International
Cuba approves the Immigration Law that allows residents abroad to maintain their properties
The Parliament of Cuba unanimously approved the Migration Law this Friday, in the midst of an unprecedented migratory wave, and that contemplates, among other things, that islanders abroad can maintain their properties on the island, despite spending more than two years abroad.
The new rule puts an end to the concept of “emigrated”, which was granted to Cubans who migrated and spent more than 24 consecutive months abroad without returning, even briefly, to the country so as not to lose their residence.
According to the approved text, this restriction will disappear to give rise to the concept of “effective residence,” to those who spend “most of their time in the national territory.”
On the other hand, the Government will recognize Cubans “residents abroad” with the same rights as those found within the island, including the “enjoyment and free disposal of the assets of their property.”
They may also apply for the status of “investors and business”.
In that sense, the law will allow foreigners to access permanent residence if they have “an important patrimony abroad” that “allows them to start business or make investments.”
Different dissidents and NGOs have warned about some aspects of the rule for the possible interpretations that the authorities may give and that could affect dissidents abroad.
For example, according to the approved text, the Cuban Government may prohibit its nationals from entering or leaving the island for “reasons of Defense and National Security” or “order and public interest.”
The Ministry of the Interior can also prohibit the entry of foreigners who are dedicated to “organizing, stimulating, carrying out, participating and financing hostile actions against the political, economic and social foundations of the Cuban State.”
The Migration law is the first that was approved this Friday within a package of rules that includes that of Citizenship and Aliens.
The Cuban diaspora has an important political and economic weight on the island, whether because of its influence on American politics, the remittances it sends to the country or its ability to support the incipient private sector commercially and financially.
International
Meta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication
U.S. tech giant Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said that Russia is seeking to ban the messaging app because it “challenges government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication.”
Russian authorities have encouraged citizens to switch to state-backed applications, and in August they already blocked WhatsApp’s calling feature.
On Friday, the communications regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that the platform was being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes.”
“If the messaging service does not comply with Russian law, it will be completely blocked,” the regulator warned.
WhatsApp remains one of Russia’s most widely used messaging services, alongside Telegram.
Moscow is pressuring both platforms to grant authorities access to user data upon request for investigations into fraud and activities the government labels as “terrorist.”
Human rights advocates fear the demand could be used to target critics of the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin, or the war in Ukraine.
International
Archbishop Wenski criticizes Trump’s deportation policies, calls for stronger push for reform
The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, has called for increased pressure on the U.S. Congress to advance comprehensive immigration reform and criticized President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, arguing that they “do nothing to help.”
“We need to apply more pressure on Congress so lawmakers can make the necessary changes. It is also important for the Administration to listen to our voice. We do not want to be anyone’s enemy—we are Americans,” Wenski said in an interview with EFE.
The religious leader, who heads one of the dioceses with the largest Latino and Haitian populations in the United States, issued a call to defend the rights of migrants. He also emphasized that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has maintained a strong and public stance in favor of migrants for decades.
International
Trump relaunches diplomatic push to finalize U.S.-Backed peace plan for Ukraine War
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his diplomatic team will resume meetings with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in an effort to pressure both sides to accept the peace plan proposed by Washington to end the war in Ukraine.
As part of this new round of talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives to narrow differences on the remaining points of the agreement.
Trump also confirmed his intention to meet personally with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and with Putin, though he emphasized that such meetings will only take place “when the agreement is fully finalized or in its final stage.”
The president claimed that his administration has made “tremendous progress” toward resolving the conflict and reiterated that the war “never would have started” if he had been in the White House at the onset of the crisis.
The U.S.-backed peace plan consists of 28 points and has been revised following feedback from both sides. According to Trump, only “a few points of disagreement” remain under active discussion.
One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal is the suggestion that Ukraine cede parts of the Donbas region to Russia and limit the size of its armed forces. Kyiv is working closely with Washington to soften these clauses in search of an arrangement that does not compromise its sovereignty or security.
With this diplomatic push, Trump aims to solidify his role as the main mediator in the conflict and steer the war toward a political resolution after years of devastation, humanitarian crisis, and rising global geopolitical tensions.
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