Swiss warning, U.S. congressional pressure and humanitarian aid as Cuba faces fuel and economic strain
Loading...
Summary
Switzerland warned of rising social tensions amid blackouts and shortages; three Florida Republicans urged tighter U.S. export controls for Cuba; a U.S. humanitarian shipment arrived in Santiago de Cuba while aviation fuel limits are forcing route adjustments and the informal currency market showed further devaluation.
Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs warned that prolonged power outages and fuel shortages are severely disrupting daily life in Cuba and increase the risk of violent confrontations, advising foreigners to exercise caution and noting potential penalties for photographing military facilities or engaging in political activities.
Separately, three Republican members of Congress from Florida — María Elvira Salazar, Mario Díaz Ballar and Carlos Jiménez — urged the U.S. administration to tighten sanctions on Cuba. According to the bulletin, the lawmakers asked the departments of commerce and the treasury to review and revoke export licenses above $100,000,000 and to audit authorizations they say benefit state‑run conglomerates.
The report also described operational impacts on international aviation: sources cited by the program said that since Feb. 10 airlines must ensure sufficient fuel for return legs, which limits regular operations, may cause technical stops outside Cuba, increase costs and force adjustments to routes and travel packages.
In humanitarian developments, a U.S. ship carrying food and hygiene supplies arrived at the port of Santiago de Cuba to deliver aid for vulnerable eastern provinces; the shipment will be distributed by Cáritas Cuba through dioceses in Santiago, Holguín and Manzanillo with church support. The bulletin noted the head of the U.S. mission in Havana, referenced as "Hammer," supervised the arrival.
Finally, Martí Noticias reported movements in the informal currency market: the convertible peso moved from 410 to 408; the U.S. dollar reached a record 500 pesos and the euro remained around 555 pesos, figures that the bulletin said reflect deeper liquidity and energy problems affecting tourism and imports.
