Carib Scope

标签： Cuba

古巴

  • Federation of Journalists expresses support for Panamanian unions

    Federation of Journalists expresses support for Panamanian unions

    A significant labor rights confrontation is unfolding in Panama, where trade unions are engaged in a fierce struggle against executive authorities allegedly employing judicial mechanisms to suppress strike actions and social demonstrations. This development follows a motion endorsed during recent International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Executive Committee sessions in Bari, Italy, which has since gained traction across social media platforms.

    The motion highlights the detention of two prominent construction union leaders, Jaime Caballero and Genaro López, as part of the government’s strategic approach to labor relations. The situation further intensifies with additional union representatives facing severe repercussions: Erasmo Cerrud has sought sanctuary within the Nicaraguan embassy, while Saúl Méndez lives in exile abroad.

    Beyond these high-profile cases, the document reveals a broader pattern of systematic repression. Over 180 union officials currently face legal proceedings, while approximately 1,500 workers have been dismissed from their positions following recent strikes against controversial social security reforms. These reforms have been widely criticized for undermining contributors’ rights.

    The International Federation of Journalists, established in 1926, contextualizes these events within Panama’s deteriorating labor rights landscape. The Panamanian labor movement has repeatedly submitted formal complaints to the International Labour Organization (ILO), citing consistent violations of international labor standards and systematic obstruction of collective bargaining and petition processes that are fundamental to worker representation.

  • Cuba reaffirms zero-tolerance policy against drugs

    Cuba reaffirms zero-tolerance policy against drugs

    Cuban authorities have successfully intercepted 72 separate drug smuggling attempts between 2024 and 2025, seizing substantial quantities of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic cannabinoids originating from 11 different countries. This achievement comes despite significant challenges posed by the United States embargo and the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by international drug cartels.

    At a recent press conference, Justice Minister Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez, who chairs Cuba’s National Drug Commission, detailed the nation’s comprehensive anti-narcotics strategy. The approach combines rigorous law enforcement with extensive public education campaigns, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking and consumption. Minister Silvera emphasized that Cuba’s geographical position places it along major drug transit routes connecting South American production centers with North American consumer markets, yet the country has consistently prevented itself from becoming a significant storage or transit point for narcotics.

    Colonel Juan Carlos Poey Guerra, head of the Ministry of Interior’s Specialized Anti-Drug Enforcement Agency, highlighted emerging challenges including the proliferation of synthetic substances and innovative smuggling techniques. These include speedboat deliveries, airborne drops, and packages deliberately abandoned in Cuban waters that wash ashore due to currents and weather patterns. The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa led to the discovery of 792.5 kilograms of marijuana and 12.25 kilograms of cocaine along Guantánamo’s northern coast, demonstrating how natural phenomena can unexpectedly introduce drugs into Cuban territory.

    First Colonel Yvey Daniel Carballo Pérez of the Border Guard Troops Directorate noted that Cuba’s extensive 5,746-kilometer coastline presents substantial monitoring challenges. Despite these difficulties, authorities have captured 14 speedboats and 39 traffickers in recent operations, seizing a total of 4,487 kilograms of illicit substances. All interdiction operations have been conducted without loss of human life, even during high-speed pursuits of smuggling vessels.

    The Cuban government has intensified its anti-drug efforts through enhanced training programs, technological modernization, and sophisticated laboratory analysis that has identified 41 new synthetic drug formulations entering the country, most traced to United States origins. Community involvement remains crucial to these efforts, with coastal residents playing a vital role in reporting suspicious packages and activities.

  • Santiago marched with Fidel

    Santiago marched with Fidel

    SANTIAGO DE CUBA – Thousands of Cubans marched through the streets of Santiago de Cuba on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz’s interment at Santa Ifigenia Heritage Cemetery. The procession, moving from Antonio Maceo Grajales Revolution Square to the national monument, demonstrated remarkable resilience amid ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa and an intensified economic blockade.

    Young Adriano Giro Mustelier captured the spirit of the event, proclaiming, ‘Let’s march for Fidel, for the Revolution, and for Cuba!’ His words echoed through the crowd as participants of all ages moved along Patria Avenue to the sounds of the March of July 26 and patriotic songs.

    A university student who participated in the inaugural tribute march as a child told Granma, ‘We do this because Fidel and his example are more necessary today than ever.’ The march also served as a show of solidarity with Venezuela, expressing support against what participants termed ‘new aggressions of U.S. imperialism.’

    Concurrent with the memorial march, the Fidel Castro Ruz Center is hosting the exhibition ‘Siempre Alejandro’ (Always Alejandro) by National Prize for Plastic Arts winner Nelson Domínguez. The collection of 18 canvases in the Cinco Palmas room presents interpretive studies of Castro through striking visual allegories.

    Domínguez’s works, including pieces titled ‘Cinco Palmas,’ ‘Fidel Guerrillero,’ ‘La Guerra Necesaria,’ and ‘Fidel en la Sierra,’ explore the revolutionary leader’s legacy through symbolic imagery rather than traditional portraiture. ‘These are works in which I am searching for my Fidel,’ Domínguez explained. ‘The purpose was not to make a portrait, but an interpretation.’

    Exhibition curator Juan Martín Soler noted that Domínguez’s pieces reflect the artist’s personal experiences with Castro during the revolutionary period in the mountains and subsequent memorable encounters. The exhibition, attracting numerous young visitors, serves as another testament to Castro’s enduring presence in Cuban cultural and political life.

  • Mexico reaffirms call to respect the sovereignty of nations

    Mexico reaffirms call to respect the sovereignty of nations

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed her intention to address concerns regarding U.S. military activities in the Caribbean and perceived threats toward Caracas during her upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The head of state revealed that this diplomatic encounter will occur alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the World Cup draw festivities in Washington.

    President Sheinbaum emphasized that Trump is fully aware of Mexico’s firm stance on international sovereignty, noting: ‘We believe that international law and the sovereignty and self-determination of nations must be respected.’ She disclosed that during their previous telephone communications, she has consistently articulated Mexico’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution approaches.

    ‘He knows our position and, if necessary, we will reiterate it,’ Sheinbaum stated definitively. ‘This is a position we maintain both privately and publicly, and it constitutes the constitutional obligation of any Mexican president.’

    This meeting marks the first face-to-face interaction between Sheinbaum and Trump following a year characterized by multiple phone discussions. These communications occurred against a backdrop of controversial policies advanced by the Republican administration concerning immigration reform and trade relations that have significantly impacted North American dynamics.

  • Venezuela’s voice in rejection of unilateral coercive measures

    Venezuela’s voice in rejection of unilateral coercive measures

    Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil delivered a forceful condemnation of unilateral sanctions against his nation during the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures. Through his Telegram channel, Gil characterized the 1,042 specific measures targeting Venezuela as criminal acts designed to ‘break the will of a nation that has chosen the path of sovereignty under the leadership of President Nicolas Maduro and the power of the people.’

    The senior diplomat detailed the multifaceted impact of these sanctions, noting they extend beyond harming the Venezuelan population to deliberately disrupting regional solidarity initiatives. Gil specifically cited the PetroCaribe program, an energy cooperation agreement that previously provided discounted oil to Caribbean and Latin American nations, as a casualty of these coercive measures.

    Gil’s statement included a dual demand: the immediate cessation of economic pressure tactics and the removal of military threats hovering over Venezuela. ‘Together, we will defend our sovereignty and the rights of our people!’ the Foreign Minister declared, framing resistance as both national and international imperatives.

    The Venezuelan official broadened his critique to include other nations subjected to economic warfare, particularly highlighting the six-decade United States blockade against Cuba. Gil described the Cuban embargo as an ‘inhumane blockade’ maintained with ‘total impunity’ despite mounting global criticism annually expressed through United Nations votes.

    Gil concluded that the international day serves as a platform to ‘raise our voices against this crime that affects our peoples’ and demand the elimination of coercive measures engineered to provoke economic collapse in sovereign states.

  • United Nations warns of famine among Sudanese children

    United Nations warns of famine among Sudanese children

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a grave warning regarding the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, describing the situation as a ‘silent emergency’ for the global community but ‘deafening for the children who endure its horrors daily.’ Blanca Carazo, overseeing International Programs at UNICEF Spain, emphasized on Wednesday that millions of Sudanese children have been forcibly displaced from their homes, facing profound uncertainty regarding their next meal or access to essential medical treatment. The UN agency further reported that Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure is teetering on the brink of total collapse, exacerbated by multiple direct airstrikes targeting medical facilities. Compounding the crisis, humanitarian access remains critically constrained, severely hampering relief efforts. This devastating turmoil stems from an intense power struggle that erupted in mid-April 2023 between the nation’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has plunged the country into a severe internal war, creating one of the world’s most urgent yet underreported humanitarian disasters.

  • Cuba commemorates Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures

    Cuba commemorates Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures

    In a forceful diplomatic statement, Cuban officials have launched a renewed condemnation against the longstanding United States economic embargo, characterizing the policy as a deliberate campaign of “economic war and intensified strangulation” against the Cuban populace. The remarks highlighted the daily hardships and systemic challenges faced by ordinary citizens as a direct consequence of the comprehensive sanctions regime.

    Extending beyond national interests, the address expressed Cuba’s firm solidarity with all sovereign states subjected to comparable unilateral coercive measures. These international sanctions were categorically denounced as both “illegal and arbitrary,” representing what was described as a violation of international law and the principles of national self-determination. The rhetoric framed the embargo not merely as a bilateral issue, but as part of a broader pattern of geopolitical pressure tactics employed against independent nations.

    The condemnation underscores the persistent tension in US-Cuba relations and signals Havana’s intent to continue its diplomatic campaign against the embargo on the global stage. This positioning aligns Cuba with other nations critical of the use of economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, seeking to build a coalition of support within international forums like the United Nations, where the embargo has been overwhelmingly criticized by the General Assembly.

  • Cuba reaffirms Zero tolerance policy on drugs

    Cuba reaffirms Zero tolerance policy on drugs

    Cuban authorities have detailed the nation’s ongoing battle against international drug trafficking networks during a comprehensive press briefing. Silvera, who chairs the National Drug Commission, acknowledged that while domestic drug consumption remains relatively contained, the country faces escalating challenges from increasingly diverse and potent narcotics circulating globally.

    Addressing the complex situation, Silvera emphasized the government’s collaborative approach, working across multiple societal sectors to implement preventative strategies against substance abuse. This multi-faceted effort comes despite Cuba’s unique position as a non-producing and non-trafficking nation that nevertheless suffers repeated attempts at drug introduction, primarily through maritime routes.

    Colonel Juan Carlos Poey, head of the Specialized Anti-Drug Unit at the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), provided critical context, noting that Cuba’s geographical placement on major trafficking corridors makes it vulnerable to transnational criminal operations. First Colonel Ivey Carballo, Chief of Staff of the Border Guard Troops Directorate, further elaborated on this strategic challenge, explaining that the nation’s position on the South-North trafficking route necessitates constant vigilance over maritime territories.

    The officials highlighted the crucial role of public cooperation in anti-drug efforts, with Cuban citizens frequently assisting authorities by reporting and temporarily securing packages containing illicit substances discovered in coastal waters. This community involvement, combined with systematic institutional efforts, forms the backbone of Cuba’s comprehensive strategy to eliminate drug trafficking—a phenomenon fundamentally incompatible with the nation’s social principles and foundational values.

  • Cuban product for pregnant women presented at Food Symposium

    Cuban product for pregnant women presented at Food Symposium

    Cuban scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking nutritional supplement specifically formulated to address iron deficiency in pregnant women. Developed by the Institute of Research for the Food Industry (IIIA), the product named ‘Hemolin’ is a syrup created through an innovative process combining stabilized bovine blood, honey, and potassium sorbate.

    Research director Urselia Hernandez Lopez presented the development at the SISIA 2025 symposium in Havana, explaining that the formulation meets all required physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory standards for consumption during pregnancy. According to Hernandez, who led the research team, just one tablespoon of Hemolin delivers 2.8 milligrams of iron – representing approximately 10% of the recommended daily intake for expectant mothers.

    The symposium, themed ‘Sustainable Food Innovation’ and organized by IIIA, serves as a platform for showcasing Cuba’s advancements in food technology. The event is notably dedicated to commemorating the centennial of Fidel Castro’s birth next year, as highlighted by Jesus Rodriguez, IIIA’s director general and president of the organizing committee.

    IIIA has established itself as a pioneering institution in Cuba’s food innovation landscape, with previous achievements including specialized nutrition products for elderly citizens, children’s fruit and vegetable juices, and reduced-sugar food items. The four-day symposium at Melia Habana Hotel features comprehensive programming including conferences, panel discussions, poster sessions, and workshops covering cutting-edge developments in food production.

    Notable attendees included Oscar Treto from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, along with officials from the Ministry of the Food Industry, prominent scientists, and students. Discussion topics span food engineering and technology, food safety protocols, nutritional solutions for vulnerable populations, novel product development, and the emerging application of artificial intelligence in food science.

  • President affirms Colombia faces threats and calls for unity

    President affirms Colombia faces threats and calls for unity

    During a landmark visit to the conflict-affected municipality of El Tarra in Norte de Santander, Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivered a powerful address from the village of Bracitos while inaugurating new educational facilities. The president issued a stark warning against escalating global violence, specifically referencing alarming statements from world leaders concerning invasions and missile threats.

    President Petro characterized the current international climate as a dangerous departure from diplomacy toward ‘barbarism,’ emphasizing that such paths inevitably lead to destruction. He positioned Colombia as a nation that must demonstrate global leadership in peacebuilding, stating that its people ‘never bow their heads’ or ‘kneel before anyone.’

    The president articulated a vision of Colombia leading humanity toward peaceful coexistence through practical implementation of ‘effective love’ principles—a doctrine originally advanced by revolutionary priest Camilo Torres Restrepo. This philosophy emphasizes tangible acts of solidarity over mere theoretical compassion.

    Petro specifically addressed the long-troubled Catatumbo region, declaring it should become territory belonging to and thriving for working people—both campesinos and urban laborers alike. He confirmed that beginning January 2024, youth from this historically marginalized area will access higher education through newly established technical, technological, and university programs at the El Tarra College-University institution.