Human rights groups criticize Cuba’s new criminal code
March 24, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Cuba enacted a new penal code this week that activists and human rights organizations warned Friday could further limit free expression and snuff out protests at a time of deepening discontent on the island.
Cuba holds national elections with no opposition candidates
March 24, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Cuba holds National Assembly elections Sunday, but there are only 470 candidates running for the 470 seats, with no opposition challengers and no campaigning. Voters essentially will do no more than endorse the nominated slate of candidates.
Cuban baseball team draws ire, support in Little Havana
March 20, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Jose Vilela fled Cuba for the United States when he was 14 years old after spending six months in a concentration camp. Like many of his compatriots, he settled in Miami's Cuban neighborhood, Little Havana.
Cubans search for holiday food amid deepening crisis
March 14, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — As Belkis Fajardo, 69, walks through the dense streets of downtown Havana with a small bag of lettuce and onions in hand, she wonders how she’ll feed her family over the holidays.
Scarcity and economic turmoil are nothing new to Cuba, but Fajardo is among many Cubans to note that this year is different thanks to soaring inflation and deepening shortages.
OAS boss traveled with female aide at center of ethics probe
March 9, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The head of the Organization of American States made almost three dozen work trips with a female staffer with whom he maintained a long-running intimate relationship, according to travel records uncovered by The Associated Press.
Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind ‘Havana syndrome’
March 2, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence agencies cannot link a foreign adversary to any of the incidents associated with so-called “Havana syndrome,” the hundreds of cases of brain injuries and other symptoms reported by American personnel around the world.
Mexico sets up express lane for Cuban migrants’ relatives
February 16, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Cubans with relatives already in Mexico will be eligible for new expedited applications for Mexican visas, the country’s Foreign Relations Department announced Wednesday.
Special visa appointments will be held starting in April at the Mexican consulate in Havana, the agency said.
Mexico welcomes Cuban president amid hard times
February 11, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged Saturday that the island faces “tremendously difficult challenges,” as he arrived for a visit in Mexico.
The Cuban leader blamed the problems on the “blows of nature” and U.S.
Cuban president to get Mexico’s highest medal for foreigners
February 10, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — In the latest chapter in Mexico’s love-fest with Cuba, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel will be awarded Mexico’s highest medal when he visits the southern Mexico city of Campeche on Saturday.
Pope seeks release of Cubans arrests during 2021 protests
February 8, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Pope Francis hopes Cuban authorities will release and grant amnesty to people arrested and sentenced after the historic protests that took place in 2021, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who traveled to the island as the pontiff’s special envoy, said Wednesday.
US delegation is going to Cuba to discuss law enforcement
January 13, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Another delegation from the United States will travel to Cuba this month to discuss law enforcement issues, the State Department said Fridaty.
The visit will marks another small step forward in improving an icy relationship between the two countries under the Biden administration.
DeSantis tested on immigration as he weighs 2024 candidacy
January 12, 2023 GMTTAVERNIER, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent dozens of immigrants from Texas to an island off the Massachusetts coast last year in a high-profile effort to highlight illegal immigration on the eve of the midterm elections.
Western Union resumes limited money transfers to Cuba
January 11, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Western Union said Wednesday it has resumed remittance services between the U.S. and Cuba in a limited capacity after two years of the essential economic lifeline being severed.
The company stopped the money transfers in 2020 after then President Donald Trump tightened long-standing U.S.
Migrant repatriations continue as Florida steps up patrols
January 9, 2023 GMTKEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 273 migrants to Matanzas, Cuba, over the weekend following interdictions off the Florida Keys.
While more than 4,400 migrants from Cuba and Haiti have made their way by boat to the state since August, more than 700 migrants arrived in the Florida Keys over New Year's weekend, officials said.
On eve of Biden’s border visit, migrants fear new rules
January 8, 2023 GMTEL PASO, Texas (AP) — Several hundred people marched through the streets of El Paso on Saturday afternoon, and when they arrived at a group of migrants huddling outside a church, they sang to them “no estan solos” — “you are not alone.”
Ex-Pentagon intelligence analyst who spied for Cuba freed
January 7, 2023 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former U.S. defense intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Cuba more than 20 years ago has been released from a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ana Belen Montes, 65, was released Friday, Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesman Scott Taylor said Saturday.
DeSantis activates state guard as migrants flow into Florida
January 6, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday mobilized the state national guard to help local officials respond to a large influx of Cuban migrants landing in the Florida Keys.
Cubans crossing into US stunned to hear of new asylum limits
January 6, 2023 GMTYUMA, Ariz. (AP) — Migrants who entered the U.S. illegally under moonlit skies and waist-deep cold water Friday were devastated to learn they may be sent back to Mexico under expanded limits on the pursuit of asylum.
Cuban migrants arrive in Florida to uncertain future
January 5, 2023 GMTKEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Yoandri Sánchez Sánchez arrived in the Florida Keys just before sunrise Thursday with 22 other Cubans on a makeshift, motorized raft they built themselves.
Their 100-mile (160-kilometer) journey from the communist island across the dangerous Florida Straits began on New Year's Eve and was interrupted by heavy rain that forced them to take shelter on a small deserted island for a couple days.
Biden toughens border, offers legal path for 30,000 a month
January 5, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the U.S. would immediately begin turning away Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally, his boldest move yet to confront the arrivals of migrants that have spiraled since he took office two years ago.
Cuban migrants flow into Florida Keys, overwhelm officials
January 4, 2023 GMTMARATHON, Fla. (AP) — More than 500 Cuban immigrants have come ashore in the Florida Keys since the weekend, the latest in a large and increasing number who are fleeing the communist island and stretching thin U.S.
Facing migration flood, US resumes services at Cuba embassy
January 4, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Grappling with the biggest flood of Cuban migrants in decades, the United States reopened their long-closed legal pathway on Wednesday by resuming all visa services at its embassy in Havana.
Raft with US flag caught in plain view off Havana coast
December 12, 2022 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Onlookers scratched their heads at a peculiar scene just off the coast of Havana on Monday — Cuba's coast guard intercepted nearly a dozen passengers from a scrappy blue handmade raft with an American flag painted along the bow.
Democratic lawmakers visit Havana, meet with Cuban president
December 11, 2022 GMTHAVANA (AP) — A delegation of at least three U.S. lawmakers visited Havana and met with Cuba’s government this week, American and Cuban officials confirmed.
Reps. James McGovern (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Troy Carter (D-LA) met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, leaders in Cuba’s congress and its foreign minister, the U.S.
Cuba government rallies backers following big protests
July 17, 2021 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Cuban officials rallied tens of thousands of supporters in the streets on Saturday — nearly a week after they were stunned by the most widespread protests in decades.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel— accompanied by 90-year-old former President Raul Castro — appeared on the seafront Malecon boulevard that had seen some of the largest protests against shortages and the political system the previous weekend.