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Cuba

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Cuba. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Havana

Head of State

President Miguel Díaz-Canel

Head of Government

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz

Havana was again plunged into darkness when the power grid collapsed last week. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

Beijing official hails China and Cuba as ‘good brothers’ in show of solidarity

Liu Haixing, who heads party’s international department, says ties are at ‘unprecedented new height’ during talks with counterpart in Havana.

10 Aug 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

7 Aug 2026 - 10:17PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

4 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

US-Cuba relations

Cuba plunged into darkness again as power grid collapses

Total failure leaves millions without electricity amid severe fuel shortages, ageing infrastructure and US sanctions.

3 Aug 2026 - 1:43PM

Havana during a nationwide power outage on July 10. Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, following three other nationwide blackouts in July. Photo: AFP

US-Cuba relations

Cuba says nearly three-quarters of hotels have shut as travel plunges

Havana details scale of industry collapse for the first time amid severe economic crisis and energy blockade.

30 Jul 2026 - 1:49PM

Donald Trump

Raul Castro absent as Cuba marks revolutionary anniversary

For the first time in over 30 years, the 95-year-old ex-president skips the July 26 rally.

27 Jul 2026 - 11:34AM

China-Latin America relations

US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity

State Department report alleges Beijing and Moscow regard Cuba-based facilities as among their ‘most critical foreign listening posts’.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:09PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has backed a new report released on Monday that said China maintains a “persistent intelligence-gathering presence” in Cuba. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

19 Jul 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump’s fiery speech accuses China of US election interference – as it happened

Trump’s speech focused on Chinese interference in domestic politics, called out local TV networks and mentioned Iran war once.

17 Jul 2026 - 12:06PMvideocam

United States

US to focus counterterrorism efforts on left-wing groups, Rubio says

Critics, however, fear that ‌designating groups as far-left terror organisations risks targeting lawful protests and political opponents.

17 Jul 2026 - 6:42AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the US Department of State on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

How overlapping US and China sanctions are complicating business in Africa

Compliance inquiries surge as broad range of industries at risk, spanning mining, banking, telecoms, technology, energy and infrastructure.

11 Jul 2026 - 3:36PMvideocam

African banking is one of the sectors affected. Photo: Reuters

United Nations

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

8 Jul 2026 - 9:39AM

US-Cuba relations

More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba’s president slams Washington’s ‘strangulation’ of communist island as grid collapse leaves 9.6 million without power.

7 Jul 2026 - 1:07PM

China-Latin America relations

Aid for Venezuela, China-Colombia ties: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s move towards Beijing to Lula’s beef deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in June 2026.

2 Jul 2026 - 10:30PM

Venezuela

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and other governments that suspended relations with the country offer rescue teams and humanitarian aid.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:52PMvideocam

Neighbours carry a man from the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira, Venezuela. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:47AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico seeks to restart oil shipments to energy-starved Cuba

President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to resume critical fuel deliveries using commercial firms that have permits.

23 Jun 2026 - 11:18AM

Obituaries

Ramiro Valdes, key figure of Cuban revolution and Castro ally, dead at 94

The architect of Cuba’s state security apparatus and former vice-president was one of the final veterans of the 1956 rebel uprising.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:59AM

Ramiro Valdes in Havana in 2024. Photo: Reuters

Vietnam

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

20 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Africa

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:13PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 3:24PM

A man works on a classic American car in Havana. The communist island has unveiled its most profound free-market reforms in decades. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

12 Jun 2026 - 5:29AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Cuba’s state-owned oil and gas company Union Cuba-Petroleo on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

United States

UN slams ‘unacceptable’ US sanctions causing child deaths in Cuba

Human rights chief Turk said Trump’s pressure campaign against the island has crippled medical services, sparking a jump in infant mortality rate.

9 Jun 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Earthquakes

Strongest earthquake in nearly 150 years hits off Cuba, shaking Mexico and Florida

Rare earthquake with 6.1 magnitude shakes buildings in Havana and beyond.

9 Jun 2026 - 9:07AM

US-China relations

The new Panama? Why Nicaragua could be next front in US-China influence battle

Beijing could move to build an alternative to the Panama Canal in Nicaragua, before the US gets involved, scholar warns.

9 Jun 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

A vessel transits the Panama Canal. China could move to build a rival waterway in Nicaragua, as it looks to counter pressure from the United States. Photo: Reuters

US-Cuba relations

Summer most likely window for US attack on Cuba, Chinese defence tech firm says

Using tracking data and AI, Jingan Technology suggests ‘decapitation’ operation more probable than full-scale invasion.

5 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump might seek a quick win over Cuba to boost political support in the US midterm elections, according to a Chinese defence technology firm. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

China says US ‘invented’ terrorism charges to justify Cuba blockade

Foreign ministry rebutted Marco Rubio’s claim that Cuba sponsors terrorism and demanded an end to US sanctions on the island.

5 Jun 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls

China’s economic gains in the Americas are real, but Donald Trump’s return to the White House shows that political success is another story.

5 Jun 2026 - 2:23AMvideocam

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Cuba

Beijing official hails China and Cuba as ‘good brothers’ in show of solidarity

Liu Haixing, who heads party’s international department, says ties are at ‘unprecedented new height’ during talks with counterpart in Havana.

US sanctions Cuba’s military representative in Beijing over China procurement

Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

Cuba plunged into darkness again as power grid collapses

Total failure leaves millions without electricity amid severe fuel shortages, ageing infrastructure and US sanctions.

Cuba says nearly three-quarters of hotels have shut as travel plunges

Havana details scale of industry collapse for the first time amid severe economic crisis and energy blockade.

Raul Castro absent as Cuba marks revolutionary anniversary

For the first time in over 30 years, the 95-year-old ex-president skips the July 26 rally.

US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity

State Department report alleges Beijing and Moscow regard Cuba-based facilities as among their ‘most critical foreign listening posts’.

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

Trump’s fiery speech accuses China of US election interference – as it happened

Trump’s speech focused on Chinese interference in domestic politics, called out local TV networks and mentioned Iran war once.

US to focus counterterrorism efforts on left-wing groups, Rubio says

Critics, however, fear that ‌designating groups as far-left terror organisations risks targeting lawful protests and political opponents.

How overlapping US and China sanctions are complicating business in Africa

Compliance inquiries surge as broad range of industries at risk, spanning mining, banking, telecoms, technology, energy and infrastructure.

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba’s president slams Washington’s ‘strangulation’ of communist island as grid collapse leaves 9.6 million without power.

Aid for Venezuela, China-Colombia ties: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s move towards Beijing to Lula’s beef deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in June 2026.

Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas

Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and other governments that suspended relations with the country offer rescue teams and humanitarian aid.

US targets Cuba mining sector to block use of China-linked supply chains

Washington revealed sanctions on foreign-backed mining ventures on Tuesday, which Havana slammed for being ‘dishonest and mendacious’.

Mexico seeks to restart oil shipments to energy-starved Cuba

President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to resume critical fuel deliveries using commercial firms that have permits.

Ramiro Valdes, key figure of Cuban revolution and Castro ally, dead at 94

The architect of Cuba’s state security apparatus and former vice-president was one of the final veterans of the 1956 rebel uprising.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

Vietnam has stood by Cuba for 60 years. Now Washington is raising the price of that friendship – and Hanoi must decide what it’s worth.

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

Under US pressure, Cuba unveils largest economic reform in decades

National Assembly votes unanimously to approve dozens of reforms aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy.

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

UN slams ‘unacceptable’ US sanctions causing child deaths in Cuba

Human rights chief Turk said Trump’s pressure campaign against the island has crippled medical services, sparking a jump in infant mortality rate.

Strongest earthquake in nearly 150 years hits off Cuba, shaking Mexico and Florida

Rare earthquake with 6.1 magnitude shakes buildings in Havana and beyond.

The new Panama? Why Nicaragua could be next front in US-China influence battle

Beijing could move to build an alternative to the Panama Canal in Nicaragua, before the US gets involved, scholar warns.

Summer most likely window for US attack on Cuba, Chinese defence tech firm says

Using tracking data and AI, Jingan Technology suggests ‘decapitation’ operation more probable than full-scale invasion.

China says US ‘invented’ terrorism charges to justify Cuba blockade

Foreign ministry rebutted Marco Rubio’s claim that Cuba sponsors terrorism and demanded an end to US sanctions on the island.

Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls

China’s economic gains in the Americas are real, but Donald Trump’s return to the White House shows that political success is another story.

Asian Angle | When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?