Cuba

The wooden planks of the iconic benches in Plaza de Marte, Santiago de Cuba's most emblematic public space, were ripped out most probably to be used as firewood for cooking; images in a local newspaper are yet another sign of the dramatic crisis

The Organizing Committee of the Habanos Festival announced the cancellation of the XXVI edition of the event, citing the need to preserve "the standards of excellence" of the meeting in the face of the deteriorated "current context" of Cuba

At midnight on Friday the fixed price for gasoline purchases will be eliminate, the regime announced, stating that “the sale prices of fuels in foreign currency will be updated, according to the actual costs of each specific transaction"

This year's celebration for 1st May is highly symbolic: government has called for a march this under the slogan "The Homeland Defends Itself" with the main event at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune in an openly anti-American tone

FITCuba 2026 International Tourism Fair will be held on 7-9 May in a format that combines virtual professional management and in-person exchanges at Josone Park in Varadero; this year's edition is highly anticipated from Cuban and international operators

Cuba's National Botanical Garden, affiliated with the University of Havana and considered the world's largest, will close "until further notice" due to lack of minimum amount of 10.000 diesel liter/month necessary for operation, said an official statement

The first shipment of international aid arrived in Cuba from Europe, with five tons of medical supplies and international Convoy to Cuba is on the way with more of essential items; meanwhile the energy crisis resulted in the second nationwide blackout

Empty gas stations and packed bus stops are reported in Santiago de Cuba as the transportation crisis worsens; horse-drawn carriages and bicycle taxis are keeping transportation afloat in Baracoa, but many must manage on foot

Cuba is at the center of international attention: pressure from the US to halt support to the island is worsening its economic crisis; Air Canada evacuated tourists and stopped inbound flights for lack of fuel, Chile will provide humanitarian monetary aid

Forecasts are being made for a poor 2026 sugar harvest, described by authorities as "a complex scenario, which requires evaluating supplies"; Cuban economy hasn't yet recovered from a disastrous 2025 harvest, one of the lowest in history