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Cuba

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Cuba. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Havana

Head of State

President Miguel Díaz-Canel

Head of Government

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz

A mechanic fixes a car on the street in Havana, as Cubans hunker into survival mode. Photo: Reuters

US-Cuba relations

Cuba confirms ‘communications’ with US as Trump moves to block oil

Reeling from blackouts and the loss of its Venezuelan patron, Havana confirms communications with the US but says no formal negotiations yet.

2 minutes ago

North Korea

North Korean ex-envoy on Kim Jong-un’s ‘decapitation’ fears after Maduro’s fall

28 Jan 2026 - 1:26PMvideocam

United States

Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

23 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

First batch of rice arrives in Cuba under new Chinese programme while the island reels from abrupt halt in Venezuelan oil shipments.

21 Jan 2026 - 6:19PMvideocam

Workers in Havana, Cuba stack donated rice that arrived from China on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Vladimir Putin

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:48PM

US immigration

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related issues’.

14 Jan 2026 - 2:05PM

Mexico

Sheinbaum tells Trump US military intervention in Mexico ‘unnecessary’

Mexico’s president said she rejected Trump’s offer of sending the US military after the cartels in her country.

13 Jan 2026 - 8:49AM

US military personnel observe the border area of the United States and Mexico. Photo: Reuters

US-Venezuela conflict

Cuba’s president denies being in talks with US after Trump threats

Havana rejects ‘make a deal’ ultimatum as Trump vows to cut off Venezuelan oil and money to the communist-run island.

13 Jan 2026 - 10:40AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

13 Jan 2026 - 1:31AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Cuba defiant after Trump threat to cut off ‘oil and money’ lifeline

Cuban president says island is prepared to ‘defend homeland to last drop of blood’ as Trump ramps up pressure after action in Venezuela.

12 Jan 2026 - 4:26PMvideocam

Cubans rally in Havana on January 3 in solidarity with Venezuela after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of the country. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Opinion | How Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is escalating US-China rivalry

Maduro’s capture not only challenges China’s influence in Latin America but also signals a bolder US security posture that could reshuffle great-power competition.

11 Jan 2026 - 9:25PMvideocam

Protests around the world

Opinion | From memes to the streets: Gen Z’s fight back against corruption

Youth-led movements are too often treated as fleeting emotional outbursts, even though they express structured political demands.

10 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

US-Venezuela conflict

How far is China willing to help Cuba in face of increasing US pressure?

The Trump administration has turned the spotlight onto Havana after the abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

10 Jan 2026 - 3:33PMvideocam

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

9 Jan 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Why China may want to avoid direct confrontation with US after Venezuela raid

Beijing may look to strengthen ties with Latin American countries, but is expected to take a cautious approach.

7 Jan 2026 - 8:10PMvideocam

China has repeatedly condemned the abduction of Nicolas Maduro. Photo: AP

US-Venezuela conflict

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

7 Jan 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

United States

As I see it | Monroe Doctrine 2.0 portends the end of the US empire

The eerie return of the 19th century foreign policy doctrine indicates a declining empire seeking to consolidate power in its own backyard.

7 Jan 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump team praises US media for keeping its Venezuela raid plan secret

Marco Rubio says a ‘number of media outlets’ held leaks before the US intervention that snatched President Nicolas Maduro.

6 Jan 2026 - 6:16PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump watching the military operation from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Saturday. Photo: @realDonaldTrump via Reuters

US-Venezuela conflict

China, Russia won’t ‘dare test’ US, says Hegseth after Venezuela military op

US Secretary of Defence believes show of ‘absolute deterrence’ sends clear message to their ‘enemies’ and the ‘world is taking notice’.

7 Jan 2026 - 4:52AMvideocam

139

United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

3 Jan 2026 - 11:16PM

China’s military drills

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:02PMvideocam

Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

A Cathay Pacific jet takes off from Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok on November 28, 2024, the day the third runway was inaugurated. Photo: Dickson Lee

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong signs aviation deals with 7 countries to expand global reach

Transport chief Mable Chan says deals reached with mostly Latin American nations, while Airport Authority CEO calls for more investment to manage risks.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:06PM

War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

6 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba starts restoring power to Havana, as millions suffer blackouts

A failed transmission line connecting Havana to Cuba’s largest power plant in Matanzas triggered the morning blackout.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:36PM

A man walks on the street during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, last month. Photo: Reuters

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Vietnam

Asian Angle | The hidden domestic agenda behind Vietnam’s baffling foreign policy

To Lam’s recent pilgrimages to North Korea and Cuba signal ideological loyalty, even as he pushes a hard-nosed reform agenda at home.

29 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

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Cuba

Cuba confirms ‘communications’ with US as Trump moves to block oil

Reeling from blackouts and the loss of its Venezuelan patron, Havana confirms communications with the US but says no formal negotiations yet.

North Korean ex-envoy on Kim Jong-un’s ‘decapitation’ fears after Maduro’s fall

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

First batch of rice arrives in Cuba under new Chinese programme while the island reels from abrupt halt in Venezuelan oil shipments.

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related issues’.

Sheinbaum tells Trump US military intervention in Mexico ‘unnecessary’

Mexico’s president said she rejected Trump’s offer of sending the US military after the cartels in her country.

Cuba’s president denies being in talks with US after Trump threats

Havana rejects ‘make a deal’ ultimatum as Trump vows to cut off Venezuelan oil and money to the communist-run island.

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

Cuba defiant after Trump threat to cut off ‘oil and money’ lifeline

Cuban president says island is prepared to ‘defend homeland to last drop of blood’ as Trump ramps up pressure after action in Venezuela.

Opinion | How Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is escalating US-China rivalry

Maduro’s capture not only challenges China’s influence in Latin America but also signals a bolder US security posture that could reshuffle great-power competition.

Opinion | From memes to the streets: Gen Z’s fight back against corruption

Youth-led movements are too often treated as fleeting emotional outbursts, even though they express structured political demands.

How far is China willing to help Cuba in face of increasing US pressure?

The Trump administration has turned the spotlight onto Havana after the abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

Why China may want to avoid direct confrontation with US after Venezuela raid

Beijing may look to strengthen ties with Latin American countries, but is expected to take a cautious approach.

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

As I see it | Monroe Doctrine 2.0 portends the end of the US empire

The eerie return of the 19th century foreign policy doctrine indicates a declining empire seeking to consolidate power in its own backyard.

Trump team praises US media for keeping its Venezuela raid plan secret

Marco Rubio says a ‘number of media outlets’ held leaks before the US intervention that snatched President Nicolas Maduro.

China, Russia won’t ‘dare test’ US, says Hegseth after Venezuela military op

US Secretary of Defence believes show of ‘absolute deterrence’ sends clear message to their ‘enemies’ and the ‘world is taking notice’.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

Hong Kong signs aviation deals with 7 countries to expand global reach

Transport chief Mable Chan says deals reached with mostly Latin American nations, while Airport Authority CEO calls for more investment to manage risks.

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

Cuba starts restoring power to Havana, as millions suffer blackouts

A failed transmission line connecting Havana to Cuba’s largest power plant in Matanzas triggered the morning blackout.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

Asian Angle | The hidden domestic agenda behind Vietnam’s baffling foreign policy

To Lam’s recent pilgrimages to North Korea and Cuba signal ideological loyalty, even as he pushes a hard-nosed reform agenda at home.

Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts