Havana, May 17 (Prensa Latina) President Miguel Díaz-Canel today congratulated those who have been organizing rallies against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Cuba for 18 years.
On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the president stated on the social network X that this fight is part of the ideals of equity and justice of socialism in this Caribbean nation.
Congratulations to those who have organized the Conference for 18 years to educate and overcome prejudices and stereotypes. Love is now the law. Let’s always make it triumph, he noted.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also reiterated on that platform the Cuban State’s position of rejecting all forms of discrimination.
Since 1990, May 17 has been celebrated as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia to raise awareness and combat these attitudes.
Recent years have seen significant progress in the rights and equality of this group at the international level, particularly with the United Nations’ launch this year of the largest declaration against discrimination on this ground.
Washington, May 16 (Prensa Latina) The U.S. Supreme Court today blocked President Donald Trump’s plans by rejecting his decision to move forward with the deportation of a group of immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
The decision, a setback for Trump, sided with some 200 Venezuelan immigrants held at a Texas detention center, who were facing deportation if the sweeping powers of the archaic wartime law were invoked.
The justices returned the case to an appeals court to decide the underlying questions, including whether the president’s action is legal and how much advance notice migrants who would be affected by the measure should have.
Trump—who has other challenges to his executive orders in other courts across the country—wants to use this law to expedite deportations and avoid the reviews normally required before any such procedure.
Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito publicly dissented.
There is a precedent. On March 15, the Trump administration—despite the opposition of a federal judge—sent more than 250 migrants to a mega-prison in El Salvador, most of them Venezuelans whom the United States, without providing evidence, associates with the Tren de Aragua criminal organization (gang).
Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to transfer these migrants to the Terrorist Confinement Center in the Central American nation.
May 16 (Cuba Si) Cuba achieved a solid performance of three titles out of a possible four, and a silver medal, in the first stop of the World Series of beach wrestling, held in Monterrey, Mexico.
This event was the historic debut of the Island in this dynamic modality, in which it presented a quartet of the eight gladiators who had participated in the Pan American Wrestling Championship 2025 held in the same Mexican city.
In the final, Yaynelis Sanz (60 kg), gold medalist in the Junior Pan American Games of Cali-Valley 2021, defeated Argentina’s Adrianny Castillo 3-0, similar to the score of her previous four victories.
Havana’s Olympic bronze medalist Milaimis Marín (+70 kg), who beat Linda Machuca from Guanajuato, 3-0, also won gold.
Geannis Garzon Jr. from Santiago (80 kg) also climbed to the top of the podium, beating Georgian Nika Kontadchadze 3-1.
World champion Oscar Pino (HAB, +90 kg), who lost 0-3 in the final against Georgian Mamuka Kordzaia, will return with silver.
The final score of the four Cubans in this first stop of the World Series was 18 wins and only one loss, with 53 points scored and six against.
It is worth highlighting the performance of Yaynelis Sanz, who in one month has won the qualifying tournament for the Junior Pan American Games of Asuncion 2025 as well as the competitions held in Monterrey: the Pan American Championship for seniors and this beach event.
Meadows’ upcoming project will lead her towards the development of her second book, which explores the intersection of gender, tradition and transformation within Cuba’s evolving jazz landscape
May 16, 2025 —- Nevada Today – University of Nevada, Reno Marina Bucini, ’23
Ruthie Meadows, ethnomusicologist, writer and associate professor of ethnomusicology within the College of Liberal Arts, has been named as one of the two 2025-2026 Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Presidential Fellow’s at the University of Miami’s Cuban Heritage Collection. This prestigious fellowship will support Meadows’ continued research into the overlooked contributions of Cuban women in jazz, culminating in her second book – an exploration of gender, tradition and transformation within Cuba’s evolving jazz landscape.
Meadows’ interest in Cuban jazz began during her undergraduate journey in Latin American studies and Spanish at Tulane University. During that time, she developed a deep appreciation for the Latin jazz band, Los Hombres Calientes, who were very popular in New Orleans. In addition to that, a Tulane course on Cuban culture and increasing interest in New Orleans’ historical ties to the island helped spark her passion for Cuban music.
This same passion for music continued to drive her academic endeavors, guiding her to pursue graduate studies in ethnomusicology at the University of Pennsylvania.
It was during her time at Penn that Meadows first traveled to Cuba, leading a study abroad program and beginning her on-site research into Cuban ritual music and jazz. Her focus quickly turned to the stories and struggles of women musicians, figures too often overlooked or marginalized within both Cuban and international jazz circles.
Meadows’ first book, the result of four years living and researching in Cuba, centered on Ifá divination, a form of Yoruba roots that developed during the transatlantic slave trade in Cuba. Her work illuminated how music, ritual and gender intersect within Cuban culture.
Now, with support from the Goizueta Fellowship, Meadows will take a year away from teaching to conduct archival research on Cuban women in jazz at the Cuban Heritage Collection, home to the largest U.S.-based archive of Cuban cultural materials. Additionally, she will conduct ethnographic fieldwork with Cuban women jazz musicians both on the island and in the United States.
This project will explore gender discrimination in Cuban and U.S. music industries as well as in academic and popular understandings of jazz. Meadows’ second book will also examine how Cuban women have incorporated Santería: an Afro-Cuban religion, into jazz, particularly through their use of the batá drums, sacred instruments central to ritual practice and rhythmic innovation in Cuban women’s jazz and fusion.
Throughout her research, Meadows is inspired and continuously supported by a growing network of women Cuban jazz artists, including Daymé Arocena, whose work has been featured in Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Groups like Okán, a Miami-based Afro-Cuban jazz duo, have also provided crucial insights and connections.
“Cuba is essential to the history of jazz,” Meadows said. “But Cuban women’s contributions remain underrepresented in popular and academic conceptions of the genre. This fellowship aims to center the contributions of Cuban women to island-based and U.S. American jazz histories, contributing to a women-inclusive jazz historiography both in Cuba and the United States.”
In addition to her work in Cuba and Miami, Meadows will conduct fieldwork in New Orleans, a city with deep ties to Cuban music and jazz history. Her second book aims to shine a light on the lineage of women artists who have shaped and expanded the boundaries of jazz across the Americas.
Meadows is embracing this next chapter of her career with gratitude and excitement, sharing how thrilled she is for the opportunity and eager to delve deeper into these powerful stories.
Havana, May 15 (Prensa Latina) Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with the Palestinian people today, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe), one of the most tragic episodes experienced by the Arab nation.
Photos: Abel Rojas Barallobre, Prensa Latina
Through the social network X, the head of state reiterated his denunciation of the genocide perpetrated by Israel and assured that the Caribbean nation will not forget the Palestinian people “under the shrapnel of extermination.”
“77 years after the Nakba, a catastrophe that marked this lineage that endures despite death, we continue to uphold the dignity of those who refuse to give in, and tirelessly denounce Israel’s genocidaires,” the platform emphasized.
On the occasion of the anniversary, this Thursday the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) denounced that the Nakba is not a thing of the past, but rather an ongoing process of colonization, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing that continues to tear Palestine apart.
At an event held at its headquarters, ICAP’s first vice president, Noemí Rabaza, emphasized that Cuba, true to its anti-imperialist tradition and commitment to justice, is once again raising its voice to denounce this genocide.
“The Cuban Revolution has witnessed the complicity of the powerful: the same people who blockade Cuba are the ones who arm and protect the Zionist regime,” he emphasized.
According to the Cuban News Agency, Rabaza condemned the frequent acts of violence against the Palestinian civilian population, including bombings, burning of displaced persons and refugee camps, and brutal attacks on hospitals and ambulances.
“We demand a ceasefire and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, the release of all prisoners, and an end to the occupation and genocide,” he said.
For his part, Palestinian student Mohammed Dalloul expressed his gratitude for the solidarity and affirmed that Cuba understands the struggle of its people like few other nations, as it is the victim of a genocidal blockade.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (1st R) visits the China Pavilion at the 43rd International Tourism Fair of Cuba (FITCuba 2025) in Havana, Cuba, on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (1st R) visits the China Pavilion at the 43rd International Tourism Fair of Cuba (FITCuba 2025) in Havana, Cuba, on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
Rigoberto DIAZ AFP – May 15, 2025 — Indiana Gazette
Cuba’s sole producer of cigarillos cannot keep up with exploding demand abroad for the smaller, cheaper, machine-rolled version of the island nation’s much more famous hand-crafted cigars.
Working at full capacity, the Internacional Cubana de Tabacos S.A. (ICT) factory produces 800,000 cigarillos a day. It is not enough.
Exports have increased tenfold in two decades — and that’s despite stricter smoking laws worldwide, and not being able to sell into the US market due to its decades-long embargo.
Havana, May 14 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez today congratulated Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on her appointment to the position and expressed his willingness to strengthen bilateral ties.
In his account on X, the highest representative of Cuban diplomacy also noted that “in the context of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and #Cuba, we reiterate our willingness to continue strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation between both countries.”
According to press reports, several women hold positions in the cabinet of newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was introduced on May 13. Of the 28 appointed ministers, 14 are women. Of the 11 secretaries of state, four are female.
The ties between Cuba and Canada have been consolidated based on friendship, dialogue, and mutual respect, creating an environment of trust and collaboration over eight decades of uninterrupted diplomatic relations, the Cuban Foreign Ministry reports on its website.
Havana, May 14 (Prensa Latina) The Cuban Foreign Ministry stated today that the United States government is once again discrediting itself by unfairly including the island on the list of countries that “do not fully cooperate with its anti-terrorist efforts.”
In a statement, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) denounced that the U.S. State Department is once again turning the fight against international terrorism into a unilateral political exercise against countries that do not comply with its hegemonic interests.
The text recalls that, a year ago, the Biden administration removed Cuba from the same list, recognizing the value of bilateral cooperation in law enforcement, which includes jointly combating terrorism.
“Nothing has changed since then in Cuba’s exemplary performance in this area,” the Foreign Ministry stated, noting that the new designation seeks to impose the narrative that the Caribbean country constitutes a threat to Washington.
The statement also stated that the island’s inclusion on the list responds to the intentions of the Donald Trump administration and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to derail bilateral relations and push the two countries into confrontational situations.
The Foreign Ministry revealed that Washington presented no evidence to support the list’s content and had no qualms about circumventing and reversing “just hours after taking office” the consultation process among specialized agencies that led to Cuba’s exclusion from the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.
In the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the lists are instruments designed to serve the policy of “maximum pressure” and economic warfare.
He also reaffirmed that Cuba’s commitment to “strong action and condemnation of terrorism is absolute and unwavering,” while, he noted, the U.S. government tolerates or is complicit in this scourge.
As an example, the Foreign Ministry mentioned that confessed terrorists such as Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch Ávila lived peacefully in Miami, protected by the United States.
He emphasized that the Cuban government is still awaiting responses to its request for information on the identity of the perpetrator of the terrorist attack against the Cuban Embassy in September 2023.
“Our country has never participated in the organization, financing, or execution of terrorist acts against any country, nor has its territory been used nor will it be used for such purposes,” the statement confirmed.
Ever wonder what it’s like to visit a city some say is frozen in time? Ever imagine smelling the rich aroma of Caribbean cuisine, cruising down city streets in a classic car, strolling by turquoise waters, or delving into the vibrant history of a beautiful island? That’s exactly what several Marquette students recently experienced in Cuba.
May 14, 2025 — Marquette University
Since 1963, the United States has imposed on-and-off sanctions that restrict tourism to Cuba, allowing only a small number of Americans to visit. Ryan Bendoff, an undergraduate political science and international affairs student, was one of twelve Marquette students who got to enjoy the sights, culture, and history of Cuba through the course HISTI 4931: Cuba: Historical & Contemporary Developments.
Bendoff, eager to learn more about different global governments and economies, leapt at the chance to visit Cuba. To share his Marquette-sponsored learning and travel story, Bendoff recently helped compile a list of the four most important things to do while in Cuba.
One: Experience the History
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The trip to Cuba was led by Dr. Michael Donoghue, associate professor of history. Guest lecturers such as the tour guide, Luis, gave first-hand accounts on the legacy of Cuba’s history. According to Bendoff, these lectures offered students glimpses into the entire history of Cuba, giving an appreciation for the nuanced position Cuba sits in today. Each lecture was accompanied daily by cultural experiences and landmarks, such as the firing of the 9 o’clock Cannon at the San Carlos de La Cabana Fortress — an event that’s happened every night for the past 350 years.For the 13-day trip, students had plenty of opportunities to explore Cuba’s historical gems. Havana, often described as a city frozen in time, preserves Cuba’s history with buildings dating from the colonial era to the 1920s. Fountains, plazas and the bustling markets of Old Havana serve as reminders of Cuba’s long past. With travel restrictions in place, first-hand experience of Cuba’s history is a once in a lifetime opportunity.Cuba has been a communist country for over 70 years, but Marquette students learned that a growing market is developing in the country. Guest lectures from Cuban business leaders, including Oscar Fernandez Estrada, CEO of Deshidratados Habana, bring new perspective to Cuba’s economic expansion. Bendoff emphasizes that many students were surprised to hear Estrada explain that the ”Cuban economy is limited by supply, not demand,” contrasting their understanding of American economics. All the students in the program were able to witness how business works in a unique emerging Cuban economy.
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Two: See the Sights
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Cuba’s vivid culture has been shaped by its dramatic history — including the communist revolution, led by Fidel Castro. Bendoff and the other students saw firsthand the legacy of communism in the island’s physical and institutional architecture. Pictured here is the Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square), a notable site where radicals such as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara held political rallies during the Cuban Revolution. Bendoff comments that walking on the same streets that communist leaders once walked brings a certain reality to the political history of Cuba — one he would have never thought he would experience. Cuba remains a communist state today with most political opposition forbidden.One of Bendoff’s most iconic experiences was riding through the streets of Old Havana in some of Cuba’s classic cars. Bendoff explains that the endurance of such old cars comes from trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. since the early 1960s. In addition to the classic cars, students biked and hiked through Havana and the rolling Cuban hillsides.Beyond the bustling city life, Cuba is famous for its beaches. While Playa Giron may be better known for the Bay of Pigs Invasion, today it is a serene spot for relaxation — although the Bay of Pigs Museum is just a mile away. On top of interacting with the history of these landmarks, students explored beautiful geography, such as the cave structures at the Caleta Buena beach outside of Trinidad.
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Three: Bask in the Culture
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For Bendoff, one of the trip’s highlights was experiencing Cuba’s lively music scene. Primeria Linea, a salsa band, performed at night on the rooftop of a hotel. The energetic band was made up mostly of teenage students. To match the energy of the band, Marquette students showed off their dance moves from salsa lessons they took on the trip. The fun night had everyone dancing, chanting, and singing along!Cuba’s art scene left a lasting impression on Bendoff. Pictured here are some of the local print artworks that Marquette students participated in making. Graffiti and folk art make up a lot of the publicly seen artwork of Cuban cities. In the markets, plenty of decorative jewelry, clothing and carved statues are created by Cuban artisans.While several days of the trip involved staying in hotels in Havana, the students experienced staying in Casa Particulares, a ”Cuban version of an Airbnb.” As host families opened their homes, Marquette students gained firsthand experience of what Cuban culture and homelife is like. Bendoff is grateful for his host family’s generosity and delicious meals.
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Four: Appreciate Day-to-Day Life
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Living conditions in Cuba differ greatly from those on Marquette’s campus. Power outages, food shortages and job scarcities make life hard, and the island has also suffered damage from hurricanes. ”Although life is difficult for most Cubans, everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly,” reflects Bendoff. This one-of-a-kind travel to Cuba offers visitors a chance to learn how Cuban citizens appreciate life: with food, music, hard work and hospitality.The food in Cuba is like no other, full of fresh fruit and farm grown vegetables. Cuban tobacco, one of the country’s biggest agricultural products, is grown on rich red soil, like this field in Viñales. Bendoff points out that Cuban people are incredibly accommodating to anyone’s dietary practices or restrictions during meals. Both restaurants and the Casa Particulares had amazing meals.One of Bendoff’s favorite foods was guava fruit. Bendoff says that the produce was much fresher and more flavorful than its American counterparts — especially for the tomatoes and guava fruit. Cuban farmers typically use a holistic approach to create as little waste as possible while working with limited resources. One entrepreneur even found ways to make seed oils and dried fruits out of the produce that was not market ready. Seeing Cuba’s flourishing economy and agricultural expertise first-hand changed the perspective of many Marquette students, gaining a more global sense of international industry.
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Through his Cuban experience, Bendoff says that his perspective on the world has expanded. It has left him reflecting on his own values, especially his commitment to justice as an international affairs student. He hopes that sharing his experiences will show others how study abroad trips can help students develop global awareness, something he views as relevant to any job or course of study. He extends his gratitude to Dr. Donoghue, his tour guide Luis, the host families in the Casa Particulares and every person he encountered who helped him gain a deeper understanding of Cuban life and history.
For more information on future study abroad trips, browse Marquette’s offerings here.
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that offers more than 80 majors through its nationally and internationally recognized programs.
