Havana, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) President Miguel Diaz-Canel affirmed today that about 41 countries and several international organizations have expressed their solidarity with Cuba, which is facing the simultaneous impacts of a cyclone and an energy emergency, with admirable resilience.
In his profile on X social media, the Head of State wrote that in the face of this situation, the United States declared that the Caribbean nation has not asked for help: Here is our demand: Tear Down the Blockade, he stressed in reference to the policy Washington has implemented for more than six decades to choke the island’s economy and cause a change of government.
Cuba is facing an energy contingency caused by the lack of fuel supply and hurdles to the acquisition of technologies and supplies necessary for the modernization and operation of its power generation plants, due to the world-rejected blockade.
At the same time, it is undertaking recovery work for the damages caused by hurricane Oscar through the island’s eastern territory, which left so far seven people dead and considerable economic and infrastructure damage in four municipalities of Guantanamo province.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R), Oct. 23, 2024. Photo: teleSUR
The economic cooperation bloc has become the epicenter of hope for Global South nations, the Bolivarian leader pointed out.
Oct 23 (teleSUR) On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro maintained an intense schedule of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the BRICS summit being held in Kazan.
Just a few hours after his arrival in this Russian city, the Bolivarian leader met with Presidents Alexandr Lukashenko (Belarus), Mahmoud Abbas (Palestine), and Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Türkiye). He also had a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I am very glad to have met you today. I have only seen you on television in recent years. You spoke of a future victory. If we look at it in global terms, you have already won more than once,” President Lukashenko said in support and appreciation for the Bolivarian leader.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Venezuelan president is scheduled to meet with the host of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Yuri Ushakov, noted that Putin and Maduro will discuss bilateral issues and cooperation within the framework of BRICS. “There are a million issues” to address, Ushakov stated on the eve of the Russian-Venezuelan negotiations.
Havana, October 23 (RHC)– The Cuban government is carrying out a series of actions to support the eastern province of Guantanamo, which continues today in a cyclone alert phase as a result of the flooding left by tropical storm Oscar.
According to the first colonel, Luis Ángel Macareño, of the Civil Defense Organ, in the municipalities of San Antonio el Sur and Imías, rescue and salvage work continues, given the severity of the flooding caused by the meteor.
On Tuesday, during an extraordinary session of the National Defense Council, Macareño warned about the saturation of the soil in these territories and the need to immediately carry out a process of evaluation of the damages and needs.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Pérez, reported that work is being done on four main lines: supplying food to those affected, to people who perform support work, completing the standard family basket, with emphasis on the population of Imías and San Antonio del Sur, and other additional products for consumption.
For the entire province, located in the eastern end of the country, inputs such as flour for making bread are prioritized, and the strategy includes direct attention to the most vulnerable family nuclei.
By order of the country’s top leadership, a Government work group is located in Guantánamo that will remain for a long time to accompany the recovery efforts, together with the authorities of the territory.
According to preliminary figures, the damage to the housing stock is quantified at 1,282 houses, of which 1,183 are due to total roof collapses, 1,048 partial roof collapses, and 51 total collapses.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces have carried out 493 rescues so far, which has prevented the loss of human lives in flooded areas, reported the second in command of the Department of Operations of the National Civil Defense Staff, Eduardo Cross.
Speaking on the Mesa Redonda program, Cross explained that 4,865 people are protected in evacuation centers, while another 443 remain sheltered in the homes of relatives, friends and neighbors. (Source: Prensa Latina)
The BRICS countries also endorsed the use of national currencies so as to reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar.
Oct 23 (teleSUR) On Wednesday, the 16th BRICS summit concluded its plenary meeting with the release of a joint declaration consisting of 134 points, highlighting proposals to reform the United Nations Security Council in order to make the institution more inclusive and representative of developing countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the document also reflects the bloc’s concerns about the impact of unilateral sanctions on the global economy. The BRICS members also endorsed the use of national currencies so as to reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar. The following are some key points from the final BRICS declaration resulting from the Kazan Summit:
– The BRICS consider it important to expand their strategic partnership based on shared interests.
– The BRICS call for strengthening the non-proliferation regime and recognize its role in global stability.
– The BRICS are concerned about the negative impact of illegitimate sanctions on the world economy.
– The BRICS urged for greater participation of least-developed countries in global processes. The group welcomes the interest of Global South countries in unification.
– The BRICS expressed concern over the escalation of violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, calling for a ceasefire.
– The BRICS called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages who are being illegally held in the region. The BRICS countries support Palestine’s adoption as a full member of the United Nations.
– The BRICS reject the political use of cooperation in the fight against transnational crime.
– The BRICS called for the implementation of the United Nations resolution that urges states to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.
– The BRICS are considering mediation proposals to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through dialogue.
– The BRICS reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and the preservation of the central role of the United Nations in the international system.
Havana, Oct 23 (RHC) Mexican authorities and companies will participate in the upcoming Havana International Fair. Approximately twenty of these companies will be present as exhibitors.
According to Katia Alonso, commercial economic counselor of the Cuban Embassy, another group of businesspeople from Mexico will explore the opportunities offered by the island in terms of trade and investment during the 40th edition of the event, which will take place from November 4 to 9.
The activities include a Cuba-Mexico Business Forum and the celebration of the National Day of Mexico, when the Aztec country will inaugurate its pavilion.
The Fair, which will take place at the Expocuba venue, will attract representatives from more than 50 countries and approximately 700 companies, including 500 foreign and 200 local businesses, according to the organizers.
The 7th Investment Forum will take place on November 5th and 6th. During this time, a portfolio of foreign investment opportunities will be presented, and an exhibition of the Mariel Special Economic Zone will be organized.
Every day of the fair, there will be product and service launches, presentations, and conferences on topics related to promoting foreign trade and investment. Additionally, various business forums will be held.
On this occasion, a pavilion will be dedicated to territories, showcasing the potential of economic actors in Cuban municipalities. (Source: Prensa Latina)
Oct 21 (Once Noticias – Mexico) The Federal Electricity Commission also offered its technical support to Havana for the prompt restoration of electricity
The Government of Mexico , through its embassy in Havana , offered support, including technical assistance, to solve the energy emergency that Cuba has been facing for several days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported on social media.
To this end, Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez has maintained permanent contact with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla .
While the Mexican Embassy in Cuba is working with the relevant authorities to provide updated information on the situation, the following emergency lines have been made available to its citizens in that country:
The ministry added that the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) also offered its technical support “for the prompt restoration of electricity” on the island.
Electricity restoration progresses in Cuba
Nearly 90% of Havana residents had their electricity restored on October 21 , the fourth day of the national blackout in Cuba, although several provinces in the country remain without service, the Havana Electric Company said.
The almost complete restoration of electricity in the capital of 2 million inhabitants was announced by Havana’s energy company, while tropical storm “Oscar” passes through the east of the country, leaving houses without roofs and destroyed, according to the latest report.
“According to the Havana Electric Company, 768,810 customers on 301 circuits have electric service in Havana, representing 89.3% of the total,” the state-run news portal Cubadebate said , citing the company.
Since October 18, the Cuban government declared an “energy emergency” following the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant , the most important in the country.
Last weekend, authorities made great efforts to restore the service, but without success. As a result, the president of this country, Miguel Díaz Canel, acknowledged that the situation of the electrical system was “complex.”
“The greatest damage is in the province of Guantánamo (east), especially in Baracoa, Imías, Maisí, with major flooding,” the Cuban presidency reported on its X account.
Oscar also caused the total or partial loss of homes in Baracoa, where strong winds blew away roofs and walls of houses and knocked down poles and trees, according to state television, without showing images.
In four provinces in the east of the country, home to 10 million people, authorities have announced protective measures for the population, including evacuations in areas at risk from flooding.
Cuba receives shows of solidarity from different parts of the world
Havana, Oct 23 (RHC) Shows of solidarity with Cuba are being held in various parts of the world in response to the energy crisis the island is facing and the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar in the eastern region.
In a statement, the Communist Party of Belarus expressed its full support and solidarity with the Cuban people. The political organization expressed confidence that the Cuban government is taking all necessary measures to overcome the consequences of the incident at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant as soon as possible.
Similarly, the Communist Party of Ireland reaffirmed its support for Cuba, the government, and people, and recalled that the island was facing an electrical emergency while still enduring the devastating consequences of the illegal US embargo.
For its part, the Association of Friends of Cuba in Slovakia repeated its call on the international community to lift the economic embargo and remove Cuba from its arbitrary and illegal list of states allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
The Association of Cubans in Cyprus also expressed its solidarity with the Caribbean country and stressed that Cuban resilience had been tested many times before.
Likewise, the Articulation of Social Movements towards the ALBA called upon the organizations making up the platform to stay attentive to the evolving situation and denounce the historic and current responsibility of American imperialism.
On Tuesday, a letter published in The New York Times urged President Biden to reverse the aggressive policy of his predecessor Donald Trump towards Cuba during his last 90 days in office.
Cuba is facing a serious energy crisis as the result of the shutdown this October 18 of the Antonio Guiteras thermal power station, and the recent impact of hurricane Oscar. (Source: PL)
Cuban delegation thanks Angola for support against US blockade
Havana, Oct 21 (RHC) The Minister of Public Health of Cuba, José Ángel Portal, expressed gratitude to Angola for its unwavering support in the face of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
During the inauguration of the new hospital in Cuanza Sul, named after Comandante Raúl Díaz Argüelles, Portal emphasized the strong collaboration between the two countries in the field of healthcare, and reiterated the commitment to continue the joint work.
He highlighted the friendship between the two nations, built on mutual solidarity and respect, and reflected on the shared challenges and triumphs over the years.
During the ceremony, Angolan Minister of Health Silvia Lutucuta underlined the strategic partnership between Angola and Cuba. She expressed gratitude for the support provided by the island in this territory over time.
Currently, 1,243 Cuban medical professionals are serving in Angola, with over 16,500 since the beginning of cooperation. This includes contributions to the training of human resources in both countries, with 1,646 alumni and 52 continuing their studies.
Lutucuta emphasized the facilities of the new hospital, which has a capacity of 200 beds and provides services in pediatrics, hemodialysis, gynecology, obstetrics, otology, ophthalmology, surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, intensive care, mammography, and imaging. Over 1,100 employees, including 20 Cuban doctors, will provide care for the population of Cuanza Sul in this state-of-the-art facility.
During the ceremony, a tribute was paid to Raúl Díaz Argüelles, the first leader of the Cuban mission in Angola who passed away on December 11th, 1975, after a vehicle he was traveling in collided with an anti-tank mine.
Natacha Diaz-Argüelles, daughter of the combatant, participated in the ceremony as part of a Cuban delegation, which also included Major General Ramón Pardo Guerrero and other Cubans who fought for Angolan independence and territorial integrity. (Source: Prensa Latina)
Díaz-Canel referred to the effects of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo and the energy emergency in the country. Photo: @PresidenciaCuba
Havana, October 22 (RHC) –The President of the National Defense Council, Miguel Díaz-Canel, reported this Monday that the Guantanamo municipalities of Imías and San Antonio del Sur are in a state of emergency due to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Oscar in Cuba.
In statements to national television, the Cuban leader confirmed that Oscar, already downgraded to a tropical storm, claimed the lives of six people in San Antonio del Sur.
Díaz-Canel pointed out that in those two areas there were levels of flooding that have no historical records.
He said that at this time members of the Ministry of the Interior and the Revolutionary Armed Forces are carrying out rescue and salvage operations, and are also assessing the possible damages in territories that remain inaccessible.
Regarding the electrical contingency that the country is going through, he explained that there is a notable progress thanks to the deep, intense work based on the expertise of specialists in the field.
He reported that more than 36 percent of the service has been restored, functioning with stability, and it is expected that this figure will increase in the next few hours.
He indicated that after the restoration of the system in Havana, they are seeking to increase the levels of service in the rest of the eastern provinces.
The president considered that the Caribbean nation will soon overcome the energy emergency, caused by the disconnection of the National Electric System, and will enter a stage of management of the generation deficit caused by the lack of fuel.
He recalled that the tense situation in the sector is due to the intensification of the blockade imposed by the United States and the inclusion of the island in the unilateral list of countries sponsoring terrorism. (Source: Prensa Latina)
Landscape of the Havana, this morning, Oct 21, 2024 Photo: Radio Habana Cuba
The Havana Electric Company reports that already 261 circuits in Havana have service, which is equivalent to 721 379 customers, 83.6 percent of the total.
Oct 21 (teleSUR) In the midst of a serious energy crisis, Havana has managed to restore electricity service to 83.6 of its customers, according to the Havana Electric Company in the early afternoon. 508MW are reported in service and only 2 hospitals are still to be restored.
On the morning of October 21, the general director of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, provided an update in the information magazine Buenos días, reporting that in total there are 700 MW served throughout the country.
Guerra pointed out that the western microsystem is more consolidated, with unit number 8 of the Mariel and floating power plants in Havana, such as Mariel and Energás Boca de Jaruco, operating. This has allowed a level of coverage in Havana, Mayabeque and Artemisa.
The central microsystem has more than 200 MW and covers the provinces from Matanzas to Camagüey. “The subsystems have been designed from the beginning of the total system fall and are running,” added the engineer, underlining efforts to consolidate existing microsystems to improve the stability of the power supply.
However, the situation remains fragile and the government is working hard to increase supply to more users, depending on available generation capacities.
Accordingly, the Cuban Government has also presented a new strategy to stabilize SEN by reorganizing electricity generation by regions. This includes the creation of clusters in the west and east of the country as well as in the centre to optimize the operation of thermal units.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has described the current situation as «exceptional», highlighting the challenges facing the country, including fuel shortages aggravated by the US economic embargo.
“The blockade has led to a lack of stable supplies, preventing the system from functioning normally,” he said, referring to the crisis that has led to the collapse of the National Electricity System (SEN) and frequent disconnections in recent days.
Díaz-Canel also praised the dedication of the electrical workers and the understanding of the people in the situation. However, he made a call to civility, condemning acts of vandalism that have tried to disrupt the city’s tranquility. “The Revolution will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” he emphasized.
Simultaneously, the country is preparing to face tropical storm Oscar, which is slowly advancing over eastern Cuba.
With sustained maximum winds of 85 km/h, the storm is expected to impact local infrastructure, which has led the government to suspend non-essential activities and classes on October 21, 22 and 23. The priority is to ensure the safety of the population and facilitate the recovery of the electrical system.
