Spain

Extradition of ETA suspect from Cuba

October 18, 2011

Via AFP: Spain will request the extradition from Cuba of an alleged member of the Basque terrorist group ETA who allegedly sought explosives training from Colombian rebel group FARC. Venezuelan authorities detained Jose Ignacio Echarte and two other suspected ETA members in August after the boat they were in ran aground on the Venezuelan island of Los [...]

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Spain’s arms exports to Cuba (2010)

August 31, 2011

In 2010,  Spain exported to Cuba €45M worth of ammunition and rifle components, according to the Government of Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade in its annual report, “Foreign Trade Statistics in Defence and Dual-Use Material“: Along with Iran and China, Cuba is listed as one of the most relevant countries in exported dual use [...]

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Small arms transfers to Cuba

July 26, 2011

The Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers has “the only on-line global database of small arms transfers”. Small arms, according to the Initiative, consist of weapons such as rifles, pistols and shotguns; and light weapons include mortars, machine guns and man-portable missile launchers. While perusing their database I found the following entries representing small arms [...]

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Spain exported anti-riot equipment to Cuba

August 15, 2010

According to a report by Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce on defense exports, anti-riot equipment was exported from Spain to Cuba in 2008—destined for the National Revolutionary Police and to be used for the public. The anti-riot equipment, described in the report within articles related to defense materials, also falls under the category [...]

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In pursuit of change to EU’s Cuba policy

July 28, 2010

Deutsche Welle reports of a rebellious Spain hell-bent on pushing for change in the EU’s stance on Cuba: As holder of the rotating EU Council presidency, Spain tried to massively influence the EU position on Cuba by pushing for increased dialogue and a normalization of relations despite Cuba not yet meeting the benchmarks set out [...]

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Diplomatic corner

July 23, 2010

European Union’s foreign relations ministers will begin debating early next week the consequences of the recent release of political prisoners in Cuba. [Europa Press] Germany demands of Havana “true reforms,” i.e. free elections and respect human rights. [Clarín] Dominican president Leonel Fernández meets with Army General Raul Castro and both countries sign agreements on diplomatic exchanges. [...]

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