Capital city of Cuba and principal port
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.
Former CIA director Woolsey has died at his Washington home after a stroke, with his wife citing Havana syndrome as a factor in his declining health. He led the CIA from 1993 to 1995 amid post‑Cold War changes and the Aldrich Ames spy case.
The United States has begun distributing food and hygiene kits to vulnerable Cuban families via Catholic aid networks, as a $60 million shipment marks the first tranche of a planned $100 million program. The distribution faces distrust from Havana and Washington, amid long-standing political frictions and Cuba’s energy challenges.
AP, Independent and Al Jazeera report Cuba’s power grid has failed repeatedly, leaving major towns in darkness as the United States’ oil blockade compounds shortages. Outages disrupt transport, water, hospitals and daily life; Havana sees partial restorations while western Cuba remains offline. Authorities warn of continuing instability.
The United States has expanded sanctions on Cuba, targeting military entities and officials as part of a broad pressure campaign. Measures include designations of GAESA subsidiaries and MINFAR assets, freezing assets, and threatening further actions. Cuba faces intensified economic hardship amid fuel shortages and political tensions.
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.
Cuban schools are reopening as fuel, power, and teacher shortages continue to strain the system. More than 10,000 schools will welcome about 1.4 million children and 135,000 teachers, but shortages force communities to rely on borrowed staff, private meals, and relaxed uniforms while the government appeals for help.
Cuba faces ongoing power outages and rising living costs as a long-standing U.S. embargo compounds the island’s economic crisis. Doctors and families describe mounting psychological stress and scarce resources, while officials point to sanctions as a key driver of hardship.
A Cuban man in the United States under Cuban Adjustment Act processing must choose to return to Cuba or risk deportation after a courtroom moment, ending five years of U.S. life amid economic hardship and family separation. New details show the broader uncertainty for Cubans with I-220A forms as courts revisit eligibility.
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.