Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro chairs the meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) Summit, in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec 14, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)
July 1, 2025 — China Daily
CARACAS – The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) on Tuesday strongly condemned the US policy to reinforce economic aggression and blockade against Cuba.
In a statement, the bloc denounced Washington’s decision to reactivate and update Presidential Memorandum No 5 from the Trump administration, which strengthens the US blockade against Cuba.
The decision signals intensified US attempts to enforce regime change and disrupt Cuba’s key sectors, including tourism, healthcare, migration, cultural and academic exchange, and access to technology, said the bloc.
The real intention of the US government is to dominate Cuba and control its future, it said, reiterating its unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and government in defending their sovereignty, freedom and self-determination.
The member states also reiterated their commitment to peace, security, diplomacy, non-interference and the right to self-determination, it added.
ALBA-TCP, comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Venezuela, is an intergovernmental organization that aims for social, political and economic integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Seville, Spain, July 1 (Prensa Latina) Cuba called for an end to unilateral coercive measures that hinder the development of the countries affected, such as “the unjust and illegal United States blockade.”
In her speech before the Plenary of the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ines Maria Chapman referred to the US economic siege of the Caribbean island, which has been imposed for over 60 years, which she stressed that “It is urgent that we promote concrete actions that will put an end to these measures that violate the UN Charter and international law.”
She also emphasized that the Seville meetings are facing an extremely complex global context, marked by wars and threats of war, with international law and multilateralism under threat, along with questions about the usefulness of the United Nations.
“(…) a profoundly unjust, undemocratic, and exclusionary international order prevails, favoring the wealthy, and where we are told, without hesitation, that Official Development Assistance will continue to decline to finance the arms industry,” Chapman stated.
She also questioned the fact that banks are rescued in hours, but “the minimal commitments we made when approving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will not be met due to lack of financing.”
Furthermore, the Cuban Deputy Prime Minister addressed the poor or nonexistent support for causes such as that of the Palestinian people, victims of the Israeli genocide, and the Haitian people, who continue to wait for resources and cooperation for their development, as well as serious threats to international peace and security, whose latest example is the attack by Israel and the United States against Iran, “which we strongly condemn.”
Havana, July 1 (Prensa Latina) Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel described his meeting with the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, at the Palace of the Revolution as pleasant.
The head of state emphasized on X that, during the talk held the day before, the excellent state of bilateral relations was discussed, precisely in the year that marks the 65th anniversary of their reestablishment.
The president conveyed the affection of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Raul Castro, to the visitor and sent greetings to his Russian counterpart, with whom he recently spoke.
Diaz-Canel also thanked Russia for its unconditional support in the fight against the US blockade and for achieving Cuba’s removal from the unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Havana, July 1 (Prensa Latina) Cuba today rejected the Presidential Memorandum on National Security issued by the United States government, which, by reissuing a similar one from 2017, tightens the economic siege and causes greater hardships for its people.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) specifies that the anti-Cuban document released by the U.S. government on June 30, 2025, reissues and amends a similar one issued on June 16, 2017, at the start of Donald Trump’s first term.
Cuba categorically denounces and rejects both versions of the infamous document, the statement said, warning of U.S. intentions to take over the country and dictate its destiny, in accordance with the provisions of the Helms-Burton Act of 1996.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserts that since 2017, the U.S. government has begun implementing measures to further strengthen the economic blockade, taking it to a qualitatively more damaging level.
The note points out that these measures have been maintained over the past eight years and explain the current shortcomings and challenges facing the Cuban economy in its recovery, growth, and development.
He adds that the original 2017 Memorandum was the political platform that promoted, among other measures, the near-absolute ban on U.S. travel to Cuba; it led to the persecution of fuel supplies and the obstruction of remittances.
That memorandum also justified measures against third-country governments for relying on Cuban medical services to serve their respective populations, the Foreign Ministry asserts.
It also led to pressure on commercial and financial entities around the world to prevent their relations with Cuba, which included lawsuits in U.S. courts against the island’s investors. It also ordered the slanderous inclusion of the island on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement asserts that “U.S. leaders and politicians have the audacity to declare that they are acting in this way for the good of the Cuban people,” using terms “such as democracy, human rights, and religious freedom” that “are concepts incompatible with the historically abusive and transgressive conduct of the U.S. government.”
The Foreign Ministry concluded by stating that the U.S. government “doesn’t care that Cuba is a peaceful, stable, supportive country with friendly relations with virtually the entire world. The policy it pursues responds to the narrow interests of a corrupt, anti-Cuban clique that has made aggression against its neighbor a way of life and a very lucrative business.”
Cuban doctors arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba, June 8, 2020, after traveling to Italy to help with the COVID-19 emergency response. (Ismael Francisco/Pool via AP, File)
By MATTHEW LEE — Associated Press (AP) — June 30, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has instructed his top Cabinet officers to review U.S. policy toward Cuba, ordering them to examine current sanctions and come up with ways to toughen them within 30 days.
In a memo Monday, Trump said the reviews should focus on Cuba’s treatment of dissidents, its policies directed at dissidents and restricting financial transactions that “disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.”
In one potential significant change, the order said the U.S. should look for ways to shut down all tourism to the island and to restrict educational tours to groups that are organized and run only by American citizens.
The move is not a surprise given that Trump has previously said he plans to rescind the easing of sanctions and other penalties in Cuba that were instituted during the terms of Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In the days before leaving office, Biden had moved to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Trump’s memo “supports the economic embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination,” according to a fact sheet.
In Cuba, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez responded swiftly to the document.
“The Presidential Memorandum vs #Cuba released today by the US government strengthens the aggression & economic blockade that punishes the whole Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development,” he wrote on X. “It’s a criminal behavior that violates the #HumanRights of an entire nation.”
The administration also has announced visa restrictions on Cuban and foreign government officials involved in Cuba’s medical missions, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called “forced labor.”
In an interview with The Associated Press this month, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused the United States of trying to discredit the medical missions and criticized reversal of policy welcoming Cubans to the U.S.
Rubio, whose family left Cuba in the 1950s before the communist revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power, has long been a proponent of sanctions on the communist island.
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AP writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report.
Havana, June 30 (Prensa Latina) Poetry and visual arts converge in the pages of the book Lágrimas de aire (Tears of Air), by the distinguished poet Nancy Morejón, whose literary magic reaches greater splendor thanks to the work of another essential creator: Roberto Diago.
From the Manuel Galich Room at Havana’s Casa de las Américas, an extraordinary moment was experienced that not only demonstrated the greatness of both artists, but also art’s capacity to summon sensitivity, both in the face of beauty and in the face of that which tarnishes all expressions of freedom and life.
“It’s a victory, an event, that a small art book exists with poems by two artists who, although we are from different generations, go through the same pain,” said the 2001 National Literature Prize winner in an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina.
In his opinion, at a time of so much confusion, genocide, hatred, aggression, and calls for war, “it’s important that we’ve been able to get this far; it’s a privilege to be alive and enjoy this moment.”
Referring to the Abril Publishing House as a platform for the publication of this poetry collection, he said: “Providing us with this space means a lot and is a turning point in the concept of your catalog.”
The distinguished author deeply thanked the publisher for its work, art critic Carina Pino for the book presentation, and Yaima González, Roberto Diago’s promoter, who significantly contributed to the dialogue between the two creators and the Abril Publishing House.
Furthermore, he considered it a pride and a blessing to be part of the publishing team, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this Tuesday, July 1st.
Near the end, the institution’s vice president, Jaime Gómez Triana, praised Abril’s work and the publications that highlight the literature and authors of Cuba and Latin America.
For his part, the president of Casa de las Américas, Abel Prieto, took the opportunity to recognize the editor and warn against this new wave of fascism, “which demonstrates intolerance, extremism, and violence.”
These are things that are hard to digest; it’s a terrible moment in world history, the prestigious Cuban intellectual emphasized.
In the current context, “I believe that Cuba must increasingly become a haven of utopias, of love of life, and of respect for others.”
Likewise, he attached great importance to the book’s presentation, as it coincided with the publisher’s 45th anniversary celebrations.
The music of the Cromas Quartet was the final delight of the meeting, as unmissable as the work of its protagonists.
Mexico City, June 30 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García stated today in Mexico City that his country is committed to Mexico once again becoming one of the main sources of visitors to Cuba.
“Cuba is committed to Mexico becoming what it has always been: one of its main sources of tourism to Cuba. It is committed to this, it will work tirelessly toward it, and we are confident that Mexico will once again occupy the positions it has always held,” he told reporters.
“Together with the Mexican government,” he added, “we could have a lot of help with promotion and advertising. We could also do many things together to sell attributes of both countries as part of a service.”
In a meeting with tour operators and agencies to present the potential of the so-called smokeless industry, the president spoke to the media about the difficult situation facing the sector in his country.
“Tourism is currently going through a very difficult situation, which is multifactorial, but what we have done is analyze the causes, both objective and subjective, and we have outlined strategies and actions to resolve them,” he noted.
He emphasized the importance of returning to the nation’s traditional markets, described Latin America as extremely important for recovering that tourism, and highlighted the commitment to Mexico, but also to other countries such as Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.
“We’re very close. We believe we need to improve communication much more, including what we do, how we are doing today, what we can offer, what quality we can offer it with, and the full range of Cuban tourism,” he said.
In this regard, he emphasized that in addition to its beautiful beaches, Cuba has culture, nature, and great potential for the development of medical tourism.
He also mentioned the effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the island. In response, an assessment is being made of the situation, and no one is “crying in a corner,” but rather trying to achieve new goals in this very adverse environment.
During the meeting at Mexico City’s Barceló Reforma Hotel, Mexico City’s Secretary of Tourism, Alejandra Frausto, highlighted the relationship with Cuba and asserted that these cultural bridges of friendship, solidarity, affection, and shared aspirations must flourish in tourism.
Havana, June 30 (Prensa Latina) Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced today that the Presidential Memorandum signed by Donald Trump reinforces the policy of aggression and tightens the economic blockade against Cuba, with detrimental effects on the entire population and its development.
In his X account, the Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote that “The Presidential Memorandum against #Cuba released today by the US government reinforces the aggression and economic blockade that punishes the entire Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development. It is criminal conduct and violates the #HumanRights of an entire nation,” he stressed.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum today that strengthens his administration’s hardline policy toward Cuba and reverses measures implemented by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
The directive, released in a statement by the White House, will implement a legal ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba, while supporting (and reinforcing) the economic, commercial, and financial embargo against the Caribbean nation.
The presidential memorandum emphasizes that it “reestablishes and strengthens the strong Cuba policy implemented during his first term” and that it will ensure compliance “through periodic audits and mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related transactions for at least five years.”
It also specifies that it opposes requests at the United Nations and other international forums demanding the lifting of this hostile policy.
With this memorandum, the Republican president renewed the ban on any direct or indirect financial transactions with Cuban entities such as the Business Administration Group SA (GAESA) and its subsidiaries.
Panama City, June 29 (Prensa Latina) Panamanians and Cubans reached the top of Ancón Hill in this capital today to condemn the U.S. blockade imposed on the island for more than six decades, but destined to fail, they said.
In a symbolic and emotional event organized by the Cuban embassy on the isthmus, and after climbing the 199-meter-high hill from which the Central American nation’s largest flag flies, members of the state mission, Cuban residents, and solidarity groups demanded an end to the hostile policy.
On behalf of the participants, diplomatic official Yuniarque Canto noted that the harshness of the siege has not prevented the Revolution, which triumphed in 1959, from protecting the health and quality of life of the population, especially the most vulnerable.
As he explained, one expression of this cruel economic war can be seen in the obstacles they must overcome to acquire medical supplies and equipment and to provide care for people’s health, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canto emphasized the spirit of resistance that has characterized the Caribbean nation and that emerges as a greater human shield against the most brutal and prolonged siege the world has ever known.
Among the participants in the walk, members of the Martí Association of Cubans Residing in Panama highlighted that a similar commitment to their homeland was evident at the recent VII Meeting of Cubans Residing in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in the Dominican Republic between the 13th and 15th of this month.
According to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, this criminal measure constitutes the most ruthless, comprehensive, and prolonged economic warfare policy ever imposed on any country.
He also stated that as a result of the blockade, Cuba suffered losses of $5.568 billion from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, representing an increase of nearly $200 million compared to the previous report submitted to the United Nations.
The estimated impact is more than $421 million per month, or $13.8 million per day, and he noted that over 60 years, these impacts have risen to $1 trillion 499 billion.
For the island’s top diplomat, Havana’s arbitrary inclusion on the State Department’s list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism deepens the difficulties and significantly affects Cuban families.
Rome, June 29 (Prensa Latina) The 4th Festival of the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (ANAIC) concludes today in the city of Cava dei Tirreni, in the southern province of Salerno, after three days of solidarity activities with that country.
This Sunday’s program will be dedicated to the Cuban medical brigade providing aid to the people of the Calabria region, and will feature members of the medical team working in that southern Italian region, who will share their experiences, according to a statement.
As a special guest at this celebration, Gerardo Hernández, a Hero of the Republic of Cuba, arrived in Italy on June 23rd at the invitation of Anaic (National Institute of Statistics and Census), to participate in a broad program in several cities across the country, which will run until July 9th.
The national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, a deputy, and a member of his country’s Council of State, will also be present at the Third International Meeting “Europe for Cuba,” to be held early next month in the northern city of Venice.
The Anaic festival began on June 27 at the Convent of San Francisco and San Antonio in Salerno, with a conference on Santería, between Catholicism and resistance, given by Cuban residents in Italy, Ulises Mora and Irma Castillo, promoters of the Timbalaye cultural project.
During the initial session, coordinated by Loredana Marino, representatives from Anaic, anthropologist Laura Marchetti, and Luigi de Magistris, former European Parliamentarian and former mayor of Naples, spoke.
Last Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. local time, an Anti-Fascist Roundtable was held, in which the writer Sonia Zanotti, the jurist Mirelle Fanon, the Cuban sociologist Indira Pineda, the Venezuelan consul Esquia Rubín, as well as the filmmaker Loredana Macchietti, president of the Gianni Miná Foundation, took part.
This was followed by a panel chaired by Marco Papacci, president of Anaic, on the topic of Cuba: The Island in Defense of Humanity in the Trump Era. Speakers included Cuban ambassadors to Italy Mirta Granda and Gerardo Hernández, as well as journalists Annalisa Capaldo, Erminia Pellecchia, and Giorgia Bozzetto.
In their interventions, the panelists addressed the current situation in the Caribbean country and its people’s struggle to defend their Revolution amid growing U.S. aggression, including a criminal economic blockade, aggravated by Cuba’s unjust inclusion on a list of alleged sponsors of terrorism.
Today, in addition to the session dedicated to the charitable work of Cuban doctors in Calabrian hospitals, there will be a debate, coordinated by the former president of Anaic, Irma Dioli, on the topic of Peace Beyond Wars.
The jurist Michela Arpicale will speak, along with Franco Dinelli, director of the Pax Christi Study Center, journalist Matteo Cosenza, and Italian diplomat Elena Basile.
