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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

Cuba faces a deepening crisis marked by widespread power outages, acute fuel shortages and growing economic strain, as external pressure and limited supplies weigh on daily life. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:30AMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

10 Apr 2026 - 10:29AMvideocam

Donald Trump

A new cast of Castros is emerging in Cuba, where the name holds sway

7 Apr 2026 - 1:44PM

US-Cuba relations

Cuba pardons 2,010 prisoners in ‘humanitarian’ gesture amid US pressure

Mass release follows Trump’s decision to allow Russian oil into the fuel-starved island.

3 Apr 2026 - 12:50PM

People ride past the US embassy in Havana during an anti-imperialist youth march on Thursday. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US threats for Chile, China tariffs Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

1 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

US-Cuba relations

Fidel Castro’s grandson backs capitalism and Trump deal, slams Cuba leader

Sandro Castro said most ‘Cubans want to be capitalist, not communist’ amid worsening power outages and an economic crisis.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

Venezuela

Russian oil tanker arrives in Cuba as Moscow vows to stand by Havana

Cuba became dependent on the Soviet Union for oil after its communist revolution ⁠in 1959.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

A street without power during a nationwide blackout in Havana on March 22, 2026. Photo: TNS

Americas and the Caribbean

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in lifeline for the island

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

30 Mar 2026 - 11:20AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Missing aid boats safely crossed to Cuba, US coastguard says

The Mexican Navy had earlier launched a search and rescue mission after losing communication with the two vessels.

28 Mar 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

Mexico

Mexico’s navy searches for 2 Cuba-bound aid boats that are missing

The boats are part of a broader grass roots aid effort for ⁠energy-strapped Cuba as it reels from a US-imposed fuel embargo.

27 Mar 2026 - 9:41AM

Two boats that left Mexico’s southeastern state of Quintana Roo last week. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:32AMvideocam

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt. Photo: Reuters

United States

Humanitarian aid boat arrives in Cuba amid US blockade crisis

Shrimp fishing boat with aid docks weeks after the Trump administration cut off fuel supplies to the island nation.

25 Mar 2026 - 1:27PM

Afghanistan

Afghanistan releases detained US citizen after more than a year

Researcher Dennis Coyle, 64, was arrested in January 2025 on ‘violations of Afghanistan’s applicable laws’.

25 Mar 2026 - 2:28AM

Donald Trump

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

Havana, Cuba as it battles its latest power blackout. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:39AMvideocam

A man walks down a street in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

The US says the move will bring 140 million barrels of oil to markets, even as Iran says it has no surplus crude to sell globally.

21 Mar 2026 - 8:55AM

China-Latin America relations

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

19 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

China manufacturing

China to help Cuba with solar energy amid US oil blockade and total power outage

Beijing will ‘intensify its support’ to Havana after around 10.9 million people were left without power amid an ongoing energy crisis.

18 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

People gather during a blackout as Cuba’s national electric grid collapsed, according to the country’s grid operator, leaving about 10.9 million people without power amid a US-imposed oil blockade. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

18 Mar 2026 - 1:01PM

Donald Trump

Video | Trump says he will have the ‘honour of taking Cuba’

The US president’s remark comes amid a nationwide blackout linked to US-led oil blockade.

17 Mar 2026 - 10:50AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump vows to ‘take’ Cuba as island reels from total power blackout

US president says he can do ‘anything I want’ with weakened nation as oil embargo cripples Havana’s power grid.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:46PM

A man uses a flashlight after Cuba’s national electric grid collapsed. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Photo: EPA

Americas and the Caribbean

Protesters in Cuba attack Communist party office amid blackout fury

Videos on social media show a large fire and ‌people throwing rocks through the windows of a building.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:52PM

United States

Cuba confirms US talks as island gasps under Trump’s energy blockade

President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the discussion a ‘highly sensitive process’ because it affects bilateral relations of both sides.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

The US president launched a 17-nation ‘counter cartel’ coalition at his ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit.

8 Mar 2026 - 1:46AM

US President Donald Trump attends the “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump says Cuba is going to ‘fall pretty soon’

The president has said it is ‘just a matter of time’ before the US turns to Cuba after finishing its war in Iran.

7 Mar 2026 - 7:59AM

A woman holds a pro-Trump sign and Cuban flags during a protest against Cuba’s government in Miami, Florida, in February. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Opinion | China waits and watches as the US fights all its tigers at once

Far from freeing up resources to focus on China, Trump’s administration finds itself fighting fires on several fronts, sapping its resources.

5 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

1 Mar 2026 - 11:50PM

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Cuba

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

A new cast of Castros is emerging in Cuba, where the name holds sway

Cuba pardons 2,010 prisoners in ‘humanitarian’ gesture amid US pressure

Mass release follows Trump’s decision to allow Russian oil into the fuel-starved island.

US threats for Chile, China tariffs Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

Fidel Castro’s grandson backs capitalism and Trump deal, slams Cuba leader

Sandro Castro said most ‘Cubans want to be capitalist, not communist’ amid worsening power outages and an economic crisis.

Russian oil tanker arrives in Cuba as Moscow vows to stand by Havana

Cuba became dependent on the Soviet Union for oil after its communist revolution ⁠in 1959.

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in lifeline for the island

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

Missing aid boats safely crossed to Cuba, US coastguard says

The Mexican Navy had earlier launched a search and rescue mission after losing communication with the two vessels.

Mexico’s navy searches for 2 Cuba-bound aid boats that are missing

The boats are part of a broader grass roots aid effort for ⁠energy-strapped Cuba as it reels from a US-imposed fuel embargo.

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

Humanitarian aid boat arrives in Cuba amid US blockade crisis

Shrimp fishing boat with aid docks weeks after the Trump administration cut off fuel supplies to the island nation.

Afghanistan releases detained US citizen after more than a year

Researcher Dennis Coyle, 64, was arrested in January 2025 on ‘violations of Afghanistan’s applicable laws’.

Cuba says ready for potential US attack as it recovers from latest blackout

A top Cuban diplomat says regime change is off the table as the US pressures the island with a crippling oil blockade.

Cuba rejects ‘shameless’ US request for diesel amid Trump oil blockade

The US embassy in Havana is seeking fuel for its generators even as the rest of the island is plagued by shortages and power outages.

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

The US says the move will bring 140 million barrels of oil to markets, even as Iran says it has no surplus crude to sell globally.

As Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’

Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts.

China to help Cuba with solar energy amid US oil blockade and total power outage

Beijing will ‘intensify its support’ to Havana after around 10.9 million people were left without power amid an ongoing energy crisis.

Cuba’s leader vows ‘unbreakable resistance’ if US tries to take over island

Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a defiant message after Donald Trump said he might ‘take’ the communist nation.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Trump says he will have the ‘honour of taking Cuba’

The US president’s remark comes amid a nationwide blackout linked to US-led oil blockade.

Trump vows to ‘take’ Cuba as island reels from total power blackout

US president says he can do ‘anything I want’ with weakened nation as oil embargo cripples Havana’s power grid.

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

Protesters in Cuba attack Communist party office amid blackout fury

Videos on social media show a large fire and ‌people throwing rocks through the windows of a building.

Cuba confirms US talks as island gasps under Trump’s energy blockade

President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the discussion a ‘highly sensitive process’ because it affects bilateral relations of both sides.

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

The US president launched a 17-nation ‘counter cartel’ coalition at his ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit.

Trump says Cuba is going to ‘fall pretty soon’

The president has said it is ‘just a matter of time’ before the US turns to Cuba after finishing its war in Iran.

Opinion | China waits and watches as the US fights all its tigers at once

Far from freeing up resources to focus on China, Trump’s administration finds itself fighting fires on several fronts, sapping its resources.

Hongkong Post’s airmail services to 24 countries affected by strikes in Middle East

Public postal service suspends airmail to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, affecting ‘services transiting through these locations’.

Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

Video | Trump says he will have the ‘honour of taking Cuba’