Twitter blocks Cuban news accounts

On 11 September, Twitter blocked the accounts of leading Cuba media outlets, journalists and prominent personalities just as the Cuban president was due to appear on television to inform the public on measures adopted in the face of severe fuel shortages.

René González and Gerardo Hernández, members of the Miami Five, also announced that they had had their accounts suspended by Twitter. Cuba’s Union of Journalists released a statement condemning the action.

• Read the full statement from the Cuban Union of Journalists

Cuba says it is battling acute fuel shortages due to US sanctions

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that the country would have to implement emergency measures to stave off an acute fuel shortage in September caused by the Trump administration’s efforts to block oil shipments to the country.

Speaking during a round table discussion broadcast on national television he said the island will have to make do this month with the little fuel now available, plus the supply from two shipments arriving later in the month. All shipments for October were already guaranteed he announced.

• Read the full story

Cuba denounces US plan to sabotage international medical volunteers

The Cuban government has denounced US state department plans to spend millions of dollars to “discredit and sabotage” the island’s international medical cooperation programmes.

The Cuban government has denounced US state department plans to spend millions of dollars to “discredit and sabotage” the island’s international medical cooperation programmes.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is offering up to $3 million to organisations to collect information to discredit the programmes.

• Read the Cuban Foreign Ministry statement

• More information on the USAID programme

Trump: Hands of Cuba and Venezuela. No to blockade and sanctions – public meeting, Brighton

All are invited to a public meeting in Brighton: Monday 23 September, 5.30pm, Brightelm Centre, North Rd, Brighton BN1 1YD

With guest speakers

• HE Teresita Vicente, Cuban Ambassador

• Danielle Rowley MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Justice & Green Jobs

• Steve Turner, Unite Assistant General Secretary

• Christine Blower, National Education Union International Secretary

• Huda Elmi, Labour NEC

• Marcus Barnett, Young Labour International Officer

• Dr Francisco Dominguez, VSC

• Chair: Karen Lee MP, Shadow Minister for Fire & Rescue Services.

Say no to Trump's illegal sanctions and threats of war in Latin America and hear about the latest developments.

This fringe meeting for Labour Party Conference is outside the zone and open to all.

• More details and fringe flyer

Latin America Adelante! Conference 2019

Saturday 23 November 2019 at Friends House, Euston Road, London

The 15th annual Adelante! Latin America Conference will take place on Saturday 23 November 2019. More than 50 speakers from across the globe will address around 30 seminars and plenaries, discussing the current political and social realities in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the threat many face from reactionary forces both internally and from the United States government under Donald Trump. The Latin America Conference provides a great opportunity to meet with campaigners and country experts and enjoy films, stalls, and debate.

Tickets £10 waged/£8 unwaged. Pay online or call 020 7490 5715.

• Find out more

• Buy your tickets online today

Unions for Cuba Conference

Saturday 2 November 2019 at NEU Hamilton House, London, WC1H 9BB

The Unions for Cuba conference is the highlight of Cuba60 – CSC’s year of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and the 80th anniversary of the CTC.

The conference comes at a critical time for the Cuban people, as the Trump administration has tightened the blockade to unprecedented levels in an attempt to strangle the Cuban economy.

Speakers include Len McCluskey (GS Unite the Union), Kevin Courtney (GS NEU), Carmen Rosa López, Deputy General Secretary, Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), Karen Lee MP, Dave Ward (GS, CWU), Steve Gillan (GS,POA), and general secretaries and trade union leaders from Cuba’s SNTS (health), SNTAP (public administration), SNTECD (education) SNTCIE (communications), SNTTP (transport and ports) and SNTEM (energy and mining) unions. Final speakers and details will be announced soon.

• Find out more and book your tickets today