However, in spite of the Torricelli Act, Cuba expands its markets and gets some financing for specific economic activities. Companies from various nations invest in Cuba and establish economic relations with our country.

On the other hand, in February 1993, the worst year during the crisis, new elections were held. The results show unequivocally the Cuban people support to the Revolution: 99,7 per cent of the voters participated, and only 7,3 per cent annul the ballot or do not mark it.

Nevertheless, the anti Cuban groups in the US recurs to internal subversion, acts of terrorism, sabotage, infiltration of CIA agents and intensification of propaganda against Cuba. Over one thousand hours of radio broadcasts are directed against Cuba. Top priority is given to encourage illegal emigration, mostly in stolen crafts, either boats or planes.

All this activity led in July 1994 to an increase of craft abductions by persons mainly under the pressure of the economic situation, though there were some cases in which crimes and assassinations were committed. It was under these circumstances that towboat 13 de marzo was abducted and boarded by more than 60 persons with the purpose of travelling to the United States. In spite of the warnings about weather conditions and the poor sailing conditions of the craft, they went on persecuted by several other towboats. There was a collision and in the accident the 13 de marzo wrecked. All the crafts that could reach the area of the wreckage made everything in their power to rescue the people, but in spite of all their efforts some 32 persons died. This accident was used to launch a slandering campaign accusing Cuba of ordering the sinking of the small boat.

In face of the situation, the Cuban Government decided not to prevent illegal emigration forcing the US authorities to sit with Cuban authorities and start conversations on the migration problem and eventually sign a migratory agreement with Cuba.

After 36 years, the US government had to adopt steps to discourage illegal immigration into the US. In 1995, the Cuban people again gave undoubted proof of the unity and support to the Revolution in the partial elections of the People’s Power voting for the delegates to Parliament.
	Direct and secret ballot guaranties free expression of every citizen.

Despite the campaign of the propaganda encouraging abstention, 97,1 per cent of voters participated, 7 per cent of the votes were annulled and 4,3 per cent were not marked.This means that over 87 per cent of the voting population expressed its support to the Revolution.

The expectations of the counterrevolutionary Cuban exiles in Miami and of some sectors of the US government, after the collapse of the socialist block, failed. Nevertheless, they charged again, this time with a project more akin to the cave men: the Helms-Burton Act.

This Act is aimed at a complete and absolute economic international blockade and at preventing at all costs foreign investment in Cuba. Also it intends to stop all sorts of financing, supplies from abroad, and establishes sanctions against companies maintaining trade relations with Cuba. Apart from this, the Helms-Burton Act legalizes US support to counterrevolutionary groups in the Island and establishes the right of that country to determine what type of government, society and relationships should have our country after the Revolution is ousted. In short, it intends to make the Cuban people surrender by hunger and annex Cuba to the United States.

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