Producers of Cuba's famous rum are feeling the pinch with local sugar output forecast to remain at record lows this season amid a grueling economic crisis which has dramatically reduced supplies of fertiliser, fuel and other inputs needed to grow cane. The first of 25 state-owned sugar mills is set to crank up its machinery in the coming days with plans published in seven of 13 sugar-producing provinces pointing to similar output to last season’s 350,000 metric tons of raw sugar, down from 1.3 million in 2019. Cuba produced 8 million metric tons of raw sugar in 1989, before the collapse of former benefactor the Soviet Union led to a steady decline.
The Fiji Times » Cuba stages pro-Palestine march past US embassy in Havana fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tens of thousands of Cubans on Thursday marched in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana charging Israel was committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. The march, led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, and which moved along Havana’s seaside drive, the Malecon where the U.S. diplomatic headquarters is located, was the first of its kind in more than a decade. Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, now deceased, was famous for staging similar, but much larger demonstrations to protest U.S. sanctions and meddling in Cuban affairs.
Cuban ministers reveal details of food, fuel shortages amid economic crisis reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Power blackouts in Cuba are expected to increase significantly due to a lack of fuel, officials warned in a nationwide TV broadcast, worsening the country's plight as it deals with food and medicine shortages. "If Mexico or Russia cease supply, problems will be bigger," he added.