标签： Cuba

In a decisive move to address economic challenges, the Cuban Party leadership has announced a nationwide study and analysis of the Government Program aimed at correcting distortions and revitalizing the economy. The initiative, spanning from November 15 to December 30, will engage grassroots organizations, including the UJC, CTC, ANAP, and FEU, as well as intermediate leadership structures of the FMC and CDR. Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power and management councils at national, provincial, and municipal levels will also participate. A preparatory seminar was conducted via videoconference, excluding provinces impacted by Hurricane Melissa. This effort underscores the Party’s commitment to participatory democracy, encouraging collective input to refine the Program and identify actionable strategies for its implementation. The process aligns with the broader goal of preparing for the 9th Party Congress, ensuring all leadership bodies and citizens are equipped to contribute to reversing the nation’s economic difficulties. As Army General Raúl Castro Ruz affirmed, ‘We will overcome these challenges, as we have always done, by fighting!’ The Program is accessible on the Presidency’s website: www.presidencia.gob.cu.

Since its implementation in May of last year, a comprehensive anti-corruption mechanism has been actively addressing numerous complaints across various sectors. Out of the cases reviewed, 242 (approximately 67.6 percent) are currently under investigation, 63 have been dismissed, 18 have been archived, four have been resolved through discretionary prosecution, one has an active arrest warrant, and another is in the sentencing phase. The complaints span multiple areas, including the administrative sector (131), health (59), infrastructure (45), security (43), labor (16), and education and social development (14). In response to allegations of a cover-up attempt by a Member of Parliament and inquiries from the local press, President Bernardo Arevalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no case goes unaddressed or unpunished. He emphasized that tackling corruption is a collective responsibility, requiring consistent and coordinated efforts from all government agencies. ‘We are confronting a deeply entrenched issue that has persisted for over two decades due to power abuses. It is our duty to dismantle this corrupt structure that has severely harmed our institutions,’ stated the president. Arevalo further explained that each complaint undergoes meticulous scrutiny and is translated into actionable measures to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent future irregularities.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has resubmitted a crucial bill concerning subnational elections to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (ALP), emphasizing the urgency of its approval. TSE member Gustavo Avila highlighted the tight timeline, noting that the electoral process must be completed by the first or second Sunday of March 2026. ‘We are resubmitting the bill and urging the new authorities to expedite its approval, as elections must be called before November 19,’ Avila stated during a press conference.

Bolivia is intensifying its efforts to tackle transnational and serious crimes through enhanced international cooperation. Minister Oviedo announced at a press conference that the country will collaborate with multiple agencies and nations, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and police units from the European Union. Additionally, Bolivia has established agreements with neighboring countries to bolster its crime-fighting initiatives. This announcement followed the swearing-in ceremony of three deputy ministers, including Ernesto Justiniano, the newly appointed Minister of Social Defense, also known as the Minister of the Fight Against Drug Trafficking. Justiniano, who previously held this role from 2002 to 2003 under the administration of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with international agencies dedicated to combating drug trafficking. He highlighted his intention to strengthen ties with organizations that may have been less active during the previous government, signaling a renewed focus on global collaboration in addressing this pressing issue.

In a landmark diplomatic event, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia embarked on their first state visit to China in 18 years, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. This visit follows three earlier trips by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez since 2023, signaling a renewed commitment to deepening ties between the two nations. The royal couple’s itinerary included a high-profile ceremony in Beijing, where they joined Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign cooperation agreements aimed at fostering strategic alliances in key sectors such as automotive innovation, green energy, and technological advancement. King Felipe VI commenced his visit in Sichuan province, where he inaugurated the Spain-China Business Forum in Chengdu, a platform designed to enhance trade and investment opportunities. During his address, the monarch emphasized Spain’s dedication to a rules-based international system, transparency, and legal respect, while advocating for stronger economic collaboration. Official statistics reveal that approximately 400 Spanish companies operate in China, while nearly 300 Chinese enterprises have established a presence in Spain, with Beijing’s cumulative investments in the European nation surpassing those of Spain in China. This burgeoning partnership, however, has raised concerns in the United States, the European Union’s largest trading partner, as it navigates the shifting dynamics of global diplomacy.