Here is what I learned during my visit in October 2017 with the Philadelphia World Affairs Council. After watching an amazing performance of dance and percussion by the Havana Compás Dance company, a young man eyes, brimming with tears, whispered to me that “Trump’s policy” has hurt the dance company; he explained that fewer American tour groups are coming to see their performances and sales of the company’s souvenirs are down. In Pinar del Rio, we fell in love with Down’s Syndrome children and the members of the community who voluntarily run the center where the children come to socialize with each other, paint, and dance. We also were impressed by an organic farm with a popular restaurant created and managed by a family who’ve made a great success of their new business. But the children, the dancers, and the farm are all threatened by the stricter embargo regulations that took effect on November 9, 2017. The organic farm won’t be hurt as much because other foreign tourist will continue to visit. But as people-to-people tours—like the one I was on—become less frequent, there will be fewer visits to Havana Compás Dance and to the Down’s Syndrome center, and the Europeans won’t fill the gap. American tour groups that provide people-to-people visits were authorized under the Clinton administration in order to allow Americans to visit without violating US law, which had long prohibited tourism to Cuba. The impact of strained relations and the travel warning has already had a negative impact on these groups. Alaska Airlines is the fourth regional airline—the other are Spirit, Frontier, and Silver—in the last year to cancel its flights to Cuba, and American, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines have cut capacity, confirming a downturn in American travel that will result in fewer donations, less customers, and less revenues for Cuba’s children, its private entrepreneurs, and its artistic community.
I had not been outside Havana since I left in 2002, so I was impressed to see numerous Cubans selling trinkets in small stands set up along several streets in Cienfuegos. But then I had long ago realized that Cubans are natural capitalists—after all they practically built Miami! I struck up a conversation with two women selling post cards in the Plaza de Armas. Both said they hoped that the consular section of the American embassy would soon reopen so they could apply for visas to visit family in Miami. Later our group had lunch at the family-run Casa Prado where the mother cooks, father does the books, and the son and daughter-in-law serve the diners. Business was off, and we were the only customers. In the afternoon, we visited the Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens that before the Cuban Revolution had a close relationship with Harvard University, but even with improved relations it has not reestablished its ties with Harvard. The garden, which is more like a forest, with its lush vegetation, massive trees, and endemic species is only minimally maintained. Its small and dedicated staff do their best, but resources are scarce.
The manager of the Classic Ballet of Camaguey where we viewed a very professional performance lamented that he had to cancel their upcoming performances in the States because the consular section is not issuing visas. In Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we saw young people—proudly dressed in black-and-white uniforms—headed for work as servers in the numerous new restaurants catering to tourists. They were still hopeful, but how long before these establishments begin to close and they lose their jobs?
Change has come to Cuba. Its youth was beginning to believe that they had a future in their own country, rather than in the United States. The dream I have held close to my heart that Cuba’s youth would someday prefer Havana to Miami seemed to be coming true, until conservative Cuban Americans—people with the same roots as these young people—convinced President Trump to extinguish their dreams. I hope this shuttering of improved relations will be reversed soon.
NOTES
PROLOGUE
“I may go back again one day,” James A. Michener and John Kings, Six Days in Havana (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1989), 99.
CHAPTER 1
“The Cuban people hold a special place …,” Nelson Mandela, quoted in Isaac Saney, “When Africa Called, Fidel and Cuba Answered,” Telesur, November 29, 2016.
“[Any fears] have dissipated today,” Jorge Mas Canosa, quoted in Larry Rohter, “The 1992 Campaign: Florida; Clinton Sees Opportunity to Break G.O.P Grip on Cuban Americans,” New York Times, October 31, 1992.
William M. LeoGrande and Peter Kornbluh, “Clinton’s Campaign Calculus,” in Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2014), 269–71.
CHAPTER 2
Lily Prellezo and José Basulto, “Shoot-Down,” in Seagull One: The Amazing True Story of Brothers to the Rescue (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2010), Chapters 27 and 28.
“Frankly, this is not cojones …,” Madeline Albright, quoted in “Players: Madeline Albright,” CNN, http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/albright/.
Peter Kornbluh, “Posada Carriles Built Bombs For, and Informed On, Jorge Mas Canosa, CIA Records Reveal.” October 6, 2009, National Security Archive.
Gaeton Fonzi, “Jorge Who?,” 1993, Document 0063, Cuban Information Archives, cybab0exuke,com/doc_051-075doc0063, p7-8.
Ann Louise Bardach and Larry Lohter, “A Bomber’s Tale: Decades of Intrigue: Life in the Shadows, Trying to Bring Down Castro,” New York Times, July 13, 1998.
CHAPTER 3
William M. LeoGrande and Peter Kornbluh, “Kissinger’s Cuba Initiative,” in Back Channel to Cuba, pp 126–28.
William M. LeoGrande and Peter Kornbluh, “García Márquez’s Mission” and “The FBI Delegation,” in Back Channel to Cuba, 334–337 and 337–338.
CHAPTER 4
Claiborne, William, “Illinois Governor Defends Visit to Castro; Ryan Says U.S. Should End Trade Embargo,” Washington Post, October 28, 1999, [Huddleston papers].
Currie, Bennie M., “Illinois Governor: Cuba Visit Success,” Associated Press, October 28, 1999, [Huddleston papers].
“The trouble with Cuba is Fidel Castro,” George Ryan, quoted in Associated Press, “Cuba Criticizes U.S. Interests Section for Having Politician Meet Dissident,” Wall Street Journal, October 29, 1999, [Huddleston papers].
“Gobierno de Castro Amenaza Sección de Intereses de EEUU” [Cuban Government Threatens the US Interests Section], Diario Las Americas, October 28, 1999, [Huddleston papers].
CHAPTER 5
“Many days of mourning …,” Rafael Díaz-Balart, quoted in Abby Goodnough, “All in the Family: Brothers Wage War on Uncle Fidel,” New York Times, March 8, 2006.
Michener and Kings, Six Days in Havana, 63–64.
“(Fidel’s) endless rule seemed like some powerful vine,” Arthur Miller, “My Dinner with Castro,” Guardian, January 24, 2004.
CHAPTER 6
“Elián González Defeated Al Gore,” William Schneider, Atlantic, May 1, 2001, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2001/05/elian-gonzalez-defeated-al-gore/377714/.
“Elián Says Dolphins Saved His Life,” March 27, 2000, IOL, https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/world/elian-says-dolphins-saved-his-life-33676.
Douglas Montero, “Castro Threatens “Battle” for Raft Boy: Gives U.S. 3 Days to Return Refugee,” New York Post, December 6, 1999.
“The question is …,” Bill Clinton, quoted in Steven Mufson, “Clinton Warns Against Politics in Cuban Boy’s Case,” Washington Post, pp A41, December 9, 1999.
Haberman, Clyde, “NYC; A Tug of War as Complex as War,” New York Times, January 14, 2000.
“No one has the right to make him an American citizen,” Mariela Quintana, quoted in Mcfadden, Robert D. “Grandmother Make Plea for Cuban Boy’s Return,” New York Times, January 22, 2000.
CHAPTER 7
“The Capital’s Assault on Injustice,” Juventud Rebelde, July 27, 2000, [Huddleston papers].
“The law has been upheld,” Bill Clinton, quoted in Bragg, Rick, “The Elian Gonzalez Case: The Overview; Cuban Boy Seized by U.S. Agents and Reunited with his Father, New York Times, April 23, 200
0.
Lizette Alvarez, “The Elian Gonzalez Case: The Overview; Raid in Miami Opens New Front in Struggle over Cuban Boy,” New York Times, April 24, 2000.
CHAPTER 8
“Please, Mr. President, forgive me …,” Arthur Miller, quoting himself in “My Dinner with Castro,” The Guardian, January 24, 2004.
“Your presence here helps,” Fidel Castro, quoted in Ginger Thompson, “Cuba, Too, Felt the September 11 Shock Waves, with a More Genial Castro Offering Help,” New York Times, February 7, 2002.
Cathleen McGuigan, “Saving Havana: Restoring the Old Cuban Capital Is Good for Tourism. But What About the Fabulous Modern Buildings?” Mcguigan, Cathleen, Newsweek, International Atlantic Edition 54 July 1, 2002, pp 1-4.
CHAPTER 9
“Dear Mr. Powell,” Fidel Castro, “Letter to General (Ret.) Colin Powell,” November 11, 1995, [Huddleston papers].
CHAPTER 10
“Distinguida Señora Vicky [sic] …,” Amalia Castro quoted in “Letter to Sra. Vicky Huddleston,” Asociación Nacional de Lebreles Afganos [National Association of Afghan Hounds], February 6, 2001, [Huddleston papers].
Kamen, Al, “In the Loop: And your Little Dog, Too!” Washington Post, February 13, 2001, [Huddleston papers].
“We’ve always known that Fidel Castro’s bark …,” senior State Department official, quoted in Agence France-Presse, “U.S. Diplomat Hounded Out of Cuban Dog Club,” Reuters, February 13, 2001, [Huddleston papers].
“Well, I hope so.” Vicki Huddleston quoted in Rene Montagne, Morning Edition, February 16, 2001, National Public Radio, [Huddleston papers].
DeYoung, Karen, “Message Sent Via Diplomatic Pooch, Cuba Dog Club Boots U.S. Mission Chief,” Washington Post, February 17, 2001, Page C01, [Huddleston papers].
“I’m not going to stoop so low …,” Charles Shapiro quoted in Karen DeYoung, “Message Sent via Diplomatic Pooch,” Washington Post, February 17, 2001, [Huddleston papers].
“[Havana had been]‘slandered,’” Cuban Afghan Hound Association quoted in Mark Fineman, “It’s a Dog’s Life for U.S. Envoy in Havana,” Los Angeles Times, March 23, 2001.
CHAPTER 11
“Guantanamo Bay [GTMO] “Gitmo,” Global Security.org, https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/guantanamo-bay.htm
“Dagger pointed at Cuba’s heart,” Fidel Castro quoted in “Castro Does ‘Not Oppose US Prison,” BBC News, 22:38 GMT January 4, 2002, ws.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/Americas/1743562.
“We hope that one day …,” Felipe Perez Roque, quoted in Ginger Thompson, “Cuba, Too, Felt the Sept. 11 Shock Waves, with a more Genial Castro Offering Help,” New York Times, February 7, 2002.
Dalia Acosta, “Cuba-U.S.: Conflicting Interests Affect Incipient Thaw,” February 18, 2002, Inter Press Service, [Huddleston papers].
“Shackled Detainees Arrive in Guantanamo,” January 11, 2002, CNN, http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/central/01/11/ret.detainee.transfer/index.html
Dalia Acosta, “Cuba-U.S.: Conflicting Interests Affect Incipient Thaw,” February 18, 2002, Inter Press Service, [Huddleston papers].
CHAPTER 12
“You cannot say there is change in Cuba …,” Vicki Huddleston quoted in Marc Frank, “U.S.’s Top Cuban Diplomat Denies Warming Trend,” February 7, 2002, Reuters, TR_TNS 3 f CU LATAM DIP LDC NEWS 621 NO7139580
“The problem for us is that nothing has fundamentally changed,” Vicki Huddleston quoted Anita Snow, “U.S. Diplomat Says Cuba Must Do More Than Charm Americans if It Wants Sanction to Fall,” Associated Press, Thursday, BC cycle, International news, February 7, 2002, Associated Press, [Huddleston papers.
“Cuba has reacted in as positive manner,” Vicki Huddleston quoted by Marc Frank, “U.S.’s Top Cuban Diplomat Denies Warming Trend,” Reuters February 7, 2002, RTR_TNS 3 f CU LATAM DIP LDC NEWS 621 NO7139580
“Debe hacer mas [Ought to do more]” Vicki Huddleston quoted by Agencia EFE, “Cuba ‘Debe Hacer Mas’ En Lucha Anititerrorista, Segun Diplomatica,” Agencia EFE ICXMUN EXG, February 7, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“No hemos visto una Buena cooperación de Cuba sobre el terrorismmo [We have not seen good cooperation on terrorism from Cuba]” Vicki Huddleston, quoted by Oscar Madrid, “No Ve Cooperacion Cubana’ sobre Terrorismo [No Cuban Cooperation on Terrorism]” EFE News Service, Cuba-EE.UU-Terrorismo, February 7, 2002. [Huddleston papers].
“Cuba should do more,” Vicki Huddleston, quoted by EFE News Service, Cuba-US: U.S. Diplomat Says Cuba Should Do More to Fight Terrorism,” EFE News Service February 8, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“Cuba should do more,” Vicki Huddleston, quoted by EFE News Service, “Cuba-US: U.S. Diplomat Says Cuba Should Do More to Fight Terrorism,” February 8, 2002, EFE News Service, paraphrased in Financial Times Information, JOURNAL-CODE: WEFE, LOAD-DATE: February 8, 2002 [Huddleston papers].
“They cannot imagine how much we do not care,” Fidel Castro, quoted in Vivian Sequera, “Fidel Castro Says He Doesn’t Care if Cuba Is Included or Not on the U.S. State Department’s Terrorism Watch List,” Associated Press, February 16, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“In Miami, there’s extraordinary confusion …,” Roberto de Armas a Cuban official quoted by Tracey Eaton, “American Diplomat in Havana Says Cuba Can’t Charm U.S. into Easing Embargo, Dallas Morning News, Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, KR-ACC-No: K3341, February 8, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“There is not a country in the world where diplomats don’t interfere…,” Fidel Castro quoted by Vivian Sequera, “Fidel Castro Says He Doesn’t Care if Cuba Is Included or Not on the U.S. State Department’s Terrorism Watch List,” Associated Press, February 16, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“We are in the ninth year of Clinton policy,” Joe Garcia quoted in Vivian Sequera, “Fidel Castro Says He Doesn’t Care if Cuba Is Included or Not on the U.S. State Department’s Terrorism Watch List,” Associated Press, February 16, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
“For 43 years they’ve been saying the same thing,” Fidel Castro quoted by Dalia Acosta, “Cuba-U.S.: Conflicting Interests Affect Incipient Thaw, Inter Press Service, February 18, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
Thompson, Ginger, “Fox: Cuban Relations ‘Solid,’” New York Times News Service, HGTV, Miami Herald, 2601413.htm, February 4, 2002.
“Goering, Laurie, “Fox Meets with Cuban Dissidents; Mexican Leader Says Human Rights a Chief Concern,” Chicago Tribune, February 5, 2002 [Huddleston papers].
Elaine De Valle, “Radio Martí Boss Creates Lots of Static,” Miami Herald, March 31, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
David Gonzalez, “Cuba Arrests Asylum Seekers in Mexican Embassy,” New York Times, March 2, 2002.
Tim Weiner, “Castro’s Attack on Fox Place Cuban-Mexican Ties in Danger,” New York Times, April 24, 2002.
CHAPTER 13
“I think it’s a terrible idea.” Wayne Smith quoted in Kevin Sullivan, “In Havana, U.S. Radios Strike Note of Discord—to Cuba Gift are Arrogant Meddling,” Washington Post, May 5, 2002, p A21 [Huddleston papers].
“In this country…” Felipe Pérez Roque, quoted in Tracy Easton, “U.S. Radio Handots Irk Cuba - Officials trade criticism over Political Tactics, human-rights practices. Dallas Morning News, April 9, 2002. [Huddleston papers].
CHAPTER 14
Kevin Sullivan, “In Havana, U.S. Radios Strike Note of Discord,” Washington Post, May 5, 2002, [Huddleston papers].
John Bolton, quoted in Judith Miller, “Washington Accuses Cuba of Germ-Warfare Research,” New York Times, May 7, 2002.
Lincoln Díaz-Balart, quoted in Judith Miller, Ibid.
David Gonzalez, “Cuban Dissidents Put Hope in a Petition and Jimmy Carter,” New York Times, May 14, 2002.
“Articles 63 and 88 of your constitution allows citizens …,” quoted in “remarks by former U.S President Jimmy Carter at the University of Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, May 14, 2002,” The Carter Center, “President Carters’ Trip Report, May 20, 2002.
Oswaldo Payá, “Osvaldo Paya to V
icki Huddleston,” Havana, May 18, 2002. [Huddleston papers].
CHAPTER 15
“Freedom sometimes grows step by step,” George W. Bush, quoted in David Stout, “Bush Hews to Cuban Hard Line, but Holds Out a Carrot or Two,” New York Times, May 20, 2002.
“One hundred years ago Cuba declared her independence,” George W. Bush, “Remarks on the 100th Anniversary of Cuban Independence in Miami, Florida,” May 20, 2002, The American Presidency Project, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=63117
“On May 20, 2002 President Bush delivered …, Jorge I. Dominguez in “Reshaping Relations Between the United States and Cuba,” in Debating U.S.-Cuban Relations: Shall We Play Ball?, ed. Jorge I. Dominguez, Rafael M. Hernández, and Lorena G. Barberia (New York: Routledge, 2012), pp 38- 41.
“Don’t be Foolish Mr. W.,” Fidel Castro, quoted in Lucia Newman, “Castro: ‘Don’t Be Foolish, Mr. W,’” June 1, 2002, Posted: 6:30pmCNN.
Fidel Castro, “Speech Given by Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of Cuba, at the Public Rally Held at the ‘Abel Santamaría Cuadrado’ Revolutionary Square in Ciego de Avila on the Occasion of the 49th Anniversary of the Attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Barracks,” July 26, 2002, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la República de Cuba, http://anterior.cubaminrex.cu/English/Speeches/FCR/fcr2002/FCR_at%20public%20rally%20on%2049%20anniversary%20moncada%2026072002.asp
Hammer, Joshua, The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2016).
Our Woman in Havana Page 29