As you can see above, the British travel magazine Wanderlust has anointed Cuba with its 2023 gold medal as "The Most Desirable Island in the World" for travelers. While many would-be tourists around the world might concur with that designation, it so happens that Cuba's neighbor, the United States, has expanded its six-decade old Cuban economic blockade that, since 1962, has tried desperately to starve Cuba by, among other things, blocking tourism to Cuba. In November of 2023 the most glaring Cuban headlines are telling the world that the U. S. Blockade in 2023 is indeed starving, depriving, and making miserable Cubans in Cuba to such an extent that over 400,000 of them have recently left the island hoping to reap financial rewards in capitalist nations such as the United States, which is also home to Miami's rich and powerful Little Havana Cubans. That being said, in mid-November-2023, Cuba is still trying its best to survive the violent Miami-based/Washington-based/Blockade-beloved designs of its northern neighbor that happens to be the longest and strongest such economic embargo in history.
But, in mid-November of 2023 {see above} Cuba is holding its annual International Trade Fair in Havana seeking "foreign investment to help boost its ailing economy." And it appears to be successful with "over 800 companies from more than 60 countries showcasing products and services."
At the Trade Fair in Havava some foreign companies, as shown above, are promising to help Cuba stock its store shelves with food that average Cuban can actually afford.
Cuba-born Cuban-Americans such as Hugo Cancio are in the majority when they try to help Cubans in Cuba survive the U. S. blockade although the more politically powerful U. S. Cubans from Miami and Newark have historically dictated the USA's anti-Cuban policies since 1959. But Hugo Cancio, who uniquely has offices in both Miami and Havana, is determined that enterprises such as this month's Trade Fair, coming a couple of weeks after the yearly UN vote that reveals the whole world's disgust with the U. S. blockade of Cuba, might provide some positive vibes for the 11 million Cubans still on the island who have lived their lives under the yoke of a stifling economic blockade imposed by the strongest nation in the world. Hugo Cancio in November of 2023, as shown above, is at the Trade Fair in Havana trying to find and create gaps in the blockade that will permit Cuba to obtain fuel to prevent the electric blackouts and obtain fertilizer and machinery to help the island grow more of its own food. He said, "It has become history's longest and cruelest economic embargo that the Cuban people know as a genocidal blockade. That, especially as it is allowed to continue decade after decade, hurts Cuba, America, and Democracy."
Every now and then, during the six+decades of the U. S. blockade, the Cuban people have been given some hints that it will ease or even end some day. Here in mid-November of 2023 the images above provide more hints. Yes, Cuba -- with massive tourist lures such as beaches rated the best in the world by some travel agencies -- wants the superpower United States to permit free and honest tourism to Cuba but that is impossible within the confines of the superpower blockade. Yet this week the prime U. S. airline -- American Airlines -- plans "82 WEEKLY" flights to Cuba during this period, the winter part of the island's prime winter season for tourism. Wow!! Will the rich and powerful Cuban politicians in Washington from Miami and Newark allow such tourism to reach Cuba with actual dollars to spend. I doubt it.
This is the Hotel Royalton at Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba where the beach, directly south of Floirda, has been recently rated "The Second Best Beach in the World." It is very close to Veradero Beach, which has been rated THE Best Beach in the World. The two world-famed Spanish chains -- Iberostar and Melia -- have 5-star Hotels and Resorts in Cuba but the U. S. blockade blocks tourism to visit them.
This tourist believes that the clear water and soft sand at Cayo Santa Maria makes it the best beach in the world, but her friend said it is "second only to Veradero!!"
This is the Seville Hotel in Havana operated by Melia Hotels & Resorts. Melia and Iberostar -- the two world-famed Spanish chains -- have 42 4-star and 5-star hotels in Cuba...all waiting to see in November of 2023 if the BLOCKADE will ease a bit.
Of course, the famed National Hotel in Havana has been restored beautifully and remains the most famous and the most alluring and best hotel in "the Caribbean and in North America."
For tourists who want to go beyond the wonders of Cuba's big and historic cities such as Havana, the four photos above show why many tourists want to visit places such as Candetorea, which is a little community in the Rosario Mountains in Artemisa Province. Candetorea has a population of 1,000 very friendly Cubans who are anxious to provide wonderful experiences for visitors who venture to a gorgeous spot that Cubans love to show off on their island.
But, of course, the U. S. Blockade of Cuba powerfully and cruelly denies American tourists from spending a dollar in Cuba because it might deter from the starvation tactics embedded deeply within the Blockade. The "CRUISE FROM FLORIDA 2023/24" ad shown above actually applies to anyone except tourists that might want to visit Cuba. For example...as dictated by the Blockade, a cruise ship that has the audacity to dock in Cuba is then not allowed to leave Cuba and then dock in a U. S. port. Yes, if you are the richest and strongest nation in the world you can impose such dictates to other nations.
Uh...ANYWHERE EXCEPT CUBA, of course.
.gif)
.gif)
.gif)
