Fearing more food shortages, Cubans protest government takeover of farmers markets

Cubans fear more gov’t control of farmers markets

World Health Org. director says Fidel Castro walking, talking at length: looks ‘wonderful’

WHO head says Castro looks stronger, ‘wonderful’

Document says Nixon, Brazilian president discussed intervention in Chile, Cuba

WASHINGTON — Two years before the coup that toppled the leftist leader of Chile, President Richard Nixon and Brazilian President Emilio Medici discussed coordinated intervention in that nation and Cuba, according to a newly declassified document.

AFTER 1- Latin American leaders seek `forever’ presidencies

SAO PAULO/MEXICO CITY - Many democratically elected Latin American presidents are reluctant to relinquish office as their terms draw to a close. In an effort to remain president “forever”, they have resorted to changing constitutions and forcing referendums to extend their time in office.

Venezuela’s Chavez shares cake with Fidel Castro on Cuba leader’s 83rd birthday

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Friday he found his close ally and mentor Fidel Castro in good health during a visit to Cuba to celebrate the Cuban leader’s 83rd birthday.

US pastor: Fidel Castro, 83 on Thursday, looked strong, animated in July 31 meeting in Havana

HAVANA — The founder of a New York-based church group that opposes the U.S. embargo of Cuba said Thursday that former Cuban President Fidel Castro looked strong and animated during a July 31 meeting.

Not seen, but heard: Out of sight for 3 yrs, Fidel Castro marks 83rd birthday with essay

HAVANA — Former President Fidel Castro marked his 83rd birthday Thursday out of the public eye but with an essay on the global economic crisis, climate change and immigration that headlined Cuban newspapers.

Group: Cuban political prisoners rise slightly, bucking big decline during Raul Castro’s rule

HAVANA —Political prisoners held in Cuba increased by one to 206 in the past six months, the first time the number has not dropped sharply since Raul Castro took over running the communist country three years ago.

Specialty cigar shop owners, like the cigarette industry, fret over higher taxes, smoking bans

NEW ORLEANS —With the world becoming ever less welcoming for tobacco smoke of all kinds, the owners of specialty shops that sell premium cigars have converged on New Orleans with the same concerns as mass-market cigarette manufacturers — higher taxes and anti-smoking laws.

Now in paperback: a dictionary of the world according to Fidel

HAVANA —Cubans accustomed to hourslong speeches, thousand-word essays and lengthy interviews can now get Fidel Castro at a glance, thanks to a new dictionary of El Comandante’s teachings.

Hugo Chavez says Venezuela to buy Russian tanks, citing plans for more US troops in Colombia

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday his government will buy dozens of Russian tanks because Venezuela feels threatened by a pending deal for the U.S. military to increase its presence in neighboring Colombia.

Cuban state media portrays outcome of street protest as victory for Fidel Castro

HAVANA — Cuba’s Communist Party newspaper Granma published a front-page story Wednesday marking the 15th anniversary of street protests that Fidel Castro himself had to quell, an unusual public reference to one of the few serious internal threats to his nearly half-century of rule.

Raul Castro ready to talk to US, but rules out negotiations on Cuba’s socialism

WASHINGTON - Cuban President Raul Castro has said that he is ready to talk about everything and anything with the United States, but added that the country’s political system was not on the negotiating table.

Raul Castro announces spending cuts, vows Cuba to be communist after he and Fidel are gone

HAVANA — Raul Castro announced Saturday that Cuba will cut spending on education and health care, potentially weakening the building blocks of its communist system in a bid to revive a foundering economy.

Raul Castro announces spending cuts, but vows Cuba to be communist after he and Fidel are gone

HAVANA — Raul Castro announced Saturday that Cuba will cut spending on education and health care, potentially weakening the building blocks of its communist system in a bid to revive a floundering economy.

Cuba creates new office to fight corruption, keep better eye on government finances

HAVANA — Cuba established a new office of government finances on Saturday to stamp out corruption and keep better tabs on the communist state’s often mysterious spending patterns as the island struggles to keep its economy afloat.

Cuba postpones key Communist Party congress, enters crisis mode as economy worsens

HAVANA — Cuba clicked into crisis mode Friday, postponing a key Communist Party congress aimed at charting a post-Castro future and announcing that its woeful economy is even worse than expected.

Cuba Revolution Day is sobering celebration as economy falters, US relations change little

HOLGUIN, Cuba — Cuba’s economy has been hammered by the global credit crisis, U.S. relations have not improved much under President Barack Obama and economic reforms that were supposed to ease life on the island have been slow to come.

US citizen trying to challenge Cuba travel ban hasn’t been arrested or cited

LOS ANGELES — A U.S. citizen trying to challenge the ban on travel to Cuba on Friday bemoaned his inability to get arrested or cited — even after having his passport stamped in Havana and bringing back Cuban memorabilia.

Thousands march in Honduras as impasse hardens

TEGUCIGALPA - The impasse over Honduras’ political future hardened further Wednesday as thousands of supporters of the de-facto government marched through the streets.

Fidel Castro calls on US to withdraw troops from Honduras

MOSCOW - Former Cuban president Fidel Castro has called on the US to withdraw its troops from Honduras to ease the situation after the recent coup in the Central American state.

Mediator proposing reconciliation gvt for Honduras; exiled leader prepares 2nd return bid

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The mediator in Honduras’ political crisis said he will propose a national reconciliation government during the next round of talks, while ousted President Manuel Zelaya prepared a second bid to return home to reclaim power.

Fidel Castro blames US Embassy, Bush appointees in Latin America for military coup in Honduras

HAVANA — Fidel Castro blames the coup in Honduras on the U.S. Embassy in that Central American country and other American diplomats in the region appointed during the administration of George W. Bush.

Aide: Exiled president heading to home to set up alternative government seat inside Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A top aide said exiled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was heading home Thursday to set up an alternative seat of government inside the country, and will use it as his headquarters in a “final battle” against the coup leaders.

Aide: Ousted president en route home to set up alternative government hq inside Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A top aide said exiled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was heading home Thursday to set up an alternative seat of government inside the country, and will use it as his headquarters in a “final battle” against the coup leaders.

Without customary bad boys of NAM, summit lacks excitement

Sharm-el-SHEIKH - Without the presence of 21st century enfant terrible of the Middle East Mohammad Ahmadinejad, the towering personality of Fidel Castro or the biting wit of Venezuelian President Hugo Chavez, the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Summit meet lacks the glamour element.

Chavez blasts US plan to solve Honduras coup; talks continue but both sides stubbonrn

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced a U.S.-backed effort to ease Honduras’ coup crisis on Friday as a second day of negotiations ended without a deal between rival contenders for the presidency.

Latin Americans in US bolster support for Honduran coup, opposition to socialist influence

MIAMI — Leaders of Cuban and Venezuelan communities across the U.S. have become among the loudest supporters of the military ouster of Honduras’ president because they see it as a strike against socialist influence in Latin America.

Former AP Latin American desk editor Jose Sobrino, who grew up in Cuba, dies in NYC at 79

NEW YORK — Spanish-born journalist Jose Sobrino Dieguez has died at his Manhattan home. He was 79 years old.