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I went back and brought a few more items like tooth paste and tooth brushes. Gave our number to the police to call if they need anything and we will try to get it.

The police station just called and said they need towels so that they can clean up.

I am sure that more clothing and maybe shoes would be appreciated if anyone has time to drop something by there and more food of course

update... got on the coconut phone and towels are on their way thanks to Shuffles.

Tom,
The moves Raul has made are minor and most believe they are cosmetic and solely for the purpose of giving the impression the oppression will end.
We keep up to date on Cuba fairly well and its still bad enough to risk your life setting out to sea in something like this:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/cubanboat010-1.jpg

And that being the case Elbert, I'm not as convinced as you are that people that are willing to risk their lives that way, would welcome being exposed so that they have to be returned to Cuba, just to make their point.

What would be nice is if everyone would just keep quiet, find some way to secret the Cubans (each and every group of them) to a better destination with no return policy, and do all this before the police get involved.

Then, once they are safely away, tell all and expose all or whatever.

So, while in this instance, the Cubans are already with the police and TG is making sure they are clothed and cleaned, etc., mayhap if it had been kept off of the internet, the Cubans could still get away. Now, it's written and searchable.

Southward?

They're headed to Honduras

Thanks.

Elbert,

I'm not trying to split hairs here but cell phones, TVs, computers, electric appliances, garden tools and travel opportunities are a lot more than "cosmetic" changes.

I don't claim to be an expert on Cuban politics but I do follow this issue very closley as an interested posible investor and I have a close friend from Cuba. Many of her family members are still living there one of which I just met as he was in New Orleans for a visit. He offered to go back to Cuba with me as a tour guide "any time".

Many Mexican citizens also "risk their lives" trying to get into the US while at the same time many US citizens are moving to Mexico to live full time.

I'm just saying that just because some Cubans are in conditions that make them willing to risk life and limb to leave, that is certainly not the complete story. I think many people wrongly think that if given the opportunity most all Cubans would leave. That is simply not the case.

Belize-N-Us,

From what I understand, the Cuban peso is so devalued that most people on the island have an extremely difficult time paying for their most basic needs. While Castro may have granted them access to cell phones and TVs, many residents have nowhere near the means to afford those things.

I have to agree with Elbert that the travel restrictions are also a cosmetic change. Your average everyday Cuban is not going to be able to afford to go anywhere. Raul can say that every Cuban is allowed to buy a Mercedes, but that doesn't mean much to people who can barely afford toothpaste.

I agree that most Cubans do not want to leave their country. Many have a connection, just as I have a connection to the US. I know its not perfect, but no place is.

"While Castro may have granted them access to cell phones and TVs, many residents have nowhere near the means to afford those things."

Castro hasn't granted access to anything. I stated earlier that the average Cuban citizen couldn't afford these new luxries. As far as being able to afford travel, now family members living abroad can at least pay for their family to travel/leave if desired.

I realize that the Cuban government has a long way to go but everyone must admit the snowball is starting to roll down the hill. I don't think these Cuban refuges would be wisked away to some dungeon even if they were deported back to Cuba, which they won't be.

Neither the Belize government nor the Cuban government is going to be willing to spend the money to send these folks back. And discussing them here will not negatively impact them. Suggesting that the local Belize people should some how keep secret the arrival of Cuban refuges is ludacrous.

Good point 'Belize n us',
No Cubans have been sent back to my knowledge.
Belize looks at the situation of the agreement with Cuba to send them back through a loop hole. They technically weren't headed here and are a ship in distress seeking aid to continue on their journey so we help a distressed ship sometimes even when the ship isn't still around ;-) .
The sad part is the lie and sucking up to Cuban for Aid, in light of their wrong doing.