X-Nico

3 unusual facts about United States embargo against Cuba


Explorations in afro-cuban dance and drum

"Since 1996 local music teacher/musician Howie Kaufman has led Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum, a workshop series at HSU that brings teachers and students from far and wide. Passion for the clave rhythm led some seriously dedicated Humboldters to find ways around the U.S. blockade (United States embargo against Cuba) of the Caribbean island and bring Cuban music and musicians here."—Doran (2011).

Despite the United States embargo against Cuba, a slight relaxation allowed the Afro-Cuban folkloric group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas to tour the United States in 1992.

Tito Fuentes

He was one of the last baseball players signed directly out of Cuba before the United States embargo against Cuba.


History of Havana

After the revolution of 1959, the new regime promised to improve social services, public housing, and official buildings; nevertheless, shortages that affected Cuba after Castro's abrupt expropriation of all private property and industry under a strong communist model backed by the Soviet Union followed by the U.S. embargo, hit Havana especially hard.

International sanctions

Well known examples of economic sanctions include the United Nations sanctions against South Africa, United Nations sanctions against Zimbabwe, United Nations sanctions against Iraq (1990–2003) and the United States embargo against Cuba (1962–present).

Internet in Cuba

According to Boris Moreno Cordoves, Deputy Minister of Informatics and Communications, the Torricelli Act (part of the United States embargo against Cuba) identified the telecommunications sector as a tool for subversion of the 1959 Cuban Revolution, and the necessary technology has been conditioned by counter-revolutionaries, but is also seen as essential for Cuba’s economic development.

MV Patrick Morris

Built for the West India Fruit and Steamship Company by Canadian Vickers Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec in 1951, the 460-foot vessel was called the SS New Grand Haven and operated as a railcar ferry between Palm Beach, Florida and Havana, Cuba until 1959 when Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and business declined due to the United States Trade Embargo.

Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars

The Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars is an annually published and updated reference of cigar brands available in the U.S., (And as such, currently does not include information on Cuban Cigars (see: Cuban Embargo)), including specifications and information regarding each cigar, as well as basic cigar knowledge in general, such as wrapper colours and shapes and sizes.


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