By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Regional and international reports highlight a deepening energy crisis in Cuba, political friction over housing taxes in Trinidad and Tobago, and the fragile state of the ceasefire in the Middle East.
Cuba: UN Warns of Humanitarian “Collapse” Amid U.S. Oil Blockade
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a dire warning regarding a potential humanitarian “collapse” in Cuba. The alert comes as the United States intensifies its blockade, moving to prevent oil shipments from reaching the island and threatening tariffs on any nation—specifically naming Mexico—that attempts to intervene.
The fuel shortage has paralyzed parts of the country, leading to:
- Severe Blackouts: Prolonged power outages, including in Havana.
- Price Surges: A drastic rise in the cost of food and public transportation.
- Vulnerable Populations: A significant increase in the number of citizens lacking basic services.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that the Secretary-General is “extremely concerned” and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and respect international law. The crisis has been compounded by recent regional developments, including the U.S. operation involving Venezuela earlier this year, which disrupted Cuba’s primary oil supply line.
Trinidad and Tobago: PNM Demands Resignation Over “Inheritance Tax”
The People’s National Movement (PNM) has launched a stinging attack on the government, calling for the immediate resignation of Housing Minister Dr. David Lee. The controversy centers on new transfer fees for Housing Development Corporation (HDC) properties, which the opposition has labeled a “stealth inheritance tax.”
The Opposition’s Claims:
- Lack of Transparency: The PNM asserts the fees were implemented without public consultation or parliamentary oversight.
- Targeting the Vulnerable: Critics argue the tax disproportionately affects low-income families attempting to pass homes to the next generation.
- Oversight Failure: The opposition described the move as a “total collapse of oversight” and a betrayal of homeowners.
Minister Lee has yet to issue a formal rebuttal to the resignation call, though the government has previously defended administrative adjustments as necessary for the sustainability of the housing sector.
International: Gaza Truce Under Strain After Deadly Strikes
A fragile, U.S.-backed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is facing its most significant test yet after Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling killed 21 Palestinians, including four children, on Wednesday.
Casualty Reports:
- Tragedy in Khan Younis: A medic was killed by a secondary strike while attempting to rescue victims of an initial attack.
- Loss of Life in Gaza City: Among the deceased was a five-month-old infant.
- Military Stance: The Israeli military maintains the strikes were a “real-time response” to militants who opened fire on troops near the border.
The violence comes just days after the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt—a key pillar of the Oct. 10 truce. While mediators from Egypt and Qatar have condemned the strikes as violations of the agreement, both sides continue to accuse the other of breaching the terms of the fragile peace.
