International

Cuban President urges to redouble efforts in economic battle

Photo: @PresidenciaCuba

July 26 |

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez expressed on Wednesday that the duty of the generations responsible for the immediate destiny of the Revolution is to maintain what has been conquered and advance further, and denounced once again the criminal nature of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on the Caribbean nation by the United States (U.S.).

During the central act for the 70th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks, National Rebellion Day, the head of state said that as long as a degree of dignified prosperity for all Cubans is not reached, there will be a Moncada to be assaulted.

Referring to the battle on the economic front, one of the fundamental challenges of the Revolution, he recalled that the Cuban people are waiting for answers on issues that affect the standard of living and the daily life of all, which he said can be resolved without waiting for the U.S. to lift the blockade of more than six decades.

Among them, he mentioned the need to increase the supply of consumer goods to combat inflation. He considered that this is “a difficult Moncada that we have the duty to assault here and throughout the country”. Every day, every hour, every minute, we have a Moncada to storm, he pointed out.

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Referring to the transcendence of July 26, 1953, he stressed that “the actions of that day were the beginning of the end of the last dictatorship installed in Cuba with the recognition and the immoral and material support of the U.S.”.

He stressed that for that reason Washington does not forgive the Revolution, in addition to the fact that the Cuban people did not allow it “to break national independence, international solidarity, the defense of the socialist alternative to savage capitalism”, as they thought would happen after the physical disappearance of the historic generation.

He pointed out that since 1959 “we are much more than a few dozen brave young people against the tyranny of (Fulgencio) Batista. Since that date we are a people who defend the Revolution and socialism as the fairest way to achieve the fairest society for all”.

Referring to another singular challenge, the U.S. blockade, he pointed out that imperialism is the natural enemy of the right to self-determination of the peoples and of those governments interested in developing programs of social justice and exercising sovereignty in their foreign policy.

He emphasized that the governments of that country have shown themselves to be more aggressive and intolerant when they realize that there is no force in the world capable of provoking the Cuban people to renounce the Marxist, Marti and Fidelist ideals that inspire the untiring struggle for the greatest possible social justice.

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He assured that this explains the severity of the blockade and the current validity of the reinforcement measures established by the Administration of Donald Trump (2017-2021) and maintained by that of Joe Biden, in a more aggressive and harmful dimension.

He denounced five pressure measures imposed by the U.S. that stand out for their perversity and harmfulness to the Cuban economy and population:

The inclusion of Cuba on the list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism; the application of the provision of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act that allows actions to be taken in U.S. courts against businessmen from other countries who decide to establish ties and investments in Cuba.

The persecution of fuel supplies that Cuba needs to acquire; – the president continued – the persecution of medical services provided by Cuban specialists in dozens of nations; and the existence of a list of Cuban entities with which U.S. citizens are prohibited from having ties.

Díaz-Canel reiterated that the Revolution is not isolated, but that the US isolates itself by maintaining its hostility, as confirmed every year by the generalized rejection of the blockade policy by the international community. He also acknowledged the expressions of solidarity received by Cuba from various nations.

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International

Bill Gates to testify before Congress over Epstein connections

Bill Gates is set to testify on June 10 before a congressional committee in United States investigating links connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Tuesday.

The Microsoft co-founder is among several high-profile figures named in documents released by the Department of Justice, which detail alleged close associations, questionable financial dealings, and private photographs involving Epstein.

According to a spokesperson cited by Politico, Gates “welcomes” the opportunity to appear before the committee. The representative emphasized that Gates “never attended or participated in any illegal activities with Epstein” and is prepared to answer questions to support the investigation.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

In late February, Gates told members of his foundation’s board that his association with Epstein was a “huge mistake.” He has consistently denied any involvement in the financier’s criminal activities. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.

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“I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal,” Gates said, according to a recording obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

Gates acknowledged that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.

A draft email written by Epstein and released by the Department of Justice referenced alleged extramarital relationships involving Gates. The message, which was apparently never sent, claimed that Epstein had helped “Bill” obtain medication related to encounters with Russian women.

Gates admitted to having had two extramarital affairs but denied any involvement with Epstein’s victims.

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International

Former Trump allies call for removal, cite 25th Amendment amid Iran threats

Former allies of U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for his removal from office, arguing he is unfit to continue in the role following recent threats to “wipe out an entire civilization,” made just hours before the deadline of his ultimatum to Iran.

One of the most prominent voices was former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who invoked the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as a mechanism to remove the president from power.

“25th Amendment! Not a single bomb has fallen on the U.S. We cannot annihilate an entire civilization. This is evil and insanity,” Greene wrote on social media platform X.

Greene, once a leading figure within Trump’s political movement during his first term, broke with the president last November over disagreements on foreign policy and his handling of controversial cases.

Another former supporter, controversial commentator Alex Jones, also raised the possibility of applying the constitutional provision during his show, in a conversation with attorney Robert Barnes.

Barnes explained that invoking the 25th Amendment requires the support of two-thirds of Congress, making it a more complex process than impeachment.

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Section 4 of the amendment, ratified in 1967, establishes that the vice president, together with a majority of the cabinet, can declare the president unable to perform the duties of the office, a decision that must then be confirmed by both chambers of Congress.

The statements come amid rising international tensions and increasing domestic political pressure on the president.

International

Trump pauses strikes on Iran, extends ultimatum by two weeks

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a temporary suspension of attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks, extending the ultimatum he had imposed on Tehran just hours before its deadline.

According to the president, the measure is conditional on Iran allowing the “full, immediate, and secure” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that the decision would involve a reciprocal ceasefire between both parties.

The announcement was made through a message on his social media platform, where he emphasized that the pause in military actions is intended to create space for de-escalation in the region.

He also noted that the decision followed a conversation with the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who requested a two-week extension of the ultimatum.

The move comes amid heightened global tensions, marked by escalating threats and concerns over the potential impact of the conflict on key international energy trade routes.