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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

South Park character cut-outs are seen at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025. Photo: TNS

Donald Trump

South Park creators ‘rename’ show to ‘South America’ in jab at Trump

The US president has a penchant for renaming things, including a recent suggestion to call New Mexico ‘New America’ instead.

10 Sep 2026 - 5:34AM

United States

As I see it | The US’ dangerous reversion to imperialism in Latin America

4 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

US-China relations

China demands rights guarantee as US firm secures 100-year Venezuelan oil deal

1 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

China-Latin America relations

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

Rescue teams work at the site of the Limonar Tower, which collapsed during an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, in August. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

US targets China’s telecoms grip in Venezuela with new sanctions carve-out

Move could test Huawei and ZTE’s long-standing foothold as Washington extends its China reach from oil to another strategic sector.

25 Aug 2026 - 6:17AMvideocam

US-China relations

DJI Pentagon battle, ‘Chinese Schindler’: 7 US-China relations reads

From a Chinese AI surprise to US defence bill, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of August 2026.

17 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Rodriguez’s Castro tribute tests Venezuela’s balancing act between US and China

Beijing retains commercial interests in Venezuela even as analysts see Washington curbing its political and strategic influence.

17 Aug 2026 - 10:33PMvideocam

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s tribute to late Cuban leader Fidel Castro drew an angry response from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Beijing official hails China and Cuba as ‘good brothers’ in show of solidarity

Liu Haixing, who heads party’s international department, says ties are at ‘unprecedented new height’ during talks with counterpart in Havana.

10 Aug 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

Measures target officials and firms accused of obtaining military equipment from China and Russia for Cuba’s armed forces.

7 Aug 2026 - 10:17PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026.

4 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

The Havana Capitol is seen reflected in a puddle on July 11. Photo: AFP

US-Cuba relations

Cuba plunged into darkness again as power grid collapses

Total failure leaves millions without electricity amid severe fuel shortages, ageing infrastructure and US sanctions.

3 Aug 2026 - 1:43PM

Havana during a nationwide power outage on July 10. Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, following three other nationwide blackouts in July. Photo: AFP

US-Cuba relations

Cuba says nearly three-quarters of hotels have shut as travel plunges

Havana details scale of industry collapse for the first time amid severe economic crisis and energy blockade.

30 Jul 2026 - 1:49PM

Donald Trump

Raul Castro absent as Cuba marks revolutionary anniversary

For the first time in over 30 years, the 95-year-old ex-president skips the July 26 rally.

27 Jul 2026 - 11:34AM

China-Latin America relations

US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity

State Department report alleges Beijing and Moscow regard Cuba-based facilities as among their ‘most critical foreign listening posts’.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:09PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has backed a new report released on Monday that said China maintains a “persistent intelligence-gathering presence” in Cuba. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

19 Jul 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, artist and opponent of the Cuban regime, speaks to members of the press upon his arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Trump’s fiery speech accuses China of US election interference – as it happened

Trump’s speech focused on Chinese interference in domestic politics, called out local TV networks and mentioned Iran war once.

17 Jul 2026 - 12:06PMvideocam

United States

US to focus counterterrorism efforts on left-wing groups, Rubio says

Critics, however, fear that ‌designating groups as far-left terror organisations risks targeting lawful protests and political opponents.

17 Jul 2026 - 6:42AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

How overlapping US and China sanctions are complicating business in Africa

Compliance inquiries surge as broad range of industries at risk, spanning mining, banking, telecoms, technology, energy and infrastructure.

11 Jul 2026 - 3:36PMvideocam

African banking is one of the sectors affected. Photo: Reuters

United Nations

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

8 Jul 2026 - 9:39AM

US-Cuba relations

More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba’s president slams Washington’s ‘strangulation’ of communist island as grid collapse leaves 9.6 million without power.

7 Jul 2026 - 1:07PM

China-Latin America relations

Aid for Venezuela, China-Colombia ties: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s move towards Beijing to Lula’s beef deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in June 2026.

2 Jul 2026 - 10:30PM

Venezuela

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and other governments that suspended relations with the country offer rescue teams and humanitarian aid.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:52PMvideocam

Neighbours carry a man from the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira, Venezuela. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:47AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico seeks to restart oil shipments to energy-starved Cuba

President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to resume critical fuel deliveries using commercial firms that have permits.

23 Jun 2026 - 11:18AM

Obituaries

Ramiro Valdes, key figure of Cuban revolution and Castro ally, dead at 94

The architect of Cuba’s state security apparatus and former vice-president was one of the final veterans of the 1956 rebel uprising.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:59AM

Ramiro Valdes in Havana in 2024. Photo: Reuters

Vietnam

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

20 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Vietnam’s To Lam (left) and Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel review a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi on September 1, 2025. Photo: AFP

Africa

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:13PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 3:24PM

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Cuba

South Park creators ‘rename’ show to ‘South America’ in jab at Trump

The US president has a penchant for renaming things, including a recent suggestion to call New Mexico ‘New America’ instead.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | The US’ dangerous reversion to imperialism in Latin America

China demands rights guarantee as US firm secures 100-year Venezuelan oil deal

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

US targets China’s telecoms grip in Venezuela with new sanctions carve-out

Move could test Huawei and ZTE’s long-standing foothold as Washington extends its China reach from oil to another strategic sector.

DJI Pentagon battle, ‘Chinese Schindler’: 7 US-China relations reads

From a Chinese AI surprise to US defence bill, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of August 2026.

Rodriguez’s Castro tribute tests Venezuela’s balancing act between US and China

Beijing retains commercial interests in Venezuela even as analysts see Washington curbing its political and strategic influence.

Beijing official hails China and Cuba as ‘good brothers’ in show of solidarity

Liu Haixing, who heads party’s international department, says ties are at ‘unprecedented new height’ during talks with counterpart in Havana.

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

Measures target officials and firms accused of obtaining military equipment from China and Russia for Cuba’s armed forces.

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026.

Cuba plunged into darkness again as power grid collapses

Total failure leaves millions without electricity amid severe fuel shortages, ageing infrastructure and US sanctions.

Cuba says nearly three-quarters of hotels have shut as travel plunges

Havana details scale of industry collapse for the first time amid severe economic crisis and energy blockade.

Raul Castro absent as Cuba marks revolutionary anniversary

For the first time in over 30 years, the 95-year-old ex-president skips the July 26 rally.

US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity

State Department report alleges Beijing and Moscow regard Cuba-based facilities as among their ‘most critical foreign listening posts’.

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

Trump’s fiery speech accuses China of US election interference – as it happened

Trump’s speech focused on Chinese interference in domestic politics, called out local TV networks and mentioned Iran war once.

US to focus counterterrorism efforts on left-wing groups, Rubio says

Critics, however, fear that ‌designating groups as far-left terror organisations risks targeting lawful protests and political opponents.

How overlapping US and China sanctions are complicating business in Africa

Compliance inquiries surge as broad range of industries at risk, spanning mining, banking, telecoms, technology, energy and infrastructure.

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba’s president slams Washington’s ‘strangulation’ of communist island as grid collapse leaves 9.6 million without power.

Aid for Venezuela, China-Colombia ties: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s move towards Beijing to Lula’s beef deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in June 2026.

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and other governments that suspended relations with the country offer rescue teams and humanitarian aid.

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

Mexico seeks to restart oil shipments to energy-starved Cuba

President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to resume critical fuel deliveries using commercial firms that have permits.

Ramiro Valdes, key figure of Cuban revolution and Castro ally, dead at 94

The architect of Cuba’s state security apparatus and former vice-president was one of the final veterans of the 1956 rebel uprising.

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

As I see it | The US’ dangerous reversion to imperialism in Latin America