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Havana Cathedral
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Matanzas
Monument to African Slaves, Matanzas - Pic: Manuel Barcía Paz
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Havana
Pic: Stephen Wilkinson

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The International Institute for the Study of Cuba is an initiative by an international group of academics, specialists and consultants. It is located at the University of Buckingham in the UK but has a global network of supporters, who share its ambition to provide a dispassionate, in-depth and objective appraisal of the Cuban political, economic, cultural and historical experience that serves to anchor an understanding of Cuba beyond the ideological divide that bedevils coverage in the mainstream media.

The Institute is a citizens' association, open to all who share its aims and objectives. Among these are to provide reports and policy recommendations to decision-makers that are objective, factual and reasoned. We also exist to ensure the continued open access publication of the International Journal of Cuban Studies and to organise educational and academic events, study tours and conferences. 

The Institute is non-profit making and depends entirely on donations and the goodwill of those who give their time and efforts unpaid in order to do its work. Please, if you can, consider making a regular contribution to our work. Even as little as £2/$3 per month would help us considerably. It is the spirit of altruism and empathy that inspires us and it the altruism of our supporters that sustains us.

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Latest News

Just plain wrong

The US blockade must end

By Stephen Wilkinson, IISC director

In the past month, Cuba has experienced the biggest energy crisis in the history of the Revolution, with almost the entire island and 10 of its 11 million people being deprived of electricity for many days. Blackouts, that had been occurring with increasing frequency and duration for some time, turned into a total collapse of the electrical system following the shutdown of the country’s main thermoelectric plant on Thursday 17th October and it took more than a week for the power to be restored to the whole island. During the recovery phase, a hurricane hit the province of Guantanamo in the East and caused further blackouts and huge destruction. Across the island schools were closed and almost all economic activity ceased while the authorities and technicians worked to restore power. The population now fears that this situation will lead to the threat of famine due to the putrefaction of food because refrigerators stooped working.

The immediate cause of the crisis was the lack of fuel to feed the thermoelectric plants, worsened by a climatic situation that delayed the arrival of a ship with fuel oil. However, the ultimate cause is the same as that shared by the large and small problems of the island: the commercial and financial embargo imposed by Washington more than six decades ago Rightly, the Cuban government calls this policy a blockade because it has an extra-territorial reach, limiting supplies, credits and investments from third countries, with the declared purpose of reducing the Cuban population by starvation and forcing it to revolt against its authorities. Although this sinister objective has been frustrated, the endless difficulties that Cuba must face in obtaining foreign currency and acquiring essential supplies have led the country to a lacerating shortage of everything necessary for daily life.

This blockade is frequently thought to be a mere pretext of the Cuban government the blame its failings on the United States and the criminal nature of the dozens of laws and decrees that make it up is forgotten. As an island located in the Caribbean Sea, Cuba’s natural economic vocation is in tourism, and its location, just 144 kilometres from the United States, makes the Americans its logical and basic market. But Washington’s illegal regulations effectively prohibit its citizens from travelling to the island. The application of sanctions not only affects US citizens, but any company, from any part of the planet, that buys or sells any object - be it an onion, a medicine for cancer or a notebook for children to study - to Havana is likely to be persecuted by the US. One of the most important sources of income for almost all Latin American and Caribbean states, remittances sent by their compatriots working abroad, is also restricted for Cubans because it is not allowed access to the international payment system, one of the many tentacles of US imperialism.

Since Hugo Chavez democratically came to power in Venezuela at the head of the Bolivarian Revolution in 1998, Caracas has provided invaluable assistance to the Cuban people by providing oil. But as Washington has made Venezuelans victims of the same sanctions policies it perpetrates against Cubans, the government of Nicolas Maduro has had to cut its aid to Cuba, which has made an extremely precarious situation even worse. Likewise, Cuba is prevented from buying machinery, tools and spare parts to reverse the deterioration of the electrical energy infrastructure, so the failures will continue to be structural as long as Washington's boot remains pressed against the island’s throat. Cuba is also not even allowed to access the technologies necessary to undertake the energy transition, despite the fact that US and other Western countries proclaim themselves to be promoters of the fight against climate change.

This century, with the exception of Israel against the Palestinian people, no country has been as systematically and long-lastingly sadistic towards a civilian population as the United States has been in its attack on the Cubans. The human suffering and the deprivation of any prospect of a dignified life in their own land are testimony to the total contempt of the American political class towards the well-being of the Cuban people and their basic human rights.

What is remarkable and should be acknowledged, however, is the stoicism, serenity and downright determination of the Cuban people. Imagine - a total blackout for three days! If what happened in Cuba this past month had happened anywhere else in the world there would have been chaos, looting and riots in the streets.

Cuba deserves our solidarity and the United States our opprobrium.

Visit Cuba with the IISC

A hugely enjoyable trip with a good balance of learning and fun’
(2023 participant)

 

Fully guided, 7 nights with flights, breakfasts and lunches.

*£2,610

Following successful tours in 2018, 2019 and last year, the IISC in conjunction with the Department of Politics at the University of Buckingham, is planning another study visit to Cuba led by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, who lectures on Latin American and Cuban Politics, Steve is Editor of the International Journal of Cuban Studies and the Director of International Institute for the Study of Cuba. Steve has been visiting Cuba since 1987, holds a PHD in Cuban Literature and has led more than twenty study tours to the island.

The flights and itinerary will be organised by the ATOL protected Cuba Specialist Travel company Captivating Cuba. The itinerary includes visits to two of Cuba’s top Universities to meet students and staff.The tour will deepen participants’ understanding of history, politics, economics and international relations as well as expand their knowledge of Cuba, its unique character and history. But it is not all study, there will also be plenty of time to relax by the pool and explore Havana!

The plan is to fly economy with Air Europa via Madrid departing from Gatwick on Saturday 14th September and returning overnight on Saturday 21st arriving in Heathrow on Sunday 22nd. The group will stay at the Hotel Telegrafo in Havana the Hotel America in Santa Clara and the Hotel Barcelona in Remedios, Villa Clara.

The price of £2,210* includes the visa, flight, hotels, English speaking tourist guide, transfers, visits, and stated lunches, based on a shared double room. A single supplement of £319* is estimated for those who would not wish to share a room.

The tour is open to all students, alumni, staff and their relatives or friends.

An excellent complement to my course’

‘Fantastic organisation, interesting itinerary with a good variety of visits.’

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THIS TOUR, PLEASE EMAIL Dr Stephen Wilkinson immediately in the first instance. We need a minimum of 10 participants to make this trip work. Please provide your full name DoB and Passport number in your email and please reply by May 15th, 2024.

ONCE WE HAVE A LIST OF INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS, we will arrange a meeting on teams where Dr Wilkinson and Gemma from Captivating Cuba will explain the programme. (A non-refundable deposit of £150 will be required to make the fight reservations. Payment must be received by the beginning of June. The balance for the tour must be paid by the beginning of July).

Proposed Itinerary*

Day 1 Saturday 14th Sept

Arrive Havana. Check-in to Hotel.

Evening: Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.

 

Day 2 Sunday 15th Sept

9.30 am Guided tour around Old Havana.  Visit to the Hemingway room at the Ambos Mundos Hotel

Lunch in the Ambos Mundos.

2:00 pm: visit to Revolution Square and Jose Marti Monument Museum. Cocktail at the Hotel Nacional.

6:00 pm: Transfer to hotel – evening free.

 

Day 3 Monday 16th Sept.

8:0 am: Pick up at hotel and visit to the University of Artemisa. Visti to the Orchid Garden research centre and waterfall of Soroa. Opportunity to bathe in the waterfall.

6:00pm: Return to Hotel

Evening: Dinner in a private restaurant.

 

Day 4 Tuesday 17th Sept.

8.30am: Check out of hotel

9.30am visit to the Calixto Garcia Hospital.

12.30pm Lunch in a private restaurant

2pmTravel to Santa Clara.

5.30pm Check into Hotel.

7pm Dinner in Santa Rosalia restaurant.

Evening in the city.

 

Day 5 Wednesday 18th Sept

8:45 am: Pick up at hotel and visit The University of Villa Clara ‘Marta Abreu’

9.00 am. Meet and greet.

10.00am Activity with language students.

11.30am: Salsa lessons

1.30pm. Lunch in Santa Clara.

2:00 pm: Visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and the historic train monument. Coffee in the Revolution café.

Evening Free.

 

Day 6 Thursday 19th Sept

7.30 am Breakfast. Check out

8.30-Depart for Remedios.

Visit the Sugar Mill museum

1.30 Lunch at beach restaurant on the Cayos

Afternoon on the beach.

Return to Remedios Check into the Hotel Barcelona

Dinner in local restaurant.

 

Day 7 Friday 19th Sept

8am Check out and transfer back to Havana.

Lunch in Kilometro Zero

2pm Visit National Arts Museum and Museum of the revolution.

4pm Check into Hotel Telegrafo

19:00. Farewell dinner in El Cocinero restaurant and night club.

 

Day 8 Saturday 14th Sept.

8 AM. Free to do last minute shopping. Late checkout.

  1. transfer to Havana Airport for return flight.

 

Flights with Air Europa (Economy Class)

The prices are based on the below flights as a group fare. The flights are with Air Europa in Economy.*

14/09/2024 LGW-MAD UX1014 1000-1330

14/09/2024 MAD-HAV UX0051 1605-1950

 

21/09/2024 HAV-MAD UX0052 2155-1250

22/09/2024 MAD-LGW UX1015 1500-1625

Includes 

- service of guide (English language) and Dr Stephen Wilkinson (Cuba academic specialist)

- private bus for the group in all transfers.

- Lunch and excursions as per described on the itinerary.

- accommodation at hotels as per itinerary.

Price per person based on a double occupancy room £2,610

Price per person based on Single occupancy £2,929

The deposit on this is £150 per person and the balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure

Please note the price and itinerary is subject to confirmation at this stage. Some of the visits may be retimed or altered but substitute activities will be arranged.

 

If you are interested in this tour:

We will tell you when sufficient numbers have expressed their desire to go. You should only book at that point. Please let Steve Wilkinson stephen.wilkinson@buckingham.ac.uk know that you are interested. As soon as we have sufficient numbers we will then provide details on how to book and pay your deposit..

VISAS: Travel to Cuba requires you to purchase a Tourist Card/Visa. These will be supplied by Captivating Cuba and the cost is included in the price.

INSURANCE: If you are a student or employee of the University, you may be covered by the University’s policy (pending confirmation). We will provide details after booking. If you are not a student or employee, you will need to acquire travel insurance, Captivating Cuba can advise on this.

ADD ON WEEK: If you wish to extend your stay in Cuba for an extra week, this may be possible to arrange. Please inform Gemma at Captivating Cuba and she will be able to offer packages to suit your needs.

QUERIES: Dr Stephen Wilkinson 07956 381640 stephen.wilkinson@buckingham.ac.uk

COVID: Currently there are no restrictions on entry to the country. But passengers must have a valid health insurance policy.

*Please note: All prices and details are approximates only and depend upon numbers of passengers. A minimum of 10 passengers is required. The flights are subject to availability and restricted to the group, itinerary and passenger numbers. Any changes made will be subject to a new quote from Air Europa. The group must travel together in all flights. In Santa Clara the hotel may be subject to change depending on availability.

Lessons from the Missile Crisis 60 Years On

In those years, we Cubans were not just used to be on the brink of a war with the US, actually, we were already at a war with the Americans. That war was part of our daily lives for 3 years. We had Bay of Pigs 18 months earlier. A civil war, with thousands of counterrevolutionary guerrillas, fueled and supplied by the US, had extended to the whole island. Teenagers teachers like me had been assassinated by those guerrillas.

Radamés Giro

Radamés Giro, musician, author, editor, and self-taught researcher and musicologist was a central figure of Cuban music over the last 50 years.

Matanzas fire and the need for the US to change policy

While Venezuela and Mexico have sent teams of firefighters an oil fire experts to assist their neighbour and China has offered to send aid, the US has stood by and done nothing. Furthermore, it is becoming clear that the US sanctions policies are make providing humanitarian aid from US charities and other relief organisations extremely difficult.

11 July – One year later

One year after the protests of 11 July 2021, the situation on the streets in Cuba is calm. Cars cruise along Calle 23 in the heart of Havana, families stroll in the parks, queues form at bus stops and in front of some shops. On that date, the flags on government buildings flew at half-mast, after a one-day national mourning was decreed following the assassination of Japan's ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe. Everything seems to be as usual, but in the background, things are starting to rumble.