7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Caribbean, Tsunami Advisory Issued

Ten-year-old Damir Ortiz, suffering from plexiform neurofibromatosis type 1, is deteriorating as he awaits a visa to travel from Cuba to Miami for urgent medical care. The boy has been denied the necessary visa by U.S. embassy officials in Havana, who require a formal letter from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health acknowledging its inability to provide him adequate treatment, according to his mother, Eliannis Ramírez. Despite receiving care at Havana's Neurology and Neuroscience Institute, Damir's condition worsens daily, with symptoms including partial paralysis and swelling in his eye. Dr. Miguel Ángel Ruano, who monitors Damir remotely, has noted his stability, but time is critical. Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar is advocating for Damir, highlighting the desperate plight of Cuban families navigating a struggling healthcare system. The Cuban government has dismissed claims of inadequate care, asserting the resources necessary for Damir’s treatment are available locally. As Damir awaits his fate, he remains a symbol of the complex struggles between healthcare needs and political tensions.

A new luxury hotel, the Selection La Habana, managed by the Spanish chain Iberostar, has become a focal point of debate in Havana as the country faces a severe economic crisis. The 150-meter tall structure, which boasts 542 rooms and scenic views of the city, is set to open despite criticisms regarding the government's investment priorities amidst declining tourist numbers. In 2024, Cuba saw a drop in tourism to approximately 2.2 million visitors, significantly lower than the 4.2 million recorded in 2019. The government cites various factors for this decline, including supply shortages, a severe energy crisis, and heightened U.S. sanctions that have restricted travel. Many locals, such as artisan Susel Borges, express frustration over the millions allocated to luxury tourism, urging that funds would be better spent on essential services like hospitals and schools. Despite the ongoing issues, the Cuban government continues its ambition to develop luxury tourism, planning to construct more high-end establishments, particularly in Havana. Critics, including economists and architects, have voiced their concerns about the government’s focus on tourism investment compared to other vital sectors like agriculture, which has seen significantly less funding. As the hotel nears its opening, there remains a palpable tension in the community regarding the prioritization of luxury development over basic infrastructure needs.

Families of Cuban prisoners, jailed for participating in anti-government protests in July 2021, are anxiously awaiting the continuation of a promised release following a sudden policy reversal by U.S. President Donald Trump. Just a week after President Biden's administration removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and reportedly negotiated the release of around 553 prisoners with the Cuban government, Trump reinstated the designation, casting doubt on the future of those still incarcerated. Human rights activists from the group Justicia 11J indicate that approximately 150 prisoners have already been released under the agreement, which many believed to be contingent on U.S. policy changes. Prisoners like Nadir Martín Perdomo remain in limbo, with their families expressing deep emotional distress over the uncertainty. Oliva, the wife of one such prisoner, shared the impact of the situation on their children, who are eagerly awaiting news of their father's freedom. Among those recently released is dissident Daniel Ferrer, who quickly utilized his platform to advocate for the fight for a free Cuba. However, many notable figures, including artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, remain behind bars, drawing attention to the broader context of political imprisonment in Cuba. Current estimates suggest that there are around 950 political prisoners in Cuba, according to Prisoners Defenders. Trump's reclassification of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism has raised concerns about international relations and continued sanctions, especially given that figures like Marco Rubio have publicly supported this designation. Human Rights Watch referred to Cuba's consistent human rights violations but rejected the notion of terrorism ties. Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel criticized Trump, labeling his move an act of arrogance. As the future of the prisoner release agreement remains uncertain, families and advocates continue to express their frustrations, fearing that the promised reforms may stall amid geopolitical maneuvers.