标签： Cuba

In a concerted effort to address Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez embarked on a comprehensive tour of the nation’s thermoelectric plants. His visit included the Antonio Maceo plant in Santiago de Cuba and the Lidio Ramón Pérez facility in Holguín, where he engaged with executives and workers to assess the recovery of the National Electric System (SEN). The President’s tour comes at a critical juncture, as the country grapples with prolonged blackouts and significant generation deficits.

At the Renté plant, General Director Jesús Aguilar Hernández provided an update on the facility’s operational status. Despite facing numerous unforeseen outages, the plant is progressing toward stability, particularly with the recent activation of its 70-megawatt (MW) block five following partial maintenance. Units six and three are currently generating 50 MW each, while unit four remains in technical shutdown since 2023. However, a recovery strategy is underway as part of the Government Plan to bolster the SEN. Light maintenance is scheduled for December on units six and three, aiming to enhance the plant’s capacity by year-end.

President Díaz-Canel emphasized the importance of quality maintenance across all units, including corrective work on block five, to ensure sustained energy recovery. He lauded the tireless efforts of Cuba’s electrical workers, describing their work as ‘heroic’ and ‘intensive.’ The President also highlighted the government’s strategy to strengthen the SEN, which includes expanding thermal and distributed generation and advancing the construction of photovoltaic solar parks. Notably, these solar facilities are already generating over 600 MW during daylight hours, with nearly all planned parks either operational or under construction.

During his visit to the Lidio Ramón Pérez plant in Felton, President Díaz-Canel was briefed on the facility’s current output of 200 MW, limited by boiler corrosion. Strategies to address these issues and recover block two, damaged by a fire in 2022, were discussed. The President underscored the plant’s strategic importance to eastern Cuba and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving working conditions for employees, including specialized medical care, wage increases, and enhanced safety measures.

Accompanied by key government officials, President Díaz-Canel’s tour reflects Cuba’s determination to overcome its energy challenges through collective effort and strategic planning.

In a significant reshuffle within Cuba’s media landscape, the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee has announced key leadership changes at two of the nation’s prominent newspapers. Comrade Yoerky Sánchez Cuellar, a seasoned journalist and political figure, has been appointed as the new Editor-in-chief of Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba. Sánchez Cuellar, 41, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in various editorial capacities, including as Editor-in-chief of Juventud Rebelde and Alma Mater magazine. His career spans over a decade, marked by his contributions to journalism and his active involvement in Cuba’s political institutions, including the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State.

In a significant diplomatic event, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, also the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, officially received the credentials of ten new ambassadors on Tuesday morning. The ceremony, held at the Palace of the Revolution, underscored Cuba’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. Accompanied by interim Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerardo Peñalver Portal, President Díaz-Canel expressed gratitude for the global support in Cuba’s ongoing struggle against the U.S. economic blockade and its removal from the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism. The event highlighted Cuba’s readiness to collaborate with these nations across various sectors, including health, education, tourism, and digital governance. Among the new ambassadors were representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Iran, Indonesia, Sweden, France, Belgium, Singapore, and Malta. Each diplomat emphasized the importance of mutual support and the potential for expanding bilateral projects. President Díaz-Canel reiterated Cuba’s dedication to multilateralism and its role in the Non-Aligned Movement, while also acknowledging the shared challenges and opportunities in the current global context. The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of Cuba’s commitment to building stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with these nations.

Cuba has initiated its Fourth National Exercise for the Prevention and Combating of Crime, Corruption, Drugs, Illegal Activities, and Social Indiscipline, under the leadership of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. The exercise, which commenced on Monday, aims to strengthen public tranquility, internal order, and social discipline amidst the country’s complex situation. President Díaz-Canel emphasized the importance of leveraging past experiences to enhance cohesion and systematically consolidate results in the ongoing battle against societal ills. He highlighted the urgency of addressing violent crimes, particularly those involving high levels of aggression, and stressed the need for decisive action against vandalism and theft, especially in the electricity sector. The President also underscored the importance of updating response plans in state institutions and prioritizing the fight against corruption at all levels. The meeting, attended by key government and party officials, including Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Minister of the Interior Lázaro Álvarez Casas, also saw participation from provincial and municipal authorities via videoconference. Julio César García Rodríguez, head of the Office for Attention to the Organs of the People’s Power System, reiterated the exercise’s alignment with the goals set at the 8th Party Congress, emphasizing the unity of revolutionary forces and ideological conviction as essential to overcoming the challenges posed by both national and international scenarios.

In a significant move to bolster bilateral cooperation, Cuba and Brazil are set to convene a High-Level Meeting on Social Protection, Food Sovereignty, and Food and Nutritional Security Policies. The two-day event, taking place today and tomorrow, serves as a strategic platform for political dialogue and the exchange of experiences between the two nations. The meeting underscores Cuba’s commitment to leveraging international projects to manage financial, technological, and material resources effectively, aiming to enhance the country’s productive capacities, boost food production, and reduce reliance on imports. Brazil is poised to play a pivotal role as a key ally in these endeavors. The gathering will feature senior government representatives from both countries, who will deliberate on a range of critical issues, including national social protection systems, food and nutritional sovereignty, and the strengthening of agri-food systems with a focus on family farming and sustainable consumption. This initiative is part of broader efforts to foster South-South cooperation and build synergies that benefit both nations.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez visited the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas last Saturday as part of a nationwide tour to assess the recovery of the National Electric System (SEN). The plant, a cornerstone of Cuba’s energy infrastructure, is currently operating below its maximum capacity of 250 MW due to a failure in its high-temperature reheater. This issue has forced a reduction in its operating load, highlighting the urgency of the upcoming capital maintenance scheduled for December. The President emphasized the need for meticulous preparation to ensure high-quality implementation of the maintenance, which is the first in 15 years despite technical standards recommending it every seven to eight years. Rubén Campos Olmo, the plant’s General Director, outlined two maintenance strategies: one focused on basic equipment repairs and another, more extensive, involving a 180-day shutdown. The project includes chimney repairs, condenser tube replacements, and maintenance of regenerative air heaters. Despite operational challenges exacerbated by the U.S. economic blockade, the plant’s workforce of over 400 remains resilient. Campos Olmo highlighted the difficulties in sourcing parts and equipment due to the blockade, including delayed deliveries and retained shipments. The President praised the workers’ commitment, expressing confidence in their ability to stabilize the SEN. The visit underscored the plant’s critical role in Cuba’s energy sector and the broader challenges facing the nation’s infrastructure.

The Revolutionary Government of Cuba has issued a strong condemnation of the United States’ escalating military actions in the Caribbean Sea, which it claims are aimed at justifying aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Cuban government asserts that the U.S. has been amassing military resources and personnel in the region, engaging in unlawful attacks on civilian vessels, and detaining ships in violation of international norms. These actions, Cuba argues, demonstrate a hostile and irresponsible approach by the U.S. government. Additionally, Cuba accuses the U.S. of employing psychological warfare tactics to legitimize its operations, falsely portraying Venezuela as a threat to U.S. national security and citizen welfare. The Cuban statement highlights that key U.S. political figures, including the Secretary of State, congressmen, and senators, are complicit in this escalation, drawing parallels to their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Cuba warns that the true U.S. objective is to seize control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and natural resources. The deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean is seen as a deliberate provocation, potentially triggering a military conflict that would force Venezuela to defend its sovereignty. Cuba emphasizes that such aggression would have devastating consequences for regional peace, stability, and security, urging the international community to mobilize against these actions. The statement calls for adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, stressing the need to separate fact from fiction. Cuba reaffirms its commitment to preserving Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as declared by regional leaders. Havana, September 18, 2025.