CUBA: U.S. Democracy Funding Re-authorized. But Is It Successful?

AP/GOOGLE NEWS/ ANALYSIS/    As the Obama administration reauthorizes Cuban democracy funding, where has the money gone? Have contractors done better than foundations, universities and nonprofits? "We are asking hard questions about fraud, waste and what actually works to benefit the Cuban people," said Rep. Howard Berman. Cuba watcher Philip Peters claims the program has become "an odd hybrid of overt and covert activity."

CUBA: Post-Embargo Business Planning Persists Despite Recent Problems.

NYTIMES/    U.S. travel executives met with Cuban Officials last week in Cancun to consider what business opportunities the end of the embargo might bring. “Everyone is there, except us,”said a consultant. “There are offices and representatives of over 500 companies around the world. Nobody knows when it will open up for Americans, but it will.” “Cuba already trades with the rest of the world,” said Cuba expert Philip Peters. “A lot of the opportunities are taken already.”