Washington Post and other outlets reported that President Obama did not accept an invitation to meet with Bertha Antúnez, the representative for this year’s Democracy Award winners—a group of five Cuban dissidents, three of whom are still in jail in Cuba. Obama did send a note of support to be conveyed at the award ceremony, part of which read: “It is my sincere hope that all political prisoners who remain jailed, including three of today’s award recipients, will be unconditionally released and allowed to fully participate in a democratic future in Cuba.”
Still, this was the first time in five years that a president had not met with the winner of the Democracy Award. The National Endowment for Democracy, which bestows the award, expressed its surprise, and the award recipients their disappointment.
[It probably was not a personal affront; he’s a busy man these days.]
From Forbes: Cuba’s exports in 2008 totaled $4 billion, similar to 2007, but imports increased 41 percent to $15.4 billion, leaving a deficit of $11.4 billion. Even imports from the United States—agricultural products whose prices inflated in 2008—hit a record $860 million, up from $608 million in 2007. Interesting fact: the United States, even with the embargo, is Cuba’s fifth largest trading partner.
The Associated Press is reporting that a 21-year-old Cuban pitcher from the national team defected while in the Netherlands for a tournament. Aroldis Chapman is considered by many to be the number one left-handed pitching prospect in the world, which would certainly explain one reason why he might be interested in leaving; his talent could earn huge sums of money elsewhere. Fidel Castro, ever the diehard baseball fan, will almost certainly have a comment in the coming days.
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