Climate
Hurricane Melissa strengthens to Category 5, expected to make landfall in Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa now has maximum sustained winds of 160 mph
Cuba
The Latest
Politics
Biden sending U.S. officials to Cuba for negotiations, raising questions about state sponsor of terrorism designation
Officials from the FBI and Departments of Homeland, Justice and State are being sent to the island, raising questions as to whether the U.S. plans to remove Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list
Crime
Havana cheers release of convicted Cuban spy Ana Belén Montes, now on probation after 20-year prison sentence
Some doubt Montes will try to reconnect with Cuban intelligence services since she is on supervised release and under watch by the U.S. government, but regime sponsored organizations are already sending her subtle messages of support on the Internet
Immigration
Cruise ships rescue Cuban refugees stranded at sea
Monday’s rescues occurred as hundreds of Cuban refugees escaping the communist regime have been risking their lives to land in the Florida Keys, a pattern that the local sheriff has framed as a “crisis.”
Politics
Sens. Rubio and Scott: U.S. must maintain policy outlawing business with Cuban military, terrorist designation
The senators argued that “delisting companies from the Restricted Entity List or discarding the list entirely amid the Cuban military and intelligence agencies seeking reprisals against Cubans will be seen as rewarding the regime for oppression
Culture
New York Times slammed by Cuban activists and journalists after blaming U.S. embargo for mass exodus
"Cubans who claim that they are leaving the country for economic reasons do not dare to recognize what the real problem is, and they are the greatest example of the terror with which this country lives. Communism is the cause," said the poet and activist Ariel Maceo
Politics
Ana Belen Montes, Cuba's top spy, to be released from federal prison
After 20 years in prison, Ana Belén Montes will be released from a federal prison in Texas on January 8, 2023
Immigration
Cuban from Miami among victims of boat sunk by Cuban military in Bahia Honda
The man was identified as Omar Reyes Valdes, who was known by the nickname "El Chino"
Politics
CIA botched Havana Syndrome investigation, says new inspector general report
A new inspector general report sent to Congress this week says the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) poorly handled initial reports of personnel suffering from injuries called Havana Syndrome, according to U.S. officials and press reports
Immigration
Cubans continue to make dangerous journey to Florida Keys, before and after Hurricane Ian
Cubans continue to make the dangerous journey to the Florida Keys both as Hurricane Ian made landfall farther northwest and as recovery efforts continue, local and federal law enforcement agencies report
Entertainment
95-year-old Cuban grandma Angela Alvarez nominated for Grammy for Best New Artist
Her grandson Carlos José discovered many songs written by his grandmother, from which he chose the 15 tracks for the nominated album
