Latest news with #MiguelDiaz-Canel
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Cuba is in crisis — the US has a chance to act
This spring, thousands of Cubans gathered in Havana's Revolutionary Square to mark the nation's Labor Day celebrations. Only this year, there was nothing to celebrate. Cuba is experiencing a national catastrophe, and the Cuban people are growing increasingly desperate. In the midst of likely the most severe economic crisis to affect the island, on May 1, the Cuban government pressured its citizens to attend the annual gathering. It's been reported that some 600,000 were present in Havana, with millions attending similar ceremonies across Cuba. But participation in such rallies is hardly voluntary — it is the price one pays for access to state benefits, including employment, housing, education, food rations and other necessities. Despite drastic shortages of water, food, medicine and fuel that have crippled Cuba in recent years, on this day, all assets of the government were used to facilitate attendance at the Revolutionary Square event. And that's because this gathering, like others, was intended to serve as an act of political will, meant to convey a public message of support for the ailing Cuban government. Although Cuba's leadership changed in name in 2019 to Miguel Diaz-Canel, Raúl Castro is still believed to be in charge behind the scenes. Despite turning 94 last month, he appears to remain the center of power, wielding significant influence over political, economic and military matters. Under his guidance, social control measures remain all-encompassing, beginning at the community level with the neighborhood Committees in Defense of the Revolution, the Brigades of Rapid Response, the National Revolutionary Police, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., which facilitates the Cuban military's control over the economy. All of these government structures, reminiscent in some cases of George Orwell's writings, have ensured the continuation of Cuba's one-party system for the last 66 years. Today, the greatest concerns of the Cuban government are the incessant electricity outages. Once largely restricted to Cuba's outlying provinces, the blackouts are now also frequent in the capital. They are the direct result of government incompetence that has led to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure; without a doubt, they make daily life extremely challenging. In March 2025, following a major failure at a substation, much of the country was without power, leading to vast work and school closures. This was the fourth such national outage in six months. For a country already suffering from abysmally low monthly incomes, no functioning economy, and decaying living standards, it's no surprise that the population has grown increasingly discouraged. Although the Cuban government continues to blame the nation's challenges on the U.S. economic embargo, the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes to U.S. travel policy, each day it appears fewer and fewer Cubans accept these excuses. In the last several years, an estimated 1 million Cubans have emigrated, representing a loss of roughly 10 percent of Cuba's population. And protests, once extremely rare, have become a relatively more common occurrence. In early June, students at the University of Havana began protesting a sharp hike in internet and cell phone service fees set by the government-run telecommunications company. This entity, largely owned by Cuba's military, is said to be well financed by Cuban exiles who purchase cellphone packages for their families on the island and represents an important revenue source for the Cuban government. For Cuba's leadership, these price hikes are also likely intended to curtail internet usage — an important strategy for a government that aims to control all access to information. Another government concern is the lack of access to foreign and hard currency reserves to facilitate trade, specifically for the import of much needed food and medicine. Once the recipient of financial support from the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, followed by Venezuela under President Hugo Chávez, today Cuba is without an economic benefactor. Although Cuba still benefits from political support from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and others, these allies cannot (or will not) effectively assist Cuba economically. Add to that Cuba's foreign debt, which is said to be extremely high, leaving the country severely constrained when it comes to trade. Against this background, the new Trump administration has made changes to U.S.-Cuba policy. As part of his sweeping cuts to USAID, President Trump cancelled Radio and TV Martí, two longtime stalwarts in the U.S. soft assault against Cuban communism. Since taking office, the Trump administration has also moved to redesignate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, and approved the re-creation of the Cuba Restricted List, which prohibits transactions with companies associated with the Cuban government. In late January, the administration also announced that it had opened the door via Title III of the LIBERTAD Act, to 'bring private rights of action involving trafficked property confiscated by the Cuban regime.' More recently, following record-setting outward migration from Cuba, the Trump administration moved to end the 'humanitarian parole' program that had allowed a designated number of Cubans to enter the U.S. under temporary legal status. On June 4, the U.S. announced a partial travel ban on Cubans wishing to enter without an existing visa. And Trump's 'big beautiful bill' includes a tax on remittances, affecting Cuba's largest source of foreign revenue. Today, Cuba is facing a devastating moment. Over six decades of revolution have taken their toll. Cuba's leadership remains unwilling to enact the commonsense democratic reforms necessary to alleviate suffering and return dignity to its people. As Cuban citizens continue to find small, but meaningful ways to express their discontent, it is time for the international community to raise awareness of Cuba's desperate reality — and to demand change from its leadership.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cuba fires labour minister for calling all beggars fakes
A woman searches through a dumpster looking for useful items, in Havana, Cuba. (Picture credit: AP) HAVANA: The Cuban government fired its labour minister after she was publicly rebuked by the president for saying Cuba's beggars were all phonies in disguise. A brief announcement Tuesday evening said labour and social security minister Marta Elena Feito had demonstrated a lack of 'objectivity and sensitivity on topics that are currently central to political and governmental policy'. The minister's remarks on live television Monday were circulated on social media and became a lightning rod for popular frustration with years of economic crisis. 'We have seen people who appear to be beggars, but when you look at their hands, when you look at the clothes they wear, they are disguised as beggars ... In Cuba, there are no beggars,' she said. President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the comments showed a lack of understanding of the roots of poverty. 'The vulnerable are not our enemies.' REUTERS
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Cuban minister faces backlash for saying there are no beggars in Cuba
Synopsis A Cuban minister's controversial remarks, denying the existence of beggars and criticizing windshield cleaners and garbage scavengers, have sparked widespread outrage, including from President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Her comments come amid a severe economic crisis in Cuba, where pensions are insufficient and the GDP continues to decline, exacerbating social vulnerability and leading to increased poverty and desperation among citizens. AP A man culls through garbage collecting aluminium cans for recycling, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jorge Luis Baños) A Cuban minister sparked criticism Tuesday, including from the president, after saying that there are no beggars in Cuba, only people disguised as such, and suggesting that those who clean windshields at crossroads have an "easy" life. Cuba's Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito Cabrera, made the comments on Monday before deputies in a National Assembly committee. They went viral, prompting calls for Feitos' impeachment and a wave of criticism in a country experiencing a tough economic situation in recent years. The economic crisis in Cuba has increased social vulnerability and led to unusual scenes for the island, such as people - especially the elderly - begging or scavenging through garbage, or some cleaning windshields at corners. "We have seen people, apparently beggars, (but) when you look at their hands, look at the clothes these people are wearing, they are disguised as beggars, they are not beggars," Feito said before the National Assembly committee. "In Cuba there are no beggars." She added that people cleaning windshields use the money to "drink alcohol." Feito also lashed out against those who search through the garbage dumps. She said they are recovering materials "to resell and not pay tax." Without mentioning her name, but referring to the meeting at the National Assembly committee where Feito participated, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on his X account: "the lack of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability is highly questionable. The revolution cannot leave anyone behind; that is our motto, our militant responsibility." Until a few years ago, despite the poverty, there were no signs of begging or homelessness on the island thanks to benefits that have now been greatly reduced. The pension of a retiree is about 2,000 Cuban pesos per month, roughly $5 on the informal market, and just under the cost of a carton of eggs. For those who don't receive remittances from family abroad, it means going hungry. Self-employed Enrique Guillen believes the minister is wrong and that some people do not see the situation clearly, and hopes the government will take action. "They are elderly people who count on a pension that does not exist. They cannot even buy a carton of eggs. It is the reality we are living in Cuba," Guillen said. On Monday, island authorities reported that Cuba's gross domestic product fell by 1.1% in 2024, accumulating a decline of 11% over the past five years.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cuban minister faces backlash for saying there are no beggars in Cuba
A Cuban minister's controversial remarks, denying the existence of beggars and criticizing windshield cleaners and garbage scavengers, have sparked widespread outrage, including from President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Her comments come amid a severe economic crisis in Cuba, where pensions are insufficient and the GDP continues to decline, exacerbating social vulnerability and leading to increased poverty and desperation among citizens. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Cuban minister sparked criticism Tuesday, including from the president, after saying that there are no beggars in Cuba, only people disguised as such, and suggesting that those who clean windshields at crossroads have an "easy" Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito Cabrera , made the comments on Monday before deputies in a National Assembly committee. They went viral, prompting calls for Feitos' impeachment and a wave of criticism in a country experiencing a tough economic situation in recent economic crisis in Cuba has increased social vulnerability and led to unusual scenes for the island, such as people - especially the elderly - begging or scavenging through garbage, or some cleaning windshields at corners."We have seen people, apparently beggars, (but) when you look at their hands, look at the clothes these people are wearing, they are disguised as beggars, they are not beggars," Feito said before the National Assembly committee. "In Cuba there are no beggars."She added that people cleaning windshields use the money to "drink alcohol."Feito also lashed out against those who search through the garbage dumps. She said they are recovering materials "to resell and not pay tax."Without mentioning her name, but referring to the meeting at the National Assembly committee where Feito participated, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on his X account: "the lack of sensitivity in addressing vulnerability is highly questionable. The revolution cannot leave anyone behind; that is our motto, our militant responsibility."Until a few years ago, despite the poverty, there were no signs of begging or homelessness on the island thanks to benefits that have now been greatly pension of a retiree is about 2,000 Cuban pesos per month, roughly $5 on the informal market, and just under the cost of a carton of eggs. For those who don't receive remittances from family abroad, it means going Enrique Guillen believes the minister is wrong and that some people do not see the situation clearly, and hopes the government will take action."They are elderly people who count on a pension that does not exist. They cannot even buy a carton of eggs. It is the reality we are living in Cuba," Guillen Monday, island authorities reported that Cuba's gross domestic product fell by 1.1% in 2024, accumulating a decline of 11% over the past five years.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
We Condemn U.S. Government's Latest Sanctions On The President Of Cuba And Other State Officials
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) notes the US government's baseless sanctions on Cuba and foreign government officials who refuse to become subservient to imperialism. In its latest in a series of unending escalatory attacks aiming to destabilise Cuba, the Trump's administration in Washington announced on Friday, 11th July, 2025 sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, as well as the country's Defence and Interior Ministers. Washington claimed it action was in response to what it said, for the deadly crackdown on protests in 2021. These baseless and unilateral sanctions that shift blame and scapegoat Cuba on the basis of spurious allegations, must be viewed here as a stain on humanity's collective conscience, and they violate United Nations Charter and principles of international law. They constitute also flagrant breach of the sovereignty, independence and freedom of peoples and nations. Such threats and coercive measures are an attempt to silence growing international criticism and scrutiny of US genocidal policies against the Palestinian people. The Trump administration is now scapegoating Cuba to save its face in the civilized international community, which has denounced US hypocrisy and double standards in the practice of human rights. This tactic will not work, and Cuba will not be silenced. The sane world will not stop speaking out against the US government's complicity in the ongoing genocide campaign and crimes against humanity in Palestine. In our view, this latest attacks on Cuba are only a violation of the rights that US claims to uphold. The illicit and immoral sanctions are meant to obstruct the peace, stability and development of Cuba, since the 62-year criminal blockade has failed to achieve its original goal of destabilizing the 1st January, 1959 revolution, led by the all-time revolutionary icon, Fidel Castro (May peace be unto him). The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, through this public statement deplores, in letter and spirit, these illicit, unilateral and baseless sanctions, and urges the US to rather, direct sanctions on the Israeli leadership for the heinous crimes and crime against humanity unleashed in Palestine. We support Cuba's government ongoing efforts, in working with like-minded international partners to seek an end to US blockade. Concluding, we call on the civilized international community, especially Cuba's allies who share the same fundamental universal values and principles of freedom, friendship and solidarity, to redouble their efforts and unite in defending truth against injustice, and standing up to US imperialism.
