标签: Cuba

古巴

  • UN report accuses DRC of 7,000 Rwandan soldiers in the country

    UN report accuses DRC of 7,000 Rwandan soldiers in the country

    A detailed investigative report, recently referenced by Congolese media outlet Actualite.CD, presents substantial evidence of Rwanda’s direct military engagement in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the findings, the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) have deployed a significant contingent comprising at least two fully-equipped brigades and two specialized battalions within Congo’s volatile North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

    These forces are reportedly operating in direct support of the M23 rebel movement (March 23 Movement), with documentation placing them actively on front lines rather than in advisory roles. The report specifies that Rwandan personnel are leading combat operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in the strategically significant territories of Nyiragongo and Rutshuru.

    Further analysis reveals these are not conventional army units but specialized formations created specifically for cross-border operations within Congolese territory. The composition includes elite special forces elements supplemented by a considerable number of military reservists, indicating a deliberate and structured military campaign. This deployment represents a significant escalation in regional tensions and contradicts official statements from the Rwandan government regarding its military activities in neighboring Congo.

  • Cuba presents special edition of Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    Cuba presents special edition of Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    In a landmark celebration of cigar heritage, Habanos S.A. has introduced ‘Princesas,’ an exclusive commemorative vitola honoring the 185th anniversary of its historic Punch brand. This limited edition release resurrects a distinguished cigar format originally popularized during the 1960s, showcasing the enduring craftsmanship that has defined the brand across generations.

    The global premiere was hosted on December 6th in the prestigious setting of Limassol, Cyprus, selected for its vibrant community of dedicated Habanos enthusiasts. The exclusive event, orchestrated by Phoenicia TAA Cyprus—the official Habanos distributor for Africa and the Middle East—drew an international assembly of over 550 aficionados.

    Established in 1840 to cater to the expanding British market, Punch has cultivated an iconic status within the premium cigar industry. The ‘Princesas’ edition—whose name translates to ‘princesses’—serves as a tribute to the indispensable contributions of women throughout the Habano ecosystem. From skilled workers in tobacco fields and production facilities to retail experts and devoted consumers, women represent a foundational pillar in sustaining the unique legacy and quality of Habanos.

    Following its debut in Cyprus, the Princesas vitola is scheduled to become available in additional international markets throughout the coming months.

  • DRC: New clashes leave at least 74 dead

    DRC: New clashes leave at least 74 dead

    The United Nations has issued a stern condemnation of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where intensified combat between rebel forces and national troops is triggering a severe humanitarian emergency. Bruno Lemarquis, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the DRC, voiced profound alarm over a significant surge in hostilities involving the M23 rebel group (Alliance of the Congo River-March 23 Movement), the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), and their allied militias.

    Lemarquis highlighted a specific period of intense violence from December 2 to 7, during which heavy artillery and aerial bombardments struck densely populated areas. The territories of Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe were particularly affected. The relentless nature of the fighting has severely hampered emergency response efforts, leaving medical teams unable to evacuate the wounded from conflict zones.

    In a grave development, the UN coordinator reported targeted assaults on vital civilian infrastructure, including educational institutions. Such actions represent direct and serious breaches of international humanitarian law, which explicitly protects non-combatants and essential public assets during periods of conflict.

    “I am deeply dismayed by the devastating impact of this fighting on the civilian population. It is imperative to prevent further casualties from being added to the already tragic death toll,” Lemarquis stated emphatically. He further demanded an immediate cessation to the use of explosive weaponry in urban centers, declaring that “Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets.”

    The human cost of this violence is staggering. Preliminary UN assessments indicate that the recent wave of fighting has displaced over 200,000 individuals within the province since the start of December. Furthermore, a massive cross-border exodus is underway, with thousands of refugees fleeing into neighboring nations, including Burundi and Rwanda, in search of safety.

  • Protecting the future of our girls

    Protecting the future of our girls

    In a significant public health advancement, Cuba has officially integrated the Cecolin HPV vaccine into its national immunization program with formal endorsement from the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). This strategic initiative, launched in October 2025, represents a crucial step toward eliminating cervical cancer through widespread preventive vaccination.

    The comprehensive vaccination campaign targets over 68,000 girls across the island nation, specifically focusing on those who have reached nine years of age. The Chinese-manufactured Cecolin vaccine, produced by Innovax, has received WHO prequalification, confirming its safety profile and immunological effectiveness. Medical authorities emphasize that the vaccine generates a more robust immune response than natural infection, ensuring durable protection against high-risk HPV strains.

    Health officials have addressed common parental concerns through detailed guidance. The vaccination protocol allows temporary postponement for girls experiencing acute infectious diseases but permits vaccination after recovery from conditions like dengue or chikungunya. The program will be administered through three primary channels: elementary schools with medical personnel present, polyclinic vaccination centers, and certified peripheral facilities in each region.

    The selection of nine-year-old recipients reflects scientific evidence demonstrating optimal vaccine effectiveness when administered before sexual debut and potential virus exposure. This approach creates both individual protection and community-wide herd immunity, significantly reducing viral circulation across population demographics.

    While the current phase exclusively targets female recipients due to cervical cancer representing approximately 70% of HPV-related cancers, health authorities note that high coverage in girls substantially reduces infection risks for males through indirect protection. The vaccine remains recommended even for individuals with previous HPV exposure, as it prevents future infection with high-risk types 16 and 18 despite not treating existing infections.

  • With them, inside the chest

    With them, inside the chest

    Cuba has solemnly observed its annual tradition of paying homage to internationalist heroes who served in Angola, with nationwide ceremonies held on December 7. The commemorations included floral offerings from President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former leader Raúl Castro at Santa Ifigenia Heritage Cemetery, alongside a central political event and military ceremony at El Cacahual.

    The tradition, now firmly entrenched in Cuban national consciousness, honors the more than 300,000 Cubans who participated in the Angolan mission following Agostinho Neto’s call for assistance in preserving the nation’s independence. The day represents not merely remembrance of the fallen but celebration of living heroes—over 2,000 veterans who returned with vitality, identities, and the indelible mark of public service.

    Despite hurricanes, pandemics, economic limitations, and ongoing international pressure, the commemorations proceeded uninterrupted, demonstrating the resilience of Cuban national traditions. The ceremonies transform December 7 into a pilgrimage where families across Cuba visit pantheons containing immortal remains that continue to embody deeply rooted human values.

    The event featured emotional scenes of mothers, brothers, children, parents, grandparents, and neighbors pausing before niches of loved ones, offering flowers, contemplating images, and whispering reassurances that no hero is forgotten. The gathering served as a powerful expression of collective memory against the passage of time and potential oblivion.

    As Fidel Castro notably stated from El Cacahual during earlier commemorations: ‘The hundreds of thousands of Cubans who carried out internationalist military or civilian missions will always have the respect of present and future generations.’ This year’s ceremonies reinforced that enduring promise of perpetual respect and remembrance.

  • Foreign minister evokes Cuban Patriot Antonio Maceo

    Foreign minister evokes Cuban Patriot Antonio Maceo

    Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has commemorated the 129th anniversary of the death of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo Grajales, paying tribute to the enduring legacy of the iconic revolutionary figure known as the Bronze Titan. In a public statement delivered via social media platform X, Rodríguez emphasized how Maceo’s principles continue to shape contemporary Cuban diplomacy and national identity.

    Rodríguez characterized Maceo’s extraordinary courage, unwavering revolutionary ethos, steadfast intransigence against oppression, and profound patriotism as perpetual inspirations for Cuba’s diplomatic corps. He specifically noted that these qualities remain foundational to Cuba’s ongoing defense of national sovereignty and independence in the international arena.

    The foreign minister further asserted that Maceo’s spiritual inheritance persists through the resilience and dignified character of the Cuban populace, connecting historical resistance to contemporary national identity.

    Antonio Maceo Grajales, born June 14, 1845, emerged as one of Cuba’s most distinguished military leaders during the independence struggles against Spanish colonial rule. Achieving the esteemed ranks of major general and lieutenant general within the Cuban Liberation Army, Maceo demonstrated exceptional strategic brilliance and combat perseverance across multiple campaigns.

    Beyond his military accomplishments, Maceo became renowned for his uncompromising commitment to justice. This was notably exemplified during the historic Baragua Protest, where he forcefully rejected inadequate peace terms presented by Spanish General Arsenio Martínez Campos, thereby preserving the revolutionary movement’s integrity.

    Maceo’s life ended in combat on December 7, 1896, near San Pedro in what was then Havana province. His remains now rest permanently at the El Cacahual memorial site, located west of modern-day Havana, where they serve as a focal point for national remembrance and historical reflection.

  • EU losses due to sanctions on Russia estimate at 1.6 trillion euros

    EU losses due to sanctions on Russia estimate at 1.6 trillion euros

    In a strongly-worded declaration published on its official portal, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has characterized the extensive economic sanctions imposed by Western nations as fundamentally counterproductive instruments of neocolonial policy. While acknowledging unprecedented economic pressures, the Ministry asserted that Russia has demonstrated remarkable economic resilience and maintained growth trajectories despite these external challenges.

    The diplomatic communique presented a detailed economic assessment, claiming that anti-Russian restrictions alone would inflict approximately €1.6 trillion in losses upon European economies between 2022 and 2025. This projection underscores the Ministry’s central argument that unilateral coercive measures ultimately harm their initiators more than their intended targets.

    Beyond economic considerations, the statement framed these sanctions within a broader geopolitical context, alleging they represent deliberate attempts to undermine the emergence of a multipolar world order. The Ministry accused Western powers of employing restrictive measures as tools to maintain global dominance while deliberately constraining the development of major nations outside their sphere of influence.

    In response to these challenges, Russia announced its commitment to collaborating with like-minded international partners to combat what it termed ‘illegitimate restrictive measures’ and other manifestations of neocolonialism. The Ministry emphasized its determination to establish a more equitable global architecture free from what it described as the dictates of sanction-based diplomacy.

  • Chinese Army denounces Japanese interference in military drills

    Chinese Army denounces Japanese interference in military drills

    The Chinese military has issued a formal condemnation of Japan’s actions during recent naval exercises in the Western Pacific. Navy spokesperson Colonel Wang Xuemeng revealed that Japanese aircraft repeatedly intruded into designated training airspace despite prior notification of the drills.

    Colonel Wang emphasized that all operations conducted by the Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group were fully compliant with international maritime laws and regulations. The spokesperson characterized Japan’s aerial intrusions as creating significant safety hazards that disrupted normal training operations and compromised flight safety for Chinese naval forces.

    In strong diplomatic language, the Chinese military representative dismissed Japanese accusations as fundamentally disconnected from factual reality. The spokesperson explicitly demanded that Tokyo immediately cease what China characterizes as baseless slander and provocative actions in international airspace.

    The naval official concluded with a firm warning that China reserves the right to take all necessary legal measures to protect its national security and defend its legitimate rights in accordance with international law. This statement represents the latest escalation in ongoing tensions between the two Pacific powers regarding military activities in strategically important waterways.

  • US Peace Plan for Ukraine needs radical changes

    US Peace Plan for Ukraine needs radical changes

    Russian Presidential Advisor Yuri Ushakov has indicated that ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States require substantial revisions to American proposals, describing the necessary changes as “radical” in nature. In an interview with Rossiya 1 television journalist Pavel Zarubin, Ushakov revealed that American documents presented during negotiations “are constantly changing and being prepared,” suggesting a fluid negotiation process.

    The high-ranking Kremlin official reported improved bilateral understanding following the recent Moscow visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. “Undoubtedly, now the Americans better understand the logic of our position,” Ushakov asserted, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic alignment between the two nations.

    Regarding the possibility of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Ushakov clarified that this specific topic remained outside recent discussion parameters. “That specific topic wasn’t even discussed,” the presidential advisor noted, dampening speculation about an imminent leadership meeting.

    The diplomatic exchanges occurred during a December 2 meeting at the Kremlin where President Putin received both Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and founder of Affinity Partners. These discussions centered on the White House’s peace proposal for Ukraine, which reportedly divides 27 negotiation points into four distinct packages for separate consideration.

    Ushakov characterized the Kremlin talks as “very substantive” and confirmed that contacts between Russia and the United States would continue. Notably, the advisor highlighted that Russia’s military achievements in conflict zones have positively influenced both the progression and character of the negotiations, suggesting battlefield developments directly impact diplomatic leverage.

  • Salvadorans express solidarity with Cuba

    Salvadorans express solidarity with Cuba

    In a powerful demonstration of international solidarity, the July 26 Friends Group convened its sixth national gathering in Usulután, El Salvador, drawing nearly 200 participants from across the Central American nation. The organization, which maintains a special facility in Cuban territory dedicated to supporting war veterans and disabled former combatants, organized what activist Raúl Martínez characterized as a profound ‘friendship and brotherhood’ assembly.

    The meeting served as a platform to express unwavering support for both the Cuban people and their government amidst ongoing economic challenges. Participants unanimously condemned the longstanding United States economic embargo against Cuba, identifying its termination as a primary objective of their collective advocacy efforts.

    In a tangible display of their commitment, attendees organized a fundraising initiative specifically designed to alleviate some of the hardships faced by Cuban citizens resulting from the comprehensive trade restrictions. This financial campaign represents the latest in a series of efforts by Salvadoran social organizations to provide material assistance to the Caribbean nation.

    The July 26 Friends Group takes its name from the date of Fidel Castro’s 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, a seminal event in the Cuban Revolution. The organization has maintained consistent ties with Cuban institutions for decades, particularly through its specialized care facility for military veterans on the island.