US Tightens Grip on Cuba

The U.S. is unleashing a full-court press on Cuba, doubling down on sanctions and leveling charges against former president Raúl Castro, framing the island as a “failed state” threatening national security. With moves echoing past interventions in Venezuela and Iran, this marks a dramatic escalation since 2026 — cutting off oil, threatening tariffs, and sending CIA officials to pressure Havana into “fundamental changes.” The result? Widespread blackouts, crumbling healthcare, food shortages, and rising prices, as the UN warns of severe human rights consequences. Cuba’s leadership remains defiant, betting on resilience and potential geopolitical shifts — but survival now hinges on navigating t...