International
Cuban President urges to redouble efforts in economic battle
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.
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.
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.
International
Ombudsman confirms deaths of six minors in bombing targeting FARC dissidents
Colombia’s Ombudsman’s Office reported on Saturday the deaths of six minors who had been recruited by guerrilla groups, killed during the deadliest airstrike ordered by President Gustavo Petro in an Amazonian region in the south of the country.
Amid pre-election criticism and pressure from the United States demanding stronger action against drug trafficking, Petro has intensified military operations against armed groups. Over the past week, a series of bombings have left 28 people dead.
The minors were killed in an airstrike announced on Tuesday against a camp belonging to dissident factions of the now-defunct FARC guerrilla in the department of Guaviare, resulting in 19 deaths—the largest operation of its kind under Petro’s administration.
“This is all deeply regrettable; it is war in its most painful and inhumane expression, harming the most vulnerable—minors recruited due to lack of protection and now turned into military targets,” said Ombudswoman Iris Marín in an audio message sent to the press, confirming the deaths of six minors without providing their ages.
Marín held the guerrilla group led by the country’s most-wanted man, alias Iván Mordisco, responsible for recruiting the children.
However, she also stressed that “the military forces must take every feasible precaution to protect children,” in accordance with international principles that require “careful evaluation of the means and methods of warfare to avoid disproportionate or unnecessary harm.”
International
Colombia reaches $4.5 billion deal to acquire 17 Gripen Fighter Jets from Saab
The Colombian government has finalized a negotiation agreement with the Swedish company Saab for the purchase of 17 SAP-39 Gripen fighter jets, valued at more than $4.5 billion, according to local media reports.
Colombian outlets indicated that payments are scheduled to begin in 2026, starting with an initial installment of 100 billion Colombian pesos. However, the aircraft will be delivered between 2027 and 2032, when the final jet is expected to arrive in Colombia.
This new contract represents the second-largest public purchase made by Colombia so far this century, surpassed only by the investment in the Bogotá metro system, local media noted.
The agreement is expected to be officially signed during the ceremony commemorating the 216th anniversary of the Colombian Aerospace Force, to be held in Cali on November 14 of this year.
International
Venezuela accuses U.S. of using Naval Deployment to pressure Maduro government
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, joined the U.S. Navy’s anti-drug operation in Latin America on Tuesday—a deployment Venezuela has condemned as an attempt to pressure President Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a statement, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed that the carrier, ordered to deploy nearly three weeks ago, has entered its area of responsibility, which includes Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The world’s largest aircraft carrier will strengthen the United States’ ability to detect, monitor, and dismantle illicit actors and activities that threaten the security and prosperity of U.S. territory and our safety in the Western Hemisphere,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
According to the White House, the U.S. government under Donald Trump has carried out about twenty operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific since early September, resulting in the deaths of 76 suspected drug traffickers.
However, U.S. authorities have not yet presented evidence that the targeted vessels were being used for drug trafficking or posed a direct threat to the country.
The operations have raised concerns in Caracas, where the Maduro administration views the deployment as a strategic move aimed at provoking regime change in Venezuela.
Ombudsman confirms deaths of six minors in bombing targeting FARC dissidents
Arévalo warns of ‘Dark Interests’ targeting human rights defenders in Guatemala
Colombia reaches $4.5 billion deal to acquire 17 Gripen Fighter Jets from Saab
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoVenezuela mobilizes forces nationwide as tensions with U.S. rise
-
International5 days agoInvestigation widens after Michoacán mayor’s killer shot post-arrest
-
International5 days agoUSS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Latin America amid rising U.S. military presence
-
International4 days agoVenezuela accuses U.S. of using Naval Deployment to pressure Maduro government
-
International5 days agoJara: “Real toughness” means targeting drug money in Chile’s crime fight
-
Sin categoría4 days agoConvicted gang member challenges Guatemala’s anti-gang law, citing Human Rights Violations
-
Central America2 days agoArévalo warns of ‘Dark Interests’ targeting human rights defenders in Guatemala
-
Central America3 days agoNewborn found in Costa Rican dump survives two days in unsanitary conditions
-
International2 days agoColombia reaches $4.5 billion deal to acquire 17 Gripen Fighter Jets from Saab
-
International19 hours agoOmbudsman confirms deaths of six minors in bombing targeting FARC dissidents