just what the DR needs a bunch of incompetent commies who botched their own productivity coming here

caption .....In Venezuela we catch them this big

they will have to spend 500 million US probably to upgrade to refine that sludge Venezuela has.....Tex what do you think? you are the expert

Caption- "The package of cash was this big"

Caption- "The package of cash was this big and customs did not find it this time "

this so called ambassador is what is known as a party stooge and apparachik

GC,
The venezuelan crude is very "heavy" as opposed to something like a West Texas intermeadite which is considered "light". All refineries can process light and Medium crudes but Heavy and extra heavy crudes require different process units. I have not seen the refinery but the ability to take Venezuelan Extra Heavy Petroleum or (VHEOP) depends on the coking capacity and if the refinery has a sulphur unit. If it has those items it can process the VEHOP without a problem. There is also the option of Venezuela sending the Syncrude that comes from the 4 upgraders in the Jose area. And another alternative, which sort of defeats the purpose, is to mix the VEHOP with a west texas or syncrude to make it lighter and therefore easier to refine.

so they got to spend a ton upgrading the refinery right

One advantage of a heavy oil refinery is the byproducts that you get such as asphalt, greases, heavy lube oils, ship bunkers, diesel, 2, 4, and 6 oils and if the refinery has a FCC unit or Cat Cracker you realize much more but they are expensive. One of the things about refineries is that you can not just stick a FCC unit in there without upgrading the entire process line, Viscosity breakers, vacuum units, and on and on. That would cost 750 million to a billion dollars if the refinery old and needs to be revamped in the process

I remember when Hess installed the big cracker in st croix they said it cost a billion

Same thing would apply to upgrading a sweet or light refinery to a heavy or VEHOP. The entire process line needs to be expanded and upgraded. What is the purpose of putting a 200,000 bbl per day coker in if you can only feed it 125,000? After doing some quick research on the refinery it appears that I can not find the information I am searching for so I will have to give you an absolute positive -Cant Say. I would have to see the refinery.

I was there for that, you know that they eventually installed a second one as well. They give you way more capacity and product variety but you have to beef up the whole process and that is where you spend the money. It's not like putting a more powerful battery in your car.

LOL before i finished reading the entire article, i knew ViejoCulonial and his other Usernames will respond first.

Im totally convince that GC gets pay, to spread Fox News, Right Wing, Neo-con Propaganda Garbage on forums.

And then GC and his other Usernames, have the Nerve to tell People, on how they should Think,
and if your Independent Minded, you are a Commie Thrash.

Man go get a Life, your not Hispanic, nor live in Latin America, so stay away from Hispanic issues, and Stop trying to inject Propaganda basura that's played out. No ones trying to hear that Mierda.

People are Waking up, there not buying into that old school, narrow minded, Must make War for Peace ideology's anymore.

hugo will pay and pay the sucker while his own people will do without and murder each other

Risable can hardly wait to move there ....maybe he can be part of the secret police

"Just what the DR needs a bunch of incompetent commies who botched their own productivity coming here," the GC, the idiot, says.

oooo

The growth of Venezuela's GDP has been over 7% for the last 5 years.

A 4% GDP growth in general is considered very good.

Of equal or greater importance than economic growth is the distribution or share-out of the GDP to all strata of the people.

Only the socialist Cuba exceeds Venezuela is the share of the GDP that goes to the masses in higher wages and in health care, housing, education, and nutrition programs in lieu of wages.

Some countries in LA/C boast economic growth ... usually between 2% and 4% of their GDP ... but the foreign and domestic bourgeoisie takes the lion share, often as much 80%, of the GDP, leaving only scraps and crumbs to the impoverished mass of the people to subsist ... while imperialist rats distract them from the agony of their poverty by criticizing Venezuela.

funny stuff very funny

Funny?? Its hilarious stuff. Every Cuban I know made about 260 pesos a month. Been that way for years that about $11.00 for youz guys que no hablas. What kind of GDP is that there is no economic growth in Cuba only people growing older waiting for Fidel to die. If you are so interested in experiencing Cuba firsthand, travel to Mexico, or Canada and hop a flight to there. Once you are in the Tourist areas see if you can walk to see where the real workers live and you will be politely but firmly told by the Military Police that you should not go there, "its for your own safety". HA HA hahahahahaha

This nothing but the Chavista trying to bring back DR to it side after the Colombia offer to provide DR all the electricity and coal that the country require. The world knows that Venezuela and have an expansionism agenda and it main weapon is to blackmail country thru oil.

santanar,

as some of the other folks here call him "The son of Karl" sad part is he just does not have a clue about the so called paradises that he speaks about. Believes everything he reads about them from the same press controlled by the communist government that oppresses the masses. Present him with an opportunity to speak with Cubans that have made it out of cuba to FREEDOM and he dissapears. Tells me he is either a young college student with his head filled with liberal crap from his professors of just some idiot who actually believes what he spouts. He will never leave the USA because he knows deep down how good we have things here.

"The growth of Venezuela's GDP has been over 7% for the last 5 years.
A 4% GDP growth in general is considered very good."

It isn't good when inflation in Ven. is hovering around 28%

Also the GDP is not a factual indicator in socialist economies. If the Government is producing product to sell to the Government that then sells to the public at a low subsidized cost that is not a reflection of true economy.

Belial you moron

Cuba growth**

CEPAL which is the organization that conduct the economy growth analysis in Latin America, have a warning on the numbers coming out of Cuba because it's government provided and can not be independently verified. Venezuela is nothing but oil, an as the price of oil continue to rise they will continue with a 7%+ growth, however if the price of a the barrel of oil drops below $70 you will see trouble.

"Venezuela ambassador Francisco Belisario Landis said it’s possible that his government would enter into a of joint management of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery," DT reports.

oooo

At the Santo Domingo refinery, the DR and Venezuela got to first dilute the thick, dysfunctional, and syrupy bourgeois managerial mentality, conceived and cultivated in the corporate culture of the Shell Oil Company out of Houston.

Cuba growth**

CEPAL which is the organization that conduct the economy growth analysis in Latin America, have a warning on the numbers coming out of Cuba because it's government provided and can not be independently verified. Venezuela is nothing but oil, an as the price of oil continue to rise they will continue with a 7%+ growth, however if the price of a the barrel of oil drops below $70 you will see trouble.

Cuba growth**

CEPAL which is the organization that conduct the economy growth analysis in Latin America, have a warning on the numbers coming out of Cuba because it's government provided and can not be independently verified. Venezuela is nothing but oil, an as the price of oil continue to rise they will continue with a 7%+ growth, however if the price of a the barrel of oil drops below $70 you will see trouble.

TonyC,

Inflation is about that for the last quarter.

Belial,

Shell Oil Corporation is owned by the Dutch and is headquarted in the Hague Netherlands, it is not an American Company although it has offices worldwide.

Per the UN, Venezuela inflation is the second highest in the world, Zimbabwe have an annual inflation of around 400, this are facts, look them up.

where are his little assistants chill and risable

"CEPAL which is the organization that conduct the economy growth analysis in Latin America, have a warning on the numbers coming out of Cuba because it's government provided and can not be independently verified," Mr. 22 Aug 2008 12:36 PM writes.

oooo

"A study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Cuba's Nacional Institute for Economic Research (INIE) focuses on the recent social and economic development in this, the largest island within the Antilles. "
http://www.eclac.cl/cgi-bin/getPr....base=/prensa/tpl-i/top-bottom.xsl


How can ECLAC and UNDP claim to do these studies in and about Cuba if their work is not independently verified to the satisfaction of the ECLAC and UNDP?

Who is right about ECLAC -- either the ECLAC or Mr. 22 Aug 2008 12:36 PM?

"Shell Oil Corporation is owned by the Dutch and is headquarted in the Hague Netherlands, it is not an American Company although it has offices worldwide," Tex, in his haste to refute me, makes a careless mistake.

oooo

"American Company?"

I wrote earlier "At the Santo Domingo refinery, the DR and Venezuela got to first dilute the thick, dysfunctional, and syrupy bourgeois managerial mentality, conceived and cultivated in the corporate culture of the Shell Oil Company out of Houston."

Apparently, the term "Shell Oil Company out of Houston" means in Tex's head an "American Company."

The reality, Tex, is:.

"Shell Oil Company is the United States-based affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell, a multinational oil company ("oil major") of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest oil companies in the world. Approximately 22,000 Shell employees are based in the U.S. The head office in the U.S. is in Houston, Texas."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Oil_Company

Cuba's Nacional Institute for Economic Research (INIE)///

This is a Government of Cuba Organization. But regardless of this facts that you seen to strongly disagree, can we agreed that this Venezuelan ambassador have and agenda that is not in the interest of our country.

"Cuba's Nacional Institute for Economic Research (INIE)///" santanar mentions for some reason.

"This is a Government of Cuba Organization. But regardless of this facts that you seen to strongly disagree, can we agreed that this Venezuelan ambassador have and agenda that is not in the interest of our country, " santanar asks.

oooo

"Cuba's Nacional Institute for Economic Research"

Yeah, that's the name of the organization.

"This is a Government of Cuba Organization."

So, you can trust it.

"Can we agreed that this Venezuelan ambassador have and agenda that is not in the interest of our country? "

We can never agree.

the Venezuelan running dog lackey and commie boot licker who calls himself an ambassador is a pathetic excuse for a party stooge apparachik and way down the pecking order a former car washer in the streets of Caracas now he comes to the DR as a puffed up stooge of the lunatic hugo

"The Venezuelan running dog lackey and commie boot licker who calls himself an ambassador is a pathetic excuse for a party stooge apparachik and way down the pecking order a former car washer in the streets of Caracas now he comes to the DR as a puffed up stooge of the lunatic hugo," GC shows off the whole supply adjectives.
oooo

Ambassador Francisco Belisario Landis is known for sense of humor.

He will really enjoy meeting you, GC.

We can never agree. Belial wroted

The only interest of any Dominican is the well being of the country. Can I politely ask what are you?

"The only interest of any Dominican is the well being of the country. Can I politely ask what are you?"

oooo

A jazz fan.

I happened to have two Jazz fans in the family///since you know the Ambassador Francisco Belisario Landis so well, please tell him to be prudent, Dominican don't like other countries openly trying to influence our elected government officials. Get my drief //slick

Belial,

Your passion about Cuba is a beautiful thing. The same goes for Venezuela. Having lived in Venezuela for a number of years under the leadership of Mr. Chavez I can assure you from first hand accounts not from Newspapers, hearsay, naysay,etc. That that man has singlehandedly destroyed the economy, the social infrastructure and driven out ALL foreign investment and those who have not left he is expropriating. Venezuela is a wreck and it aint getting better. Once again I extend to you the opportunity to visit Venezuela and or Cuba to see what life is really like under your most admired leaders. I know a Cuban who worked for me in Venezuela that when he wanted to visit his mother in Cuba he had to take his Cuban Passport to the Cuban Embassy in Caracas and get a special admittance visa for his own country because they disagree politically. He once worked for the Cuban Consular Service.

Do you think it is right to keep a Cuban from coming back to Cuba? They tolerate no one who disagrees with thier ideas. If you wish send me a private email and I will give you his phone number so you can ask him first hand how Cuba is. I can also set up a meeting between yourself and 3 cubans that I know here in Houston that were sent to Venezuela to work on one of the multitude of Chavez's missions that when presented by the opportunity, they made thier way to Colombia and asked for and were given asylum in the US. You can ask them directly no intervention from me. There is a restaurant on Richmond in the westchase area called La Vina, owned by Cubans go there one day, any day and speak with the owners and see what response you get ask the cuban patrons while you're at it and see what response you get.

BTW one of the greatest Jazz drummers of all time was my uncle.

"I happened to have two Jazz fans in the family///since you know the Ambassador Francisco Belisario Landis so well, please tell him to be prudent, Dominican don't like other countries openly trying to influence our elected government officials. Get my drief //slick ," Santanar puts it very nicely.

oooo

Santanar, when I said the Ambassador is known for his sense of humor, I did not mean to imply that I know the Ambassador. Oh no, the Ambassador and I don't mingle in the same social circles.

Santanar, you say so nicely " Dominican don't like other countries openly trying to influence our elected government officials. Get my drief...."

Yes, I get your drift.

If what you say about not liking "other countries openly trying to influence our elected government officials" is right, then Dominicans must hate the USA.

I wonder, Santanar, what you mean when you write "Get my drief //slick ?"

"//Slick?

Surely, you don't believe I'm "slick?"

Me, a jazz fan?

Tex, you would love it if you visited the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, DC. It's really the place to go in the USA. The people there are so warm and friendly and the ambience is delightful.

As for Houston, I'm a habitue of some of the Cuban restaurants [I dine, but I don't talk], the Jones Plaza Latin Jazz and salsa concerts, and cigar shops off I-45 where they will roll a cigar in front of you to your specifications.

I know perhaps 10 US citizens in Houston who have visited Cuba illegally under US law. But I can't introduce you because you may rat them out to the repressive US regime. If you rat on them, they can get up to 10 years in US prison where torture and brutality are everyday occurrences and up to $250,000 fine.

Most of the people I know don't have that kind of money.

Well, I am speaking of you seeing first hand Like I have seen and lived first hand in Venezuela. My wife and I travel there at least twice per year as she still has a daughter there. If you were to attend the offshore technology conference the PDVSA booth is nothing but programs for this, and helping that, and if you believe what they say without having prior and continuing knowledge of what is really going on, you would think that it too is the greatest place to live. Crime is rampent there if the hold you up on the street and you dont have enough to give them they kill you. You obviously mistake me, ratting some one out is not my style. You should really listen to both side of the story if you really understand what goes on in another country or visit and not just the tourist areas where poeple live.

Cuban Interest Section= Sponsored by the Cuban Government

I'm a country boy and when I get an answer for a simple question like "a jazz fan", when asking about your interest in defending a country other then your own, it prompt me to call you as slick. If you don't have a personal relation but only fill close with the ambassador line of through is ok with me, but what make you say that the gentleman "is known for sense of humor"? have you meet him?

Some time ago, US imperialists ordered all countries to trade ... buy or sell ... oil in US dollars ... or else.

H. Saddam traded oil in dollars or euros and the US imperialists lied on him and mass murdered his people.

Iran is trading oil in dollars or euros. The savage US imperialists are growling at Iran, threatening the "else" again.

Venezuela trades oil in dollars or euros or, in the case of Petrocaribe members, it trades oil for goods and services.

DR can conserve a ton of its precious currency reserves if the DR paid for its Petrocaribe oil purchases with food exports to Venezuela, but this will constitute insubordination on the part of the DR to the order from the US imperialists to trade oil in US dollars or else.

LF: Mr. Bush, I don't have that many dollars left. Can we in the DR please pay for our Petrocaribe oil with agricultural exports?

BUSH: what did I tell ya?

LF: Dollars or else.

BUSH: Do what I told ya, hear!

"but what make you say that the gentleman "is known for sense of humor"? have you meet him?"

oooo

"Have you meet him?"

I regret I've haven't had the honor.



"But what make you say that the gentleman "is known for sense of humor?"

oooo

DR FOREIGN MINISTER: Ambassador, why won't Jesus, in heaven, return Ben Laden's wings?

AMBASSADOR: Last month, when Ben Laden had his wings, he flew straight into a building.

Mr sleak, Venezuela is part of OPEC and they can not sell oil below the establish market price what they do is negotiate the financing, don't be naive this is not a gift is a commodity that we need to pay back with and interest and all kind of streams attached //

DR FOREIGN MINISTER: Ambassador, why won't Jesus return Ben Laden's wings?

AMBASSADOR: Last month, when Ben Laden had his wings, he flew straight into a building.

That is not sense of humor, is offensive to those that lost a love one in those building. That idiot need to be expel from the country.

"This is not a gift," santanar ( or "S") says.

Do you want a hand-out?

"They can not sell oil below the establish market price," S says.

Correct. But "they" can set the interest rate on the portion bought on credit.

"We need to pay back with and interest and all kind of streams attached //," S says.

There are no strings attached. The DR doesn't have to sign a predatory "free" trade agreement or a predatory military and police agreement to join Petrocaribe. You are confusing noble Venezuelan revolutionaries with foul US imperialists.

"We need to pay back with and interest, " S says.

Yes, because most Dominicans don't want hand-outs.

Does the amount of interest make any difference?

Petrocaribe charges a rate of interest at 1%.

US imperialists charge usuriously between 8% and 23%, depending on the customer.

Lying reactionary rats argue there's no difference between 1% and 8% - 23% interest rates because both rates are still interest.

Written by: gouletcolonial, 22 Aug 2008 12:59 PM
From: Canada
where are his little assistants chill and risable
_______________________________________________

Its Called having a life, not like you Chilling all day on your PC, sponsored by the Right Wingers.

here is a picture of you on the PC all day 24/7
http://i164.photobucket.com/album....ptnewo/fat20man20at20computer.jpg

I would not be surprised, if you have one of these installed, at your shack.
http://www.how2blogger.com/wp-con....loads/2007/12/computer-toilet.jpg

so Tell us the truth, once and for all, what is the Deal with you.

"I would not be surprised, if you have one of these installed, at your shack.
http://www.how2blogger.com/wp-con....loads/2007/12/computer-toilet.jpg ..."

oooo

GC, given the content of your compositions, this is where you ought to work all the time.

belial why dont you and Tex get together for some latin jazz and a meal some nite Maybe he and his lovely wife can show you something you dont know....go ahead Tex is a member of the mount pellier domino club in St Croix and I can vouch for his high sense of ethics ...they are not situational or mobile and Louis Bellson used to give him drum lessons

Risable that was very kind of you to have taken the time to prepare that little offering ....I found it quite amusing ...thank you very much

GC,

Actually Ed Blackwell was my uncle, married my moms oldest sister. He passed away a few years back. That year at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. multiple venues did shows honoring him. He my friend was a hell of a jazz drummer. And yes the domino club, makes me want to fly back there and see old George and drink a shot of his babash

Written by: gouletcolonial, 22 Aug 2008 12:59 PM
From: Canada
where are his little assistants chill and risable

I have a JOB.... I can not be infront of a pc all day like you GC, your 62 and must likely retired........

P. 1 of 2

"Actually Ed Blackwell was my uncle"

oooo

Ed Blackwell was a famous guy and gifted, too.

He was a strange drummer because he could swing [the essence of jazz] and he could play swinglessly ["freedom" so-called].

I believe Ornette on "Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation" [ Ornette's only masterpiece] liked Blackwell more for his swinglessness than his swing.

I believe Blackwell had a dual personality, a swinger and a flowing being.

Ornette pushed aside Billy Higgins ... a fine drummer, but who could neither swing nor flow, but who was damn good keeper ... to make room for Blackwell.

Ornette was pleased with either because one swung and the other kept time.

Blackwell would lapsed into swing and enrage Ornette. So, Ornette kicked out Blackwell and put Ornette's 9 year old son on drums who could, at the time, neither swing nor flow nor keep time.

Ornette was thrilled.

CON'T

p. 2 or 2

Blackwell after Ornette never really studied the conditions for the success of Max Roach who found, at the right time, Clifford. Blackwell never found a Clifford.

I don't believe Blackwell looked for a Clifford. Cliffords were old school. After Ornette, Blackwell found his old buddies with whom he played with in Ornette's band and recorded with them. None of them were Cliffords.

It looks good on paper but it will then likely be a curse for the DR to become to close with Venezuela/Hugo. But to be fair I am going to give this some time.

If I don't I would be as ignorant as the Commies condeming everything that is Capitalistic,

Could this be the DR as well;

http://rayma.eluniversal.com/do/displayRayma

I am surprised that Belial would admit that he is not in the same "social class" as the Venezuelan Ambassador to theDR, yet can comment on that person's personality.
I have always read that Communism is a "CLASSLESS SOCIETY", so how can such a proponent of that philosophy actually admit to being the social inferior to a government official? That just doesn't make sense, now does it?

TB

You are trying to have an intelligent conversation with Belial and also trying to direct him to those BS Abstractions called "TRUTH" about his heroes.

What an utter waste of time!

He will twist and shove facts to suit himself and his hate for the country that reared him. Loyalty like his is something his country should be proud of! NOT!!

I have also been to Cuba. I have seen how hungry and scared the people are. He wouldn't believe a thing if was right in front of him if it meant that the US had reasons for the blockade.

What a waste of space!

"I have also been to Cuba."

0000

In the midst of empirical reality, an ideological bigot sees only the fantasies and illusions his bigotry generates in his diseased head.

i know a lot of people that have been to cube, a lot of cubans that just came form cuba.
they say it's not as bad as when they went to DR...

This quote from Bel;ial describes him perfectly, don't you think???

"In the midst of empirical reality, an ideological bigot sees only the fantasies and illusions his bigotry generates in his diseased head."


Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease which infects his brain, tiny though it may be.

TB

My mom recently visited Cuba for 3 weeks with her Cuban husband. And from what she observed in the country was that, it seem to be in better shape than DR.

The light never left, The water never left, everyone had a house given to them by the government. While my mom was there her husband's aunt, suffered a ruptured Pancreas, and was operated free of charge. If that was here in DR it would have been Game over for that lady, cause here in DR if you don't have insurance you most likely don t have have any money to pay for an operation.

there is always people here in DR , stopping traffic with a rope, asking for donations, cause some one in there family badly needs a operation. Oh and Eduction is also free. The only thing those people do not have is the latest luxury goods.

My favorite line:
"everyone had a house given to them by the government."

No it was stolen by the government and given to political appointees. Your Mom's Cuban husband is obviously a member of the "party" and lives of the oppression of the Cuban People.

Risable is falling into the Abyss of communism and luny leftwing thought but he will get over it....If he succeeds in his business ....If his parents had not worked so hard to get him American citizenship he would be picking mangos in Bani with his primos..and if his parents heard him talking this way they would wash his mouth out with soap...Ris your mom is not moving back here either let alone your step Papi want to get his rationcard back in Havana...they are very happy in USA....Stop trying to go over to the Dark Side

time2rise;

You are making the mistake of equating a system of economics with government functioning. That is a common fallacy amoung those who have not really studied all the ramfications of political and socio-economic interactions.
Take a look at the history of the USSR from the beginning to it's final gasping breath and tell me where it was better than an equal sized European country or the USA in the area of human rights, economic opportunity, political freedom and general welfare of its citizenry in all aspects of living.
That same question applies to all countries who have experimented with a purely socialist form of economics, including Cuba Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Ecuadore, China and others. In all cases there has been a repressive government punishes its citizenry for having and vocalizing thoughts in opposition to itself. Do you think theCuban government would put up with huelgas for even a minute? Think about it, T2R. Search you soul for the answer and be honest

TB

They also forget that the house is not thiers, it will belong to the government forever, never will it be your property or your childrens. And it was someones house before the government expropriated them. How does your pancreas rupture, an appendix ok, but a pancreas never heard of that.

Bill,

In Venezuela as we speak the comptroller general has ruled more than 250 candiates INELLIGABLE to run for office in the upcoming elections because he SUSPECTS they may have something in thier past that MAY MAKE THEM unable to hold office. Do you think that it is coincidence that they are all opposition candidates? The Chavez government says it is best to stop the corruption before it gets into office. Transparency international, a German Based group now ranks Venezuela number 162 out of 179 countries in corruption thier score is 2 out of a possible 10. In 2001 they were 69th. And having lived there a number of years I can tell you first hand it is worse now than ever.

Viejoculonial.

1. I was Born and raised in the U.S. 2. I'm just writing down on what my mom observed, on her first trip to cuba. and she just happen to notice that live was better than DR. Also not one time,was she approached by people who beg for some money to eat. Nor did she see people Sleeping in the streets, like you some here in DR, or mostly in the U.S.

The only thing she did not, approve was that all business belong to the Gov.

Also Texashoe my step dad is one of those Anti-Fidel whiners, so he felt kind of stupid when my mom, called him out, on alot of his whining, that Cubans in Miami, normally whine about.

Dont worry People, i will be taking a trip to Cuba pretty soon, but first i need to find out some things, because i have been informed, by the travel agency, that since i have a U.S. Passport , that it will be best not to get it stamped in Cuba, because U.S. will then question me and fined me aswell.

that true risable use caution do not get your passport stamped in Cuba on entry or exit but do not allow Dominican inspectors to con you into believing their stamp has any value ...For example if you ask them not to stamp it on departure or return and they ask for money tell them to stamp it twice ...their stamp means nothing

T2Rise,

They will give you a seperate paper with your entry visa so it does not appear in your passport. I am just stating what many of my Cuban acquaintenances have told me. Try to leave the tourist areas and go to where they live and you will not be able to. The employees at those hotels can not take you anywhere. They must go to work and leave and go home. Besides they can not afford anything there anyway. What I am saying and many others as well is that that area is what you are meant to see and therefore that is YOUR MEMORY of Cuba. See if you can see the real Cuba.

that true risable use caution do not get your passport stamped in Cuba on entry or exit but do not allow Dominican inspectors to con you into believing their stamp has any value ...For example if you ask them not to stamp it on departure or return and they ask for money tell them to stamp it twice ...their stamp means nothing
____________________________________

Thanks for the advice.

T2R;
The Cuban well understands the reason that you cannot have your passport tamped upon entry and exit. To visit Cuba, a US Citizen is in direct violation of US Law. That law dealswith the "aiding an enemy of the USA" by spending dollars within their territorial limits. So, if you visit Cuba, you are in violation of US statutes and MAY be prosecuted upon return to US territory.
There are many who defy the US government and go there via Mexico or other Latin Countries, but they are taking a chance of getting "caught out" by spending US Dollars there. Also, bear in mind that if you violate Cuban Laws while there, the US government will not assist you in any way, form, or fashion. You're "on your own", so to speak.
However you may rationalize the violation of the applicable US law, that law is still one which governs you and your actions with regard to foreign travel.
Curiosity for the sake of curiosity just isn't worth the risks in my book.

TB

There are ways by which you can gain permission and"work around" the law, but you must explore those options yourself.
In that case, Good Luck, but do so honestly.
Levenworth isn't a nice place to spend several years in confinement.

TB

Thanks TB & TS for the all the advice, i would probably most likely, do what my mom did and get that, special permission from the U.S. to visit Cuba and avoid all that legal risk.

T2R

You're welcome.
Wasn't trying to be condesending, by any means, but there are many hidden ramifications to the Cuban Travel scenario the general public isn't aware of.

TB

Written by: gouletcolonial, 25 Aug 2008 10:17 AM
From: Canada
that true risable use caution do not get your passport stamped in Cuba on entry or exit but do not allow Dominican inspectors to con you into believing their stamp has any value ...For example if you ask them not to stamp it on departure or return and they ask for money tell them to stamp it twice ...their stamp means nothing


what if you have dual citizenship and you have the Dominican one stamped ?

They will give you a seperate paper with your entry visa so it does not appear in your passport. I am just stating what many of my Cuban acquaintenances have told me. Try to leave the tourist areas and go to where they live and you will not be able to. The employees at those hotels can not take you anywhere. They must go to work and leave and go home. Besides they can not afford anything there anyway. What I am saying and many others as well is that that area is what you are meant to see and therefore that is YOUR MEMORY of Cuba. See if you can see the real Cuba.


I have seen youtube videos of people outside tourist areas , and I know some one that was there an a church mission ...I try to go my self, they got mad when they found out i was trying to use there church....

well chill you could use your Dominican passport but that would leave a paper trail in case that document was ever scrutinized by US authorities...best to avoid all paper trails