By: TIANA COLE | HGP Nightly News |
Cuba Opens Dialogue with U.S. as Oil Blockade Cripples National Grid
HAVANA, CUBA — Facing its most severe economic crisis in decades, Cuba has officially opened talks with the United States government. President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed the development on state television, noting that the dialogue aims to resolve bilateral differences that have left the island in near-total darkness.
- The Energy Crisis: Cuba has received zero fuel shipments in the last three months. This has resulted in hours-long blackouts and a dangerously unstable electrical grid.
- The “Oil Blockade”: The crisis was triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut off all Venezuelan oil shipments to the island following the removal of Nicolás Maduro in January. Trump has threatened further tariffs on any nation that attempts to sell oil to Havana.
- Diplomatic Terms: While Trump has alluded to a “takeover” of the island, Díaz-Canel maintained that Cuba is only interested in negotiations based on “equality, respect for political systems, and national sovereignty.”
UN Report: Venezuela’s “Repressive Apparatus” Remains After Maduro
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — A United Nations fact-finding mission has warned that the fall of the Maduro regime has not yet ended human rights concerns in Venezuela. In a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, investigators stated that the “repressive state” remains fully operational despite the presence of U.S. forces.
- Institutionalized Abuse: The report claims that 87 politically motivated detentions have occurred since January.
- Command Structure: Senior military and government officials previously accused of crimes against humanity reportedly still hold significant positions of power.
- The New Government’s Stance: Current authorities in Caracas continue to deny the existence of political prisoners, maintaining that those currently jailed were involved in common criminal activity.
Tobago Opposition Demands Answers on Continued U.S. Military Presence
SCARBOROUGH, TOBAGO — Four months after U.S. troops arrived to install a high-tech radar system at the ANR Robinson International Airport, their continued presence is sparking political tension in Trinidad and Tobago.
- The $3M Daily Radar: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar previously stated the US$3 million-per-day military-grade radar was a temporary measure to stop narco-trafficking and gun smuggling originating from Venezuela.
- The Controversy: Dr. Denise Angus, leader of the Innovative Democratic Alliance, is questioning why troops remain on the island now that their primary regional objective—deposing Nicolás Maduro—has been achieved.
- The “Narco-Cartel” Label: The U.S. maintains the presence is necessary to dismantle the remnants of the drug cartels it associated with the former Venezuelan leadership, which they blame for flooding the Caribbean with illegal narcotics.
