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Cuba

Communist-led Cuba is suffering an economic crisis, with food shortages and power outages driving migration from the Caribbean island nation of 9.7 million.

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A vietnamese farmer in a rice field near Los Palacios in Cuba with a harvester in the distance

A vietnamese farmer in a rice field near Los Palacios in Cuba with a harvester in the distance

Cuba land lease to Vietnamese company reaps rich harvest

As Cuba has let farmland to a foreign company for the first time, can private capital help feed a nation in crisis?

Woman with extravagant nails drinking coffee

Woman with extravagant nails drinking coffee

Nail design in Cuba: A glimmer of hope in the crisis

Amid the economic crisis in Cuba, many women are turning to elaborate nail art as a fashion statement.

Chile | Cambia La Historia-Projekt der DW Akademie

Chile | Cambia La Historia-Projekt der DW Akademie

Latin America: Changing the story to a journalism of hope

A new collection of stories from across Latin America on structural violence employs constructive journalism.

A new Peugeot and traveling through Malawi — REV

Testing the Peugeot E-5008, seeing how Malawians get around, and admiring the vintage cars of Cuba.

Fishermen at the Malacon in Havana, Cuba

Fishermen at the Malacon in Havana, Cuba

Cuba faces nationwide blackout for second night in a row

Experts have attributed recent blackouts in Cuba primarily to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure.

Car lights illuminate an otherwise dark street during a general blackout in Havana on March 14, 2025.

Car lights illuminate an otherwise dark street during a general blackout in Havana on March 14, 2025.

Cuba's national grid fails, leaving millions without power

Cuba suffered a general blackout caused by a crash of its national electricity grid, officials have said.

Jose Daniel Ferrer in Havana in 2016

Jose Daniel Ferrer in Havana in 2016

Cuba frees opposition leader Ferrer after deal with Biden

Cuba freed opposition leader Jose Daniel Ferrer and other prisoners as part of a deal with outgoing US President Biden.

Cubans lining up to enter the US embassy in Havana, after consular services severely dipped under the first Trump administration (FILE: January 9, 2024)

Cubans lining up to enter the US embassy in Havana, after consular services severely dipped under the first Trump administration (FILE: January 9, 2024)

US: Biden to remove Cuba from sponsors of terrorism list

The Biden administration has announced it will remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Protesters in Cuba

Protesters in Cuba

Cuba: Thousands protest against US trade sanctions

Cubans are demanding a reversal of the trade embargo that was tightened during Donald Trump's first term.

A bottle of Havana Club Anejo 3 rum seen at the bar counter

A bottle of Havana Club Anejo 3 rum seen at the bar counter

New US law ends decadeslong Havana Club trademark battle

Cuba's struggling government has lost the trademark rights to the Havana Club rum brand in the US due to a new law.

A Turkish-flagged power barge is docked in Havana

A Turkish-flagged power barge is docked in Havana

Hurricane Oscar leaves 6 dead in Cuba

The eastern province of Guantanamo has suffered severe damage due to the storm, the president said.

Cuba power outage

Cuba power outage

Cuba remains without power as Hurricane Oscar makes landfall

The storm is complicating efforts to restore electricity on the island, after a main power plant collapsed.

Woman working in restaurant during blackout in Havana, Cuba

Woman working in restaurant during blackout in Havana, Cuba

Cuba: Hurricane Oscar makes landfall amid power outage

The island has been grappling with a nationwide blackout for three days, with most of Havana still in the dark.

A car drives along a street during a nationwide blackout caused by a grid failure in Havana, Cuba, on October 19, 2024

A car drives along a street during a nationwide blackout caused by a grid failure in Havana, Cuba, on October 19, 2024

Cuba struggles to restart power after second grid collapse

Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades has caused a shortage of fuel that spurred weeks of often hourslong blackouts.

Havana, Cuba | Power outage

Havana, Cuba | Power outage

Cuba begins restoring electricity

After weeks of energy shortages, a countrywide blackout left most of its 10 million people without power.

Woman works in restaurant in Havana, Cuba during blackout

Woman works in restaurant in Havana, Cuba during blackout

Cuba hit by island-wide blackout after power plant failure

Cuba saw a total grid failure that left around 10 million people without power after a major plant went offline.

A man and a woman stand on a washed-over piece of lawn between palm trees; on the right of the picture, the spray of high waves splashes several meters high.

A man and a woman stand on a washed-over piece of lawn between palm trees; on the right of the picture, the spray of high waves splashes several meters high.

Hurricane Helene hits Florida

Although Helene has weakened, the hurricane remains dangerous and several people have been killed.

Screenshot of a tweet with verdict "false" written on the top right corner

Screenshot of a tweet with verdict "false" written on the top right corner

Fact check: Fake footage of Russian warships in Cuba

As Russian navy ships, some with advanced weapons, arrived in Cuba, fake videos about the event have circulated online.

Havana port with a Russian warship in the distance

Havana port with a Russian warship in the distance

Russian warships enter Cuba's Havana harbor amid drills

A fleet of Russian warships has reached Cuba ahead of planned military exercises in the Caribbean.

People wait to enter the Mercabal wholesale market in Havana, Cuba,

People wait to enter the Mercabal wholesale market in Havana, Cuba,

Why did the US open up banking to Cuba's private sector?

The move is seen as a boost to Internet-based services and financial services, but reactions in Cuba have been mixed.

A Cuban flag and an U.S. flag in front of the US Embassy in Havana.

A Cuban flag and an U.S. flag in front of the US Embassy in Havana.

US ex-ambassador sentenced for Cuban espionage

A former US diplomat has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying for Cuba for decades.

US embassy in Havana, Cuba

US embassy in Havana, Cuba

'Havana Syndrome' linked to Russian intelligence — report

A media report says that Russia's GRU military intelligence agency may have used sonic weaponry to trigger the syndrome.

A vintage car passes by the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba, June 15, 2022. Picture taken on June 15, 2022

A vintage car passes by the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba, June 15, 2022. Picture taken on June 15, 2022

US rejects Cuba claim of fomenting protests

Washington has said it was not involved in recent — rare — protests in Cuba.

A performance at a North Korean stadium in honor of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel

A performance at a North Korean stadium in honor of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel

South Korea and Cuba establish ties, rattling North Korea

Cuba has reportedly been described as a "traitor nation" in the North over Seoul's diplomatic mission in Havana.

A food store in the Cuban town of Trinidad with a few cucumbers, onions and potatoes as the only products for sale

A food store in the Cuban town of Trinidad with a few cucumbers, onions and potatoes as the only products for sale

Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens

With milk and bread in short supply due to a lack of foreign currency, Cuba has turned to the United Nations for help.

Cubans queue to by food outside a store in Havana

Cubans queue to by food outside a store in Havana

Cuba ends subsidies amid lack of foreign currency

Food subsidies will be cut, while electricity and water prices would rise, making it hard for Cubans to make ends meet.

Residents wait their turn to shop at a government store in Havana, Cuba in 2022

Residents wait their turn to shop at a government store in Havana, Cuba in 2022

Cuba's economic crisis: Will a paradigm shift help?

Cuba is set to enact price hikes and subsidy cuts, but this "correction" could make things worse before they get better.

US charges former diplomat with spying for Cuba

Prosecutors say the charges expose "one of the highest-reaching infiltrations of the government by a foreign agent."

Cuba's President Diaz-Canel and Brazil's President Lula da Silva in Havana

Cuba's President Diaz-Canel and Brazil's President Lula da Silva in Havana

Brazil's Lula meets Cuban leader, slams 'illegal' US embargo

Brazilian leader Lula, in a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, criticized US policy towards the Caribbean nation.

The G77 Summit in Havana, Cuba

The G77 Summit in Havana, Cuba

G77 summit in Cuba calls for new global order

The G77 is a bloc of countries from the Global South representing 80% of the world's population.

A wave splashes on the coast of the Florida Keys

A wave splashes on the coast of the Florida Keys

Hurricane Idalia tears through Cuba before reaching Florida

Hurricane Idalia has slammed ashore on Florida's west coast after causing flooding and power outages in Cuba.

A young man in red swimming trunks flips into a swimming pool on the coast

A young man in red swimming trunks flips into a swimming pool on the coast

Cuba's luxury seaside pools find a second life

The hot summer in Cuba not only draws people to the beach, but also to seawater-filled swimming pools.

An American flag is flown next to the Chinese national emblem during a welcome ceremony for visiting US President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

An American flag is flown next to the Chinese national emblem during a welcome ceremony for visiting US President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

US confirms China maintains spy base in Cuba

US intelligence has determined that Chinese spying from Cuba has been an "ongoing" matter.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) is received by Cuban President Raul Castro (R) at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, on September 24, 2016.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) is received by Cuban President Raul Castro (R) at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, on September 24, 2016.

Cuban, US governments deny secret Chinese spy base in Cuba

The Wall Street Journal said Beijing and Havana secretly agreed on the facility, some 100 miles off Florida.

A man sits on a blue MZ motorcycle

A man sits on a blue MZ motorcycle

True love — Cubans and their East German MZ motorcycles

Real love never dies — Santiago de Cuba is the capital of the legendary East German MZ motorcycles.

Cuban flags in front of the US Embassy in Havana

Cuban flags in front of the US Embassy in Havana

Groundbreaking verdict in unpaid Cuban loan dispute

A London court has ruled that the Cuban government is not liable in a debt dispute, while also saying it must be repaid.

Moonlight illuminates the skyline of dark Baracoa

Moonlight illuminates the skyline of dark Baracoa

Life in Cuba means living with constant blackouts

Daily power blackouts in Cuba can last up to 18 hours. The frustrating situation has sparked a huge migration crisis.

Ana Belen Montes

Ana Belen Montes

Former US intelligence analyst who spied for Cuba freed

Ana Belen Montes has spent the past 20 years behind bars after she was found guilty of spying for Cuba.

Immigrants bundle up against the cold after spending the night camped alongside the U.S.-Mexico border

Immigrants bundle up against the cold after spending the night camped alongside the U.S.-Mexico border

US restricts migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti

The new policy represents a major change to immigration rules, seeking to curb rising arrivals at the US-Mexico border.

The US embassy in Havana pictured in May 2022

The US embassy in Havana pictured in May 2022

US restarts Cuba visa service after 'Havana syndrome' scare

The US is resuming consular services in Havana to help ease the current wave of illegal migration from Cuba.

A view of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

A view of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

Florida closes national park due to migrant influx from Cuba

There has been a rise in migrants arriving from Cuba due to the economic turmoil in the country.

A wooden Cuban migrant boat is tied to a sea wall in the Fills area of Indian Key in the Florida Keys

A wooden Cuban migrant boat is tied to a sea wall in the Fills area of Indian Key in the Florida Keys

Migrant boat collides with Cuban border guard, killing 5

The deadly incident comes amid the largest migratory flight from Cuba since the "Mariel crisis" of 1980.

Vintage blue and white car surrounded by falled trees and power lines

Vintage blue and white car surrounded by falled trees and power lines

Blackout in Cuba after category 3 Ian hits

Hurricane Ian hit Cuba with great force, causing damage and a blackout across the country.

Debris can be seen in the streets in Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Debris can be seen in the streets in Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Cuba entirely without electricity due to Hurricane Ian

Cuban authorities are working to restore power to the country's population of 11 million.

Two women register to vote at a polling station during the new Family Code referendum in Havana, Cuba

Two women register to vote at a polling station during the new Family Code referendum in Havana, Cuba

Cuba approves same-sex marriage, adoption

Cuban communist leaders applauded the result of a nationwide referendum, which upends decades of discrimination.

A woman loading sandbags in the back of a pickup truck

A woman loading sandbags in the back of a pickup truck

Hurricane Ian heading for Cuba, Florida

Evacuations are underway in parts of Cuba, while authorities in Florida urged residents to prepare for wild weather.

A Pride parade in Havana, a group of smiling people holding a huge rainbow flag with apartment towers in the background, on a sunny day

A Pride parade in Havana, a group of smiling people holding a huge rainbow flag with apartment towers in the background, on a sunny day

Cuba votes on same-sex marriage, adoption

More than 79,000 neighborhood meetings were held this earlier this year to debate the government-backed proposal.

Hand holding Cuban crocodile

Hand holding Cuban crocodile

The race to save Cuba’s endangered crocodiles

Researchers are fighting to save the endangered Cuban crocodile from habitat loss, climate change and poaching.

Virgen Frometa, sister of Germany-based Cuban national Luis Frometa, sentenced to 25 years in prison for his participation in recent anti-government protests, cries as she shows a picture of her brother in the La Guinera neighbourhood of Havana

Virgen Frometa, sister of Germany-based Cuban national Luis Frometa, sentenced to 25 years in prison for his participation in recent anti-government protests, cries as she shows a picture of her brother in the La Guinera neighbourhood of Havana

The aftermath of protests in Cuba

Thousands of Cubans took to the streets over a year ago. These protests were the largest anti-government demonstrations in decades, a truly historic moment. More than 1400 people were detained in the aftermath of the protests. In recent months, hundreds of demonstrators have been sentenced to long prison terms, in some cases up to 25 years.

Wholesale market in Cuba

Wholesale market in Cuba

Cuba to allow foreign investment in wholesale and retail

For the first time since 1959, Cuba plans to allow some foreign investment in local wholesale and retail trade.