NuestraAmericaConvoy.org: Update – Our Flotilla is Growing into a Global Convoy Last week, we announced an emergency response to Cuba’s humanitarian crisis in the form of a sea mission to deliver aid to the island. The response was overwhelming. From trade unionists to doctors, from community organisers to parliamentarians, messages poured in from across the world asking how they could take part and show their solidarity with the Cuban people. So we are expanding the mission: we announce that Nuestra América is growing from a single sea mission into a global convoy to Cuba — mobilising humanitarian aid by land, air, and sea, and converging in Havana on 21 March.
Venezuela
TeleSur: Code Pink Arrives in Caracas in Solidarity with the Venezuelan People A Code Pink delegation, led by Medea Benjamin, arrived in Caracas as part of the Internationalist Mission for Peace. They were received by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, symbolizing unity against external aggression. The activists seek to break the media and political siege imposed by Washington against Venezuela.
Ultimas Noticias: Venezuela Condemns US Renewal of US Executive Order Stating Venezuela is a Unusual Threat to US National Security This measure, which labels the country an “unusual and extraordinary threat,” was extended by the US government on February 18. This renewal continues Executive Order 13692, originally signed in 2015 by then-President Obama.
Merco Press: Venezuela unanimously passesamnesty law, excluding armed actions and serious crimes The text sets out explicit exclusions. Those who supported, facilitated, financed sedition. took part in “armed actions” or military rebellion, invasion, or coercive acts against citizens, sovereignty or territorial integrity — including actions backed by foreign states or corporations — are not eligible. The law also bars beneficiaries linked to serious offenses such as grave human-rights violations, crimes against humanity or war crimes, intentional homicide, drug trafficking and crimes against public assets.
Common Dreams (Roger Harris, John Perry): The Decapitation That Failed: Venezuela After the Abduction of President Maduro The response of US political establishment to the attack on Venezuela has been striking. Without the slightest cognitive dissonance over President Nicolás Maduro’s violent abduction, Democrats call for “restoring democracy”—but not for returning Venezuela’s lawful president. The reason Maduro’s life was spared tells us volumes about the resilience of the Bolivarian Revolution, the strength of Maduro even in captivity, and the inability of the empire to subjugate Venezuela. Killing Nicolás Maduro Moros appears to have been a step too far, even for Washington’s hawks.
Rather than collapsing, the Bolivarian Revolution survived the decapitation. With a seamless continuation of leadership under acting President Delcy Rodríguez, even some figures in the opposition have rallied around the national leadership, heeding the nationalist call of a populace mobilized in the streets in support of their president. This has pushed the US to negotiate rather than outright conquer. After declaring Venezuela an illegitimate narco-state, Trump has flipped, recognized the Chavista government, and invited its acting executive to Washington. In her NBC interview Acting President Delcy Rodriguez explained that free and fair elections require being “free of sanctions and… not undermined by international bullying and harassment by the international press.”
Washington’s kidnapping of Maduro was intended to demonstrate the empire’s dominance. But it also exposed its limits: the durability of the Bolivarian Revolution and the reality that even great powers must sometimes negotiate with governments they detest.
Investigaction: Venezuela: Delcy Rodriguez and Imperial Blackmail The current pause in North American punitive military violence against Venezuela does not signify the establishment of a “peace” under Washington’s tutelage. Negotiations are not conducted with a gun to one’s head, and according to the Vienna Convention, no agreement signed under the threat or use of force is valid.
What persists today are psychological operations and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the CIA and the Pentagon, with the direct complicity of major digital platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp) and hegemonic media such as The New York Times, The Guardian, AP and Reuters. In this total war, psychological and cognitive warfare have become essential tools for winning the battle. After the failure of one of the major objectives of the armed aggression — regime change and installation of a puppet government — the empire’s disinformation factories sowed the idea of a palace conspiracy around an alleged “betrayal” by Delcy Rodríguez, who became interim president in accordance with the Constitution.
Orinoco Tribune: US Imperialism Forced to Negotiate With Chavismo as US Energy Secretary Visits Orinoco Oil Belt The visit February 12 marks the first time a US energy secretary has traveled to Venezuela in several decades. The failure of US imperialism to achieve its regime-change goal has forced Washington to accept negotiations with Chavista authorities and ease several illegal sanctions. Acting President Rodríguez emphasized that the visit symbolizes a “renewed dynamism” in the oil sector, where economic growth is being bolstered through productive alliances and technological exchange with global players.
Mision Verdad: Regarding the Myth About Venezuela Selling Oil to Israel The mechanism imposed by Washington for the marketing of Venezuelan crude oil has transferred operational control from PDVSA to private intermediaries under US supervision. Vitol and Trafigura not only facilitate logistics but also determine the final destinations of the shipments. This structure disconnects the Venezuelan State from the final commercial decisions. Bloomberg’s report on February 10 about a supposed shipment of Venezuelan crude oil to Israel should be analyzed with caution. The Venezuelan government, through the Minister of Communication Miguel Ángel Pérez Pirela, called the report “false” and “manufactured disinformation.”
The reconfiguration of Venezuelan oil trade “under US supervision” raises fundamental questions about Venezuela’s energy sovereignty and commercial autonomy. The US has declared that its control over Venezuelan oil exports will be maintained for an “indefinite” period, conditioning the access of Venezuelan authorities to oil revenues on the submission of “budget requests” subject to Washington’s approval.
Ultimas Noticias: Venezuela National Assembly Vice President Pedro Infante: Meeting with the Southern Command implies recognition and leadership of Chavismo He stated: 1.-The truth of our resistance: After a thousand attempts to overthrow the revolution, the Southern Command itself sits down with its political-military leadership, pragmatically, for a strategy against drug trafficking. Those who put a price on the heads of the people’s main leaders now sit with them, in clear recognition of their leadership and strength. The resilience of our people allowed the United States to sit down with Venezuela as equals at a table of respect and common interests. We are reaping the victory of having firmly withstood the greatest siege in our history.
2. Justice and peace as our banner: To protect and care for President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady and Deputy Cilia Flores, we must sit down with anyone and fight for their liberation, dignity, and respect. Every decision made protects the people from violence and any attempt at foreign aggression.
3. Unity and revolutionary optimism: Let no one be misled by lies that try to sow doubt; every step we take has clear objectives: to free our leaders, consolidate peace, and consolidate growth. Venezuela is respected because we have shown that we were always right and that our sovereignty is priceless. We have the utmost confidence in the political and military leadership of the revolution: we have a plan, we have a project, we have a history. No campaign can overcome that.
Orinoco Tribune: Death Toll From US Extrajudicial Killings Reaches 142, Venezuela Condemns US Renewal of Sanctions US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported a new lethal strike in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, bringing the total number of deaths from its “kinetic strikes” on small boats to 142. US organizations such as the ACLU have noted that SOUTHCOM is acting as “judge, jury, and executioner” on the high seas. Legal experts have highlighted that even under the premise of criminal activity, the summary execution of individuals on civilian boats lacks any legal basis in either US or international maritime law.
Cuba
LA JORNADA: The distribution of food sent by Mexico to Cuba generates “tremendous joy” The ships brought about 800 tons of products and there are still about 1,500 more tons of powdered milk and beans to be loaded in the coming days. The Cuban government explained that the aid will support vulnerable families with underweight children or elderly members.
Granma: The only threat to peace in the region comes from the US government Bruno Rodríguez, member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated: “Now it [Washington] intends to impose a total blockade on fuel supplies to our country. To justify this, it relies on a long list of lies that seek to portray Cuba as a threat that it is not. Every day there is new evidence that the only threat to peace, security, and stability in the region, and the only malign influence, is that exerted by the U.S. government against the nations and peoples of Our America, which it seeks to subjugate to its dictates, strip of their resources, mutilate their sovereignty, and deprive of their independence.”
Resumen Latinoamericano (Raul Capote): Analysis of Possible Scenarios: Cuba-US in 2026 It is highly likely that Cuba will remain on the spurious list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, which blocks almost any international financial transaction and stifles foreign investment. Due to the full activation of Title III (Helms-Burton), an increase in lawsuits against companies that “traffic,” in Washington’s language, in nationalized properties is expected, driving away European and Asian partners. The Cuban economy faces a deep crisis, with projected growth of just 1% in 2026, foreign currency shortages, and severe energy restrictions, exacerbated by the recent executive order declaring Cuba a “national threat” and punishing countries that supply oil to the island with tariffs.
Another possible scenario this year is that the Trump administration will attempt to bring about “regime change” in Cuba through the use of military force. The most likely scenarios could be an attempt at a massive surprise air strike to destroy basic infrastructure, command and communications centers, and densely populated urban centers to cause “shock and awe,” or a surgical attack with the aim of assassinating the top leadership of the Cuban government and its armed forces.
When the US sanctions third parties for selling oil, it is sending a direct message to the island’s leadership: “The cost of maintaining the current system is the total paralysis of the country.” What is absolutely true is that Cuba does not negotiate under pressure. Cuba is preparing for the worst-case scenario. We know how to resist, and we will know how to win.
Aid for Cuba
DSA International Committee: Stop the Siege on Cuba
Global Health Partners: Help Send Life Saving Medical Aid to Cuba Now!
Car Caravan for Cuba: Direct Action, Medical Aid, and Solidarity
Let Cuba Live: Urgent: Send Solar Generators and Panels to Cuban Hospitals
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Upcoming Events:
The National Network on Cuba Instagram account lists many of the activities of different Cuba solidarity groups: https://www.instagram.com/nationalnetworkoncuba
February 28: Los Angeles Hands off Cuba Coalition: Cuba Under Siege
March 8, 3pm ET: Nicaragua’s Extraordinary Commitment to Human Rights & International Law Recent delegation of National Lawyers Guild to Nicaragua
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
Travel to Cuba with Belly of the Beast, March 14-21 or April 4-11 bellyofthebeastcuba.com
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:
21 May – 2 June 2026 Mayo Ya! Celebrating Afro-Caribbean Culture. Join us in Bluefields for the Mayo Ya celebrations featuring street dances, parades and traditional music to welcome the rainy season. Application deadline March 1st.
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 