A Bittersweet Reality

During last week's Cuba policy hearing in the U.S. House of Representative's Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Howard Berman of California stated:

"I understand the concern that allowing Americans to travel to Cuba would put money in the hands of the Castros. But the reality is that a significant portion of these funds would also aid the underground economy and the small self-employed sector, strengthening an important foundation of independence from Cuba's authoritarian regime."

Is this the "underground economy and small self-employed sector" that Chairman Berman is talking about?

Making candy leads to charges against human rights advocate

HAVANA, (Juan C. González Leiva, Cubanet) – Human rights advocate Edey Sánchez says he was arrested by national police agents following a five-hour search of his home that turned up an oven, a mixer and trays for making candy.

Sánchez, who lives in Cumanayagua in the province of Cienfuegos, was held by police for seven days and charged with illicit economic activity. The stove, mixer and trays were confiscated.

He was released pending trial after posting a 500,000 bond.