Cuba Launches Military-Run Mega Store in Mariel Operating in U.S. Dollars
The Cuban government opened a new mega store in Mariel, Havana, operated by military-run retail chain Tiendas Caribe that wholesales exclusively in U.S. dollars.
Category: Latest news
Russia to Invest Over $1 Billion in Cuba by 2030
**Excerpt:**
Russia has announced plans to invest over \$1 billion in Cuba by 2030, focusing on critical sectors like electricity, agriculture, and public lighting. The move signals a deepening economic alliance between Havana and Moscow, as Russia seeks to expand its influence in the region amid increasing geopolitical isolation.
Cuban Regime Denies Final Goodbye: Mother of Political Prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea Dies Alone
Zoila Esther Chávez, the 84-year-old mother of imprisoned Cuban journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea, died on Sunday without being allowed to say goodbye to her son. Despite urgent pleas from activists and human rights groups, Cuban authorities denied a final visit, drawing renewed criticism of the regime’s treatment of political prisoners and their families.
Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Wins Havel Prize While Imprisoned
Cuban dissident and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has been named a 2025 laureate of the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent. Founder of the San Isidro Movement and a leading figure in Cuba’s opposition movement, Otero Alcántara remains imprisoned for his role in the July 2021 protests. The award will be presented at the Oslo Freedom Forum on May 26.
Cuba’s Top 5 News Today
Top stories from Cuba: Inflation; Cuba-Russia; May Day; US-Cuba; Tourism.
Cuban Opposition Leader José Daniel Ferrer Arrested After Testifying on Human Rights Abuses
Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer has been arrested after testifying before the EU on human rights abuses in Cuba. His detention comes amid a broader crackdown that has seen over 350 documented arrests in just four weeks.
Cuba Energy Crisis: Power Generation 60% of Demand, Blackouts Last 20 Hours or More
Cuba’s energy crisis is worsening, with power generation now falling short by nearly 60% of the country’s demand. Blackouts lasting over 20 hours a day have become common, highlighting deep institutional failures and a grid nearing collapse.
Drug Trafficking in Cuba Surges Amid Economic Crisis
Drug trafficking in Cuba is on the rise, with synthetic drugs like “el químico” spreading rapidly in cities like Havana and Santiago. Cheap, addictive, and dangerous, these substances are fueling a public health crisis amid the country’s deepening economic collapse. Police crackdowns intensify amid a growing public health crisis.
Pope Francis, Third Pontiff to Visit Cuba, Dies at 88
Pope Francis, who visited Cuba in 2015 and supported U.S.–Cuba reconciliation, has died at 88. He was the third pope to visit the island.
Cuba Human Rights Crisis: 247 Repression Cases in March
March 2025 marked a sharp rise in political repression in Cuba, with 247 documented incidents targeting activists, journalists, and civil society. Cases include house arrest of Damas de Blanco leader Berta Soler and reported deaths in custody.