International
Amnesty International is “very concerned” about the human rights situation in Cuba
The NGO Amnesty International (AI) was “very concerned” this Thursday with the situation of human rights in Cuba in general – and in particular with those of expression and association – in a new publication dedicated to the island.
The report, entitled ‘Images of rebellion’, includes assessments of the situation in the country, profiles of the five people that AI currently considers prisoners of conscience in Cuba and different signs of solidarity with these people.
The objective, the regional AI researcher for the Caribbean, the Cuban Johanna Cilano, explained in an interview with EFE, was to “visualize the global action of solidarity” with Cuban prisoners of conscience and also to continue encouraging that “solidarity in defense of human rights.”
He highlighted that one of those Cuban prisoners, the artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, has received 21,000 letters of support as a result of an AI campaign to denounce his case.
Otero Alcántara, one of the best-known faces of the San Isidro movement, was sentenced to five years in prison for using a Cuban flag in an artistic performance and trying to join the protests of July 11, 2021.
The researcher clarified that AI does not make exhaustive lists of prisoners, but highlights cases that she considers relevant, “known and well-ter-treated voices,” which can “mobilize” international public opinion for their person and for the reason of their arrest.
Currently, AI considers four other Cubans prisoners of conscience in addition to Otero Alcántara: the musician Maykel Osorbo, the dissident José Daniel Ferrer García, the Yoruba religious Loreto Hernández García and the Yoruba priestess Donaida Pérez.
However, Cilano added to EFE, AI is studying recognizing several more prisoners of conscience in Cuba, possibly in the first half of this year. This implies fulfilling a series of “requirements”, but also the ability of the NGO to carry out the “follow-up” of the case.
For this researcher, the situation in Cuba is “worrying” due to the “lack of channels to express concerns of dissidents,” the citizen’ need to “claim social rights” in a context of “deterioration of economic conditions” and the persistence of “repressive patterns.”
He pointed out in this regard the “reluctance” of the Cuban Government to any recommendation on human rights, especially civil and political, by multilateral organizations and international NGOs, and its refusal to any external audit.
They also “concern” a lot” legal movements such as the approval of the new Criminal Code and the Social Communication Law, which AI emphasizes that they restrict the exercise of social and political human rights; and the delay in legislating on rights enshrined in the 2019 Constitution, such as those of association and demonstration.
Cilano also pointed out the “impossibility” of exercising freedom of the press, with the “harassment” and “retaliation” to unofficial journalism and the “clear repressive patterns” that limit religious freedom, whose intensity has fluctuated over time and the different confessions.
The researcher recalled that AI has criticized the US sanctions on Cuba, which she considers have an “impact” on human rights, but this “is no excuse for the Cuban Government not to guarantee and protect the human rights of Cuban citizenship.”
On the crossfire between Washington and Havana in which the former prioritize the freedoms of expression and manifestation and the latter the right of universal access to education and health, Cilano said: “There are no rights above others.”
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
