Cuba is leveraging the global excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place from June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, to boost its tourism industry. A recent publication in Havana highlights the island’s strategy to attract football enthusiasts and participants during their breaks from the tournament. The magazine, authored by Julio Debali and Jose Aguilera, emphasizes that while football may not be Cuba’s primary sport, the passion for the game among Cubans is steadily growing, fueled by extensive media coverage, particularly on television. The report underscores that Cuba’s goal isn’t to win the World Cup on the field but to ‘win’ in the realm of tourism. The publication invites fans to explore the Caribbean’s ‘most beautiful island,’ offering them an unforgettable vacation experience. It encourages visitors to escape the stress of the tournament, forget about concerns like sargassum and insecurity, and immerse themselves in the island’s charm. By positioning itself as a prime destination for World Cup travelers, Cuba hopes to capitalize on the global event to showcase its tourism potential and create lasting memories for visitors.
标签： Cuba
古巴
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US denies visas to Cuban athletes to compete in Olympic qualifiers
The international campaign ‘Let Them Play’ has emerged as a powerful response to the challenges faced by Cuban athletes in participating in global competitions, including those leading up to the upcoming summer event in Los Angeles. Entire delegations have been barred from attending crucial technical meetings and competitions, hindering their ability to represent their nation on the global stage. Yasser Ibarra, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, highlighted the profound impact of these restrictions, stating that denying athletes the right to compete not only disrupts their careers but also undermines collective dreams and national pride. He emphasized that these obstacles are part of a broader policy of pressure and hostility against Cuba, extending even into the realm of sports. During a virtual meeting attended by activists from the United States, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Canada, Ibarra stressed the significance of the campaign, describing it as a fundamental call for justice rather than a mere slogan. The Hands Off Cuba Committee in Los Angeles, spearheading the initiative, is advocating for messages to be sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and seeking support from public figures, celebrities, and sports personalities. The campaign has already garnered backing from the National Network on Cuba, a coalition of over 60 organizations in the United States, underscoring its growing momentum and global resonance.
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FIHAV 2025 opens in Havana
The 39th Havana International Fair (FIHAV) is set to unfold from November 24 to 29 at the Expocuba fairgrounds, marking another significant event in Cuba’s economic calendar. This year’s edition introduces five innovative thematic areas, each designed to highlight Cuba’s potential in various sectors.
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Cuba present at Santiago de Chile Book Fair
A vibrant showcase of Cuban culture is taking center stage at a prominent literary event, featuring an array of works from Ediciones Cubanas and other esteemed publishing houses. The exhibition highlights the literary genius of Cuban authors such as Eliseo Diego, Virgilio Pinera, and Herminio Almendros, alongside poetry collections and works exploring Afro-Cuban themes. Cetmilena Denny, e-commerce manager of the Soy Cubano agency, a subsidiary of Artex Artistic and Literary Promotions, emphasized the event’s mission to elevate Cuban writers on the global stage. ‘We are presenting a diverse selection to ensure our authors gain international recognition,’ Denny told Prensa Latina. Adding to the cultural richness, the event also celebrates Cuban music, thanks to the inclusion of the Bis Music record label, which is part of the Artex family. Attendees can explore iconic records from legendary artists like Omara Portuondo, Sindo Garay, Elito Reve, Maria Victoria, and Barbarito Diez, among others. This fusion of literature and music underscores Cuba’s enduring cultural legacy and its commitment to sharing its artistic treasures with the world.
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“Working, producing, creating, and fighting is the best summary of these hours
On November 23, 2025, Cuba commemorated the 66th anniversary of Che Guevara’s first volunteer work with a nationwide day of unpaid productive labor. The event, held at the Los Tamarindos Agroindustrial Company in Artemisa, saw the participation of high-ranking officials, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. The day was marked by agricultural activities such as planting food crops, cleaning beans, and harvesting flowers, symbolizing the nation’s commitment to self-sufficiency and collective effort. The initiative also served as a tribute to Che Guevara’s enduring legacy of voluntary work, which has been a cornerstone of Cuban society since the 1959 Revolution. The event highlighted the importance of unity and hard work in overcoming the country’s current economic and epidemiological challenges. Participants emphasized the need for continued dedication to food production and community development, echoing Guevara’s belief that productive and creative work is the foundation of national prosperity.
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A showcase of opportunities offered by the Cuban economy
The 41st Havana International Fair (Fihav 2025), the premier trade event in the region, commenced today with a focus on advancing strategic sectors of Cuba’s economy and positioning the nation as a dependable hub for international business. This year’s edition transcends conventional trade discussions by emphasizing high-potential areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and integration into global blocs like BRICS. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, highlighted the fair’s broader mission at a recent press conference, stating, ‘Fihav 2025 is not just a platform for trade; it’s a showcase of Cuba’s economic opportunities, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.’ The event features five thematic exhibition zones, including the ‘Made in Cuba’ pavilion, which spotlights the export potential of local products, particularly from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and production hubs. Another key area, ‘Renewable Energy in Cuba,’ promotes the island’s energy transition through panels on sustainable investments. Additionally, the ‘Digital Transformation and AI’ section explores the application of cutting-edge technologies in management and production. A dedicated segment on ‘BRICS and Integration Mechanisms’ highlights cooperative projects within frameworks such as ALBA-TCP, the EAEU, and ALADI. The ‘Unique Cuba’ sector underscores tourism’s role in driving economic growth through service exports and productive chains. Despite challenges posed by the U.S. blockade and the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Fihav 2025 has drawn participation from 47 countries and the European Union, including strategic partners like Russia, China, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. Key sectors represented include agribusiness, biotechnology, medical services, tourism, energy, and logistics. The fair also hosts the 8th Investment Forum, featuring updates on Cuba’s Portfolio of Opportunities, and the Caribbean Banking Forum.
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Uruguayan-Cuban Partnership at Ophthalmology Hospital in Montevideo
Cuba’s contributions to global ophthalmological care have reached remarkable milestones, with over 119,000 surgeries performed, more than 900,000 consultations conducted, and over 200,000 patients screened. Among these achievements, the oculoplastic service stands out, addressing both vision-related issues and cosmetic surgeries. Despite being a national reference center, the hospital has only one Cuban surgeon specializing in this field. Cuban and Uruguayan specialists have collaborated extensively, sharing expertise on topics such as visual health, technology, healthcare-associated infection prevention, age-related macular degeneration, and intraocular lens calculation. Dr. Adan Gonzalez, one of the more than 600 Uruguayan doctors who graduated from Cuba’s Latin American School of Medicine, emphasized the humanitarian nature of Cuba’s health cooperation. However, Antonio Pardo, the Charge d’Affaires of the Cuban embassy, denounced the US government’s attempts to undermine and discredit this cooperation. Pardo highlighted that Cuba’s ophthalmological brigade faces ongoing pressure from Washington in countries where it provides medical services.
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Israel killed more than 340 Palestinians in Gaza after the truce
The Gaza Government Press Office has released a stark statement detailing the devastating impact of recent military actions in the region. According to the report, 24 individuals lost their lives, and 87 others sustained injuries during a series of bombings that occurred just yesterday. The statement strongly condemned what it described as systematic violations of the previously agreed-upon truce, warning that such actions could reignite a new wave of violent clashes. The Israeli Army was reported to have conducted 142 targeted attacks on civilians, residential homes, and tents housing displaced persons. Additionally, there were 228 ground and air bombings, 21 incursions, and over a hundred demolition operations carried out during this period. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) also highlighted a concerning increase in the number of settlers in the West Bank, now exceeding 770,000, with 336,000 residing in the occupied area of East Jerusalem. Furthermore, it was reported that a total of 2,382 square kilometers of land has been confiscated, amounting to 42 percent of the West Bank’s territory.
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India advocates for human-centered technologies
During a session titled ‘A Fair and Equitable Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, and Artificial Intelligence,’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of making advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), globally accessible rather than confined to national boundaries. He advocated for open-source models over proprietary systems, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Modi highlighted how India has embedded this vision into its technological ecosystem, yielding substantial advancements in space applications, AI, and digital payments, areas where India is a global leader. He stressed the need for equitable access, population training, and responsible deployment of these technologies. The Prime Minister also referenced the India-AI Mission, which aims to develop accessible high-performance computing capacity. Modi asserted that while AI should enhance human capabilities, ultimate decision-making must remain in human hands. He called for a shift in focus from ‘Jobs of Today’ to ‘Capabilities of Tomorrow’ and proposed the creation of a Global Framework for Talent Mobility in the coming years. Additionally, he extended an invitation to all G20 nations to attend the AI Impact Summit, themed ‘Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya’ (Well-being for all, Happiness for all), scheduled for February 2026 in India. Concluding his address, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to global well-being, sustainable development, reliable trade, fair finance, and inclusive progress.
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Erdogan: There will be no world peace without a Palestinian state
During a press conference concluding the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan articulated a resolute stance on the Palestinian issue, as reported by the Anadolu agency. Erdogan declared that Turkey remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian cause, asserting that this commitment is unwavering and fearless. He emphasized that Turkey will continue to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people across all international platforms. Erdogan also condemned what he described as a ‘genocide’ in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, attributing responsibility to the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the dire situation in the region. He reiterated his belief that the conflict in Gaza constitutes a genocide, a statement made amidst widespread international alarm over the high number of civilian casualties. Additionally, Erdogan commended South Africa for its ‘courageous and exemplary’ position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly regarding its actions at the International Court of Justice, where South Africa has accused Israel of genocide. Turkey has expressed its support for South Africa’s legal initiative in various diplomatic arenas.