EMBASSY OF CUBA IN NEW ZEAL AND
NEWSLETTER
No. 39 – 20 September / 2016.
ABSTRACT
The highly damaging effect of the US’ financial sanctions against Cuba persists, destroying her
chances of building trade with other nations — our lead story, supported by Raúl’s speech at
the non-aligned countries summit — and news that now a majority of Cuban Americans in Miami reject the blockade, even while the US IRD harasses US-based Pastors for Peace.
In Diplomacy we cover the work of the Cuban embassy in the Pacific; in Health and Medicine
there is news of a new vaccine for the treatment of lung cancer; in Education a presentation in
Paris of the Cuban literacy campaign — ‘Si, Podemos’ — and in Showbiz we take a look at the
young creators featured in last week’s Habanarte 2016 festival, and the City of Huelva Award in
Spain to Cuba’s film-acting luminary Jorge Perugorría.
We close, in Sport, with a world record in the Paralympics in the qualifying heat of the 400m T12
event by Omara Durand who was shaping up to take three golds — watch this space!
BLOCKADE
Effects of US blockade
disrupt Cuban transactions
The effects of the US blockade on Cuba's financial transactions persist today,
despite the start of the bilateral rapprochement process and the statements
against the policy by Barack Obama, the
US president.
After the announcement of the restoration of relations between the two countries on December 17, 2014, some actions of this ‘genocidal’ policy in force for almost 60 years still remain, affecting not only the
Caribbean nation but also third party countries.
The report by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the necessity of ending the economic,
financial and commercial blockade, includes some examples of punitive measures mainly
implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to several international entities.
In August 2015, the OFAC fined Navigators Group Inc., from the United States, the sum
ofUSD$271,815, while in February 2016, it fined French company CGG Services SA
USD$614,250.
The US Treasury, another of the major entities that enforce the blockade's regulations, applied several fines to international bodies such as the French bank Credit Agricole and the
US design company WATG Holdings, from 2015 to 2016.
As a result of the unilateral application of this body of laws, many financial institutions refused to pursue Cuban banking transactions.
Among them are the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, the
Bank of the Bahamas, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
of Japan, and the Spanish banks Santander and Caixa Bank.
This report on ending the blockade will be voted on at the UN General Assembly on October
26. Last year, 191 countries voted in favour of Cuba, only the United States and Israel in opposition.
Prensa Latina: Havana, Sep 16 2016
BLOCKADE
KEY REMARKS BY ARMY GENERAL RAUL CASTRO RUZ, PRESIDENT
OF THE STATE COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF CUBA, AT THE 17TH SUMMIT OF THE NON-ALIGNED
MOVEMENT
‘Esteemed comrade Nicolás Maduro Moros, constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, heads of state and government, esteemed ministers, delegates and
guests, ladies and gentlemen:
th
President Raúl Castro addresses the 14 NAM Summit. On his right, Cuban minister of foreign affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
‘We are 120 non-aligned
states which adhere not
only to the Bandung principles, but also to the Declaration of the Non Aligned
Movement on Purposes,
Principles and its role in
the current international
juncture approved at the
14th NAM summit in Havana.
Our
enormous
strength cannot be underestimated when we proceed in a concerted fashion.
‘In the 14th NAM summit held in Havana in 2006, we rejected any attempt at ‘regime
change’ and appealed to all countries to abstain from resorting to aggression or to the use of
force.
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‘Also in Havana, in January 2014, the heads of state and government of the Community of
Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) signed the Proclamation of Latin America
and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace thus reaffirming our commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law as well as to the peaceful settlement of disputes and full respect for the inalienable right of every state to choose its political,
economic, social and cultural system, as an essential premise to ensure coexistence among
nations.
‘However, we are witnessing increasing attacks on Venezuela’s sovereignty and selfdetermination. Cuba reaffirms its unconditional support to the Venezuelan government and
people, to the civic-military union and to constitutional president Nicolás Maduro Moros.
‘We also strongly repudiate the judicial-parliamentary coup d’état engineered against Brazilian president Dilma Rouseff, for it is an act of contempt against the sovereign will of the
people who elected her with more than 53 million votes.
‘Our sister nation of Colombia may count on the full support of Cuba as it moves forward
along the challenging path of the implementation of the agreement, and the consolidation of
the stable, fair and lasting peace that Colombians deserve.
‘We express our confidence in the people of the Arab Republic of Syria for we know that
they are capable of resolving their differences by themselves without foreign interference
aimed at promoting “regime change.”
‘Comrade president,
‘It is unacceptable that the Palestinian people are still victims of occupation and violence,
and that the occupying power continues preventing the establishment of an independent
Palestinian State with its capital in East Jerusalem.
‘Every attempt to secure the self-determination of the abused Saharawi people has failed,
thus the international community needs to apply itself to resolving this issue.
‘We affirm our solidarity with the historical demand of the Puerto Rican people for selfdetermination and independence.
‘We also uphold our solidarity with the claim of the Republic of Argentina over the Falklands,
South Sandwich and South Georgia Islands.
‘Esteemed comrade Maduro,
‘To Cuba, non-alignment means to struggle for the radical modification of an international
economic order imposed by the big powers, the same that has made possible for 360 persons to accumulate an annual wealth exceeding the income of 45% of the world population.
The gap between the rich and the poor keeps widening. Technology transfer from the north
to the south countries remains an elusive goal while globalisation basically privileges a special group of industrial nations. Meanwhile, the debt of the south countries, which never
ceases to multiply, now amounts to over 1.7 trillion dollars.
‘At the moment, 2.9 billion people are forced into unemployment and extreme poverty, and
millions of children perish every year from hunger and preventable diseases; nearly 800 million people remain illiterate while more than 1.7 trillion dollars are designated for military expenses.
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‘Non-alignment also means to struggle for the reduction of the knowledge gap, and for the
possibility to use information and communication technologies for development and cooperation. We reject the growing militarisation of these technologies and their aggressive use
against other countries.
‘Climate change continues to aggravate while in the developed countries irrational production and consumption patterns persist that threaten the conditions required for the survival of
our species.
‘On the other hand, the realisation of human rights remains a dream for millions of people all
over the world. The United States and Europe resort to manipulation, double standards, selective criteria and the politicisation of this issue while waves of refugees concentrate at European borders, waiting a for just, stable and permanent solution that can protect their lives
and dignity.
‘Esteemed President Maduro,
‘Twenty-one months have passed since our simultaneous announcement with President Barack Obama of the decision to reestablish diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United
States.
‘There has been some progress, mostly in the diplomatic area and cooperation on issues of
common interest, but the same cannot be said of the economic and commercial sectors due
to the limited, albeit positive, scope of the measures so far adopted by the U.S. administration.
‘Cuba will persevere in its demand to have the economic, commercial and financial blockade
lifted, a blockade that brings so much damage and hardship to our people, and which also
has a negative impact on many other countries due to its extraterritorial implementation. By
the same token, Cuba will continue urging the return to our sovereignty of the territory illegally occupied by the United States Naval Base in Guantanamo.
‘There will not be normal relations before that issue is resolved and other policies harmful to
Cuba’s sovereignty still in force are terminated, such as interventionist and subversive programs.
‘We reaffirm our disposition to engage the United States government in a civilised relationship, but Cuba will neither renounce any of its principles nor compromise on its sovereignty
and independence. Cuba will not cease defending its revolutionary and anti-imperialist ideals
or supporting the self-determination of all peoples.
‘Comrade Maduro,
‘We wish our sister Republic of Venezuela full success in the leadership of the Non-Aligned
countries. At the same time, we congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran on its good work
during this past term at the head of the movement.
‘The only alternative to the enormous dangers and challenges lying ahead is unity and solidarity in defence of our common objectives and interests.
‘Thank you, very much.’
Cubaminrex
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BLOCKADE
Cuban-Americans in Miami reject US blockade of Cuba
Most Cuban Americans that live in Miami, Florida, support the lifting of the economic, trade
and financial blockade of Cuba, maintained by the United States for more than 50 years, according to a poll published today.
According to the study, carried out by Florida International University (FIU), 74.4 percent of
those polled considered that the coercive measure did not work and 54.4 percent supports
its total elimination.
Similar research by FIU in 2014, revealed that 45 percent of the Cuban Americans from Miami Dade rejected the blockade. Thus, the current results showed an increase in the number
of those who want that unilateral measure totally lifted.
Support to those unilateral measures, which have caused losses for more than $753.7 billion
USD to Cuba, is more among the youngest people, because 87 percent of those at ages between 18 and 39 years, favours elimination of the restrictions, especially the prohibition of
trips by US citizens to the island.
Opinions are divided among the population over 76 years of age, because almost half of
them favour the sanctions and the other half is against, although in the total sample, 71.4
percent preferred putting an end to all the coercive measures.
US President Barack Obama's policy is supported by 55.8 percent of those polled, 55.4 percent of them approves increasing the economic relations with their country of origin and 61
percent supports the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Havana and Washington.
Prensa Latina: Washington, Sep 15 2016
BLOCKADE
Solidarity organization harassed for its work in Cuba
US Internal Revenue System threatens to revoke tax-exempt status of Pastors for Peace as
an humanitarian organization
Repression is how Manolo de los Santos, representing the US-based Inter-Religious Foundation for Community Organising (IFCO), described recent threats by the Internal Revenue
System (IRS) to revoke the group's tax-exempt status as a humanitarian organisation.
‘We are being accused of violating certain laws, principally the Trading with the Enemy Act.
We defend our vocation and conviction that bringing humanitarian aid to Cuba is within our
rights as US citizens, as persons of faith and conscience,’ said the young Dominican, who
was raised in the US, during a Havana press conference, referring to the donations made by
IFCO/Pastors for Peace to the island's people since 1992.
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At the headquarters of the Cuban Institute of
Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), De los
Santos commented that the situation shows
how contradictory current US policy toward
Cuba is, with repeated statements being
made around the world about the normalisation of relations, while at the same time persons and organisations which have built
bridges between the two peoples are harassed.
He emphasised the impossibility of stopping
Pastors for Peace from showing solidarity or
making trips to the island, a civil right of all
citizens, and mentioned the donations made
by persons of goodwill - including medicine,
educational materials, and vehicles for
churches, schools, and hospitals - which have
also served as a symbolic challenge to the
criminal economic, commercial, and financial
blockade imposed by Washington for more
than half a century.
Manolo de los Santos, (pictured, left)
representing the Inter-Religious Foundation for Community Organizing, has denounced recent threats by the US Internal Revenue System against the group.
He explained that the current issue with the IRS began when the organisation provided medical support to the Palestinian people in 2009, when they were cruelly subjected to a siege
by Israel. At that time, the IRS launched an investigation of the group, threatening to eliminate its tax-exempt status for not requesting permission from the Treasury Department to
send humanitarian aid to Cuba. If the threat is carried out, IFCO will be required to pay taxes
on every dollar donated to the organisation.
IFCO/Pastors for Peace has been attacked since its foundation in 1967, as a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation committed to showing solidarity not only toward Cuba, but toward
other countries struggling for their freedom in Central America, Africa, and Asia, as well as
communities within the United States.
‘This type of attack hurts us,’ De los Santos said, referring to the long battle unfolding within
the US judicial system to stop the implementation of the arbitrary measure. He insisted that
the organisation is willing to go as far as the Supreme Court to seek justice, emphasising,
‘We have never been alone, or silenced: we have the support of organisations in Cuba and
on several continents; we receive messages from countries around the world."
US students in Cuba paid tribute to Lucius Walker, founder of Pastors for Peace, on the
September 7 anniversary of his death.
Reverend Joel Ortega Dopico, president of the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC), described
the threats as unjust and irrational, since diplomatic relations between the two countries
were established in 2015, and talks are now underway to move toward normalisation, which
will require that the US abstain from financing subversion in Cuba, and return territory illegally occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base, where torture is routinely carried out in the
prison.
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Reverend Ortega noted that the punitive IRS measure is not directed toward one institution,
but rather all persons who have shown how positive relations between peoples can be developed.
Nacyra Gámez, representing the Pastors for Peace Distribution Committee, noted that an
exhaustive study of the conflict was needed to challenge the sanctions under consideration,
since they would have an impact on many families benefiting from social projects in Cuba.
Yanisca Lugo presented a statement from the Martin Luther King Centre in Havana, calling
on all religious institutions to denounce the IRS action. ‘Neither love nor faith can ever pay
taxes,’ the document states, making an appeal for joint action against the injustice perpetuated by US imperialism against peoples immersed in struggles for their national sovereignty.
In another communiqué, ICAP denounced the attack as representing a threat to friendship
between peoples, and called on friends around the world to join in showing solidarity with
this sister organisation.
The text reads, ‘We energetically reject this situation which our IFCO brothers and sisters
are facing, when they have brought the country donations, medicine, and with the people
have defended peace and solidarity as necessary in this world marked by war and social
injustices.’
Also speaking out against IRS harassment of IFCO were Juan Manuel Ramos Gómez and
Sol Henrik Bockelie, students at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, who participated in a tribute at the Anti-Imperialist Tribunal to the organisation's founder, Lucius
Walker, who died September 7, 2010.
The two are among the many low-income students from the United States who have been
awarded full scholarships to study medicine in Cuba. Speaking with Granma International,
they condemned the attack by US authorities, and expressed their hopes for an agreement
to avoid damage to solidarity efforts with needy peoples, be they victims of war or natural
disasters.
Nuria Barbosa León | [email protected]
Photo: Karoly Emerson (ICAP)
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DIPLOMACY
Cuba confirms commitment to cooperation with the Pacific
From left, Cook Islands first lady Akaiti Puna, Cuban ambassador Mario Alzugaray, Cook Islands prime
minister Henry Puna, director general for bilateral affairs of Cuba´s MFA Gerardo Peñalver,PNG president
Peter O´Neill, and Tongan prime minister Akilisi Pohiva.
Early this month at the post forum dialogue at the 47th session of the Pacific Islands Forum,
the director general for bilateral affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Gerardo
Peñalver Portal, confirmed the commitment of his country with the region, highlighting the
willingness to continue exploring new cooperation projects.
During his speech Peñalver Portal underlined the many affinities between Cuba and Forum
member countries — as small island developing states they shared ideas and common challenges on key issues of the international agenda, with an emphasis on environmental issues.
He also expressed gratitude for the support of the Pacific Nations in condemning the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States. Soon a new resolution on the issue would be presented at the UN General Assembly, signalling the overwhelming support from 191 member states for the relevant resolution at the 70th session in
2015.
Cuba was admitted as a dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum in the year 2013 and
maintains diplomatic relations with its 16 member states. Over the past decade it has developed multiple projects of cooperation. Cuban medical brigades have worked in Kiribati, Vanuatu, Nauru and Tuvalu and more than two hundred scholarships for health related studies
have been given to young Pacific Islanders.
During the event, Peñalver Portal held bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations from
a dozen of the Forum member countries.
Cubaminrex- Embacuba Nueva Zelandia
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DIPLOMACY
Raúl receives Mongolian president
Two heads of state of Cuba and Mongolia have held a cordial conversation to discuss
the positive development of bilateral relations
President of the Councils of State and MinistersRaúl Castro Ruz and Mongolian president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdori in accord at their meeting last week.
President of the Councils of State and MinistersRaúl Castro Ruz, has received president of MongoliaTsakhiagiin Elbegdorj on an official visit to our country.
The two heads of state held a cordial conversation to discuss the positive development of bilateral relations and agreed on the mutual desire to strengthen ties. They likewise addressed issues on the international agenda.
Accompanying the distinguished guest was Tsend Munkh-Orgil, Parliament member and minister
of foreign relations; Tsedendamba Batbayar, Mongolia's ambassador in Havana; and other high
ranking officials participating in the visiting delegation.
Attending on the Cuban side were Marcelino Medina González and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, interim
foreign minister and deputy minister respectively; as well as Raúl Delgado Concepción, the
country's ambassador in Mongolia.
Author: Redacción Nacional | [email protected]
September 16, 2016
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HEALTH & MEDICINE
Cuban drug to treat lung cancer presented in Colombia
The Cuban vaccine to treat lung cancer, known as Cimavax, was presented to a group of
experts attending the First International Symposium on Active Immunotherapy, hosted in
Medellin, Colombia over the weekend.
The drug was developed in Cuba by the Centre of Molecular Immunology and has been
successful used to treat patients with advanced lung cancer.
The drug, considered a scientific achievement was developed over two decades in Cuba
and has already been registered at the National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute in Colombia (INVIMA).
After presenting the medicine in the South American country, Cimavax could be marketed in
the nation's hospital network.
One of the great advantages of Cimavax is that it does not have side effects, as chemotherapy does, which was explained to the delegates from the different countries who attended
the scientific event in Medellin.
Cuba’s Tania Crombet, a specialist in Immunology and Doctor of the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Havana, presented the vaccine.
Dr Kelvin Lee, chair of the Department of Immunology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute,
and Dr K Govind Babu, MBBS in cancer medicine, with 26 years of experience in this field,
were present during the presentation of the vaccine.
The drug allows the prolongation of life for up to five years, something almost unthinkable for
those suffering from the disease in its advanced stage: until now the survival rate did not exceed 18 months.
Prensa Latina: Medellin, Colombia, Sep 12 2016
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EDUCATION
UNESCO sees exhibition of the Cuban literacy campaign
Cubahas has contributed an exhibition ofitsliteracy campaign that constituted the base of its
current educational system, Cuban ambassador Dulce Buergo told media in Paris last week.
Entitled 'Education: Right of the People, Essential Tool Development', the sample exhibited
photos, texts and diverse materials on the efforts at the beginning of the Revolution to teach
to read and write the population, that enabled Cuba to declare itself a country free of illiteracy in 1961.
Buergo, Cuba’s permanent delegate to
UNESCO in Paris, said that the exhibition
proposed the public a trip on those years
in which 'the historical prowess of eradicating illiteracy in less than one year and
creating the conditions to guarantee the
universal and free education in all the
educational levels, was obtained'.
She added that 'there was clearly the
scope of this social project, carried out by
the young people, of families of different
social classes, which meant a real attack
with pencils, notebooks and books, extended to everywhere and everyone in the
island'.
The exhibit created a great interest among participants in the ‘Day on Literacy,’ and presented the uniform, the notebook and the manual used by the brigade members for teaching.
Cuban education minister Ena Elsa Velazquez participated in the sample opening and exchanged views with several participants on the experience of Cuba, emphasising the importance and the need for a political will to foster the objectives.
According to Buergo the sample was an excellent chance to celebrate 'the 55th anniversary
of such a great social work that is the Cuban Revolution. The campaign, with its historical
and social impact,deserves to be always remembered, and transmitted to the future generations.'
The event was also seen as a tribute to the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel
Castro, on his 90th birthday.
Prensa Latina: Paris, Sep 15 2016
SHOWBIZ
Habanarte 2016: a festival of Cuban culture
Events featuring many artistic expressions staged in Havana September 8-18, promoting the
work of young creators — the third festival of Cuban culture,Habanarte 2016 which offered a
varied programme.
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The event was focused, this time around, on highlighting the most interesting groups of
young artists working in Cuba today, and over 10 days bringing together in Havana the best
of theatre, dance, visual arts, music, and film.
On the ‘island of music’ both listeners and dancers could enjoy the most diverse exponents
of salsa, ballads, jazz, rock, trova, pop, and symphonic music.
Adrian Berazaín, the bands El Niño y la Verdad, Bamboleo, Qva libre, Gens, Buena Fe,
César López y Havana Ensamble, and Miel con Limn, plus singers Zule Guerra, Ivette Cepeda, and the National Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Enrique Pérez Mesa, were all
involved.
The dance programme opened the festival with the debut of Welcome, by Spanish choreographer Susana Pous and her company DanzAbierta. The work was noteworthy for its spectacular sets conceived by visual artist Mabel Poblet, with lights by Guido Gali, and music
from Aldo López Gavilán.
Also performing their work on stage were the group Raíces Profundas, under the artistic direction of Idolidia Ramos; Malpaso, led by young choreographer Osnel Delgado; the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, which Eduardo Veitia directs; and at the Mella Theater, the Rosario
Cárdenas Company with the premier of Antología Danzaria, a work which includes high
points from the long career of the eminent artist, winner of a National Prize for Dance.
The schedule includes several options in the visual arts, among them the exhibit Fuerza y
Sangre. Imaginarios de la Bandera en el Arte Cubano, on the third floor of the city's Alicia
Alonso Grand Theatre.
Cuban film was also represented with the premiere of the film El Acompañante by director
Pavel Giroud; plus a Spanish Film Week, beginning September 10 with Toro, with director
Kike Maillo and actor Mario Casas.
Once again Habanarte 2016 has been an excellent showcase, thanks to the combination of
all art forms, with the only problem being the challenge of having to choose where to go and
what to see.
Mireya Castañeda | [email protected]
Sept. 14, 206.
SHOWBIZ
Cuba’s Jorge Perugorría picks up major Spanish film
award
The Iberoamerican Film Festival of Huelva, south of Spain, will award next November Cuban
actor Jorge Perugorria (pictured) with the freedom of the city of Huelva, announced the organiser of the contest.
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With that award which will be handed to the star during the 42nd
edition of the event, scheduled for November 11 to 20, the festival intends to extoll the long and prolific professional career of Perugorria, as well as his versatility.
The actor is considered one of the most universally accepted interpreters of Cuban cinema with over 50 titles in his filmography,
said organisers of the festival that started in 1974 in Huelva.
His commitment to Latin American cinematography is also shown through his contribution to
the industry as director, producer and scriptwriter.
He obtained an international recognition for his debut in the big screen in the film Strawberry
and Chocolate (1993), by directors Tomas Gutierrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabio bringing
him the recognition of the Association of Cinematographic Critics of Los Angeles and the
Association of Show Business Critics of New York, among other distinctions.
Other awards that abound in his career are the Prize Glory to Artistic Trajectory in the 29th
edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival in 2013, and prize for the Best Secondary Actor
for Waiting List'(2000) by Tabio, in the Cartagena Film Festival, in 2001.
Perugorriua was named as a member of the US Academy of Cinematographic Arts and
Sciences, having worked under directors like Ruy Guerra, Laurent Cantet and Steven Soderbergh.
He has also performed in productions in Cuba, Italy, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica,
Brazil and Spain.
Ths Spanish production Vientos de La Habana, 2016 by Felix Viscarret, is his most recent
work, in which he interprets Mario Conde, a literary character created by Cuban writer Leonardo Padura, which will be seen in Spanish theatres from September 30.
With this prize, the Festival of Iberoamerican Cinema of Huelva, under the direction of Manuel H. Martin, sends another accolade to Cuba, a country to be honoured in Halva’s 42nd
Iberoamerican Film Festival.
Prensa Latina Madrid, Sep13 2016
SPORT
400-metres world record atRio Paralympics 2016
Without no pressure and ‘withoutintending to’, Cuban Omara Durand won her qualifying heat
of the women´s 400 metres-T12 event with a world record of 50.90 seconds as preamble of
what should be her third gold medal in the 15th Paralympic Games.
It was her second and sixth world and Paralympic record, respectively, at Joao Havelange
Olympic Stadium, well ahead of Azeri Elena Chebanu (56.53) and Venezuelan Greilyz Villarroel (59.71).
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Next Saturday she will be in the final against Ukrainian Oksana Boturchuk, winner of the
third heat with time of 54.47, Mozambican Edmilsa Governo (54.94) and Spanish
Melani Berges (57.52), winner of the first heat.
Omara Durand during her400 metres run at the Rio Paralympics.
At the World Championship in
Doha, Qatar, last October, the
Cuban runner set a world
record of 53.05 seconds and
the record achieved yesterday
also became a Paralympic one
when lowering that of French
Assia El Hannouni, dating back
to Athens 2004.
Durand, known in Rio as ‘the
record girl,’ will try to outdo her performance in London 2012, where she competed in the
100 and 400m events, at just 20, and by winning one more title she would equal Cuba’s Yunidis Castillo, five-time Paralympic champion.
Cuba was also represented yesterday through swimmer Juan Castillo, who qualified for the
final in the men´s 100m S9 butterfly, in the second race of the day at the Olympic Park Aquatic Stadium.
Castillo finished third in his heat with time of 1:02.04 minutes, a record for the Americas, behind world record holder Italian Federico Morlacchi (1:01.57) and Croatian Kristijan Rio.
ACN: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sep 16 2016
Text edited by David Reade ([email protected]) on behalf of the Cuban Embassy, Wellington, from Cuban news agency sources.
Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand /
http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/nuevazelanda/ES/Inicio.aspx
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