Havana Cuba

Havana, Cuba ...

Keynote address at gala hosted by the Cuban Patriotic Council and Cuban Municipalities in Exile, by the Chief of Mission of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, James C. Cason.  January 28, 2005 ...

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Cuba

To schedule a briefing at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, please call the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Interests Section at [011] (53-7) 833-3551 or 833-3967. ...

The Office of Cuban Affairs, U.S. Department of State, in Washington, DC, and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, are available to provide briefings on U.S. policy toward Cuba and an overview of Cuban political and economic conditions. ... [Read More]

Cuba

If U.S. travelers return from Cuba with Cuban origin goods, such goods, with the exception of informational materials, may be seized at Customs' discretion. [Section 515.204 of the Regulations.] Cuban cigars and rum are routinely confiscated at U.S. ports of entry. The fact that Cuban cigars and rum are purchased in a "duty free" shop at the Havana Airport does not exempt them from seizure by US customs. There are no limits on the import or export of informational materials [Section 515.206 of the Regulations]. Such materials, for example books, films, tapes and CDs, are statutorily exempt from regulation under the embargo and may be transported freely. However, blank tapes and CDs are not considered informational materials and may be seized. ... [Read More]

FACT SHEET: U.S. CONSULAR AND REFUGEE OPERATIONS IN CUBA

Havana, Cuba ... [Read More]

Cuba (08/04)

Cuba's precarious economic position is complicated by the high price it must pay for foreign financing. The Cuban Government defaulted on most of its international debt in 1986 and does not have access to credit from international financial institutions such as the World Bank, which means Havana must rely heavily on short-term loans to finance imports, chiefly food and fuel. Because of its poor credit rating, an $11-billion hard currency debt, and the risks associated with Cuban investment, interest rates have reportedly been as high as 22%. In 2002, citing chronic delinquencies and mounting short-term debts, Moody's lowered Cuba's credit rating to Caa1 - "speculative grade, very poor." Dunn and Bradstreet rate Cuba as one of the riskiest econo ... [Read More]

Cuba - US Department of State

Independent Groups Denounce Human Rights Abuses in Cuba, VenezuelaRights of Cuban journalists, Venezuelan activists violated, organizations sayAn international press freedom advocacy group has denounced the mistreatment of jailed journalists in Cuba, while another global organization promoting human rights says civil society leaders in Venezuela are being put on trial on "dubious charges of treason."  (complete text) Senior U.S. Officia ... [Read More]

Consular Section

The U.S. Interests Section in Havana provides a wide range of services to Cuban Citizens. ...

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EXECUTIVE  OFFICE

James Cason, a career Foreign Service Officer withextensive experience in Latin America, has been Chief of Mission at the United States Interests Section (USINT) Havana, Cuba, sinceSeptember 10, 2002. Prior to assuming his duties in Havana, he worked in the Bureau ofWestern Hemisphere Affairs as Director of Policy, Planning and Coordination. ...

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