Havana, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) Veterans from Cuba and the United States will hold two friendly baseball games in the capital’s Latin American stadium, the Cuban Federation of this sport announced today.
For next Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12, at 10:00 a.m. local time, the challenges are scheduled to take place on the field of the mythical stadium, where sports glories of the Antillean nation and members of the U.S. team Expo Maine will take part.
The team from the largest Caribbean island is made up mostly of the same players who less than a month ago held an exhibition game at the Palmar de Junco stadium in Matanzas to pay tribute to the anniversary of the first baseball game in Cuba with a statistical record.
The Cubans will be coached by Pedro Medina, Rodolfo Puente, Antonio Acea, Heriberto Corbea, and José Elosegui; delegate Ismael Triay and provincial commissioner Julian Sarría.
Position players Frank Camilo Morejón, Antonio Scull, Alexander Malleta, Rey Vicente Anglada, Joyse Sú, Ernesto Sánchez, Yoandry Urgelles Cobas, Irakly Chirino, Leonardo Castrazana, Ernesto Morilla, José Antonio Soto, Miguel Ángel Yanes, and Andres Moya will be present on the field.
Lazaro De La Torre, Wilber Perez, Frank Javier Menendez, Rene Espin, Jorge Fumero, Jorge L. Váldez, and Lazaro Valle were called up as pitchers.
Ulaanbaatar, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) The Association of Mongolian Graduates in Cuba on Tuesday called for ending the US blockade against the Caribbean nation in a message on the 66th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, diplomatic sources informed.
“The… US blockade against Cuba must end, as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has been demanding for more than 30 years with the overwhelming majority vote of the countries globally, including Mongolia,” the Association affirmed in the message.
It also reiterated that “this is not a time for hostility, for inclusion in unilateral recriminatory lists, for harassment or blockades, but for political settlement of differences, peace, friendship, and cooperation.
The Mongolian citizens who studied on the Caribbean island congratulated the Cuban Government and people on the National Day, reiterated their solidarity, and conveyed their best wishes for 2025.
As part of the January 1 celebrations, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh sent a congratulatory message to his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the people of Cuba.
The components are part of the Chinese government’s initiative to provide Distributed Electric Generator Equipment and Spare Parts for Cuba
Havana, Jan 7 (RHC) Thirty-eight diesel-powered generator sets will be repaired and prepared for operation, with a total capacity of 53.8 megawatts, during the months of January and February.
According to Arles Luna Leiva, head of the Distributed Generation department at the Electrical Union, this initial delivery includes heaters, motors, and other parts required for the repair of the malfunctioning equipment.
These initial shipments, which were received in late December, are being distributed across the country, with the exception of Ciego de Ávila, Artemisa, and Mayabeque.
These provinces will be provided with the necessary components for the maintenance of their equipment in subsequent shipments, as they do not need the parts that were included in the initial delivery.
Luna confirmed that these components are part of the Chinese government’s initiative to provide Distributed Electric Generator Equipment and Spare Parts for Cuba.
Recently, upon the arrival of the initial shipment of assistance, Chinese ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin announced that additional shipments will be delivered via charter flights, commercial flights, or maritime transport in containers, thereby completing the delivery of the aid.
This will allow for the restoration of 400 megawatts of distributed generation capacity in the country.
The distributed generation systems that rely on diesel are experiencing substantial degradation, with a current operational rate of 36%, due to the depletion of stable funding sources and excessive use.
This occurs because they are intended to function for a maximum of four hours per day. However, in certain instances, they have been forced to operate for 24 hours per day due to the failure of alternative technologies. (Source: Granma)
Although Cuba and China reached 65 years of diplomatic relations, the ties date back to the 19th century, when the first Chinese citizens arrived in the Antillean nation
Havana, Jan 7 (Radio Habana Cuba) Cuba and China have renewed their commitment to the friendship and collaboration between both countries, in the context of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.
In this sense, Cuban ambassador Alberto Blanco held a meeting with Zhang Run, the Director General of the Latin America and the Caribbean Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both parties ratified their dedication to uphold the agreement reached at the highest level and to progress in the development of a shared future.
Despite the fact that diplomatic relations reach their 65th anniversary, the ties date back to the nineteenth century, when the first Chinese citizens arrived in the Antillean nation.
On September 2, 1960, in the presence of over a million Cubans, Fidel Castro called for severing ties with the government of Taiwan and establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, led by Mao Zedong.
On the 28th of September of that year, Cuba was the first nation in Latin America and the Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with the newly established China, which opened the door for other countries in the region to engage with the Asian nation.
In 2024, bilateral relations were revitalized, with both countries strengthening their cooperation and traditional friendship through a series of visits and initiatives.
Beijing has repeatedly expressed its backing for the island in its struggle against the U.S. embargo, and has called for its removal from the list of nations designated by Washington as sponsors of terrorism. (Source: Prensa Latina)
Havana, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) Groups of friendship and solidarity with Cuba have been carrying out activities in this capital to support the revolutionary process and to reject the United States’ policy of coercion against the Caribbean nation, as part of a program that continues on Tuesday.
The “Cruz del Sur” International Brigade of Solidarity with Cuba began the 40th edition of these visits to this country, the website Siempre Con Cuba noted in a post on X.
According to the publication, “Cruz del Sur” received precise information on the foreign policy of the United States administrations and their relationship with the Caribbean nation through a specialized keynote speech by researcher Hassan Perez, from the University of Havana.
Previously, the group’s thirteen members, from Australia and New Zealand, were received by the Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples (ICAP)’s board of directors at the Havana Friendship House.
The organizers stated that the program, which is active until January 23, includes exchanges in communities, workplaces, and socio-cultural projects in Havana, Matanzas, and Pinar del Rio provinces.
ICAP President Fernando Gonzalez stressed the importance of their presence at a time of great complexity for Cuba, which is resisting the obstacles to the economy and daily life caused by the cruel policies of the United States since 1959.
Havana, January 5 (Radio Habana Cuba) — The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, congratulated the members of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) this Sunday, on the 66th anniversary of the creation of that internal order institution. Through the social network X, the head of state sent a hug to the PNR fighters, born –he said– from the Rebel Army and seasoned in 66 years of confronting crime and defending citizen tranquility.
“Their history is the history of the Cuban Revolution, of its challenges and its victories,” added the Cuban leader.
The Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also conveyed recognition to the work of those who are part of the institution, whom he described as “blue heroes” and guardians of internal order and citizen tranquility.
The PNR was established on January 5, 1959, at the initiative of then-commander Raúl Castro, head of the Second Eastern Front Frank País García.
Currently, its fundamental mission is focused on the preservation of public order, citizen tranquility, and road safety.
Established in 2021, the Five Oceans Club is a gathering of individuals who share a passion for the seas and oceans, embarking on expeditions and contributing to scientific research on the challenges facing these global ecosystems
Havana, Jan 6 (Radio Habana Cuba) Russian sea expeditioners will share in Cuba their experiences from their recent voyage across the global oceans, as part of the naval initiative for the conservation of these ecosystems.
The Russian initiative, titled «Five Oceans», will host a meeting with Cuban scientists and the public, at the capital’s Quinta de los Molinos, a former botanical garden that has been transformed into a scientific and cultural hub.
The members of the expedition will share their experiences of venturing to the most inaccessible regions of the world, as well as their reflections on the customs and landscapes of diverse nations.
The primary goal of this endeavor is to highlight the significance of the ocean as a conduit for fostering connections between individuals, cultures, and nations.
The project began its voyage in Tenerife in November, and after a 20-day crossing of the Atlantic, it arrived in the Caribbean, docking in Saint Lucia, on the Atlantic Race Cruising.
In Cuba, the ship docked in the central province of Cienfuegos on December 21st. After its visit to the largest island in the Antilles, it will continue its journey through the Caribbean and Latin America, before crossing the Panama Canal in March.
Established in 2021, the Five Oceans Club is a gathering of individuals who share a passion for the seas and oceans, embarking on expeditions and contributing to scientific research on the challenges facing these global ecosystems.
The club’s visit to Cuba is supported by the Russian House of the Havana Historian’s Office, the Russian Embassy in Cuba, the Cuban Environment Agency, and other organizations. (Source: Prensa Latina)
Havana, January 5 (Radio Habana Cuba) — With the premise that brotherhood and solidarity between Puerto Rico and Cuba cannot be silenced or blocked, the Puerto Rican Solidarity Committee (CSC) worked intensively in 2024 and will remain active throughout 2025.
They stated this in a letter sent to Radio Habana Cuba by Milagros Rivera Pérez, President of the CSC, and Solimar Ortiz Jusino, Coordinator of the organization’s Communication Commission, who in turn promote all kinds of initiatives in their territory for the decolonization of Puerto Rico, using the Cuban Revolution as a reference.
Milagros Rivera Pérez, President of the CSC
For the Committee’s leadership, the main action revolves around the establishment of the Juan Rius Rivera Brigade, which is about to reach its 34th edition and will visit the Greater Antilles from April 17 to May 3, 2025, with activities symbolizing the challenge to the blockade and exchanges with the Cuban people. To this end, they hold meetings, discussions, and commemorations of anniversaries throughout the year, during which they share the reality of Cuba and collect donations to deliver to the people.
Commemoration event for Carlos Muñiz Varela, to remember his assassination that occurred on April 28, 1978.
“Every 17th of the month, we carry out actions against the blockade of Cuba, and on the 17th of February 2024, we will hold a grand Bohemia dedicated to the former political prisoner for the defense of Cuba, Ana Belén Montes, celebrating the birthdays of Julia de Burgos and Blanca Canales, as well as collecting solidarity aid for Cuban children that the Brigade will deliver,” says the text of the letter.
In 2024, the Brigade traveled to Cuba from July 13 to 29, staying for 11 days at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp in the Artemisa municipality of Caimito and also in Matanzas. The contingent was made up of a cultural delegation, with the Patria y Cultura group, along with young women members of the Colectiva Feminista en Construcción. They also participated in the July 26 events in the province of Sancti Spiritus and, for the third time, held a meeting with President Miguel Díaz-Canel on July 25, marking 126 years since the Yankee invasion of Puerto Rico. Upon their return, they celebrated the birthday of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro on August 13, establishing the Coordinating Committee of the 34th Brigade, which will travel to Cuba in April 2025. They also honored Juan Rius Rivera on August 26 and held the usual Brigadistas Meeting with an exchange between members of different editions of the brigade.
Additionally, they commemorated national activities with the patriotic dates of September 23, Day of the Grito de Lares, and October 30, 1950 Revolution, in which solidarity with Cuba and the fight for just causes around the world were highlighted.
On October 10, they joined the World Solidarity Day with Cuba, and from October 25 to the present, they have been running the Christmas Without Blockade for Cuba campaign, gathering more solidarity aid to repair the damage caused by hurricanes Oscar and Rafael and to contribute to the World Marathon of Love for Cuba that will take place in 2025.
They combine this action with political activism on social media: “We set as a goal to break the media bubble in which they want to keep the Caribbean and the information blockade against Cuba.” We have successfully created a YouTube channel for CSC, Puerto Rico with Cuba, a weekly presence on Cuban television with the program Somos Caribe, and a digital magazine with the same name, to create content that reaches thousands of subscribers. “We have more than 360 videos hosted there,” the letter states, adding that they have a magazine in blog format, which contains over 1000 articles on various topics aimed at highlighting the solidarity struggles in the Caribbean.
For the New Year 2025, they plan to increase the content on all their platforms and maintain the campaign to end the blockade on Cuba and remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which the United States government unjustly keeps on the list to increase the criminalization of the revolution.
Thus, it concludes: “In short, we summarize that we have been consistently working in favor of the Cuban revolution, with 33 solidarity brigades in open defiance of imperial laws, information campaigns, and actions to break the blockade.” We maintain that political and economic solidarity between friendly governments and peoples is the key to defeating the criminal siege policies against Cuba.
Rome, 4 January (Prensa Latina) Friendship groups in Italy today reaffirmed their support for the Cuban people who, in the midst of difficulties, are fighting to defend their achievements, as part of the celebrations to mark the 66th anniversary of their Revolution.
The celebration of the anniversary of the Revolution is not only a remembrance of the past, but also a call for unity for a common future”, the National Association of Italian-Cuban Friendship (Anaic) stresses in a statement shared on social media.
The Anaic underlines that despite US aggression against this process, with an economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed for more than six decades, Cuba’s achievements have been recognized internationally and serve as an example of what can be achieved through a genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.
The Cuban Revolution remains a symbol of resilience and hope. In this new year, Cubans have the opportunity to continue writing their own history, guided by the principles that have shaped their national identity. The struggle continues and with it the promise of a better future for all, Anaic asserts.
Meanwhile, in an article published in the Faro di Roma daily, Professor Luciano Vasapollo points out that the construction of a socialist society in Cuba after the revolutionary triumph of 1 January 1959 remains a point of reference for progressive movements worldwide.
The heroic resistance of the Cuban people is an example for humanity, he adds, despite the blockade imposed by US imperialism and Washington’s infamous inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, a measure aimed at increasing pressure on the island.
Vasapollo, current coordinator of the Italian section of the Network for the Defense of Humanity, expressed in the article that on this anniversary, the Cuban Revolution is not only reaffirmed as a historical event, but also as an example for the rest of the world.
The Communist Refoundation Party, among other Italian social and political groups, also sent a message to mark the anniversary of the revolutionary triumph in Cuba, as did various associations of Cuban nationals living in this country, whose members reaffirmed their commitment to supporting their people.
Jan 1 (Radio Habana Cuba) It has been a difficult year. Cuba, despite everything, continues to rise and move forward. Photo: Abel Padrón Padilla/ Cubadebate.
We are not going to give up the desire for us to be happy. We are not going to give up fighting for us to achieve happiness. No condition will make us relent in our efforts. I know that many people think that way. It doesn’t matter how minimal what is achieved with shared effort is. One step is enough to take another. That’s why, now that the year 2025 is about to begin, I present here “Desiderata from the crisis.”
May the family be that feeling of unity, of benevolent complicity, that originates and nourishes it. May each family member be a builder of support, a solver of problems, a conqueror of difficulties. No matter how much physical distance is created. It doesn’t matter how much diversity of perspectives it contains. The family is not a unit of opinions, but a unit of respect, of noble feelings. Differences do not create antagonisms. Antagonisms arise from inadequate ways of dealing with differences.
May feelings of familiarity extend to meet the neighbor, to those who share the community space. May hard times not diminish that sacred duty. May scarcity not become a lack of clarity in what is essential. The family’s food should not be lacking, and although it does not replace bread, it aligns with the principle of sharing, of empathetically taking on the search for solutions.
That we are capable of taking responsibility for our environment, for the living space in which we live and that gives us life. That we think we are not alone in the world (in our city, our neighborhood, in the place where we live) and that each of our actions impacts other people. The world we see is how we have made it. He speaks not only of how it is, but also, and much more, of how we are. Even the smallest effort counts, because it is impossible not to feel addressed by the solid waste, saturating corners, buildings on the verge of collapsing under the weight of events. There is also a lot of social indiscipline, inconsideration, mistreatment, violence, prejudices of all kinds, perhaps invited by the situations being experienced. But being invited is not a sufficient reason to accept such a degrading invitation.
The blockade does exist and must cease now. But there is also negligence, apathy, incompetence, bureaucracy, and so many other societal dysfunctions that take advantage of the crisis to unleash themselves. Getting rid of them is more within our reach.
Let us be transparent in expressing our desires, without confusing desires with anxiety. May our desires never run out. May we always want to improve. Knowing how to project discontent into reparative paths, in the construction of a harmonious, equitable social fabric, is an existential wisdom that exudes peace, nobility, and justice. The human world stands out for its differences. If we embrace them to exclude, we build suffering. If we do it to empower, we will have an unbeatable potential for development. Let political speeches be fewer barricades and more bridges. That they are closer to construction than to the ideal model, closer to the present without neglecting the future. Without today, tomorrow cannot be built. Let us take on a rationality that rejects any form of exploitation, intrusion, invasion, or genocide. The world is enough for everyone, and if we make it produce to distribute properly, it is capable of feeding with the prudence of what is necessary.
May the decisions we make, whatever they may be, be consensual. That they are not based on mere impulse. When we act on impulse, we throw ourselves into a minefield of possible mistakes that ends in useless lamentations. Better than rushing is anticipating, being able to evaluate the costs and benefits. Well-reasoned decisions are not only smarter but also more effective. Everything has a cost. What is achieved without effort is a gift. And from gifts, neither true commitment, nor a sense of belonging, and much less the satisfaction of having achieved what we set out to do, are born. One must not evade or avoid. We must confront and face the harshness of life, especially when it is marked by deep complexities.
Even while navigating a difficult year, marked by hardships and a shortage of basic services, may we be able to preserve human sensitivity, solidarity, honesty, respect, and integrity. May the rules and social pacts be followed diligently, because indiscipline is chaos; disintegration, an open door.
That even while going through a difficult year, marked by hardships and the scarcity of basic services, we are able to preserve human sensitivity, solidarity, honesty, respect, and integrity. May the norms and social pacts be followed diligently, because indiscipline is chaos; disintegration, an open door to the worst degradations of human essence. Let us not be caught up by greed, selfishness. Only in this way will the spiritual culture of the nation survive, only in this way will we continue to have independence and sovereignty, because only in this way will we continue to feel the pride of being Cuban.
There is no need to wait for epiphanies. It’s worth taking on challenges and facing them with determination. The only possible miracle is the one that arises from the human capacity to overcome obstacles and grow with each attempt. Face difficulties and live with dignity. Do not stray for any reason from the endless path of shared happiness, because there is no true happiness where some achieve it and others suffer for not being able to reach it. Hope seems to hide in times of crisis, to fade away in its condition of utopia, and to dissolve among the impossible. But it is, above all, a prelude that brings happiness to those who fight for life and only disappears in those who give up. Let hope come, even if it is accompanied by a certain rational pessimism, but never devoid of the optimism of feelings, of will.
A wish from the crisis is possible, because hope, family unity, and the defense of values are an incomparably greater force than any other that wants to end it.
