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CNN —Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said his forces were “always ready” to combat external threats, as he addressed crowds gathered at Moscow’s Red Square on Thursday to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Around 27 million people in the Soviet Union died in World War II, more than in any other country. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes soldiers as he is driven along Red Square. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS in an interview that “unfriendly countries” were not invited for a third Victory Day since the war in Ukraine began. His Victory Day address comes just days after the Russian leader was inaugurated for a fifth term in office, in a carefully choreographed ceremony.

Persons: CNN —, Vladimir Putin, “, Putin, ” Putin, ”, Sergei Shoigu, Alexander Nemenov, Sefa, Shoigu, Alexander Lukashenko of, Emomali, Serdar, Miguel Diaz, Thongloun, Maria Zakharova, ” Zakharova, Mikhail Klimentyev, Reuters Putin Organizations: CNN, Nazi, Russian, Getty, Canel, Russian Foreign Ministry, TASS, Sputnik, Reuters, Kyiv, Kremlin Locations: Soviet, Nazi Germany, Russia, Ukraine, “ Russia, AFP, Red Square, Anadolu, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Cuba, Laos, Guinea, Bissau, Russian, United States

☆ Murders, imprisonment and violence: Threats to press freedom grow in Latin America
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Esteban Campanela | Sol Amaya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

These are just the tip of the iceberg of the challenges faced by many media workers in Latin America, where experts say the status of press freedom is increasingly worrisome. The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed in a press conference that they believed the crime was linked to his journalistic work. Last week, the Mexican president criticized the US State Department’s report on human rights in the world, which refers to concerns over press freedom in Mexico, saying that US authorities should “be respectful”. In a publication in social network X, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said US officials are not concerned about the human rights of Cubans and that the United States has its own human rights violations. Nicaragua: Ortega-Murillo regime targets journalismHarassment of the press in Nicaragua has been widely reported on numerous occasions.

Persons: CNNE, Francisco Cobos, ”, Cobos, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, López Obrador, Enrique Peña Nieto, Felipe Calderón, Lourdes Maldonado López, Maldonado López, Séptimo Día, Roberto Figueroa, Xochitl Zamora, Lourdes Maldonado, Maldonado ´, Marco Ugarte, AP López Obrador, Andres Oppenheimer, Javier Milei, Lopez Obrador, Abraham Jimenez, Jimenez, civically, “, Miguel Diaz, Yamil Lage, Jiménez, Bruno Rodríguez, Ortega, Murillo, Juan Lorenzo Hollman Chamorro, Hollman Chamorro, Chamorro, Carlos Fernando Chamorro, Rosario Murillo, … provocateurs, Chávez, Vos, Chavez, ” Edgar López, López, Juan Pablo Lares, Maximiliano Bruzual, Ariana Cubillos, Nicolas, Maduro’s, Yván Gil, ” Jeannine Cruz, Gustavo Petro, Nayib Bukele, Gonzalo Zegarra, Rey Rodríguez, Manuela Castro, Ana María Cañizares, Ivonne, José Álvarez, Elvin Sandoval, Iván, Sarmenti, Español Organizations: CNN, Amnesty International, Protect Journalists, Univision, Televisa, Prosecutor’s, AP, CIA, Canel, Getty, Cuban Foreign, La Prensa, National Police, ”, El, Regional, Democracy, Nicaraguan, State Department, National College of Journalists, Venezuelan, TC Television, Communication, “ Locations: Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Latin America, Mexican, American, Tamaulipas, McAllen , Texas, Tijuana, Morelos, Tijuana , Mexico, Spain, Cuban, Havana, AFP, United States, Costa Rica, El Confidencial, Managua, NIcaragua, Sur, Washington, Venezuelan, “, Caracas, ”, Ecuador, Guayaquil, America, Argentina, Colombian

☆ Cuba sees rare protests amid power cuts and food shortages
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Demonstrators took to the streets in at least four cities on Sunday to complain about hours-long power cuts and increasing food scarcity. The island has seen frequent power cuts and shortages of food, fuel, and medicine since the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting Cubans to flee to the United States in record numbers. US diplomats said Sunday they were monitoring the protests and called on the Cuban government to listen to the demonstrators. The Cuban government, which typically does not allow organized dissent, did not say how many protesters had been arrested. After island-wide demonstrations in the summer of 2021, more than 1,000 Cubans were put on trial and convicted of rising up against the communist-run government, according to human rights groups.

Persons: Miguel Diaz, Canel, Fidel Castro’s, Diaz Organizations: CNN, Cuban, country’s Communist Party, Twitter Locations: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, United States, Miami’s, Cuban, Havana

☆ Cuban President Sacks Economy Minister as Controversy Grows Over Price Hikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel sacked economy minister Alejandro Gil on Friday, state media reported, as controversy continued to grow over the delay of recently announced measures to hike the price of fuel and transportation fares in the communist-run country. The Council of State, under Diaz-Canel`s direction, has appointed Central Bank president Joaquín Alonso, 60, to replace Gil. The upheaval comes just two days after the government put off an unpopular five-fold hike in gasoline prices planned for Feb. 1, saying a cyberattack from outside Cuba had thwarted implementation. Former economy minister Gil had advocated for the unpopular plan to raise prices for many government subsidized services, and has long been criticized for his management of the country`s near-bankrupt economy. Gil's planned price hikes, initially announced in December and early January, rocked Cuba, where residents have long depended on a vast program of state subsidized food, fuel and medicine.

Persons: Miguel Díaz, Canel, Alejandro Gil, Diaz, Joaquín Alonso, Gil, Elba Rosa Perez, Eduardo Martinez, Alberto Lopez, Manuel Santiago Sobrino, Nelson Acosta, Dave Sherwood, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: of State, Central Bank, Technology, Food Industry Ministry Locations: HAVANA, Cuban, Cuba, Santa Clara

☆ Cuba stages pro-Palestine march past US embassy in Havana
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nelson Acosta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] People shout slogans during a march in support of Palestinians, calling for a ceasefire and for charging Israel with committing “genocide” in Gaza, in Havana, Cuba, November 23, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini Acquire Licensing RightsHAVANA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Cubans on Thursday marched in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana charging Israel was committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. Communist-run Cuba has been a strong backer of the Palestinian cause for decades and has trained more than 200 Palestinian doctors. "We are here and it is no coincidence that we have marched in front of the United States embassy," Anet Rodríguez, a university professor, said. Since then, some 14,800 Gazans have been killed by Israeli bombardment, around 40% of them children, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Persons: Alexandre Meneghini, Israel, Miguel Diaz, Fidel Castro, Marc Frank, Anet Rios, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, United, State, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Havana, Cuba, Rights HAVANA, Cuban, Palestine, Israel, Communist, United States

☆ Cuba seeks foreign investment, thumbing nose at US sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nelson Acosta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HAVANA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Cuba hosted a business fair with over 800 companies from more than 60 countries on Monday as it lobbied for new investments, thumbing its nose at U.S. sanctions that have long spooked foreign companies from engaging with the communist-run island. "Today we work ...to minimize the negative impact of the economic, financial and commercial blockade," said Cuba foreign trade minister Ricardo Cabrisas at the forum's opening event. Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel told attendees "massive" participation at the fair this year was proof of business confidence in Cuba. The trade fair includes promotional stands from countries ranging from Spain to Russia, Iran and China. Foreign companies also complain that local regulations, bureaucracy and problems with the peso currency and payments also bog down business in Cuba.

Persons: Ricardo Cabrisas, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Diaz, Jay Brickman, Biden, Hugo Cancio, Cancio, Nelson Acosta, Dave Sherwood, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Reuters, Miami, U.S, DeCancio, Thomson Locations: HAVANA, Cuba, U.S, Cuban, Spain, Russia, Iran, China

☆ Molotov cocktails thrown at Cuban embassy in Washington, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 25 (Reuters) - An assailant attacked the Cuban embassy in Washington with two Molotov cocktails on Sunday night, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said on messaging platform X, adding that nobody was hurt. The Cuban flag flutters in the wind after being raised at the Cuban Embassy reopening ceremony in Washington July 20, 2015. "We are in contact with Cuban embassy officials and law enforcement authorities to ensure an appropriate and timely investigation as well as to offer our support for future protective efforts," he said in a statement. Earlier this month, U.S. and Cuban officials made progress on a range of issues during high-level talks in Washington. Reporting by Natalia Siniawski and Costas Pitas; Editing by Peter Graff and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Miguel Díaz, Canel, Rodriguez, Gary Cameron, Jake Sullivan, Natalia Siniawski, Costas Pitas, Peter Graff, Jamie Freed Organizations: Cuban Foreign, United Nations, Cuban, Twitter, REUTERS, White House, Service, Biden, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Washington, New York, Cuba, United States

☆ MLB roundup: Pirates escape 9-run hole, stun Reds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Rivas got the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the fourth inning. The Reds dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the chase for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Athletics 4, Tigers 1Trevor May pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the eighth and ninth innings, preserving Joe Boyle's first major league win, as Oakland defeated visiting Detroit. Stroman was relieved by Javier Assad (5-3), who threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Mookie Betts drove in two runs for a major league record 105 RBIs from the leadoff spot.

Persons: Jordan Montgomery, Kevin Jairaj, Alfonso Rivas, Rivas, Bryan Reynolds, Ji Hwan, Christian Encarnacion, Strand, Bailey, Strand's, Montgomery, Dylan Moore, Julio Rodriguez, Louis, Josh Lowe, Chris Devenski, Junior Caminero, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Cavan Biggio, Luis Robert Jr, Josh Winckowski, Statcast, Dylan, Nick Pivetta, Pivetta, Jo Adell, Brandon Drury, Kyle Farmer, Christian Vazquez, Trevor May, Joe Boyle's, Esteury, Boyle, Jordan Diaz, Joey Wentz, Miguel Diaz, Jake Burger, Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz, Carlos Santana, Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel, Miles Mastrobuoni, Marcus Stroman, Stroman, Javier Assad, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Zack Wheeler, Jose Quintana, Taylor Clarke, Richie Palacios, Palacios, Luken Baker, Andrew Knizner, Ryan Helsley, Eguy Rosario, Xander Bogaerts, Helsley, Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto, John Means, Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez, Tommy John, Clayton Kershaw, Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Martinez Organizations: Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Life, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati, Reds, Pirates, Chicago Cubs, National League . Rangers, Mariners, Seattle, Rangers, American League West, Houston Astros, Rays, Blue Jays, Tampa Bay, Cavan, White Sox, Red Sox, Boston, Chicago, Angeles, Angels, Minnesota, American League Central, Athletics, Tigers, Oakland, Detroit, Marlins, Brewers, Miami, Milwaukee, NL, Friday, Cubs, Rockies, Colorado, Miami Marlins, National League, Phillies, Mets, Philadelphia, League, New York, Royals, Astros, Kansas City, Houston, Seattle . Cardinals, Padres, Orioles, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dodgers, Giants, Francisco, Los, The Giants, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Texas, USA, Encarnacion, Texas, Montgomery, St, Toronto, St . Petersburg, Fla, Chicago, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Angeles, Houston, Diego's, San Francisco, Los Angeles

☆ MLB roundup: O's edge Rays, both punch tickets to postseason
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

With the Texas Rangers losing to the Cleveland Guardians, the Rays locked up their fifth consecutive playoff berth. The Marlins got more good news as Jorge Soler, who leads the team in homers, returned from an oblique injury. Guardians 9, Rangers 2Cleveland erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning, more than enough to beat visiting Texas. Chicago starter Jordan Wicks (3-1) was tagged for three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Ian Happ had three hits and a run for the Cubs, who have lost five games in a row.

Persons: Adley Rutschman, Reggie Hildred, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn's, Jake Diekman, Mullins, Austin Hays, Pete Fairbanks, Jorge Mateo, Adam Frazier, Mateo, Manuel Margot, Chisholm, Jorge Soler, Luis Arraez, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, Erik Swanson, Daulton Varsho, Garrett Whitlock, Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Josh H, Smith, Ezequiel Duran, Jose Quintana, Francisco Alvarez, Daniel Vogelbach, Mark Vientos, Nick Senzel, Christian Encarnacion, Jason Delay, Miguel Andujar, Liover Peguero, David Bednar, Anthony Volpe, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Rodon, Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers, Framber Valdez, Jordan Lyles, Joey Meneses, CJ Abrams, Lane Thomas, scampering, Meneses, Luis Garcia, Brice Turang's, Robert Garcia, Willy Adames, Rowdy Tellez, Edouard Julien, Jorge Polanco, Sonny Gray, Gray, Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagan, Andrew Benintendi, Jordan Walker, Louis, Walker's, Seranthony Dominguez, Ryan Helsley, John King, Paul Goldschmidt, Dakota Hudson, Brandon Crawford, J.D, Davis, Mitch Haniger, Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson, Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle, Elias Diaz's, Taylor Rogers, Camilo Doval, Charlie Blackmon, Juan Soto, Bob Melvin's, Soto, Brent Rooker, Ray Kerr, Rooker, Jake Rogers, Miguel Diaz, Joey Wentz, Alex Lange, Randal Grichuk, Kenny Rosenberg, Jason Heyward, Austin Barnes, James Outman, Logan Gilbert, Ketel Marte, Marte, Ryne Nelson, Jordan Wicks, Ian Happ Organizations: Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Camden Yards, Orioles, Rays, American League East, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians, Baltimore, Marlins, Braves, Miami, Atlanta, The Marlins, National League, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Toronto, Boston, Rangers, Cleveland, Texas, The Rangers, Astros, AL West ., Mets, Reds, New York, Cincinnati, New, NL, Arizona Diamondbacks, Strand, Pirates, Yankees, Pittsburgh, Royals, Houston, AL West, Nationals, Brewers, Milwaukee, White Sox, Minnesota, Chicago, Cardinals, Phillies, Philadelphia, Giants, Rockies, The Giants, San, Colorado, Padres, Athletics, Oakland, Tigers, Detroit, Dodgers, Mariners, Seattle, The Mariners, Los Angeles, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Arizona, Miami Marlins, Thomson Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, USA, AL West . Texas, New York, Kansas, Washington, Chicago, Francisco, Colorado, Denver, San Francisco, Diego, Los Angeles, Anaheim , Calif, Angeles, Phoenix, Arizona

☆ US prepares measures to help Cuban small businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Matt Spetalnick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - The Biden administration is preparing to unveil new regulatory measures to allow more U.S. financial support for small private businesses in Cuba, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday. The new measures could be rolled out while Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly beginning on Tuesday. The official insisted that any U.S. steps to aid the Cuban people would be carried out "restricting to the furthest extent possible any benefit to the Cuban military." The Cuban embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The new measures could help facilitate a flow of U.S. loans.

Persons: Biden, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Diaz, Donald Trump, Trump, Barack Obama, Matt Spetalnick, Dave Sherwood, Sandra Maler Organizations: Cuban, United Nations General, State Department, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Cuba, Communist, New York, Cuban, Washington, Havana, U.S

☆ Developing Countries Double Down on Technology at Havana Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Marc, Frank and Nelson AcostaHAVANA (Reuters) - Developing nations on Saturday declared Sept. 16 the annual "Day of Science, Technology and Innovation in the South" as they prepared to wrap up a two-day summit on the subject. "We note with deep concern the existing disparities between developed and developing countries in terms of conditions, possibilities and capacities to produce new scientific and technological knowledge," the final declaration of the G77 group of developing nations and China said. China maintains that it is not a G77 member, despite being listed as one by the bloc, but Beijing says it has supported the group's legitimate claims and maintained cooperative relations. At the same time, it calls for more cooperation between member nations in science, technology and innovation as strategies for their development. While more than 100 member delegations participated in the summit, only Brazil and a few dozen others were led by heads of state.

Persons: Marc, Frank, Nelson Acosta HAVANA, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Marc Frank, Nelson Acosta, David Gregorio Organizations: Science, Technology, Innovation, United Nations System, International, Cuban, United Nations Locations: China, Beijing, United, Brazil

HAVANA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday praised efforts to support the Global South in the international arena as he opened a summit of the G77 group of developing nations and China with host Cuba. The focus is the scientific and technological divide between rich and poor countries and its impact on development. Guterres said greater international equality was essential to building the consensus needed to tackle climate change and inequality. "The world is failing developing nations" he said, expressing the hope that the meeting would strengthen participants' clout on a wide range of issues. While more than 90 delegations are participating in the summit, which ends on Saturday, only a few dozen are led by heads of state.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Diaz, Marc Frank, Nelson Acosta, Aurora Ellis Organizations: United Nations, Global, Thomson Locations: HAVANA, China, Cuba, United States, Cuban, Beijing

REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHAVANA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Cuba has uncovered a human trafficking ring that coerced its citizens to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine, its foreign ministry said, adding that Cuban authorities were working to "neutralize and dismantle" the network. It was not immediately clear if the Cuban foreign ministry statement was associated with the Ryazan report. The defense ministers of Cuba and Russia earlier this year discussed the development of joint "technical military" projects at a meeting in Moscow. "Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine," the foreign ministry said late on Monday. Cuba said it had already begun prosecuting cases in which its citizens had been coerced into fighting in Ukraine.

Persons: Juan Medina, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Dave Sherwood, Marc Frank, Felix Light, Michael Perry, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Russia, Monday, Cuban, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Madrid, Spain, Rights HAVANA, Ukraine, Caribbean, Moscow, Russia, Ryazan, Havana, Tbilisi

☆ Opinion: In tough times, Russia turns to a Cold War comrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Opinion Jeremi Suri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —After decades of somewhat distant relations, Russia and Cuba are working closely together again — this time, as part of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, meet in Havana on April 20, in a show of deepening ties between the countries. In addition to deepened connections with Russia, Cuba has allowed China to build a secret espionage facility on the island. Washington will respond to Russian military escalation in Cuba with its own escalating force, as it already has done with the recent deployment of a nuclear submarine. Military escalation around Cuba is a dangerous temptation for Russia and a difficult trap for the US.

Persons: Jeremi Suri, Mack Brown, America’s, Vladimir Putin’s, Jeremi Suri Korey Howell, Nikolai Patrushev, Igor Sechin, Rosneft, Sergey Lavrov, —, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Putin, Alvaro Lopéz Miera, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, ” Shoigu, ”, Gerardo Peñalver, Bruno Rodriguez, Ramon Espinosa, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Obama, White, Nikita Khrushchev, John F, Kennedy, Khrushchev, Biden, — Khrushchev Organizations: Leadership, Global Affairs, University of Texas, History Department, LBJ School, Democracy, CNN, Russian Security Council, Cuban, Russian, Cuba's, Foreign Affairs, Russian Foreign, Getty Images, year’s, Russian Navy, Caribbean Military, Trump, Biden, Soviets, Pentagon, US, USS, Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Navy, West, Washington, Hulton, Getty, White, Republican, Russia, Ukraine, Twitter, Cuban Missile Locations: Austin, Russia, Cuba, Ukraine, Russian, Havana ., — Venezuela, Nicaragua, Moscow, Caribbean, Washington, Havana, Getty Images Cuba, America, China, Lourdes, USS Pasadena, Guantanamo, American, Soviet, West Berlin, Europe, Putin, Florida, Afghanistan, Turkey

With polls indicating a PP/Vox coalition government as the most likely outcome of next Sunday's national election, the reversal signals what could be a broader shift in Spain's climate change policy. "We are going to continue building bike lanes," he told Reuters. Vox has also pledged to repeal Spain's climate law, which establishes an obligation to create LEZs in cities. "Bike lanes have to be useful and not generate social alarm, so each municipality has to analyse the most appropriate location," a PP official told Reuters. Valladolid has been awarded 10.6 million euros to create an LEZ and about 4 million for bike lanes.

Persons: Teresa Ribera, Vox, Alberto Gutierrez, Miguel Diaz, Santiago Abascal, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Cristina Monge, LEZs, Carmen Moriyon, Frans Timmermans, Belén Carreño, Pietro Lombardi, Andrei Khalip, Charlie Devereux, Angus MacSwan Organizations: People's Party, Elche, Vox, Reuters, United Nations, Socialist, University of Zaragoza, EU, Brussels, Cars, European Environment Agency, Thomson Locations: MADRID, VALLADOLID, Valladolid, Gijon, Castello, Europe, Spain

☆ Cuba: A Russian navy ship docks in Havana as tough times bring the old friends together
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Havana, Cuba CNN —As a series of welcoming cannon blasts rang out from a nearby colonial fort, the Russian navy’s training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday. “We are condemning, we are rejecting, the expansion of NATO towards Russia’s borders,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Russian-controlled network, RT, in a rare interview in May. He also blasted US economic sanctions on Russia, while heralding Russian “projects of cooperation and collaboration” under development in Cuba. But following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its main trading partner and entered a deep economic depression. Despite the high cost of the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions, Russian officials say they are committed to Cuba.

Persons: Perekop, “, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Patrick Oppmann, Jorge R, –, Russia –, Yamil Lage, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Ric Herrero, ” Herrero, “ There’s, ” Benjamin Ziff, Chargé d’Affaires, Sergey Shoigu, Alvaro Lopez Miera, ” Shoigu Organizations: Cuba CNN, Prensa Latina, Cuban, Soviet, NATO, CNN, University of Texas, Austin Energy Institute, Russian, Getty, Trump, Cuba Study, US Naval, Russian Defense Locations: Havana, Cuba, Russian, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Cuban, Moscow, Russia’s, Russia, USSR, AFP, Trump, Spanish, Guantánamo, East, West, “ Cuba

☆ Cuba condemns EU Parliament resolution calling for sanctions against president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HAVANA, July 12 (Reuters) - Cuba's National Assembly said on Wednesday it "strongly condemns" a resolution by the European Parliament, which criticized the country's human rights record and called for EU sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and other top officials. "The European Parliament lacks the moral, political and legal authority to judge Cuba," Cuba's parliament said in a statement. The European Parliament resolution proposes "autocratic regimes should not participate in such summits" and strongly condemns Cuba's human rights record, saying this could jeopardize a 2016 cooperation deal between Cuba and the EU, its top trade partner. The European Parliament resolution said it "deeply deplores" this comment. In May, Borrell said the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, will visit the island in November to evaluate the consequences of the 2021 protests.

Persons: Miguel Diaz, Fidel Castro's, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Eamon Gilmore, Nelson Acosta, Sarah Morland, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: National, Cuban, EU, of, Caribbean, Communist, Cuba's National Assembly, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: HAVANA, Cuba, America, Caribbean, Brussels, Caribbean States, United States

☆ Putin has an invitation to visit Cuba, says Russian ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, July 3 (Reuters) - Russia's ambassador to Cuba said President Vladimir Putin had an invitation to visit the Communist-run island but that it was too early to talk about preparations for such a trip, the state RIA news agency said. "Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) has an invitation, but I don't know how his plans will be lined up," Ambassador Viktor Koronelli told RIA. "The president of Cuba was in Moscow not long ago, in November of last year, so no real time has passed." Cuba had welcomed 66,000 tourists from Russia so far this year and Aeroflot's resumption of regular flights would probably mean a total of 100,000 Russian tourists visit the islands in 2023, Koronelli said. "I would like to say again that Russia can always rely on Cuba, all our aspirations and will," he told Putin, according to a Kremlin transcript.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich, Putin, Viktor Koronelli, Koronelli, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Raul Castro, Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn Organizations: Communist, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Cuba, Moscow, Russia, Cuban

☆ It's not just spy bases in Cuba, China could be sending troops right to Florida's doorstep: WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China is planning a new joint military training facility in Cuba, per The Wall Street Journal. At 100 miles off Florida's coast, the facility would put China's troops at Florida's doorstep. Intelligence officials told the Journal China's move is a likely response to US's involvement in Taiwan. The officials told the Journal that the facility could allow China to "house troops permanently on the island" and "broaden its intelligence gathering" against the US. The new facility in Cuba would be just 100 miles off Florida's coast, and effectively allow China to station troops right at the Sunshine State's doorstep.

Persons: —, Mao Ning, Mao, Biden, Miguel Díaz, Xi Jinping, H.R Organizations: Street, Service, Privacy, China, US, White, Foreign Ministry, Intelligence, Associated Press, Cuban, Trump, McMaster, CBS, State Department Locations: China, Cuba, Taiwan, Cuban, Florida, Havana, South, Russia

☆ Cuba, Iran presidents meet in Havana, vow to confront 'Yankee imperialism'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Nelson Acosta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HAVANA, June 15 (Reuters) - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday, his last stop on a three-nation Latin American tour aimed at shoring up support among Latin American allies saddled, like Iran, by U.S. sanctions. Raisi told reporters at a trade forum in Havana early on Thursday that Cuba and Iran would seek opportunities to work together in electricity generation, biotechnology, and mining, among other areas. "The conditions and circumstances in which Cuba and Iran find themselves today have many things in common," Raisi said in a conversation with Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel. Prior to arriving in Cuba, the Iranian president also met with Nicaragua´s Daniel Ortega in the Central American country. Raisi called his visit with Iran´s key Latin American allies a "turning point" in relations.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Raisi, Nicaragua ´, Daniel Ortega, Diaz, John Kirby, Kirby, We’re, Hurricane Ian, Fidel Castro ´, Donald Trump, Nelson Acosta, Dave Sherwood, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Cuban, U.S, Central American, Yankee, White House, Communist, Thomson Locations: HAVANA, Iran, Havana, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, America, Iranian, Russia, China, Hurricane

☆ Colombia and ELN guerrillas agree to six-month ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Bogota, Colombia CNN —The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) – one of the oldest and largest guerrilla groups still operating in the country – have agreed to implement a bilateral, six-month ceasefire starting on August 3. Cuba, Mexico, Norway, and Venezuela have acted as “guarantors” for the peace talks, as well as the United Nations and the Colombian Catholic church. The third round of peace negotiations between the Colombia's and the ELN in Havana on May 2, 2023. The ELN is still present in large swathes of the Colombian countryside and operates a military force of several thousand men according to military analysts and the Colombian military forces. Last week, Petro’s chief of staff Laura Sarabia and the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Armando Benedetti, both resigned amid mutual accusations of wiretapping.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Miguel Diaz, guerre ‘ Antonio García, ”, Yamil Lage, ‘ Pablo Beltrán, ’, Ivan Duque, Petro, Laura Sarabia, Armando Benedetti Organizations: Colombia CNN, Colombian, National Liberation Army, Cuban, United Nations, Colombian Catholic, Getty, Revolutionary Armed Forces, FARC, European Union Locations: Bogota, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Havana, Norway, AFP, Colombian, United States

The longtime political allies - both subject to U.S. sanctions - are seeking to cement economic ties by facilitating trade and investment. "(The deals) constitute a milestone in the history of our bilateral and business ties," said Ricardo Cabrisas, Cuba's foreign trade minister, in a speech closing the forum on Friday. Russia also provided funds, know-how and technology to restart a steel mill in Cuba to supply construction materials on the island, according to Cuba state-run media reports. More than 150 Russian businesspeople attended the forum in Havana, according to Cuban officials. SUGAR DEALRussia this week also promised to help revive Cuba's once-vaunted sugar industry, which has nearly collapsed in recent years as its production has plunged to historic lows.

☆ Cubans, waylaid by weather and fuel shortage, march for May Day five days late
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People gather at the seafront Malecon to watch the International Worker's Day celebration in Havana, Cuba May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre MeneghiniHAVANA, May 5 (Reuters) - Cubans rallied on Havana's Malecon waterfront boulevard to celebrate International Worker's Day on Friday, five days after the planned May 1 event was called off due to foul weather and a fuel crisis that has crippled public transport on the island. "This year it was not possible, due to the fuel situation," said university professor Javier Sanchez, 24, as he cheered during the morning celebration. Though May 1 dawned clear in Havana, a wind and rain storm the previous day hindered preparations, leading Cuban officials to postpone the event until Friday. Cuban state-run media estimated that 100,000 Cubans had gathered on the Malecon by early Friday morning.

☆ Cuba fuel shortages spark fistfights, queues and holiday cutbacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Patrick Oppmann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Havana, Cuba CNN —As the gas lines grow longer, tempers in Cuba are growing shorter. Since mid-April, Cuba has been beset with its most dire fuel shortages in years, prompting comparisons to the severe disruptions Cubans suffered after the fall of the Soviet Union. Lines stretch for blocks even at gas stations where there has been no fuel for days. Taxi drivers wait in line to fill fuel at a petrol station in Havana. “How can we go to May Day when we have to be in a line for gas,” she said.

☆ A Cuba Without May Day? Here’s What Happened.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Emiliano Rodríguez Mega | Ed Augustin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The NewsSevere fuel shortages have forced the Cuban authorities to cancel the widely celebrated International Workers’ Day parade, which had been set for Monday. But Havana’s Revolution Square, which features a giant statue of the island’s national hero, José Martí, will look nothing like that this May Day. In recent weeks, Cuba has struggled with fuel shortages across the island caused by supplier nations not delivering, according to its president. Cuba usually consumes between 500 and 600 tons of fuel daily, President Miguel Díaz-Canel, said earlier this month. Now, he said, the island has less than 400 tons a day.

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