As Cuban economy stagnates, economists press for deeper reforms

(Reuters) - Some of Cuba's best-known economists are openly questioning the very core of the Soviet-style command economy and saying market reforms under way are too modest to boost weak growth.

Cuba promotes official who has led market-style reforms

(Reuters) - Cuban President Raul Castro granted more authority to the man who has led the campaign to modernize Cuba's socialist economy, naming Marino Murillo as economy and planning minister on Thursday, the government said.

China's President Xi Jinping signs Venezuela oil deal

Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed a series of oil and mineral deals with Venezuela. They include a $4bn (£2.34bn) credit line in return for Venezuelan crude and other products.

Cuba Slashes More Than 100,000 Health Care Jobs

Cuban authorities say they have eliminated more than 100,000 jobs in health care, considered one of the pillars of the 1959 revolution.

Cuba eases restrictions on loans to small businesses

The Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island's troubled economy. Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government.

Cuba to scrap two-currency system in latest reform

Cuba is to scrap its two-currency system in the latest financial reform rolled out by President Raul Castro, official media report.

Amid domestic change, Cubans march to the polls

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cubans went to the polls on Sunday to elect a Communist Party-selected slate of 612 deputies to the National Assembly at a time of change in how they live and work but not in how they vote.

Cuba to try letting workers run state restaurants

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba's government will begin renting state-owned restaurants to workers who want to run them independently, authorities announced Friday in the latest step of President Raul Castro's economic overhaul.

Exclusive: Cuba opens sugar sector to foreign management

(Reuters) - Brazilian builder Odebrecht SA ODBES.UL will begin administrating a Cuban sugar mill next week in the first sign the industry is ready to accept foreign participation since the 1959 revolution, two company sources said on Wednesday.

Steep hike in customs fees leaves many Cubans fuming

HAVANA (Reuters) - A sharp increase in customs duties has angered many Cubans and cast a shadow over market-oriented reforms on the communist-ruled island advocated by President Raul Castro.

Cuban bank deposits abroad plummet

MIAMI -- Cuban bank assets deposited in foreign financial institutions that belong to an international reporting system showed a stunning plunge of $1.55 billion, or 24 percent, in just the last three months of last year.

Solar, wind energy a missed opportunity for Cuba

RAMON GORDO, Cuba (AP) — The sleepy country setting that farmer Juan Alonso calls home hasn't changed much since he was born 74 years ago, with the two rustic wooden houses nestled among palm trees against a backdrop of green hills and clear skies.

Cuba plans massive shift to "non-state" sector

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba will move nearly 50 percent of the state's economic activity to the "non-state" sector, a senior Communist party official said at the weekend, the latest signal the island is headed toward a mixed economy.

Cuba wraps up dramatic year of economic change

HAVANA (AP) — A year at the vanguard of Cuba's economic revival has not brought Julio Cesar Hidalgo riches. The fledgling pizzeria owner has had his good months, but the restaurant he opened with his girlfriend often runs at a loss. At times, they can't afford to buy basic ingredients.