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Cuba

All articles tagged with #cuba

Cuba says U.S. sanctions hinder its economic opening despite reform plans
world-news5 days ago

Cuba says U.S. sanctions hinder its economic opening despite reform plans

Cuba says the U.S. sanctions policy is blocking its plan to open the economy to private investment even as Havana pushes June reforms to expand private business, imports/exports without state intermediaries, and foreign investment. Analysts say sanctions constrain capital access and overall reform momentum, noting a paradox where U.S. pressure may spur liberalization while also limiting the resources needed to implement changes; ongoing U.S.–Cuba talks and sharp partisan critiques underscore the policy’s persistent impact on Cuba’s economic trajectory.

Cuba endures sixth nationwide blackout of 2026 as heat worsens and warnings mount
world22 days ago

Cuba endures sixth nationwide blackout of 2026 as heat worsens and warnings mount

Cuba is dealing with its sixth nationwide power outage of 2026, with three outages in July, as residents endure extreme heat and limited air conditioning; the U.S. Embassy in Havana warned Americans to expect disruptions while officials review the aging grid and fuel shortages. U.S. travel to Cuba remains restricted to specific categories under OFAC, with advisories urging travelers to prepare for outages.

Cuba sinks into darkness as grid collapses amid sanctions
world23 days ago

Cuba sinks into darkness as grid collapses amid sanctions

Cuba’s state electricity grid collapsed late Sunday, plunging about 10 million people into darkness as fuel shortages and a US oil blockade strain aging infrastructure; the outage follows three nationwide blackouts in July. Havana has struggled to secure imports, with Venezuela and Mexico reducing supplies, while the government moves to loosen controls by authorizing foreign-backed fuel imports and allowing wholesale fuel distribution to hundreds of Cuban businesses.

Cuba hit by nationwide blackout as aging grid falters
world23 days ago

Cuba hit by nationwide blackout as aging grid falters

Cuba’s national power grid collapsed, plunging the island into a nationwide blackout with no immediate cause or restoration timeline given. Prior outages stemmed from damaged transformers, circuit failures and planned cuts due to limited generating capacity. The crisis, fueled by aging, undermaintained plants and shortages of fuel and replacement parts, has disrupted transport, water, communications and medical services, while authorities try to isolate hospitals and essential facilities as they gradually reconnect power. The government blames the US embargo for fuel cuts, though others cite decades of underinvestment and mismanagement; disruptions from Venezuela and Mexico have further strained supplies in a year already marked by frequent blackouts.

world1 month ago

Raúl Castro Skips Cuban Revolution Anniversary as Crisis Deepens

Raúl Castro was absent from Cuba’s July 26 anniversary rally for the first time in decades, with President Díaz-Canel reading a message from him as the event in Pinar del Río commemorates the 1953 Moncada attack. The gathering underscored ongoing tensions with the United States amid sanctions and a deepening domestic crisis marked by blackouts, shortages, and declining production, while Washington credibly accuses Cuba of espionage and a U.S. indictment charges Castro over a 1996 plane downing.

State Department Brands US Progressives as Cuba Front Groups in New Report
world1 month ago

State Department Brands US Progressives as Cuba Front Groups in New Report

A 100-page State Department report brands Cuba as the ‘capital of 21st-century communism’ and accuses the island of subversion, naming several American activists and groups—including Hasan Piker, Chris Smalls, Isra Hirsi, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialists of America, and journalist Amy Goodman—as “front groups and fellow travelers” for Havana. The document frames criticism of U.S. policy toward Cuba and solidarity work as evidence of Cuban influence, amid renewed sanctions led by Rubio and ongoing embargo-era pressure. Critics argue the sanctions hurt Cuba’s economy, while Cuba contends the measures prolong hardship, including blackouts blamed on oil disruptions.

State Dept alleges Cuba ran a decades-long covert influence and espionage network inside the U.S.
world1 month ago

State Dept alleges Cuba ran a decades-long covert influence and espionage network inside the U.S.

A 100-page State Department report accuses Cuba of a decades-long covert campaign to influence U.S. politics and national security, cultivating activists, spy networks, and ties to American universities and left-wing groups to spread communist ideology and undermine U.S. interests. It cites infiltrations at high government levels and connections to groups such as the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers, while Cuban officials call the claims propaganda and Rubio portrays the report as a clear exposure of Havana’s subversion.

State Dept flags Cuba-linked rapid-response plan to mobilize U.S. activists within 24 hours
politics1 month ago

State Dept flags Cuba-linked rapid-response plan to mobilize U.S. activists within 24 hours

A State Department report says Cuba has cultivated a U.S.-based activist network that can mobilize nationwide protests within 24 hours of a U.S. attack on Cuba, citing the National Network on Cuba’s rapid-response plan as evidence. The plan calls for demonstrations at bases, ICE facilities and federal buildings and involves groups linked to ICAP, including Code Pink, the People’s Forum, Democratic Socialists of America and the National Lawyers Guild. The report portrays these ties as part of a broader Cuban influence campaign, amid ongoing sanctions and discussions of potential intervention.

Rodríguez Castro: Cuba’s back-channel power broker pushing for a US reset
world1 month ago

Rodríguez Castro: Cuba’s back-channel power broker pushing for a US reset

USA TODAY profiles Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raul Castro’s eldest grandson and a powerful, unofficial operator known as 'El Cangrejo.' Raised in the revolutionary inner circle, he wields influence via GAESA, argues he can broker a deal with the United States and has sought back-channel diplomacy with the Trump administration, including private meetings and a thwarted letter. He envisions an economically open Cuba while insisting he remains aligned with Cuba’s revolution, but his real authority and the path to a political transition remain uncertain within Cuba’s collective leadership.