News about US - Cuba relations
Bi-Lateral talks about settling claims for seized assets and embargo damages assets
U.S. and Cuban negotiators met in Havana to discuss, as Reuters reported, "the claims of Americans whose property was nationalized after the 1959 revolution and Cuban counterclaims for damages caused by the U.S. trade embargo."
After a day of negotiations, the Miami Herald noted, the talks concluded with an agreement to talk again next year. The Herald quotes a State Department official who said the meeting produced, "A very respectful and professional exchange," and a communique from Cuba's Foreign Ministry which said the discussions took place in "A respectful and professional climate."
After Cuba's revolution in 1959, the Cuban government nationalized properties belonging both to Cubans and foreign investors, including those from the United States. Under U.S. law, 5,913 individual claims have been certified accounting for losses with an assessed value of $1.9 billion when they were seized, but are now worth roughly $8 billion, according to the Washington Post. Ongoing claims negotiations are likely to include legal judgements against Cuba in U.S. courts, including the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue incident, and unspecified direct claims by the U.S. government against Cuba's government, according to the Miami Herald.
Cuba asserts that it is owed roughly $122 billion in damages for the economic embargo and an additional $181 billion in compensation for the Bay of Pigs and other attacks on Cuba launched by or with the support of U.S. administrations and Cuban exiles.
Under the Helms-Burton law, resolving this complicated issue is a precondition for normalizing relations.
MLB delegation began a visit to Cuba
Major League Baseball and its players union began this week a good-will tour to Cuba. The league is set to host children clinics and a charity event led by top MLB officials and players including Joe Torre, the former manager of the New York Yankees and the chief baseball officer of the MLB, LA Dodger's ace Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners, and Jon Jay, centerfielder for the San Diego Padres.
The trip carries a particular significance for the three Cuban players who will also participate on the trip: White Sox star Jose Abreu, veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez, and Brayan Pena of the St. Louis Cardinals All three players left the island in order to play in the major leagues here in the U.S.
These trip is the latest step by the MLB to improve its relationship with Cuba. The league has expressed interest in creating a system in which the Cuban players can legally and safely be scouted by MLB teams and enter the league. Moving forward, there have been talks of spring training games in Havana and even a Cuban minor league team.
US to begin direct mail service with Cuba
It was announced today that U.S. and Cuban officials have reached a deal to resume direct mail services for the first time since 1966.
A pilot program is set to be launched as technical and operational specifics continue to be discussed. A start date has not been announced for the permanent reestablishment of direct mail services.
