Cuba
Granma: President Díaz-Canel press conference with the national and foreign press (full transcript here)
TeleSur: Cuba Takes Emergency Measures as U.S. Blockade Triggers Severe Fuel Crisis The Cuban Government enacted a series of emergency measures – announced on February 6 – as the country progressively runs short of fuel, following a nearly total U.S. blockade of international oil shipments to the Caribbean archipelago imposed on January 29 through a new tariffs system. Here is a listing of the measures taken.
Peoples Dispatch (Manolo de los Santos): For the Cuban people, surrender is not an option Claims by officials in Washington that “Cuba’s collapse is imminent” usually coincide with a tightening of the blockade. Yet, once again, Cubans have reaffirmed their commitment to the revolution and their creative resistance in the face of the latest US attacks. Cuba’s message to the world remains consistent. They are willing to talk and trade, but not to be owned or become a neo-colony of the United States.
TeleSur: Mexican President Sheinbaum Confirms Shipment of Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Sheinbaum announced the shipment of food and other supplies to the Caribbean island, while her government intensifies negotiations with Washington to resume oil shipments without the imposition of tariffs.
World Federation of Trade Unions: Statement of Internationalist Solidarity with Cuba Against the fuel blockade and the escalation of imperialist aggression By threatening the imposition of tariffs on imports from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, the US government attempts to enforce an absolute fuel blockade, further intensifying the long-standing criminal policy against the Cuban people. The WFTU calls upon its affiliates, friends and class-oriented trade unions worldwide to: Intensify internationalist solidarity with Cuba, condemning the fuel blockade; Demand the immediate and unconditional lifting of the US blockade against Cuba; Strengthen the international solidarity movement in defence of peoples’ sovereignty, peace and social progress.
Venezuela
Ultimas Noticias: Minister of Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello: “The oligarchy will never govern this country again” Cabello declared this during the march for Dignity Day, on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of February 4, 1992. “Let them be aware of the firm decision of a people to live in peace, in tranquility, but being free and sovereign. We ask nothing of anyone. We demand respect, and I am sure: sooner rather than later, Brother Nicolás Maduro and Sister Cilia Flores will be on this avenue… we have shown that we can rise again after the departure of Commander Chávez. They said that here, when Commander Chávez died, the Bolivarian Revolution would end in a month.”
Mision Verdad: Partial Reform of the Venezuelan Hydrocarbons Law: An Analytical Review The partial reform of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law (LOH) is at the center of the debate in Venezuela, given that some interpretations of the text have been made, in many cases through political biases and deliberate misrepresentations. Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) is declared “exclusively owned by the Venezuelan State and its subsidiaries.” Joint ventures are ratified in the new Hydrocarbons Law (LOH) as part of PDVSA’s management and partnership model with other companies, both national and foreign. This was already established in the 2006 LOH, and the spirit of that era is reaffirmed now.
Neither PDVSA nor the Venezuelan state has the resources today to invest heavily in new developments and oil fields. Therefore, further incentives are being offered to attract new investment in these undeveloped oil fields. This does not imply a loss of sovereignty; it implies creating comparative advantages to attract investment where it is needed. Now, through contracts, private national or foreign companies are authorized to assume, in a shared or total manner, some key processes of the marketing of products outside the country.
TeleSur: Mass Demonstration in Venezuela for Release of President Maduro and Cilia Flores One Month after their Abduction On February 3, the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was the scene of a massive demonstration of citizens demanding the return of the Constitutional president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and the first lady, Cilia Flores, abducted by US imperialism exactly one month ago.
Orinoco Tribune: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez Appoints Félix Plasencia as Ambassador to US, Meets With US Diplomatic Envoy Acting President Delcy Rodríguez appointed Félix Plasencia as the Venezuelan ambassador to the US on Monday night. Foreign Affairs Minister Yván Gil announced the appointment. The announcement followed a meeting between Rodríguez and the US Chargé d’Affaires for the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Bogota, Laura Dogu. Dodu said, “We are going to implement a three-phase plan: stabilizing the country and restoring security; recovering its economy; and transitioning to a friendly and democratic Venezuela.” Many analysts noted that her tone was not particularly diplomatic, hinting at a potential upcoming clash with the Chavista leadership currently in control of Venezuela under Constitutional mandates.
Send Letters of solidarity to Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores They are being held hostage as political prisoners by the U.S. government at Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn. Letters cut through that isolation. They assert solidarity, visibility and collective power. They are concrete acts of prisoner solidarity and resistance to imperialism, which relies on silence. Letters refuse that silence. Write to President Maduro and Cilia Flores at the following addresses.
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Upcoming Events:
Global Health Partners Cuba Appeal: Donate for “Sutures Save Lives”
February 12 (zoom): International Meeting with Social Movements 12 Years Since the CELAC Declaration
February 15, 2-4 pm ET: webinar Cuba Under Siege featuring a speaker from Cuba’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations & organizers from labor unions and solidarity groups
March 14-15 conference (NYC): Cuba under Siege: Stop US Military Intervention in the Americas! Defend Venezuelan Sovereignty! Welcome to the Delegation from Cuba attending the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
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Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua:
Cuba – Video: Yes You can Travel to Cuba
Labor & Youth Activists Delegation, April 23- May 3
Building Relations with Cuban Labor May Day Delegation
NNOC 19th International May Day Brigade
May Day in Santiago de Cuba 2026 (download info doc)
Witness for Peace 2026 delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade
Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
7 -15 March 2026: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
June 2026: Global Health: Family and Community Health in Nicaragua
July 2026: Solidarity in Action: Nicaragua’s Popular Revolution
October 2026: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
Now offering Spanish classes! Fun and practical language classes at Casa Ben Linder – our model teaches 1/2 day class & 1/2 day practice in a community setting.
Chicago ALBA Solidarity 