标签: Cuba

古巴

  • In food production, turning challenges into opportunities

    In food production, turning challenges into opportunities

    Despite facing significant economic constraints, Cuba is demonstrating remarkable innovation in renewable energy adoption, particularly in photovoltaic solar technology. The Caribbean nation is leveraging solar power to transform its industrial operations, achieving substantial energy savings while reducing environmental impact.

    In Villa Clara province, the local dairy industry has emerged as a pioneering example of this sustainable transition. The Villa Clara Dairy Company has implemented a comprehensive solar energy system featuring 400 photovoltaic panels installed across its facility rooftops. This strategic investment has yielded impressive results: the company eliminated its previous daily consumption of 2,200 liters of diesel for milk collection operations, reducing fuel requirements to just 259 liters through optimized transportation logistics.

    The technological transformation extends beyond mere fuel conservation. The Santa Clara dairy plant now conducts all milk pasteurization processes using exclusively solar-generated electricity. This shift produced dramatic environmental benefits in 2025 alone, saving 47 tons of diesel fuel while preventing approximately 131 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.

    Engineer Gilberto León Gonzalez, Transportation and Energy Director at the dairy company, revealed ambitious expansion plans: “We aim to install 1,364 additional panels this year, which would guarantee 10% of the complex’s total energy consumption for various production processes.” The operation further enhances sustainability through using traditional cooking methods (firewood or charcoal) for employee meals and planning to acquire 18 electric tricycles for internal transportation.

    The renewable revolution extends across multiple industries. The “La Purísima” food processing factory, known for its popular mayonnaise and dressings, has installed solar panels to ensure continuous production despite energy challenges. According to Gustavo Benítez Fumero, regional director for the Food and Fishing Industry sector, this represents “the first major investment in the sector’s energy transition,” with additional facilities in Remedios and other locations preparing similar implementations.

    Other significant adopters include the UEB Matadero «Chichi Padrón» slaughterhouse, which is installing 272 solar panels to generate approximately 300 kilowatts for its operations, and the “Agustín Rodríguez Mena” Central Rum Distillery in Santo Domingo, which has operated since 2016 using 2,752 panels that generate surplus energy for the national grid.

    These developments demonstrate how necessity-driven innovation is enabling Cuban industries to overcome external economic pressures while building more sustainable operational models. The widespread adoption of photovoltaic technology across diverse sectors highlights both the viability and economic benefits of renewable energy solutions in challenging circumstances.

  • Investigation into foiled terrorist infiltration attempt moves forward. U.S. authorities express willingness to cooperate

    Investigation into foiled terrorist infiltration attempt moves forward. U.S. authorities express willingness to cooperate

    Cuban authorities have confirmed significant developments in an ongoing terrorism investigation, revealing both domestic progress and international dimensions to the case. The Ministry of Interior reported that forensic and investigative procedures are advancing under Cuban legal frameworks to fully clarify the events and establish the involvement of all perpetrators.

    Investigators have obtained statements from detained suspects alongside comprehensive investigative procedures that have strengthened evidence against them. The inquiry has further uncovered new elements suggesting the participation of additional individuals based in the United States, adding an international dimension to the case.

    The Cuban government has maintained consistent communication with U.S. authorities throughout the investigation. On March 2, 2026, American officials expressed through diplomatic channels their commitment to fully cooperate in the investigation. This collaboration may encompass information and evidence exchange, alongside other joint investigative actions.

    Given the serious nature of the events and the global threat posed by terrorism, Cuban authorities emphasized their historical stance on international cooperation in confronting this universal danger. The government considers reciprocal collaboration a duty in addressing security threats that endanger all humanity.

    Regarding the detained individuals, authorities confirmed that injured suspects continue receiving specialized medical care appropriate to their health conditions and injury severity. The ministry additionally disclosed that one detainee, Roberto Álvarez Ávila, succumbed to his injuries on March 4, 2026.

    The Ministry of Interior, in its March 5 statement, committed to keeping the public informed as the investigation progresses, underscoring the transparency of the process despite the sensitive nature of the security matter.

  • Cuban President signs book of condolences in honor of Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    Cuban President signs book of condolences in honor of Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez delivered a forceful condemnation of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader during a solemn visit to the Iranian Embassy in Havana on Thursday. The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba characterized the killing of Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei as a “flagrant violation of all norms of international law and human dignity” resulting from what he termed “vile aggression” by the United States and Israel.

    In a carefully orchestrated diplomatic gesture, Díaz-Canel signed the official Book of Condolences while expressing Cuba’s “deep sorrow and grief” over the incident. The Cuban leader memorialized Khamenei as “the outstanding statesman and leader of the Iranian people” who had played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations between Havana and Tehran.

    The president extended formal condolences on behalf of both the Cuban government and citizens, offering sympathy to the late leader’s family, associates, and compatriots. The ceremony at the diplomatic mission featured the presence of Iranian Ambassador Zabihollah Naderi, alongside Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Director General of Bilateral Affairs Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernández.

    This embassy visit followed earlier statements Díaz-Canel made through social media platforms regarding the February 28th attacks against Iran. The Cuban leader had previously asserted that these actions not only breached international legal standards and the UN Charter but also derailed nuclear negotiation efforts while jeopardizing regional and global stability.

    On March 4th, the president further amplified his criticism via social media, declaring that Cuba aligned with international appeals demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities against Iran and Lebanon. He specifically denounced what he described as “political assassinations and indiscriminate attacks” that have resulted in child casualties and escalated tensions throughout the Middle East.

    Díaz-Canel emphasized Cuba’s diplomatic position advocating for respect toward national sovereignty and territorial integrity across the region. He called for an end to military actions that damage civilian infrastructure and cause human suffering in Arab Gulf states, nations with which Cuba maintains friendly cooperative relations. The Cuban leader reiterated the necessity of upholding principles of neighborly conduct, moderation, and peaceful dialogue during this critical juncture in international affairs.

  • My flag is the one that has never been mercenary

    My flag is the one that has never been mercenary

    On the 165th anniversary of his birth, Cuban literary circles commemorate Bonifacio Byrne (1861-1936), the Matanzas-born poet whose work seamlessly blended artistic expression with revolutionary fervor. Born during Cuba’s struggle for independence, Byrne’s poetic journey evolved from modernist sophistication to becoming what renowned writer José Lezama Lima described as “the poet of the revolution” and “the singer of separatism.

    Byrne’s multifaceted career extended beyond poetry into journalism and playwriting, where he established several newspapers advocating for Cuban independence. During the Necessary War of 1895, he abandoned ornamental modernist styles to dedicate his craft to the liberation cause, ultimately facing exile in the United States. There, he founded the Revolutionary Club in Tampa and contributed to publications including Patria, El Porvenir, and El Expedicionario.

    The defining moment of Byrne’s literary legacy occurred upon his return to Havana on January 3, 1899, when he witnessed the American flag flying alongside the Cuban banner at El Morro. This poignant sight inspired his seminal work “My Flag,” a poem that scholar Virgilio López Lemus characterizes as “a document in verse, a virile protest capable of representing the feelings of an entire nation.”

    Despite some critics dismissing its compositional simplicity, “My Flag” has transcended academic circles to become embedded in Cuba’s national consciousness for over 120 years. The poem’s enduring power lies in its visceral portrayal of patriotic devotion, particularly its iconic final stanza envisioning even the dead rising to defend the national emblem.

    Byrne’s masterpiece continues to resonate in contemporary Cuban society, serving as what the original author describes as “a collective cry that grows stronger each time an imperial threat attempts to desecrate our flag.” The poem stands as a testament to how artistic expression can capture and preserve national identity across generations, maintaining relevance through its uncompromising defense of sovereignty and symbolic representation of Cuban resilience.

  • Cuba calls for an end to U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran and an avoidance of escalation in the Middle East

    Cuba calls for an end to U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran and an avoidance of escalation in the Middle East

    The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a stern condemnation of military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory on February 28, 2026. In an official statement released from Havana, Cuban authorities characterized the attacks as a severe violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, asserting they represent a flagrant breach of both the United Nations Charter and established international legal standards.

    According to the Cuban government, this calculated aggression marks the second instance where diplomatic progress on nuclear negotiations has been deliberately undermined by external military action. The statement emphasizes that these operations pose grave dangers to regional and international peace, with immediate destabilizing effects already manifesting across the Middle East.

    Cuba has aligned itself with global appeals demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities, noting the attacks have resulted in unspecified civilian casualties, including children. The Caribbean nation warned against further escalation driven by hegemonic interests and military domination strategies that risk drawing additional regional actors into the conflict with unforeseeable consequences.

    The statement advocates for upholding fundamental principles of international law, including sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and the prohibition of force against territorial integrity. Cuba specifically called for enhanced diplomatic neighborliness between Iran and Arab states during this critical juncture.

    Cuba urged the United Nations Security Council to fulfill its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, while simultaneously requesting the UN General Assembly to mobilize global efforts toward peace restoration with urgent determination. The statement concludes by reaffirming Cuba’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.

  • The Council of Ministers met

    The Council of Ministers met

    In a significant address to Cuba’s Council of Ministers, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has issued a compelling call for immediate implementation of transformative economic and social reforms. The Cuban leader emphasized that these changes represent the most urgent modifications needed for the country’s economic model, focusing particularly on enhancing municipal autonomy and business independence.

    The comprehensive reform agenda encompasses multiple critical areas: business autonomy, municipal self-governance, restructuring of state apparatus, national food production with municipal balance sheets, energy matrix transformation including renewable sources and domestic crude oil utilization, export expansion through foreign direct investment flexibilities, economic partnerships between state and private sectors (especially at municipal level), and business engagement with Cubans residing abroad.

    President Díaz-Canel stressed that these measures must collectively contribute to macroeconomic stabilization, increased foreign exchange earnings, and development of national production—with particular emphasis on food security. He noted that success largely depends on the performance of both the business system and municipal governments, urging them to fully utilize granted powers that many have yet to implement or even understand.

    The municipal level emerges as the central focus of these reforms, with local governments expected to manage foreign direct investment, operate closed-loop foreign currency systems, facilitate state-private sector partnerships, design local production systems, and handle investments from overseas Cubans.

    During the same session, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz presented the updated “Government’s Economic and Social Program for 2026″—previously known as the Government Program to Correct Distortions and Revitalize the Economy. The revised program maintains ten general objectives while modifying specific targets and increasing measurable indicators. The document, which underwent public consultation and expert review, is scheduled for publication this March and will be updated annually.

    Economic Minister Joaquín Alonso Vázquez reported concerning economic indicators from January, with goods exports generally underperforming targets despite strong showings in honey, tobacco, lobster, rum, and biopharmaceuticals. Service exports in healthcare nearly reached 100% of targets, tourism achieved 85%, and telecommunications exceeded expectations. The minister acknowledged progress in 86 foreign currency self-financing schemes across various sectors while noting persistent challenges from the U.S. embargo.

    Agricultural production continues to struggle despite intensive efforts, failing to meet population demands or compensate for planned food import deficits. January prices rose 0.67%, resulting in a 12.5% year-on-year inflation rate driven by excess liquidity and supply deficits.

    The government reported that 178,666 families (303,298 beneficiaries) currently receive social assistance, including 63,788 mothers with three or more children in vulnerable situations. Social transformation initiatives are underway in 1,249 communities.

    Significant progress was reported on municipal decentralization, with authority to approve non-state economic actors potentially transferring to municipalities in the first half of the year. Regulations for municipal-level approval of state-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises are also advancing.

    Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy noted slow progress in municipal energy transition strategies, urging localities to develop sustainability plans using their own resources. Only nine municipalities have completed energy transition designs so far.

    Finance Minister Vladimir Regueiro Ale reported successful implementation of the 2025 State Budget, with strong subsidy performance, tax collection, and positive current account balance. Local budgets showed surpluses overall, with five provinces achieving particularly strong results. Municipalities will receive portions of 2025 revenue surpluses for development projects, potentially providing over 9 billion pesos for local development in 2026 when combined with Territorial Contribution funds.

    The Council also addressed accounts receivable and payable issues, evaluated territorial development strategies, reviewed employment survey results showing 77.9% of workers have intermediate technical or higher education, and discussed progress at the Mariel Special Development Zone despite challenging circumstances.

  • Installation of 5,000 photovoltaic systems donated by China underway

    Installation of 5,000 photovoltaic systems donated by China underway

    In a significant move to address its ongoing energy crisis, Cuba is implementing a major renewable energy initiative utilizing 5,000 photovoltaic systems donated by the People’s Republic of China. The National Electric Union (UNE) is overseeing the strategic deployment of these 2 kW solar units across the island nation.

    According to project director Elena Maidelín Ortiz Fernández, the distribution strategy prioritized essential services, with 2,671 systems allocated to vital municipal centers including healthcare facilities, emergency polyclinics, nursing homes, banking institutions, communication centers, and funeral services. The remaining 2,329 units are designated for isolated households, including those experiencing chronic power shortages and previously unelectrified ‘zero-volt’ homes.

    The implementation represents a pragmatic approach to energy resilience rather than complete self-sufficiency. ‘These systems serve as perfect tools to protect what is essential during critical times,’ Ortiz Fernández emphasized. The off-grid solar installations will maintain operations at critical facilities during widespread blackouts, enabling continued medical services, vaccine preservation, elderly care, and financial operations.

    Logistical challenges, particularly transportation and fuel shortages, were overcome through coordinated efforts between provincial electric companies and local governments. Specialized technical teams are ensuring proper installation and compliance with all technical requirements.

    The initiative extends beyond the Chinese donation program. UNE is concurrently executing multiple renewable energy projects, including 126 charging stations for electricity-dependent children and a Canadian-funded project installing 502 additional solar systems in Holguín province.

    Ortiz Fernández highlighted the transformative social impact, particularly for remote communities: ‘When we install a 2 kW system allowing refrigeration, ventilation, and communication, we completely change lives and prevent migration from these communities.’ The projects collectively represent both immediate energy relief and long-term strategic investment in Cuba’s diversified energy future.

  • Cuban President expresses condolences to Iran after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei

    Cuban President expresses condolences to Iran after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has issued a forceful condemnation following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, characterizing the act as a grave violation of international norms and human dignity. Through an official statement posted on his Facebook profile, the Cuban leader expressed profound condolences to the Iranian people, government, and President Dr. Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as to the family of the deceased leader.

    President Díaz-Canel denounced the assassination as an ‘execrable act’ that represents ‘an unscrupulous violation of all norms of International Law and human dignity.’ The Cuban head of state emphasized the significant diplomatic legacy left by Ayatollah Khamenei, noting his crucial role in fostering bilateral relations between Havana and Tehran.

    In his tribute, the Cuban president memorialized the Iranian leader as ‘an outstanding statesman and leader of his people’ who made substantial contributions to the development of friendly relations between Cuba and Iran. This statement comes at a sensitive moment in international diplomacy, highlighting the strategic partnership between the two nations that have historically maintained close ties despite geopolitical pressures.

    The assassination represents a significant escalation in political violence targeting high-level international figures and is likely to have substantial implications for Middle Eastern geopolitics and international security protocols. Cuba’s strong stance underscores its consistent foreign policy position against external interference in sovereign nations’ affairs and its commitment to multilateral international law frameworks.

  • Palomas Project returns with documentary on 46 Cuban women

    Palomas Project returns with documentary on 46 Cuban women

    A groundbreaking documentary film has emerged as a powerful voice for gender equality in Cuba, featuring 46 women advocating for transformative changes to their economic rights and autonomy. Titled under the Palomas Project, this cinematic work presents a compelling narrative that merges personal stories with academic analysis of contemporary Cuban society.

    Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lizette Vila, the project represents a significant contribution to Cuba’s National Program for the Advancement of Women, a presidential initiative established in 2021. Vila emphasized the documentary’s ongoing relevance, noting that “we consistently reaffirm its validity and significance across various forums” during a recent press conference.

    The production materialized through a unique international collaboration between the Palomas Project, humanitarian organization CARE International, the Canadian Embassy in Cuba, and the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC). This partnership underscores the global importance of women’s economic empowerment issues.

    ICAIC President Alexis Triana praised the Palomas Project’s substantial contribution to Cuban cinema, highlighting how the work effectively captures diverse narratives and perspectives within Cuban society through its documentary approach.

    Valerio Granello, representing CARE International, described the film as an authentic portrayal of daily realities faced by Cuban women. “The documentary employs transparent language to convey the genuine experiences of these women, capturing both their current circumstances and their determined strength to improve their lives,” Granello explained.

    According to reports from Juventud Rebelde, the documentary achieves what critics are calling a “poetic dissection of current times” by blending intimate personal accounts with thorough economic and social analysis. This innovative approach provides viewers with both emotional connection and intellectual understanding of the challenges and aspirations of Cuban women seeking greater economic independence and social advancement.

  • Cubans residing in Venezuela denounce armed aggression from the US

    Cubans residing in Venezuela denounce armed aggression from the US

    Cuban authorities have announced the interception and neutralization of a vessel allegedly violating its maritime territory, characterizing the incident as a destabilization attempt. According to an official statement, border guard troops successfully halted the incursion.

    The event has reignited Havana’s fierce condemnation of the longstanding U.S. economic embargo, which it labels a ‘criminal’ energy blockade. Cuban officials described the sanctions as ‘an act of direct war to suffocate the Cuban people,’ employing heightened rhetoric that frames the policy as a form of warfare. The statement concluded with the emphatic declaration: ‘Cuba is not alone! Down with the blockade!’

    Supporting organizations echoed this sentiment, with the Accreven group asserting ‘No infiltrations, no blockades! Cuba must be respected!’

    The Cuban Ministry of the Interior provided specific details on February 25, reporting detection of an illegal speedboat within its territorial waters. The vessel, identified with Florida registration number FL7726SH, was located approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel near Falcones Cay, in the province of Villa Clara.

    In a diplomatic overture, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Fernandez de Cossio expressed Cuba’s willingness to collaborate with United States authorities to investigate the incident. Official channels have been activated with both the U.S. State Department and Coast Guard, with both American entities reportedly expressing readiness to cooperate in the investigation.