"Its oil blockade has plunged Cuba into a humanitarian crisis, sparking nationwide blackouts that have prompted rare protests, closing schools and universities and leaving hospitals battling to treat patients. Surveillance flights are circling. US media reported this weekend that federal prosecutors are preparing an indictment for Raul Castro, the 94-year-old former president and brother of Fidel. Mr Trump has casually observed, while bragging about the kidnapping of Venezuela's then leader Nicolas Maduro in January, that Cuba is next."
"The government admitted on Wednesday that fuel oil had run out. Tourism has collapsed. The Canadian mining company Sherritt pulled out of a joint venture and countries have axed their contracts for Cuban doctors a vital source of income for the island, and trained medical staff for others. Havana may hope that it can stagger on. But Mr Trump is not patient."
"UN experts warn that the blockade is unlawful, puts human rights at risk and may amount to collective punishment. A military assault on Havana would be vastly more fraught for the US even without the war on Iran and disastrous for Cubans. Washington hopes that threats and privation will be sufficient."
"On Thursday, the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, travelled to Cuba to demand fundamental changes. The US wants economic reform, the closure of Chinese and Russian intelligence posts, and reportedly the removal of President Miguel DiazCanel. That would reinforce the administration's message that it controls the Americas. Marco Rubio, secretary of state and the child of Cuban migrants, has long taken a harsh line towards Havana, and CubanAmericans are an important part of Mr Trump's base."
An oil blockade has plunged Cuba into a humanitarian crisis, causing nationwide blackouts, rare protests, school and university closures, and severe strain on hospitals. Surveillance flights are reported around the island, and federal prosecutors are said to be preparing an indictment for Raul Castro. The US government has admitted fuel oil has run out, while tourism has collapsed. Economic losses include the withdrawal of Sherritt from a joint venture and cancellations of contracts for Cuban doctors, reducing a key income source and training pipeline. UN experts warn the blockade is unlawful, threatens human rights, and may constitute collective punishment. The CIA director traveled to Cuba to demand fundamental changes, including economic reform, closure of Chinese and Russian intelligence posts, and reportedly removal of President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]