
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Cuba to immediately release more than 700 political prisoners following the release of prominent dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. Rubio praised the activist for standing up against Cuba's communist government and described the San Isidro Movement as a symbol of hope for the Cuban people. The artist has been granted humanitarian parole in the United States after spending five years in prison.

Marco Rubio urges Cuba to release 700 political prisoners after Dissident artist arrives in US

Cuba has accused the United States of stoking a protest where hundreds of people took to the streets across the island as well as the second-largest city Santiago in a rare public demonstration amid food shortages and blackouts.

The island nation’s foreign ministry summoned US ambassador Benjamin Ziff after Washington made remarks on the protests on Sunday (Mar 17).&nbsp;

<h2>US ambassador summoned</h2>

Cuba’s foreign ministry on Monday (Mar 18) said it had summoned Ziff and accused the US embassy in Havana of seeking to stoke a broader anti-government uprising.&nbsp;

Late Sunday, the US&nbsp;had said it was monitoring the protests and called on the Cuban government to “respect the human rights of the protesters and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people.”&nbsp;

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In response, Cuba’s foreign ministry called US charge d’affaires Ziff to a meeting with deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, “who formally conveyed his firm rejection of the government’s interventionist behavior and slanderous messages,” said the ministry.&nbsp;

Fernández de Cossío, speaking to The Associated Press, called the comments “disrespectful“ and an “open interference” in the country’s domestic affairs.&nbsp;

He also repeated the communist government’s long-standing accusation, blaming the US and its nearly six-and-a-half-decade-long embargo and sanctions against the island for the issues faced by its citizens.&nbsp;

The US State Department spokesperson&nbsp;said it was “absurd” to suggest Washington was behind the protests.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel took to X and seemingly pointed a finger at the US and said that despite its “interventionist messages and calls for chaos” it was unsuccessful.&nbsp;

“Mediocre politicians and networked terrorists lined up from South Florida to heat up the streets of #Cuba with interventionist messages and calls for chaos. They were left wanting,” said Diaz-Canel.&nbsp;

<h2>Cuba is witnessing rare protests. What's the issue?</h2>

The protest which took place late Sunday was a rare public show of discontent against Cuba’s communist government and was reportedly led by parents struggling to feed their children amid acute food shortages.&nbsp;

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The protests erupted in at least five locations across the island and reportedly started when mothers showed up at a government building and said they could not provide food for their children.&nbsp;

Cuba is facing one of its worst economic and energy crises in years, with power cuts of up to 18 hours a day.

With summer approaching, it is reportedly becoming difficult to preserve what little food people have.&nbsp;

The Caribbean island nation appeared quiet on Monday, reported Reuters news agency, while the government said that it expects the blackouts to continue through the week.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Cuba has accused the United States of stoking a protest where hundreds of people took to the streets across the island as well as the second-largest city Santiago in a rare public demonstration amid food shortages and blackouts.

Cuba has accused the United States of stoking a protest where hundreds of people took to the streets across the island as well as the second-largest city Santiago in a rare public demonstration amid food shortages and blackouts. The island nation’s foreign ministry summoned US ambassador Benjamin Ziff after Washington made remarks on the protests on Sunday (Mar 17). US ambassador summoned Cuba’s foreign ministry on Monday (Mar 18) said it had summoned Ziff and accused the US embassy in Havana of seeking to stoke a broader anti-government uprising. Late Sunday, the US had said it was monitoring the protests and called on the Cuban government to “respect the human rights of the protesters and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people.” Also Read | Cubans stage rare 'power and food' protest amid blackouts, lack of essentials In response, Cuba’s foreign ministry called US charge d’affaires Ziff to a meeting with deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, “who formally conveyed his firm rejection of the government’s interventionist behavior and slanderous messages,” said the ministry. Fernández de Cossío, speaking to The Associated Press, called the comments “disrespectful“ and an “open interference” in the country’s domestic affairs. He also repeated the communist government’s long-standing accusation, blaming the US and its nearly six-and-a-half-decade-long embargo and sanctions against the island for the issues faced by its citizens. The US State Department spokesperson said it was “absurd” to suggest Washington was behind the protests. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel took to X and seemingly pointed a finger at the US and said that despite its “interventionist messages and calls for chaos” it was unsuccessful. “Mediocre politicians and networked terrorists lined up from South Florida to heat up the streets of #Cuba with interventionist messages and calls for chaos. They were left wanting,” said Diaz-Canel. Cuba is witnessing rare protests. What's the issue? The protest which took place late Sunday was a rare public show of discontent against Cuba’s communist government and was reportedly led by parents struggling to feed their children amid acute food shortages. Also Read | US rules out support for Israel PM Netayahu's Rafah assault plan amid Gaza truce talks The protests erupted in at least five locations across the island and reportedly started when mothers showed up at a government building and said they could not provide food for their children. Cuba is facing one of its worst economic and energy crises in years, with power cuts of up to 18 hours a day. With summer approaching, it is reportedly becoming difficult to preserve what little food people have. The Caribbean island nation appeared quiet on Monday, reported Reuters news agency, while the government said that it expects the blackouts to continue through the week. (With inputs from agencies)

Cuba accuses US of stoking protests amid blackouts and food shortages, summons top diplomat

Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that it had dispatched nearly 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba. This has come after unprecedented street protests over Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades. Russian defence ministry said that the aid was dispatched after Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct order.

Two An-124 cargo planes carrying more than 88 tonnes of humanitarian support took off from a military airport near Moscow, a statement said.

The cargo included "food, personal protective equipment and more than one million medical masks," it said.

The US this week imposed sanctions on Cuba's defence minister for quashing peaceful protests. Sanctions have also been slapped against a special forces unit.

President Joe Biden warned the measure was "just the beginning" of punitive measures against Havana.

On July 11 and 12, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in 40 cities shouting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship," and "We're hungry."

One person has died and more than 100 have been arrested since the protests broke out.

Russia earlier this month warned against any "outside interference" in Cuba, an important Cold War ally.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that it had dispatched nearly 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba. This has come after unprecedented street protests over Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades.

Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that it had dispatched nearly 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba. This has come after unprecedented street protests over Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades. Russian defence ministry said that the aid was dispatched after Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct order. Two An-124 cargo planes carrying more than 88 tonnes of humanitarian support took off from a military airport near Moscow, a statement said. The cargo included "food, personal protective equipment and more than one million medical masks," it said. The US this week imposed sanctions on Cuba's defence minister for quashing peaceful protests. Sanctions have also been slapped against a special forces unit. President Joe Biden warned the measure was "just the beginning" of punitive measures against Havana. On July 11 and 12, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in 40 cities shouting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship," and "We're hungry." One person has died and more than 100 have been arrested since the protests broke out. Russia earlier this month warned against any "outside interference" in Cuba, an important Cold War ally. (With inputs from agencies)

Cuba: Russia sends help to Communist nation after protests

One person has been dead and dozens have been arrested in Cuba after thousands joined the biggest protests for decades against the Communist government. The government has restricted access to social media and messaging platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp in the country.

Cuba protests: One person dead, several arrested after rare demonstrations

Cuba has restricted access to social media and messaging platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp, in the wake of the biggest anti-government protests in decades.

Cuba restricts access to social media platforms to curb protests

After US President Joe Biden said he "stands with the Cuban people", President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the US sanctions for the protests in the country.

Biden had said the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/down-with-communism-cuban-protesters-demand-freedom-food-and-covid-19-vaccines-397504"> Cuban</a> regime should hear its people and "serve their needs" as protests erupted against the government even as Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the US sanctions were responsible for the "policy of economic suffocation to provoke social unrest in the country."

Watch:

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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had warned Cuba earlier while condemning&nbsp;the authorities the "targeting of peaceful protesters".

Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador&nbsp;offered medicines&nbsp;with coronavirus vaccines, however, he warned against "interventionist political management".

Obrador had called for the US economic sanctions to end as protesters came out on the streets on Sunday&nbsp;over the shortage of basic needs in the country. The Cuban President called for a "humanitarian gesture" as Cubans called President Miguel to step down.

People came out on the streets in Havana and several others places including Santiago as the country struggles amid the pandemic. It was the largest anti-government protest in decades as people chanted “Diaz-Canel step down”.

At least ten&nbsp;people were arrested by authorities.

Amid the volatile situation, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-against-outside-interference-over-cuba-protests-397672">Russia's</a> foreign ministry said it is "unacceptable" for there to be outside interference in the internal affairs of the country.

The country has been hit hard due to the pandemic with the vaccine drive going at a slow rate even as the country's economy has contracted in the past year.

On Sunday, Cuba recorded &nbsp;6,923 COVID-19 cases and 47 deaths with hospitals under pressure to treat patients.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

After US President Joe Biden said he "stands with the Cuban people", President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the US sanctions for the protests in the country. Biden had said the Cuban regime should hear its people and "serve their needs" as protests erupted against the government even as Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the US sanctions were responsible for the "policy of economic suffocation to provoke social unrest in the country.

After US President Joe Biden said he "stands with the Cuban people", President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the US sanctions for the protests in the country. Biden had said the Cuban regime should hear its people and "serve their needs" as protests erupted against the government even as Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the US sanctions were responsible for the "policy of economic suffocation to provoke social unrest in the country." Watch: US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had warned Cuba earlier while condemning the authorities the "targeting of peaceful protesters". Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered medicines with coronavirus vaccines, however, he warned against "interventionist political management". Obrador had called for the US economic sanctions to end as protesters came out on the streets on Sunday over the shortage of basic needs in the country. The Cuban President called for a "humanitarian gesture" as Cubans called President Miguel to step down. People came out on the streets in Havana and several others places including Santiago as the country struggles amid the pandemic. It was the largest anti-government protest in decades as people chanted “Diaz-Canel step down”. At least ten people were arrested by authorities. Amid the volatile situation, Russia's foreign ministry said it is "unacceptable" for there to be outside interference in the internal affairs of the country. The country has been hit hard due to the pandemic with the vaccine drive going at a slow rate even as the country's economy has contracted in the past year. On Sunday, Cuba recorded 6,923 COVID-19 cases and 47 deaths with hospitals under pressure to treat patients. (With inputs from Agencies)

Cuban President blames US sanctions for anti-government protests

Russia on Monday gave warning against "outside interference" in Cuba which saw thousands taking part in rare protests against the Communist government on the island. Cuba's capital Havana was rocked by the protests that saw citizens asking for food, vaccines and more. Cuba has not been able to control coronavirus within its own borders.

"We consider it unacceptable for there to be outside interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state or any destructive actions that would encourage the destabilisation of the situation on the island," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

She didn't explicitly say what she meant by outside interference but her comments are being interpreted as Russia's warning directed at the United States. Thousands of Cuban-Americans have taken to streets in America to show solidarity with those protesting in Cuba.&nbsp;

"We are closely following the development of the situation in and around Cuba," Zakharova said.

"We are convinced that Cuban authorities are taking all necessary measures to restore public order in the interests of the country's citizens and within the framework of the Constitution."

Cuba was an important Cold War ally of the Soviet Union and Moscow has continued to have good diplomatic relations with Havana since the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Monday gave warning against "outside interference" in Cuba which saw thousands taking part in rare protests against the Communist government on the island.

Russia on Monday gave warning against "outside interference" in Cuba which saw thousands taking part in rare protests against the Communist government on the island. Cuba's capital Havana was rocked by the protests that saw citizens asking for food, vaccines and more. Cuba has not been able to control coronavirus within its own borders. "We consider it unacceptable for there to be outside interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state or any destructive actions that would encourage the destabilisation of the situation on the island," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. She didn't explicitly say what she meant by outside interference but her comments are being interpreted as Russia's warning directed at the United States. Thousands of Cuban-Americans have taken to streets in America to show solidarity with those protesting in Cuba. "We are closely following the development of the situation in and around Cuba," Zakharova said. "We are convinced that Cuban authorities are taking all necessary measures to restore public order in the interests of the country's citizens and within the framework of the Constitution." Cuba was an important Cold War ally of the Soviet Union and Moscow has continued to have good diplomatic relations with Havana since the 1991 collapse of the USSR. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia warns against 'outside interference' over Cuba protests

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