标签： Cuba

In a major address to the national press from the Palace of the Revolution, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel provided a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s ongoing fuel crisis, confirmed preliminary diplomatic contacts with the United States, and detailed the government’s multifaceted response to severe economic challenges.

The President confirmed that Cuba has not received fuel shipments for over three months due to what he termed an “energy blockade,” creating devastating effects across all sectors of society. The national power grid operates under extreme instability, with prolonged blackouts lasting over 30 hours in some municipalities affecting water supply, healthcare, education, transportation, and communications.

Despite these challenges, Díaz-Canel highlighted several adaptive measures: solar farms now provide 49-51% of daytime energy, over 1,000 photovoltaic systems have been installed in remote communities, and 10,034 solar modules have been provided to essential workers. The energy transition includes converting bakeries to alternative fuels, expanding electric transportation, and developing battery storage systems for grid stability.

Regarding international relations, the President confirmed that Cuban officials have held preliminary talks with U.S. representatives through international facilitators. He emphasized that any dialogue must proceed on principles of equality, respect for sovereignty, and reciprocity. The process remains in early stages with no concrete agreements yet reached.

The address also covered labor adjustments necessitated by the crisis, with the government encouraging job relocations to community projects rather than layoffs. Educational institutions have shifted to blended learning models utilizing community settings, while maintaining academic continuity despite power limitations.

President Díaz-Canel strongly defended Cuba’s handling of international donations, particularly from Mexico, emphasizing transparent distribution systems and audit mechanisms. He also provided updates on security matters, including an ongoing investigation into a recent armed infiltration attempt and cooperation with U.S. authorities through FBI involvement.

The government announced the sovereign decision to release 51 prisoners based on good behavior, characterizing it as a humanitarian gesture consistent with Cuban legal practices.

Throughout the address, Díaz-Canel emphasized national resilience, praising electricity workers maintaining systems despite personal hardships and highlighting continued functioning of essential services despite unprecedented challenges.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has declared the nation’s perpetual indebtedness to its “legacy of dignity” during commemorations marking the 148th anniversary of the Baraguá Protest. The historic event, regarded as one of Cuba’s most principled acts, continues to shape the country’s political ethos and resistance against external pressures.

In a series of official statements and social media posts, Cuba’s highest leadership collectively emphasized the enduring significance of General Antonio Maceo Grajales’ 1878 defiance against peace agreements that would compromise Cuban independence. President Díaz-Canel characterized the Baraguá Protest as embodying the “spirit of resistance” that remains the nation’s “non-negotiable compass” in contemporary geopolitics.

The President invoked Maceo’s legendary declaration—”We do not understand each other”—describing it as a perpetual mandate to “break the circle” in defense of national sovereignty. This historical reference was echoed throughout the government, with National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernández labeling the event an “emblem of Cuban steadfastness” and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz asserting that Maceo’s stance “raised the nation’s flags to their highest point.”

Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, drew direct parallels between historical and contemporary challenges, stating that any modern attempts to undermine Cuban sovereignty would “clash with the same wall of principles as at Baraguá.” The leadership collectively contrasted Maceo’s revolutionary integrity with what they termed “zanjoneros”—a reference to those who advocated compromise in the past and present.

The commemorations, centered around Santiago de Cuba’s Revolution Square where a monument to Maceo stands, reinforced the government’s position that the Baraguá Protest remains a living force mobilizing national consciousness. The leadership explicitly connected this historical legacy to Fidel Castro’s political philosophy, framing Cuba’s future as “an eternal Baraguá” in its unwavering defense of independence and revolutionary principles.

In a landmark address commemorating Cuban Press Day, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez outlined an ambitious vision for the nation’s media landscape, emphasizing digital transformation and revolutionary continuity. The gathering brought together over 80 media professionals, including veteran journalists and emerging digital specialists, to discuss the evolving role of press in contemporary Cuba.

Addressing representatives from print, digital, television, and radio outlets, the President highlighted the dual challenge and opportunity presented by new technologies. “We now possess digital platforms, social media channels, and artificial intelligence tools that transcend traditional limitations of space and time,” Díaz-Canel stated, positioning these developments as crucial assets in modern information warfare.

The dialogue revealed significant structural shifts within Cuban media organizations. Granma newspaper, the official Communist Party publication, has fundamentally reorganized its operations to function as “a digital newspaper with weekly print editions,” according to editor-in-chief Yoerky Sánchez Cuellar. This transformation required overcoming print-centric mentalities and implementing 24/7 digital news cycles.

President Díaz-Canel emphasized the strategic importance of digitizing Cuba’s extensive historical archives, containing priceless photographic records and original writings by revolutionary leaders including Fidel Castro. These materials, he noted, represent both cultural treasures and ideological resources for current geopolitical struggles.

The discussion addressed practical adaptations to Cuba’s economic challenges, including fuel shortages that have necessitated community-based reporting and increased reliance on social media platforms. Media organizations like Ideas Multimedios and Cubadebate have developed self-funded models that maintain financial stability while expanding renewable energy infrastructure and employee compensation.

Díaz-Canel framed the media’s role within the context of “sixth-generation warfare,” describing Cuban journalists as frontline defenders in ideological and cultural conflicts. “The press serves as both communication tool and sovereign agent,” he asserted, emphasizing its educational function in developing public media literacy and resistance to manipulation.

The President concluded by celebrating the press’s active role in promoting popular participation, documenting positive national experiences, and maintaining constructive criticism—all while preserving the revolutionary merit that has historically characterized Cuban journalism.

In a significant diplomatic development, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has announced the initiation of formal talks between Cuban officials and representatives of the United States government. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting at the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, attended by members of the Political Bureau, the Secretariat, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers.

President Díaz-Canel emphasized that these discussions aim to resolve bilateral differences through constructive dialogue, facilitated by evolving international circumstances. The Cuban leadership has expressed its commitment to conducting this delicate process on principles of equality, mutual respect for political systems, sovereignty, and governmental self-determination.

The comprehensive agenda includes identifying specific bilateral problems requiring resolution, determining mutual willingness to take concrete actions benefiting both populations, and exploring cooperative avenues to address shared security threats while promoting regional peace. The talks particularly focus on enhancing security and stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean region.

Díaz-Canel notably addressed the unusual nature of this public disclosure, explaining that while Cuban leadership traditionally avoids responding to speculative campaigns, the sensitivity of these negotiations warranted transparency. He characterized the process as demanding serious, responsible handling given its significant implications for bilateral relations.

The Cuban delegation has emphasized reciprocity and adherence to International Law as fundamental principles guiding these exchanges. The president acknowledged that during periods of heightened tension with the US government, certain individuals and institutions have historically emerged to facilitate diplomatic channels, creating opportunities for understanding despite confrontational environments.

High-ranking officials including National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernández, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa participated in the meeting, demonstrating the collective leadership approach characterizing Cuba’s decision-making process.

A distinguished delegation from the International Peoples’ Assembly (IPA) is currently conducting an intensive fact-finding mission in Cuba to document the severe humanitarian consequences of the six-decade-long economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States. The delegation, comprising representatives from Brazil, the United States, Zambia, Colombia, Italy, India, and Argentina, aims to gather firsthand evidence of how the sanctions have crippled essential sectors including healthcare, education, transportation, and food security.

João Pedro Stédile of Brazil’s Landless Rural Workers Movement articulated the mission’s primary objectives: expressing solidarity with the Cuban people and government, assessing the real-world impact of Washington’s policies, and developing concrete actions to counter the blockade. The delegation has already visited critical facilities including the Latin American School of Medicine and multiple hospitals, where they witnessed the acute shortage of medical supplies despite Cuba’s advanced healthcare system.

Brian Becker, leader of the US Party for Socialism and Liberation, highlighted the particular cruelty of medicine restrictions affecting even pediatric cancer patients. Fred M’membe, president of Zambia’s Socialist Party, emphasized that Cuba represents no threat beyond ‘the kindness of its people’ and recalled Africa’s profound gratitude for Cuba’s historical support against colonialism. The delegation plans to engage with both government officials and ordinary citizens before returning to their respective countries to mobilize international solidarity efforts.

In a significant demonstration of international solidarity, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez convened with representatives from the International Peoples’ Assembly (IPA) at the Central Committee headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba on Tuesday. The high-level meeting featured prominent figures including João Pedro Stedile of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) and representatives from the U.S. Party for Socialism and Liberation.

The delegation, engaged in an extensive program across Cuba since Sunday, had previously visited key institutions including the Latin American School of Medicine, the Fidel Castro Center, and the Martin Luther King Center. President Díaz-Canel emphasized the shared anti-capitalist and anti-colonial objectives uniting Cuba with international movements, highlighting the necessity of coordinated actions to counter what he described as U.S. hegemonic ambitions and ideological warfare.

‘The United States government employs force to undermine multilateralism and suppress the rights of sovereign nations,’ Díaz-Canel stated during the cordial exchange. He expressed profound appreciation for the delegation’s presence, noting that Cuba feels ‘motivated and supported by your solidarity during these challenging times.’

In a reciprocal gesture, João Pedro Stedile conveyed the delegation’s familial connection to Cuba, assuring continued support despite geographical distances. ‘We are here to embrace you and stand ready to provide whatever assistance you may require,’ Stedile affirmed, referencing ongoing projects designed to deliver concrete aid.

The meeting culminated in the signing of a formal Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the Communist Party of Cuba and Brazil’s MST movement. The document, endorsed by Emilio Lozada García for Cuba and João Pedro Stedile for Brazil, establishes a framework for strengthened bilateral relations. The ceremony was attended by senior Cuban officials including Organization Secretary Roberto Morales Ojeda, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and ICAP President Fernando González Llort.