Cuban revolutionary and long-time leader whose legacy shaped a half-century of Cuban politics
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary as the island endures its worst crisis in living memory, with power shortages, water scarcity, and sanctions shaping daily life. Raul Castro remains an influential figure as the regime faces mounting external pressure and internal hardship.
The United States has expanded sanctions, designating nine state-owned Cuban mining, construction, and financial firms, along with leaders at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). The moves aim to restrain Havana’s access to international support and fuel, while Cuba argues the measures will worsen a humanitarian crisis amid ongoing energy shortages.
Two Democratic centrists have joined Republicans to pass a procedural rule in the House, a rare bipartisan move that shifts debate parameters. The vote comes as leaders face backlash over the defection, with potential committee punishments discussed. The package includes a lobster-protection measure and a denunciation of socialism.
Cuba has suffered a nationwide power grid collapse that began on 18 September and has forced authorities to activate gradual restoration protocols. Officials say a transmission-line failure and poor weather triggered the outage; Havana has prioritised hospitals and water pumping stations while residents report prolonged outages, fuel shortages and strained services amid an ongoing US energy blockade.
Florida Attorney General has filed a state charge of conspiracy to commit first‑degree murder against Raul Castro, based on a federal indictment and new Florida evidence. The case centers on the 1996 downing of three Brothers to the Rescue planes, which killed four people and intensified U.S.–Cuba tensions amid renewed sanctions and calls for regime change.
The United Nations faces heightened pressure as the U.S. administration has intensified diplomatic efforts to influence votes on the Cuban embargo resolution ahead of the General Assembly meeting. Havana accuses Washington of threatening visas, sanctions, and financing opposition groups to sway member states.
The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution condemning the US embargo on Cuba by 130 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions. The vote has taken place as the Trump administration is intensifying economic pressure, including an effective fuel blockade that has caused widespread blackouts and shortages in Cuba, and US officials have openly discussed military options and covert engagement with dissidents.
Cuban officials have clashed with the U.S. delegation at the United Nations, accusing Washington of blocking a vote on Cuba and expelling a Cuban diplomat after a confrontation on the General Assembly floor. The incident comes as U.S. pressure over the embargo and Cuban governance intensifies ahead of a nonbinding resolution’s vote.