标签： Jamaica

HAVANA, Cuba – Long queues formed at gasoline stations across the Cuban capital Friday as citizens confronted an escalating fuel shortage following President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing punitive tariffs on nations supplying oil to the island nation. The move has been characterized by Cuban authorities as an economic stranglehold designed to destabilize the country.

The directive, which effectively forces international partners to choose between trading with the United States or Cuba, arrives amid the Caribbean nation’s most severe economic crisis since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Current conditions include power blackouts extending up to 20 hours daily and critical shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the measures as “fascist, criminal and genocidal” tactics employed by what he described as a US cabal intent on suffocating Cuba’s economy. The sentiment was echoed by citizens like Jorge Rodriguez, a 60-year-old IT specialist, who noted that ordinary Cubans would bear the brunt of these policies.

This development follows the complete cessation of Venezuelan oil shipments after US special forces deposed Nicolás Maduro’s government in January. According to analyzed official statistics, Cuba generated merely half of its required electricity in 2025.

The Trump administration, featuring several officials with strong ties to Florida politics including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has openly advocated for regime change in Havana. Trump himself declared “NO MORE OIL OR MONEY FOR CUBA: ZERO!” while labeling the nation an “extraordinary threat” to US national security—a designation that raises concerns about potential military escalation.

Mexico faces particular complications as both a remaining oil supplier to Cuba and a nation deeply integrated with US trade networks. President Claudia Sheinbaum warned of impending humanitarian consequences while attempting to navigate the diplomatic challenge. Although China voiced opposition to the measures, neither it nor Cuba’s traditional allies have announced concrete support plans.

Diaz-Canel confirmed no ongoing negotiations with Washington, vowing that Cuban citizens stand “ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.”

CARACAS, Venezuela — The Venezuelan government has issued a forceful condemnation of the United States’ latest economic measures targeting nations that engage in energy trade with Cuba. This diplomatic rebuke follows President Donald Trump’s signing of a new tariff order on Thursday, which Caracas characterizes as an aggressive act of economic coercion.

In an official statement released Friday, Venezuela’s foreign ministry decried the US policy as a set of ‘punitive measures’ designed to penalize sovereign states for maintaining ‘legitimate trade relations with the Republic of Cuba.’ The declaration comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, following recent political upheavals that saw a change in Venezuela’s leadership through US military involvement.

The South American nation, itself struggling under severe economic sanctions, pledged unwavering ‘solidarity with the Cuban people’ who face potential energy shortages due to the restrictions. Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, a longstanding economic lifeline for the island nation, now fall under US regulatory control following recent geopolitical shifts.

Venezuela’s foreign ministry called for ‘collective action by the international community’ to address what it described as the ‘humanitarian consequences’ resulting from such economic aggressions. The statement emphasizes the need for global cooperation to mitigate the impact of unilateral sanctions on civilian populations, positioning the conflict within broader debates about economic sovereignty and international law.

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of recent high-profile immigration enforcement incidents, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called upon the federal government to provide explicit assurances to international visitors attending the upcoming World Cup. The mayor’s appeal comes just days after disturbing images circulated globally showing federal immigration agents fatally shooting a second individual in Minneapolis.

With the United States set to co-host this summer’s premier football event alongside Canada and Mexico, growing apprehensions have emerged among potential overseas attendees. These concerns primarily center around the possibility of visitors becoming entangled in President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies, which have frequently drawn international criticism for their aggressive implementation.

“Our nation must present a more welcoming visage to the global community,” Mayor Bass asserted. “We need to demonstrate that visitors will be received hospitably and won’t encounter immigration complications during their stay.”

While expressing confidence that sports enthusiasts visiting Los Angeles for either the World Cup or the 2028 Summer Olympics would remain unaffected by direct immigration enforcement, Bass emphasized that reassurance must originate from the highest levels of government. “This message necessarily must emanate from the White House itself,” she clarified. “They bear the responsibility of disseminating this assurance.”

Recent weeks have witnessed intensified scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics following two point-blank shootings of Minneapolis protesters by immigration agents. Among the victims was Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse who sustained multiple gunshot wounds after being subdued by camouflage-clad officers.

The deployment of federal immigration agents has expanded to several major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles—scheduled to host eight World Cup matches featuring the host nation’s opening game and a quarterfinal encounter.

President Trump’s association with the tournament has deepened through his attendance at the official draw ceremony, where he received FIFA’s symbolic peace recognition. Ross McCall, FIFA’s executive director for commercial operations, confirmed the organization maintains “continuous dialogue” with the current administration, noting universal motivation to ensure the World Cup achieves maximum safety and inclusiveness.

Concurrently, Los Angeles officials have announced comprehensive fan engagement initiatives, including designated zones with live broadcasts and celebratory activities throughout the region. These venues will incorporate iconic locations such as the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—a 78,000-capacity stadium that previously hosted two Olympic Games—and the internationally renowned Venice Beach.

The developments coincide with reports that a specialized division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will deploy personnel in an advisory capacity for next month’s Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, according to U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman J Fertitta.

Reflecting on these coordinated security preparations, Mayor Bass expressed grave concern: “The imagery is profoundly alarming. This transmits an intimidating message to the international community.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The youth division of Jamaica’s ruling Jamaica Labour Party has launched a severe critique against Opposition Leader Mark Golding and Health Spokesman Alfred Dawes regarding their handling of inquiries into improperly imported dialysis machines connected to the University Hospital of the West Indies.

In an official statement released Thursday, Young Jamaica characterized the opposition figures’ responses during a recent press conference as ‘unacceptable and disgraceful,’ accusing them of evading critical questions about whether twelve dialysis machines—deemed unlawfully imported using UHWI’s tax exemption status—are currently housed at a facility owned by a prominent People’s National Party MP.

The organization referenced ongoing investigations by Jamaica’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch, emphasizing that Golding’s ambiguous answers during the media engagement had seriously compromised his credibility. Young Jamaica suggested his reluctance to address corruption allegations involving party affiliates demonstrates questionable leadership and ethical consistency.

Additionally, the group highlighted Dawes’ problematic association with the company implicated in the scandal, noting his recent listing as a consultant on the company’s website despite his attempts to distance himself from the controversy. Young Jamaica argued that Dawes’ focus on criticizing Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton rather than providing clear answers further weakened his position.

Citing internal discontent within the PNP, the statement suggested that Golding’s handling of the situation has spurred discussions about a potential leadership challenge. While acknowledging the essential role of a robust opposition in a functioning democracy, Young Jamaica called for Dawes’ removal from the health spokesperson role, citing a history of unreliable public statements and unconvincing attempts to dissociate from the scandal.

The group concluded that Jamaica deserves opposition representatives who communicate with transparency and credibility, particularly on matters of public health and governance.