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标签： Cuba

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  • Cuba prepares for Book Fair, Russia – guest of honor

    Cuba prepares for Book Fair, Russia – guest of honor

    The 2026 Havana International Book Fair will serve as a dual tribute, honoring both the centennial of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and designating Russia as the event’s guest of honor nation. The announcement was made during an official press conference by Juan Rodriguez, President of Cuba’s National Book Institute (ICL), who characterized Russia as “a friendly and brotherly country” from political and cultural perspectives.

    The prestigious literary event, recognized as Cuba’s largest cultural festival, will simultaneously celebrate the legacy of two distinguished Cuban intellectuals: acclaimed author Marilyn Bobes, a two-time recipient of the prestigious Casa de las Americas Prize, and Dr. Jose Bell Lara, Professor Emeritus at the University of Havana holding a PhD in Philosophical Sciences and a Master’s in Caribbean Social Development.

    Rodriguez emphasized that the fair would commemorate Fidel Castro’s enduring influence on Cuban literature and publishing, stating the festival would “celebrate his example, his memory, and his legacy, which includes this very fair and all his contributions to Cuban literature and writers.”

    Russian Ambassador to Cuba Viktor Koronelli expressed profound honor at Russia’s selection, describing the invitation as recognition of Russia’s cultural significance and characterizing the Havana Book Fair as “one of the most important cultural events in all of Latin America.” The 2026 edition promises to strengthen cultural diplomacy between the two nations while highlighting Cuba’s literary achievements.

  • Vietnam: CPV Congress resolution raises demands on Parliament

    Vietnam: CPV Congress resolution raises demands on Parliament

    In a significant address outlining Vietnam’s legislative priorities, National Assembly representative Thanh Man articulated comprehensive demands for parliamentary strengthening. The Vietnamese legislator emphasized the critical need to develop Parliament into a genuinely supreme state authority that authentically represents popular will while advancing both democratic principles and socialist rule of law.

    The parliamentary leader characterized the recent party forum as a political milestone of exceptional strategic importance, marking the commencement of a new developmental phase for the nation. This gathering, described as both successful and historic, established ambitious objectives for achieving rapid yet sustainable national progress.

    A central focus of the address involved the systematic transformation of party guidelines into a coherent, comprehensive, and stable legal framework. The National Assembly has explicitly designated the quality and timeliness of institutionalizing the Resolution from the 14th National Congress as the paramount benchmark for evaluating its operational effectiveness throughout the upcoming period.

    Furthermore, the parliamentarian stressed the necessity of conducting meticulous preparations across all dimensions to ensure the successful organization of elections for the 16th National Assembly lawmakers and representatives to People’s Councils at various levels for the 2026-2031 term. This electoral process represents a crucial mechanism for implementing the nation’s developmental vision through democratic representation.

  • Venezuela’s acting President congratulates To Lam on re-election

    Venezuela’s acting President congratulates To Lam on re-election

    Venezuelan leadership has formally extended congratulations to Tô Lâm following his unanimous re-election by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The message, delivered via Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez’s official Telegram channel, characterized the decision as a profound demonstration of confidence from both the Party and the Vietnamese citizenry in President Lâm’s leadership.

    Rodríguez, acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government and its people, utilized the diplomatic communication to reiterate a strong commitment to strengthening the existing relationship between the two nations. She explicitly expressed a desire to ‘continue deepening the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.’

    The statement further framed the bilateral partnership within a broader geopolitical context, emphasizing a shared vision for international relations. Rodríguez affirmed that the two countries stand ‘united in the defense of sovereignty, the self-determination of peoples, and the construction of a multicentric and multipolar international order.’ This endorsement occurred in conjunction with the closing proceedings of the CPV’s 14th National Congress, where the leadership transition was formally ratified.

  • Israel is accused of expanding Gaza’s control despite ceasefire

    Israel is accused of expanding Gaza’s control despite ceasefire

    According to local activist reports, the Israeli military has significantly expanded its territorial control within the Gaza Strip since the October 10, 2025 ceasefire implementation. Initial assessments indicated Israeli forces controlled approximately 53% of the region when the truce began, but that figure has now grown to 60% of the territory.

    The expansion encompasses substantial residential zones stretching from Rafah in the southern reaches to Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern areas. Military operations continue particularly in the eastern sectors of Gaza City, where forces are engaged in what sources describe as systematic demolition and territorial consolidation activities.

    Analysts suggest the ceasefire period provided strategic opportunities for the Israeli Armed Forces to advance into Palestinian residential districts within the coastal enclave. This military movement occurs amid one of the world’s most densely populated environments, with over 2.2 million residents confined to approximately 90 square kilometers of land.

    The intensified military presence and ongoing operations have further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the territory, creating additional challenges for civilian populations already facing severe resource constraints and infrastructure damage.

  • International Jazz Plaza Festival heats scene in Cuba

    International Jazz Plaza Festival heats scene in Cuba

    Havana’s cultural scene is set to captivate music enthusiasts this weekend with a series of prestigious performances leading up to the International Jazz Plaza Festival. On Saturday afternoon, the Theater of the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA) will present “Yohana Pena and Jose Portillo: Habana Filin,” a special concert paying homage to José Antonio Méndez, the foundational figure of Cuba’s distinctive filin musical style. The event will feature acclaimed guest artists Lázaro Rivero “El Fino” and Juan Carlos Rojas “El Peje.”

    Simultaneously, Cuban musical virtuosos including Oliver Valdés, Jorge Reyes, Yosvany Terry, Yaroldy Abreu, Roberto Álvarez, and Alejandro “Coqui” Calzadilla will deliver an extraordinary collaborative performance, serving as an illustrious prelude to the Jazz Plaza Festival’s official opening on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, in Santiago de Cuba, renowned pianist Roberto Fonseca prepares for a spectacular open-air performance at Cespedes Park. His collaboration with the Steel Band del Cobre promises to deliver another top-tier musical experience as part of the festival’s diverse programming, showcasing Cuba’s rich jazz traditions across multiple cities.

  • Guatemala awarded for its stand at Fitur Madrid

    Guatemala awarded for its stand at Fitur Madrid

    Guatemala’s national pavilion has been awarded a prestigious honor at the Fitur tourism fair for its exceptional design that masterfully encapsulates the nation’s cultural essence. The jury praised the exhibit’s innovative minimalist approach, which incorporates four fundamental elements: native wood, vibrant traditional textiles, an imposing pyramidal screen, and authentic Mayan glyph imagery. This carefully curated selection was recognized for perfectly representing the core pillars of Guatemalan identity—its rich natural environment, distinctive architecture, artisanal crafts, and enduring traditions—through a contemporary and sophisticated design language.

    In the coveted ‘Countries and Regions’ category, Guatemala, known as the ‘Nation of the Quetzal,’ emerged victorious. The awards ceremony also highlighted other exemplary participants for their sustainable practices, including the Pinero Group from the Dominican Republic, the Government of Cantabria, the Castelldefels City Council, and Galicia Tourism.

    Commercial excellence was separately recognized, with the Vincci and Meliá hotel chains alongside the Alsa transport group receiving awards for their outstanding corporate stands. Among Spanish autonomous communities, Castile and Leon, Madrid, and Galicia were celebrated for having the best regional exhibits. This year’s event featured Mexico as the Partner Country, with Puerto Rico scheduled to hold this distinguished position in 2027.

  • Chile: Doctors majored in Cuba serve in fire-hit areas

    Chile: Doctors majored in Cuba serve in fire-hit areas

    In the aftermath of devastating wildfires that consumed approximately 80% of homes in Penco municipality’s Chinatown district of Lirquen, a specialized medical brigade has established critical healthcare operations. Coordinated by Cindy Alvarez, the team consists of physicians who graduated from Cuba’s Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) and now operate under the NGO ELAM-Chile.

    Dr. Mario Gomez Mannarelli, speaking to Prensa Latina, detailed their comprehensive approach: ‘Beyond operating stationary health posts, our teams conduct mobile medical visits to residents physically unable to leave destroyed properties due to cleanup obligations.’ The physicians employ systematic triage protocols, initially assessing pediatric and adult populations for chronic conditions and instability before distributing necessary medications.

    The medical professionals, self-funding their deployment to the Biobío region and supplying their own pharmaceutical inventories, represent what Dr. Mannarelli terms the ‘White Coat Army.’ He emphasized their disaster response methodology stems directly from Cuban medical training: ‘This operational framework—assessing, stabilizing, and medicating—constitutes our standard disaster protocol acquired through ELAM and Henry Reeve Brigade training.’

    The initiative demonstrates transnational medical solidarity, with Cuban-educated Chilean physicians implementing Caribbean-developed disaster medicine methodologies to address catastrophic wildfires in South American communities.

  • Brazil sets up Committee for the Freedom of Maduro and Cilia Flores

    Brazil sets up Committee for the Freedom of Maduro and Cilia Flores

    In response to the January 3rd airstrike on Caracas and surrounding Venezuelan territories—an operation authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump—a significant political coalition has emerged in Brazil. The initiative, originating from Caracas as part of a worldwide movement, has led to the establishment of a unified committee dedicated to advocating for the release of President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores, who were reportedly apprehended during the military action.

    The newly formed committee represents a broad alliance of political and social organizations, including journalists, members of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT), the Communist Party of Brazil, the Antifascist International, and the Brigade for Peace in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite varying political perspectives among its founding members, the group has committed to a common objective: amplifying the Venezuelan narrative within Brazil and reinforcing international solidarity.

    According to reports from Prensa Latina, the committee’s primary mission extends beyond immediate diplomatic efforts. It seeks to foster stronger people-to-people connections and ensure the Venezuelan situation receives comprehensive and effective media coverage in Brazil. Prominent figures within the movement, such as Pedro Batista and Flavia Rodrigues, have emphasized the critical need for organizational unity. They highlighted several preliminary actions already undertaken to support the release of the detained officials and stressed that consolidating this diverse coalition is paramount to achieving their humanitarian and political goals.

  • Chile: Peace rally gathers political, labor, and social leaders

    Chile: Peace rally gathers political, labor, and social leaders

    A coalition of Chilean left-wing organizations has issued a forceful condemnation of what they characterize as the unlawful detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The gathering, which brought together diverse progressive factions, framed the action as a flagrant violation of international legal standards.

    At the heart of the assembly was a detailed legal analysis presented by José Peralta, a member of the Workers’ Party of Chile. He systematically deconstructed the recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing it constituted an impermissible extraterritorial overreach that undermines fundamental principles of national sovereignty.

    The emotional core of the event featured a tribute by the Association of Cuban Residents in Chile, who honored 32 internationalist combatants who lost their lives protecting Venezuelan sovereignty. Tania Telleria, president of the Raices Cubanas Cultural Association, formally read a declaration demanding the immediate release of the Venezuelan leaders, labeling their detention as political kidnapping.

    Paloma Griffero, representing the Network in Defense of Humanity, struck a unifying tone by emphasizing the critical need for strengthened solidarity among global progressive movements. She called for creating sustained dialogue platforms and collective action toward building a more equitable international order.

    The participation of major Chilean institutions—including the Communist Party of Chile (PCCh) and the Unitary Workers’ Union (CUT)—demonstrated broad-based consensus on the issue, with all speakers identifying peace and leftist unity as essential countermeasures to interventionist policies.

  • Book Mrs. Dalloway at Saturday’s literary event in Havana

    Book Mrs. Dalloway at Saturday’s literary event in Havana

    The cobblestone streets of Old Havana are set to host a unique cultural rendezvous each Saturday morning. At 11:00 AM local time, the historic Calle de Madera adjacent to the Plaza de Armas transforms into an open-air literary salon, courtesy of an initiative by Cuba’s national publishing institution.

    This weekly event, orchestrated by the Cuban Book Institute (ICL) and facilitated by the Arte y Literatura publishing house, invites readers to collectively explore Virginia Woolf’s groundbreaking 1925 novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’. The gathering represents Cuba’s ongoing commitment to making world literature accessible to the public in engaging formats.

    The novel itself, celebrating nearly a century since publication, continues to captivate readers with its revolutionary narrative technique. Woolf’s masterpiece chronicles a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a evening party, using this seemingly simple framework to launch profound explorations of consciousness and society.

    Through innovative literary devices including fluid time transitions, psychological flashbacks, and pioneering stream-of-consciousness writing, Woolf creates a richly textured portrait of her protagonist’s inner world. The narrative’s poetic imagery and emotional depth reveal the complex interior landscape of a woman navigating post-war English society.

    Beyond its psychological insights, the novel offers a critical examination of British society in the aftermath of World War I (1914-1918). Woolf’s narrative subtly exposes the social tensions, psychological wounds, and profound transformations that characterized the interwar period, making the work both a literary milestone and valuable historical document.

    The regular gathering demonstrates how classic literature continues to find new audiences and contexts, with Havana’s historic quarter providing a evocative backdrop for discussions of this modernist classic.