his pleasure in seeing the reaction of the Cuban audience to Neruda, a Pablo Larrain’s film that won the Best Artistic Direction (Estefanía Larraín) and Best Edition (Hervé Shneid) awards.“People understood the message of the film; I think the Cuban audience

is very experienced,” the actor commented during a press conference on the film’s première in the festival.Neruda is the sixth film by director, scriptwriter and producer Pablo Larrain. This year, the Chilean Academy submitted the work as a nominee to the Oscar awards’ best foreign language film.

10 CULTURE

Moon Dusted Tones of Cuban JazzBy MarthaSÁNCHEZ

Carlos Acosta Takes to the ScreenBy MaríaMARTÍNEZ

Luna Manzanares, an elegant young Cuban artist with a well chosen repertoire and -- as her name Luna (Moon) suggests -- a celestial voice, said in an interview with The Havana Reporter that „not everything in vogue is necessarily of value“.

In addition to a fitting name, she also inherited a liking for The Beatles, Hotter Than Fire, Ñico Saquito, Manuel Corona, Alberto Villalón and other musical greats from her parents.

Luna acknowledges that this exposure to a range of genres at a young age influenced her and that she then learned in art school to further expanded her cultural horizons to even more composers and genres.

Luna said that “anyone who has been to one of my performances knows that I can mix songs in Portuguese, standard jazz numbers and rock classics with pieces from the new or traditional trova music movement.

I’m rather eclectic and my repertoire combines elements of all the things I have listened to throughout my life, with only common denominator: they must be good.”

Elegance, good taste and a refined, sweet and melodious voice characterize Luna, whose talent has flourished since her time as a student at Havana’s Amadeo

Roldán Conservatory, where she won an honorable mention in the minor‘s section as a second-year student during the JoJazz Contest.

She has always chosen her repertoire cautiously.

“Artists must be very careful when selecting what we want to convey to people and to society, because an artist, whether by intention or otherwise, is an icon, forms a pattern, and can even set a trend.

There are musical genres that are not

good but if that does not extend to the message, it is not necessarily an issue, which is why special attention must be given to what is considered fashionable,” the Cuban singer said.

This may explain why she so often returns to the The Beatles who, according to her, set a before and after in the world of music and the arts; they changed an era and introduced a new way of thinking. Luna wants to share this influence with her generation and with those to come.

She said that the group „had a strong

and positive influence on me when I was young. The Beatles represent for me, the best and brightest stars of the 20th century. In the current global social context where individualism is ever more prevalent, music can be a product that wears off as quickly as perfume“.

Other points of reference for Manzanares are the Mexican painter Frida Khalo, the Russian writers Leon Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, U.S. musicians Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, all of whom have influenced society through culture.

It was jazz that first opened doors for her.

Her philosophical leanings emerge whenever she talks about the origin of a genre often identified with those of humble origins.

Not everybody, however, identifies with the genre, of which there are many internationally renowned exponents in Cuba.

The singer said that, even in Cuba, a lack of exposure is responsible for many of the prejudices associated with jazz.

She pointed out that „the world knows very little about what happens here. We have many musicians with particularly Cuban tones that also resonate with what is happening in the world of jazz at large.“

Carlos Acosta is committed to having his tale preserved for all eternity and the celebrated Cuban dancer will give audiences an insight into his life through a film shot in Havana and other international cities.

According to the London Royal Ballet star dancer, Paul Laverty, the English screenwriter, two-time winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or and the usual writer of Ken Loach’s films, has come up with an excellent script for the film based on his „No way home“ autobiography.

Spanish director Icíar Bollaín, a Goya Award winner in 2003, will direct the feature film which, according to the dancer, will include several dancing scenes that he will personally choreograph.

He said “I am really happy, because the script is great and because I act in the film. But this will not be an autobiography nor a documentary as such; it will be a work of fiction.“

Acosta has won National Dance Awards in Cuba and Great Britain, and was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, meaning he can now be called Sir Carlos Acosta.

On presenting him with the title at Buckingham Palace in 2014, the Prince of Wales praised Acosta for having inspired young people of humble origins.

This film will not be his first. In 2009, he was invited by actress Natalie Portman to perform in the film „New York, I Love You“, which she directed.

Shortly afterwards, he played a role in „The Day of Flowers“, directed by John Roberts from Britain.

In April 2016, Acosta founded a Havana based dance company in his Cuban homeland with Cuban dancers.

In reference to the diverse technical backgrounds of his Cuban dancers, Acosta explained that “the company has developed gradually but strongly, because we have been able to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary dance techniques.

He added, “there are no obvious difference between them, which is precisely what we wanted to achieve. The idea was to train 21st-century dancers to dance all styles: classical, contemporary and hip hop. And why not?“

As a director, he wants choreographers from all over the world to see in Acosta Danza the realization of this dream through dancers capable of doing everything.

Acosta is presently working to extend his version of Carmen from a 50 minute performance into to a two-act, full night show.

He plans to stage it at London‘s fabulous circular Royal Albert Hall, an auditorium that seats over 5 thousand.

The Acosta Danza company will visit Russia, Poland, Norway, Hungary and Great Britain this year and the director hopes to also do a nationwide tour of Cuba.

Many critics consider him the best dancer of his generation.

In addition to his performances, Acosta has published two books, one of which is a novel.

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PHOTO FEATURE 11

Alejandro de Humboldt National Park: an Ecotourism Paradise

By YadiraCRUZ

Located to the north of the provinces of both Holguin and Guantanamo, the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is one of eastern Cuba‘s most important ecotourism destinations.

Established in 1996, the natural paradise incorporates Cuba’s oldest protected areas and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

It is the heart of what is known as the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve, the largest and most important of six land biosphere reserves in Cuba and is one of the oldest mountainous ecosystems in the insular Caribbean.

The Park is one of the areas with the greatest ecological equilibrium, endemism, preservation and biodiversity in Cuba and the Caribbean basin. It has the country’s largest water reservoir and its rivers are amongst the least polluted in the world.

Statistics reveal more than 1,500 local plant species, many endemic to the region and others classified as true botanical jewels.

The Park‘s fauna is amongst Cuba’s richest and most abundant, with singular specimens such as the caguarero hawk and the almiquí, an endangered living fossil.

With the exception of the scorpion, every world record sized Cuban animal species is present in this area that nature has blessed and the many tourists, who every month ramble over its nearly 20 wilderness paths, are thoroughly enchanted by.

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12 POLITICS

In December, Mauricio Macri concluded his first year as President of Argentina, despite his promises that it would be a year of great changes, it has represented for most Argentineans a fatal blow to progressive social policies implemented by the previous government.

Critics state that over the 12 months, the president destroyed many of the social advances won during the last 12 years under Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández.

During his first mandate, Macri paid off the debt to the holdouts, by putting the nation into debt to the tune of 9.3 billion dollars, a decision that analysts consider to have rushed in order to please creditors.

Argentineans are worried today about what the statistics reveal: annual inflation of 40%, a GDP drop to 3.4%, a 500% increase in electricity and gas prices and massive sector-wide job losses.

In almost all his speeches, the president has blamed what he refers to as a ‘heavy inheritance’ and has held the previous government responsible for the present situation.

The truth is however, that since he assumed the office, Argentina has been plunged into a difficult situation because of the economic adjustments

he implemented.As was to be expected, the

adjustments mainly affect ordinary people who have suddenly lost their jobs and find themselves unable to pay the rent or feed their children.

In order to assess the reality of this financial situation, the El Cronista newspaper interviewed a series of experts.

Marcelo Capello, chairman of the Institute for Economic Studies on Argentina and Latin America, explained that two factors influenced consumption and production in 2016: the devaluation

of the official currency and the resulting increase of inflation, which made real salaries decrease.

In addition to Need and Urgency decrees signed by the president at the beginning of his term of office, perhaps what was most shocking for many were the resounding “tarifazos” (high price increases) applied to public services such as electricity, gas and water, price increases across all other sectors and the thousands of job losses.

A week after Macri took office, the Central Bank authorized a 42% increase in the price of the US dollar.

According to specialists, the current exchange rate is over 16 pesos to 1 dollar, which entails inflation for exportable goods and those with imported elements.

Last year, during his election campaign, the head of the Argentinean government promised that over two million jobs would be created.

However, according to the statistics of the Argentinean Political Economy Centre published in October, over 200 thousand workers have lost their jobs and the number continues to rise.

A couple of months ago, the president also stated that inflation would not be a major problem during his mandate. Today, it exceeds 43%, according to the Congress CPI, which legislators draft based on private consultancy estimates.

Macri has optimistically stated for 2017: “I’m convinced that we are doing well. Economists foresee growth of 3%.”

One of the topics included on his agenda this year, and which he often mentioned in his speeches, related to „zero poverty“, but almost nothing has changed in this regard.

In September 2016, the National Statistics and Census Institute reported that 32.2% of Argentineans live in poverty and that 6.3% are living in abject poverty.

QUITO._ South America’s yearning for a new regional financial architecture is close to becoming a reality through the establishment of the Bank of the South, a mechanism that will boost regional development.

The appointment of a board of directors in December and the election of Uruguayan economist Pedro Buonomo as bank president, represent the opening of the pre-operational phase of the institution.

Having agreed the contributions to be made by each member country, the regional entity opened accounts in South

America which it is estimated will reach some $90 million during its first year in operation.

The bank will abide by a charter of regulations to be observed by the board of directors during its periodic sessions, which aim to turn the regional mechanism into the mainstay of the much desired new financial architecture for South America.

The institution will receive an initial outlay of $7 billion, allocated according to the economies of its member countries. Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela – the largest economies- have reached

a consensus to contribute $2 billion each.

Ecuador and Uruguay will allocate $400 million each, and Bolivia and Paraguay $100 million each.

During the first year of operations, the member states will pay out five percent of the total amount agreed.

The Bank of the South is also emerging as an alternative to help recover capital needed for the development of South American countries and to ensure the implementation of regional projects.

Joint initiatives include

proposals to develop power, road and railroad interconnection projects, as well as a mechanism to fund technical-scientific knowledge and development in the area.

The mutual objective is that the Bank of the South becomes a solid financial entity able to extend other territories and develop projects for the benefit of their populations.

This Bank stands out as a mechanism for promoting regional unity and a shared development agenda, in the context of economic and political challenges faced by South

American countries.Some of the bank’s objectives

are to develop a single financial system to support South American integration, to help expand intra and extra-regional trade, promote internal savings and provide funds for development.

The bank’s memorandum of association was signed on December 9, 2007 by Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil and Paraguay.

Even though they all are member countries, Brazil and Paraguay have yet to ratify the legal instrument.

Macri Not Crying for ArgentinaBy MaylínVIDAL

Banking on Regional Financial Integration By SinaiCÉSPEDES

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ECONOMY 13

Cuba hopes to increase its sugarcane production this season by 12% on last season. To do so, higher degrees of efficiency are required at all the stages of the production process.

The country has enough sugarcane and more combine harvesters to guarantee higher productivity, in addition to an enhanced organization of sugarcane transfers to the 54 mills involved.

According to authorities of the Azcuba Sugarcane Group, high performance harvesters will be used to carry out over 60% of the mechanized sugarcane cut, although these harvesters only represent 33% of the total number of machines in the fleet.

The efficient exploitation of the harvesters will allow more sugarcane mills to receive sugarcane in less than 20 hours. One of this year´s main objective

is that fresh sugarcane arrives at the mills, in order to increase productivity.

Liobel Pérez, Azcuba‘s institutional communications specialist, told The Havana Reporter that 34 of the 54 mills will cut 75% of their sugarcane with high-performance harvesters. This is one indication of the increasing role played by modern technology in the country’s sugar industry.

Another innovation is the fact that 95 such machineries are equipped with mats that ensure harvesting is not interrupted during the rainy season. Last year, El Niño meteorological phenomenon related heavy rains impacted on harvesting and production results.

This year a Global Positioning System (GPS) has also been installed in the fleet,

allowing for better control over the use of fuel and lubricants.

Last season, adverse weather conditions and other objective and subjective problems - including organizational and operational deficiencies – meant only 95% of the sugarcane milling target was reached and only 80% of projected productivity was attained.

However, taking into account results from the past five-year period, there has been an annual increase of 5% in sugar production.

This season, 45 mills commenced work before the end of the year, an indication that there is more sugarcane available. Also, in comparison to the 2015/2016 season, 4 more mills are operational this time around.

Cuban sugarcane industry plans for 2030 foresee greater efficiency and a gradual production increase to over 4 million tons of sugar per harvest.

The sector also has great potential for the generation of electricity from biomass -the reason why 19 bio-generators will be incorporated by the above-mentioned year.

Alcohol, woods, sorbitol, livestock fodder and other important goods are also produced from sugarcane.

Cuba was, for a long time, the world’s main sugar-exporting country, and the industry, once the island‘s principal economic motor, is now looking forward to a gradual recovery.

Cuba’s second largest deep water port in the eastern region of the country is benefitting from considerable a Chinese funded investment in the building of a modern multipurpose terminal.

Initial works at the Guillermón Moncada Port of Santiago de Cuba include the use of preloading techniques to prepare the terrain, drive piles and the spreading of stone material to prevent coastal erosion.

The terminal forms part of the plan to develop maritime trade. A state

of the art container terminal has already been built at the Mariel Special Development Zone in western Cuba, where there is also a deep water port.

With vast domestic and global experience, the Chinese Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) is the principal investor at the Santiago de Cuba port project.

Civil engineer Walter Vivo Medina, a representative from the Cuban side explained that works are expected to be completed by the middle of 2018 and the amount invested should be recovered over a 15 year maximum.

He said that 142 piles have already been buried to a depth of 26 meters for the planned wharf and some 8,000 cubic meters of rocky material are being spread to protect the local coastline at the point where two rivers converge.

Medina said that the works are being constantly supervised and that lab tests are being conducted to ensure they comply with international

standards, including those related to the environment.

The port at Santiago de Cuba can presently only cater for ships between 5,000 and 15,000 tons because wharfs are shallow and lack the require logistics for loading, unloading and storage and other services.

Ships must consequently unload part of their shipment in a first port -Havana

or Cienfuegos- adding to and freight operational costs.

Once the works have been completed, the port will welcome ships between 20,000 and 40,000 tons, doubling its current capacity.

Loading/unloading operations, transportation and storage activities will be undertaken closer to the breakwater area.

This will make it easier to comply with the international Safety Measures Code for Ships and Port Facilities.

The multipurpose terminal is to be equipped with the latest technology.

Plans for the wharf include three modern 30 and 50 tons cranes of and proper storage and transportation logistical services.

Environmental protection, improved engineering services, proper waste management and new hydraulic, sanitary and electrical networks are among the benefits experts employed on the project or working to provide.

Enhanced road and rail links will also greatly improve conditions at the port of Santiago.

Chinese Invest in Cuban PortBy María JuliaMAYORAL

A Promising Sugarcane Harvest By RobertoSALOMÓN

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14 ECONOMY

Efficient Water Consumption in CubaBy MasielFERNÁNDEZ

Water, so essential for life and well being, is a matter of fundamental concern for everybody, which is why the Cuban government is implementing a policy for its efficient and productive use.

Experts recognize that water is also an important productive resource, directly or indirectly present in all economic activity.

Engineer Bladimir Matos, vice president of the Cuban Hydraulic Resources Institute (INRH in Spanish), explained that the national water management policy approved by the

Cuban Council of Ministers in December 2012 has four main priorities.

The first deals with rational and productive use, the second with the efficient use of the water infrastructure, the third with risk prevention related to the overall quality of water and the fourth with the prevention of exceptional situations connected with the climate, he said.

Water policy developed since the beginning of the Cuban Revolution had facilitated the development of a water infrastructure capable of meeting the

demands of the economy.However, Matos said that the

infrastructure had deteriorated during the 1990s due to a financial deficit and economic difficulties, and that efficiency levels had declined as a result.

The decline is most apparent in the agriculture sector because it is the largest water consumer in Cuba, accounting for 60% of all demand.

Cuban authorities also pay attention to water quality, which they consider essential for human and environmental health.

Matos told The Havana Reporter that two main elements must be taken into consideration when talking about water: quantity and quality, both of which are inter-independent.

He explained that the quality of water responds to its ultimate use and that significant progress had been attained in this regard.

Risks associated with climate change were taken into consideration when formulating national policy. “As an island nation, Cuba depends on rainwater as its exclusive available source of water, and

rainfalls have decreased over the years and affected supplies,” he noted.

Consequently, Cuba is creating new infrastructures to cope with climate change related risks, to enhance supply levels and ensure increasingly efficient use.

According to Matos, some problems can be resolved in the short term, such as those related to cultural elements, regulations, repairs and infrastructure maintenance.

However, many others entail mid and longer-term solutions.

It is important to be aware of the fact that this matter not only concerns the INRH, the official said. “We have received support from authorities at the highest levels of the Cuban Communist Party, the government and the State.

The water issue has been the focus of attention in all scenarios and has been addressed by the Council of Ministers many times.”

Matos added that although the INRH is responsible for water management, it could not function effectively without the political will of the Cuban government.

Cuban cigar industry chiefs have reported an increase in efficiency indicators in Virginia variety tobacco plantations, in the westernmost province of Pinar del Río, where the varieties best leaves are produced.

Tobacco grower Julián Alemán, a member of the Consolación del Sur municipality Basic Production Cooperative (UBPC, in Spanish), said that cultivation efficiency levels had reached 97 percent.

These blonde tobacco leaves are used in the production of cigarettes.

It was announced recently that a factory will be built in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM, in Spanish) to process this type of tobacco, in a joint venture with the Brazilian company, Brascuba.

Alemán added that the construction of this new plant, due to be finished by the end of 2018, is an indicator of the quality of tobacco seedlings cultivated in Consolación del Sur‘s covered seedbeds – primarily developed with domestic resources.

These actions form part of a Pinar del Río province project to increase blonde tobacco volumes in a region that mostly produces Premium cigars – hand-rolled and made from dark leaves.

According to specialists, six seedbeds are currently being developed –three of which are presently in their second phase.

The objective is to produce a total of

1,636,000 seedlings to be sowed in the 101 hectare area to be cultivated in the territory.

UBPC manager, Yosvani Arencibia, told this newspaper that the system of

seedbeds facilitates savings worth in excess of 40,000 Euros. He added that the objective is to try to introduce the practice in every Cooperative in the Vueltabajo region – where Cuba‘s finest tobacco is cultivated – in order to develop an effective form of seedling growing.

The official stressed the importance of sowing the tobacco plants consecutively, to ensure an adequate preparation for leaves in the drying houses of the state owned farm that provides this service to the Cooperative.

In addition to the use of modern technology, information was also provided on the restoration of an old seeder that humanizes and speeds up the sowing of tobacco.

The tobacco growing areas of Pinar del Río are included in the Virginia project for the next harvest, the main objective of which is to promote the cultivation of this type of tobacco in the region.

According to Pinar del Río Tabacuba group experts, over 967 hectares of the Virginia variety are to be planted in the future.

The cultivation of blonde tobacco on the westernmost plains of Vueltabajo dates back to 1930.

This and the Burley variety are used in the production of blonde cigarettes.

The Virginia project is being developed to ensure the supply of raw materials for the cigarette factory under construction at ZEDM.

Tobacco Industry DevelopmentsBy Roberto F.CAMPOS

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SPORTS 15

Marlies Mejías, Cuba‘s Mountain Biking QueenBy AlfredoBOADA

Cuban cyclist Marlies Mejías has been crowned queen of a tough competition that combines both sport and adventure.

She was first to cross the finishing line of the second Titan Tropic Cuba Mountain Bike Race on the western Cuban Pinar del Rio province sands of Cayo Jutia.

Almost 150 mountain bikers from countries including the United States, Germany, Austria, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica and Cuba took part in the second edition of this four-stage tournament, held over very challenging terrain .

The 367-kilometer long race commenced in the Soroa Biosphere Reserve, where competitors raced over scenic mountain trails.

Next came a circuit through the stunning countryside and iconic limestone mogotes of the Valley of Viñales, home to the world´s best tobacco plantations and a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

Competitors had to contend with steep hills, river crossings and rocky, irregular terrains that took a mechanical toll on some bikes.

They also went through forests, passed an operational mine and pedaled

over the narrow path that leads to Cayo Jutias beach.

Although new to mountain bike tournaments, Mejias, 23, dominated the first three stages of the competition and on the final lap she escorted compatriot Olga Echenique, winner of

the women’s category last year.In addition to winning the women‘s

race, the outstanding cyclist, seventh in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, finished 18th of 134 male competitors.

Mejías finished 7.57 minutes ahead of her closest rival, Nuria Picas of Spain

(20th overall), who was followed by Cuban Echenique (21) in an individual general classification that surpassed men with more experience in very demanding events of this type.

The Cuban champion expressed joy at her win, saying she had had only 15 days to train for the event and she added that her triumph in the Titan Tropic Cuba challenge would contributed to both her personal and athletic development.

Marlies covered 367 kilometers of hills, lush vegetation, rivers, stony trails, paved roads and mogotes in a time of 15:04.35 hours.

Nuria did so in 15:12.33 and Olga in 15:17.41. In the men‘s event, defending

champion Colombian Diego Tamayo, was first home again with an individual general classification of 12:24.43 hours, followed by Cuba‘s Yoandy Freire, 6:45 minutes behind. Roberto Bou from Spain came third, 7:24 minutes later.

Tamayo said he was delighted to have repeated last year‘s triumph in the challenging competition. He emotionally dedicated his victory to Cuba in recognition of the impressive support provided to this beautiful event.

The Cuban Baseball Team’s opening game of the IV World Baseball Classic against Japan will be an extremely difficult encounter, given the excellent form of the opposing team and its megastar Shohei Otani, in particular.

The Pacific League‘s Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year, Otani is the hottest property in the Land of the Rising Sun’s professional elite championship.

The 22-year old right-hander, whose fastball has reached 102.65mph, played a key role in his Nippon-Ham Fighters club‘s national title victory.

Otani contributed an essential 10-4 win-loss percentage with an effectiveness rating of 1.86 and 174

strikeouts from 140 innings pitched.He also hit 22 homeruns and scored

67 RBIs, with a .322 offensive percentage, .416 OBP and .588 slugging percentage. He stole 7 bases in 9 attempts, something not often encountered in a pitcher‘s repertoire.

In light of the above statistics, Cuba will need to tighten its belt at the Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2017, where Otani will mostly likely open the pitching at the first Group B’ game .

The Cuban team, runner-up in the first WBC held in 2006, still has to define several crucial team decisions for the tournament.

The principal line-up remains a

mystery; there are more doubts than certainties about the pitching staff; strong batsmen are thin on the ground and catchers are far from the top of their game.

These are all key factors to be considered by the coaching team.

The game against Japan is critical to Cuba’s aspirations to qualify for to the second phase of the WBC.

A victory would facilitate comfortable advancement, but a defeat practically forces them to beat both China on March 8 and Australia two days later.

If the team progresses to the second

phase, it will face the two survivors from Group A t – composed of South Korea, host country; China Taipei; the Netherlands and Israel – in Seoul.

Cuba‘s goal is, as always, to take the championship title, a tall order this time around given the limited pool of resources and talent to draw from.

Other nations competing in the March 6-22, 2017 Classic include the United States, Canada, Colombia and defending champions, the Dominican Republic, in Group C and Mexico, Venezuela, Italy and runner-up Puerto Rico in Group D.

Cuba Face in Form Japan in World Baseball Classic

By YasielCANCIO

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