The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said hospitals are facing frequent blackouts, shortages of essential medicines and difficulties operating critical equipment, with major disruption to services including oncology care, dialysis, emergency services and maternal and infant care. OCHA said about 16,000 cancer patients need radiotherapy, and more than 12,000 relying on chemotherapy are being affected by power and resource shortages.

Fuel shortages are also limiting ambulance movements and slowing aid operations. OCHA said nearly one million people depend on water delivered by tanker trucks, while more than 80% of water-pumping infrastructure relies on electricity, leading to widespread service disruptions.

The UN said it is engaging member states, including the United States, to ensure humanitarian assistance can be delivered.

Port-au-Prince is facing an effective blockade, with key roads cut off and armed groups controlling an estimated 90 per cent of the city. Footage from the aid operation shows long queues of residents holding tokens as they waited for basic supplies such as rice and flour, underscoring the scale of need in neighbourhoods increasingly isolated by insecurity.

The assistance reached both long-time residents of Delmas and people displaced from nearby areas who have sought refuge there after fleeing violence. With livelihoods disrupted and movement severely restricted, food aid has become a lifeline for families unable to afford basic necessities amid soaring prices and limited access to markets.

The distribution comes as Haiti faces a deepening humanitarian and political crisis. More than 5.7 million people, roughly half the population , are experiencing acute hunger, while internal displacement has risen to 1.4 million. At the same time, the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council is due to expire on 7 February, raising concerns about a potential leadership vacuum as ongoing insecurity continues to prevent elections.

The RSE announced the partnership through a press release issued on January 26.

The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation, including knowledge exchange, staff training, market development programmes, and the exploration of opportunities for cross-listings and new financial products. 

According to the RSE, this partnership is expected to enhance both markets and establish new connections between Africa and the Caribbean.

The RSE was incorporated on October 7, 2005. It was demutualised from the start as a company limited by shares and officially launched on 31st January 2011.

RSE Chief Executive Officer Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba commented on the significance of the agreement, stating, “This partnership is about more than documents and meetings; it is about sharing experience, growing together, and opening new doors for businesses, investors, and market professionals in both regions.”

JSE Chief Executive Officer Livingston Morrison also said, “We are excited to begin this relationship with the Rwanda Stock Exchange. By learning from each other and sharing best practices, we believe we can create meaningful opportunities for our markets, our listed companies, and our wider financial communities.”

The JSE, founded in 1968, is one of the largest stock exchanges in the Caribbean, with over 70 companies listed in its main market securities. 

Before departing, the contingent was briefed by Brigadier General Faustin Tinka, Commander of the RDF Mechanised Division, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff. He urged the engineers to apply their technical skills and professionalism to ensure the mission has a visible and positive impact on communities affected by the storm.

Brigadier General Tinka also reminded the team to uphold the core values of the RDF, particularly discipline, which he said was key to earning the trust placed in them by the force’s leadership. He called on both officers and enlisted personnel to maintain these standards throughout the deployment.

Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean in late October 2025, causing widespread destruction. Jamaica was among the hardest-hit countries, with severe damage to roads, public facilities and other essential infrastructure. The scale of the devastation prompted a large, multi-agency humanitarian response .

The incident occurred as López approached the parliamentary building and stopped to speak with a journalist. In the video, she is heard saying that lawmakers were being prevented from entering Congress, moments before the explosion. She was later taken to hospital, where doctors treated her for burns, severe pain, dizziness and hearing impairment.

Congress president Luis Redondo condemned the attack and ordered a review of the video footage, while security forces were deployed around the legislative complex. President-elect Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura also denounced the violence , calling for respect for the rule of law. The attack comes amid heightened post-election tensions following the 30 November vote, after opposition parties rejected a parliamentary session called by the ruling Libre party to discuss a recount.

In the decree announcing the mourning period, Díaz-Canel said the personnel were carrying out missions on behalf of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, at the request of Venezuelan institutions. He stated that those killed died either in direct combat or as a result of bombardments on facilities, describing their actions as a reflection of Cuba’s longstanding policy of international solidarity.

Venezuelan authorities said the Cuban personnel were operating within the framework of cooperation between sovereign states, performing institutional protection and defence duties. Media reports indicate that the wider US attacks in the Venezuelan states of Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua have left at least 80 people dead, including both civilians and military personnel, further intensifying regional and international scrutiny of the operation.

The country became the first Black-led republic, the first independent nation in the Caribbean, and the second independent state in the Western Hemisphere, following the United States .

The Haitian Revolution, which spanned from 1791 to 1804, involved a series of conflicts between enslaved Haitians, colonial forces, and foreign armies, including those from Britain and France . 

This revolution resulted in the abolition of slavery in Haiti and the establishment of a sovereign state.

On social media, Haitians shared images of the national flag, family photos, and messages of peace. Many also posted chants of resistance in recognition of the country’s revolutionary past and ongoing challenges.

Haiti continues to face significant political and social instability . Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, the country has experienced worsening insecurity. Throughout 2023, gang-related violence escalated, with criminal groups taking control of over 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital.

In April 2024, Prime Minister Ariel Henry stepped down from office, leading to the formation of a transitional presidential council. As law enforcement capacity weakened and incidents of vigilantism increased, the United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of a Kenya-led multinational security mission to support the Haitian police in curbing gang violence. The mission officially began on June 25, 2024, after several delays.

Africa

Muhammadu Buhari (82) – Former Nigerian military ruler and president (2015–2023); died on 13 July 2025.

Sam Nujoma (95) – Founding president of Namibia, who led from 1990 to 2005; passed away on 8 February 2025.

Edgar Lungu (68) – Former president of Zambia (2015–2021); died on 5 May 2025 from complications during surgery.

Raila Odinga (80) – Former Prime Minister of Kenya; passed away on 15 October 2025 following a cardiac arrest.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (87) – Prominent Kenyan writer known for A Grain of Wheat ; died on 28 November 2025.

Daddy Lumba (60) – Known as one of the most prolific and influential musicians in Ghanaian history, whose birth name is Charles Kwadwo Fosu, passed away on 26 June 2025.

Asia

Khaleda Zia (80) – Bangladesh’s first female prime minister; passed away on 30 December 2025.

Kim Yong-nam (97) – Former head of state of North Korea; died on 3 November 2025 due to organ failure and colorectal cancer.

Queen Sirikit (93) – Queen Mother of Thailand; died on 24 November 2025 from a blood infection.

Aga Khan IV (88) – Spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili community and philanthropist; passed away on 4 February 2025.

Yang Chen-Ning (103) – Chinese theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate; died on 18 November 2025.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (85) – Malaysia’s former prime minister (2003–2009); died on 14 April 2025 due to organ failure.

Shigeo Nagashima (89) – Japanese baseball legend; passed away on 3 June 2025 from pneumonia.

Latin America

Pope Francis (88) – Argentine-born head of the Roman Catholic Church; died on 21 April 2025 from a stroke.

Mario Vargas Llosa (89) – Peruvian writer and Nobel laureate; passed away on 13 April 2025.

José Mujica (89) – Former Uruguayan president known for his modest lifestyle ; died on 13 May 2025 from oesophageal cancer.

Violeta Chamorro (95) – Nicaragua’s first female president; passed away on 14 June 2025.

Mauricio Funes (65) – Former Salvadoran president; died on 21 February 2025 due to complications from a heart attack.

Lalo Schifrin (93) – Argentine composer best known for the Mission: Impossible theme; passed away on 26 June 2025 from pneumonia complications.

Beyond the high-profile losses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the year 2025 was marked by the passing of several monumental figures from America and Europe whose influence defined modern politics, cinema, and music. Here are some of the most notable deaths that shook the Western world :

America and Europe

Dick Cheney (84) – Former U.S. Vice President (2001–2009), known for his role in shaping post-9/11 foreign policy, died on 3 November 2025 from pneumonia and heart disease.

Ozzy Osbourne (76) – English Hall of Fame musician and Black Sabbath frontman, passed away on 22 June 2025 following a heart attack.

Robert Redford (89) – Academy Award-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival; died on 16 May 2025.

Brigitte Bardot (91) – French actress and 1960s cultural icon who later became an animal rights advocate; passed on 28 December 2025.

Gene Hackman (95) – Two-time Oscar winner, known for The French Connection and Unforgiven , died on 18 February 2025 from heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Val Kilmer (65) – American actor famed for roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever ; died on 1 April 2025 from pneumonia.

Jean-Marie Le Pen (96) – Founder of France’s National Front and long-time right-wing political figure; passed on 7 January 2025.

Jim Lovell (97) – U.S. astronaut and commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, who famously returned his crew safely to Earth, passed away on 7 August 2025.  

Diane Keaton (79) – Oscar-winning actress known for roles in Annie Hall and The Godfather series; died on 11 October 2025 from bacterial pneumonia.

Charlie Kirk (31) – American conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA; fatally shot on 10 September 2025 during a university debate event.

Giorgio Armani (91) – Italian fashion designer and founder of the Armani brand; died on 4 September 2025 due to liver failure.

Hulk Hogan (71) – American professional wrestling icon and WWF/WCW star; died on 24 July 2025 from a heart attack.

Diogo Jota (28) – The sporting world was shocked by the sudden death of Portuguese footballer for Liverpool on 3 July 2025 in a traffic collision in Spain.

Rest of the world

Sir Julius Chan (85) – A founding father of Papua New Guinea and former Prime Minister, passed away on 30 January 2025.

Max Romeo (80) – The world-famous Jamaican reggae musician known for hits like "Chase the Devil" died on 11 April 2025 of heart complications.

Ena Collymore-Woodstock (108) – Jamaica’s first female magistrate and legal pioneer; died on 2 January 2025.

Octavio Dotel (51) – Dominican MLB pitcher and World Series champion; killed on 8 April 2025 in the Dominican nightclub tragedy.

What follows is a region-by-region look at how leadership in the Global South has been reshaped, a narrative of elections, coups, handovers, and diplomatic realignments that together paint a portrait of a world in transition.

Global South leaders in Africa

Africa in 2025 witnessed dramatic power shifts alongside instances of continuity. A wave of military takeovers continued to roil West and Central Africa. In late 2025, Guinea-Bissau experienced a coup on the eve of the election results, soldiers arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló just as ballots were being tallied. The junta installed a military leader as head of a “Transitional Republic” the next day.

In Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina was ousted after elite army units backed mass protests against his rule; he fled abroad as parliament impeached him, and Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as the new president

Even where leaders weren’t unseated by force, many elections were fraught. In Cameroon, 92-year-old President Paul Biya secured an eighth term, extending his four-decade rule.

Across the continent in Tanzania, the October 2025 general election saw violent crackdowns and an internet blackout as President Samia Suluhu’s ruling party claimed victory.

There were a few bright spots. Malawi’s September 2025 polls led to a peaceful transfer of power. Former President Peter Mutharika defeated incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in a hard-fought race – a democratic change ultimately accepted by all sides

Meanwhile, Africa’s longest-ruling heads of state clung to power through 2025. In Cameroon, Biya’s renewed mandate could see him nearing his 100th birthday in office. Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986 and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang, Africa's longest-serving leader, in power since 1979, managed to remain firmly in control despite facing mounting questions about succession. Museveni is expected to continue his rule when the East African nation goes to the polls on January 15, 2026.

Latin America

In a region weary from economic stagnation and social unrest, voters and power brokers ushered in a new crop of conservative, and sometimes anti-establishment, leaders.

Chile witnessed a sharp ideological turn in its own 2025 presidential race . After a left-wing government under Gabriel Boric struggled to contain crime and economic anxieties, Chilean voters veered in the opposite direction. In December 2025, conservative firebrand José Antonio Kast clinched the presidency in Santiago, defeating a socialist opponent in a runoff and ending the Chilean left’s brief experiment in power

In Central America, too, political currents shifted in 2025. Nasry Asfura, the conservative candidate for Honduran president backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, was declared the winner on Wednesday, December 24, more than three weeks after the November 30 election, which was beset by delays, technical problems and allegations of fraud.

Amid these high-profile changes, other Latin American countries managed more subtle leadership shifts. Ecuador entered 2025 under a youthful new president, 35-year-old Daniel Noboa, who had won a snap election in late 2023. Though inexperienced, Noboa brought a technocratic style after years of bitter left-right polarisation in Quito.

Middle East

In the Middle East, 2025 did not usher in many new faces, but it did witness significant shifts in how those leaders engage with each other and the world.

A prime example is Saudi Arabia, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continued to wield near-absolute power as the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

Meanwhile in Israel, the return of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power at the end of 2022 set the stage for a tumultuous 2023 and beyond. By 2025, the Israeli leader was still in office (already the longest-serving PM in Israel’s history), but his government’s aggressive policies had deepened internal divisions and strained relations with Western allies.

Consider Iran: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remained the ultimate authority in Tehran as he has since 1989, and President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner aligned with him, stayed in office, focused on weathering U.S. sanctions and domestic unrest.

By 2025, the Middle East’s leadership tableau could be described as a kind of uneasy equilibrium. The old names – Assad, Netanyahu, Erdoğan, Khamenei, MBS (albeit formally still “Crown Prince”) – are still running the show.

Asia

The year began with India cementing a familiar face in power, and ended with Pakistan and Bangladesh facing uncertainty under caretaker regimes after unprecedented political convulsions.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered 2025 at the apex of his influence. Fresh off a landslide victory in the spring 2024 general elections.

By the dawn of 2025, Pakistan was finally gearing up for an election under a new Election Commission – one that opposition voices alleged tilted the odds in favour of the establishment-friendly Sharif camp. Regardless of the outcome, Pakistan’s next leader will inherit a nation in economic dire straits and a public cynical about governance.

Sri Lanka, slowly recovering from its financial meltdown and people-power revolt of 2022, continued under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s stewardship. Wickremesinghe, initially installed by parliament after the Rajapaksa clan’s ouster, managed to secure a measure of stability by pushing through painful economic reforms to satisfy the IMF.

By 2025, Sri Lanka’s protests had quieted, but the public remained wary and weary, wondering if Wickremesinghe would call an election to legitimise his mandate or cling to the remainder of the term he inherited.

Malaysia spent 2025 under Anwar Ibrahim’s premiership, heading a rare multi-ethnic coalition that took power in late 2022. Anwar’s government, though unwieldy, survived constant opposition sniping and even won some key state elections, hinting that the era of volatile hung parliaments might stabilise.

Held annually from 25 December to 6 January, the festivities are a longstanding fixture of Costa Rica’s cultural calendar. Hundreds of spectators gather in a festive, family-oriented atmosphere, where improvised and often costumed participants step into the ring, waiting as a bull bursts out and charges, drawing loud reactions from the stands.

For those who take part, the appeal lies in the adrenaline and the public response. Amateur bullfighter Andrei Romero said the thrill comes from interacting with the animal and hearing the crowd’s applause and shouts as the bull closes in, moments that define the experience for both participants and spectators.

For many Costa Ricans, toros a la tica represent a distinctive way of marking the end of the year, blending excitement, humour and a strong sense of community. The tradition is seen as a shared cultural expression, passed down through generations and rooted in local identity.

Veteran bullfighter Jorge Rojas, 74, recalled that earlier bullfighting events in Costa Rica, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, were largely unregulated. He noted that the modern version operates under clear rules, reinforcing the emphasis on safety and animal welfare .

The origins of toros a la tica date back to the colonial era, when bullfights followed the customs of the Spanish crown. After independence, the practice continued but evolved, eventually becoming known as corridas a la tica — a term that reflects Costa Rica’s distinctive style and its departure from more violent forms of bullfighting.

In January 2025, Trump signed a sweeping executive order (“Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements”) instructing the U.S. to withdraw immediately from the Paris Climate Agreement and rescind all U.S. pledges under UN climate accords. In practice, this meant cancelling tens of millions in promised climate finance. By March 2025, the administration also pulled U.S. funding out of multilateral “Just Energy Transition” partnerships with emerging economies (e.g. South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia). Analysts note this created a funding gap – South Africa, for example, lost about $56 million in grants and $1 billion in planned investments as its total international climate pledge fell from $13.8B to $12.8B. These moves undermined Global South clean-energy projects (even large renewables like South Africa’s Selemela solar plant) and forced poorer countries to seek new funding sources.

Trade and tariff measures

Trump dramatically expanded U.S. trade barriers in 2025. Using Section 232 authority , he hiked tariffs on steel, aluminium and copper imports to 50 % (and 25% on foreign autos). In April 2025, he also invoked emergency powers to impose a 10% “reciprocal” tariff on all imports not already covered by other sanctions. Critically, in July 2025, he signed an order suspending the longstanding “de minimis” duty exemption (which had let packages under $800 enter the U.S. duty-free). After August 2025, nearly all low‑value shipments (including small shipments of goods from China, Africa, or Latin America) began incurring duties. Economists warn these sweeping tariffs hurt exporters in the Global South (tariff conflicts even flared with neighbours like Canada and Mexico, raising costs on developing‑country goods and disrupting trade.

Cuts to foreign aid and development assistance

On Day 1 of his second term (Jan. 20, 2025), Trump ordered a 90‑day “realignment” of all U.S. foreign aid. In practice, this effectively dismantled USAID : many aid programs were merged into the State Dept or terminated, and the independent USAID agency was slated for elimination. By mid‑2025, the administration’s rescission budget proposal sought to claw back over $8 billion from foreign assistance (targeting global health, humanitarian, and development programs). The cuts hit Global South recipients hard: Africa alone had received roughly $12 billion in U.S. aid in FY2024. Loss of U.S. funding has forced many countries (e.g. in sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia) to scramble for substitutes; public health campaigns, vaccine programs, and infrastructure projects previously backed by USAID are now under threat.

Migration and immigration restrictions

Trump tightened immigration rules affecting many in the Global South. In January 2025, he issued an order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program indefinitely, halting refugee resettlement from regions like Africa, Asia and Latin America. Later in 2025 (via proclamations in June and December), he expanded travel bans on foreign nationals from numerous developing countries. For example, a Dec. 16, 2025, proclamation extended full entry bans to countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos and Sierra Leone, and imposed new restrictions on citizens from Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others. These measures blocked many migrants and visitors from the Global South. Also in 2025, Reuters reported that the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to remove Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Venezuelan migrants.

Military and diplomatic initiatives in the Global South

Trump also pursued new security ties in Latin America. In December 2025, the administration announced it would designate Peru as a major Non‑NATO Ally . This special status grants Peru expanded privileges (easier purchase of U.S. military equipment and joint training programs) intended to strengthen counternarcotics cooperation. More broadly, a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine was unveiled in the 2025 National Security Strategy, declaring that “the American people – not foreign nations nor globalist institutions – will always control their own destiny in our hemisphere”. In practice, this has meant deeper U.S. military engagement in the Caribbean and Latin America (e.g. U.S. access to bases in the Dominican Republic, new Caribbean radar installations) to counter perceived threats. These moves signalled a reassertion of U.S. influence over Western Hemisphere nations.

Speaking to regional leaders, Milei argued that what he described as an authoritarian regime in Caracas could no longer be treated with caution or neutrality. He urged Mercosur members to take a firmer stance, calling for collective condemnation and alignment against what he framed as a regional danger that, if left unchecked, could affect the entire continent.

The Argentine president also welcomed pressure exerted by the United States under President Donald Trump , whom he credited with efforts aimed at increasing international pressure on Venezuela. Milei encouraged fellow Mercosur countries to support Washington’s position, saying the time had passed for what he described as timid or ambiguous responses to the situation.

His remarks came as the Trump administration announced new sanctions targeting family members of the Venezuelan president, escalating economic and diplomatic pressure on Caracas. The United States has also expanded its military presence in the Caribbean, citing operations against drug trafficking networks, while warning of further action. The Venezuelan government has rejected the accusations, denying links to narcotics trafficking and accusing Washington of pursuing regime change.

Luis Redondo, president of the National Congress, said the situation requires an immediate investigation into both the primary elections held in March and the subsequent general election process. He explained that a special commission appointed in March has been instructed to examine and document irregularities linked to the conduct of the vote.

The recount follows controversy surrounding the 9 March primary elections, which were affected by widespread logistical failures in the distribution of voting materials. In several polling stations, delays reportedly exceeded 16 hours, fuelling voter frustration and raising concerns that the disruptions may have influenced participation and the integrity of the process.

Redondo pointed to Honduras’ electoral law , which requires the CNE to formally declare election results within 30 days of voting and to order their publication in the Official Gazette, La Gaceta . He noted that the Constitution grants Congress the authority to step in and oversee the count and declaration of results if the electoral body fails to fulfil its legal obligations.

“We want transparency, and if it reaches this branch of the State, if there is no declaration, the constitutional process will be applied and we will carry out the count and the tally, vote by vote,” Redondo said, referring to the review of results from more than 19,000 polling stations nationwide. Lawmakers supporting the recount argue the move is essential to restoring public trust in the electoral system amid fears of institutional failure and broader political pressure.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Abka Fitz-Henley, said the decline reflects years of deliberate policy-making and closer cooperation between the government and security forces. While stressing that any loss of life remains unacceptable, he said the progress should be recognised in context.

“This did not happen by chance,” Fitz-Henley said. “It is the result of sustained planning, effective leadership and strong partnerships with our security forces,” the Jamaica Observer quotes.

He pointed to the Plan Secure Jamaica initiative, introduced by the government in the 2017 - 2018 budget, as a turning point. The strategy focuses on boosting intelligence capabilities, investing heavily in border security to stem the flow of illegal guns, and using technology to support law enforcement operations.

Targeted action against criminal gangs has also played a key role, alongside new legislation such as Zones of Special Operations, stronger anti-gang laws and the use of DNA evidence. The government has also increased support for police officers, including improving working conditions and expanding their presence on the ground.

So far this year, murders have fallen by about 43%, according to the government. However, Fitz-Henley said authorities are not celebrating prematurely.

“There is no victory lap,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Andrew Holness and National Security Minister Horace Chang remain focused on sustaining the gains and strengthening public safety.

The government says further measures are being developed as it seeks to lock in the progress and make Jamaica a safer place in the long term.

Participants said the congress aimed to reaffirm commitments to peace and to the sovereignty of Latin American nations. The event was framed by organisers as part of a broader international discussion on external pressure, geopolitical influence and the role of labour movements in defending national self-determination.

Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil Pinto, used the gathering to draw attention to the scale of the US military presence in the Caribbean, which he described as the largest the region has seen. He accused Washington of pursuing policies rooted in colonialism and imperialism, arguing that military operations were driven by competition over strategic resources rather than by efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Similar concerns were raised by Said Gafurov, a professor at Moscow University, who placed Venezuela’s situation within a wider global context. “The Global North is trying to increase its control over all natural resources in the world,” he said, arguing that this dynamic extends beyond Venezuela to include Russia, the Middle East and other resource-rich regions.

Relations between Caracas and Washington deteriorated further after US President Donald Trump stated on social media that the military campaign in the Caribbean would continue until Venezuela returned assets he claimed had been taken from the United States. Following the comments, President Nicolás Maduro held a phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to raise concerns over what the Venezuelan government describes as growing threats to the country and its population.

The son of a fried chicken seller, Chérizier was expelled from the police after a notorious massacre - one of many linked to him. From there, he gradually brought together dozens of gangland factions into a coalition that delivers him a small army capable of confronting international reinforcements brought in by the island’s government.

He has already shown he can topple presidents, but will he one day move from kingmaker to king?

As unrest intensified, CNE councillor Cossette López warned that the situation at the Electoral Logistics Centre had become “critical”. The protest formed part of a broader wave of demonstrations in the capital, with tyres also set alight earlier on Monday along a key road linking Tegucigalpa to northern Honduras. Similar scenes were reported last week outside CNE headquarters.

The protests come amid repeated delays in the vote count, which has been halted several times and accompanied by accusations of irregularities. With 99.80 per cent of polling stations counted, National Party candidate Nasry Asfura, backed by Donald Trump , is leading with 40.54 per cent of the vote, followed by Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla on 39.19 per cent, and Libre’s Rixi Moncada on 19.29 per cent.

To do that, they need an ideology — and the country’s largest gang coalition,  Viv Ansanm  (VA), has one. Its leader, Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue”, does not want to be seen simply as a criminal. He sees himself as a revolutionary, a socialist and an anti-imperialist. Alongside Lenin, Mao and Che Guevara, Chérizier idolises Haiti’s independence leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who ordered the massacre of the island’s white population, and François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, the dictator who relied on the feared paramilitary secret police infamously known as  Tonton Macoutes .

When gangs launched their offensive in Port-au-Prince in March 2024, Chérizier received support from “political actors — the left-wing  Children of Dessalines  party, and the popular former senator Guy Philippe. Philippe brands himself as far-right, though such labels mean little in the Haitian context. For a time, Chérizier became not just a gang leader but a participant in a wider political alliance.

Among VA’s real or potential allies are former MP Victor Prophane, who once created the Gran Grif gang in the Artibonite Valley; the well-known singer Jacques Sauveur Jean, who has entered politics; and former football star Jeff Louis. Prophane is fighting his own war to capture Haiti’s main agricultural region. The other two are media figures who openly praise VA’s “revolutionary achievements” and bolster its image.

VA is waging war against Haitian and foreign police forces in an effort to overthrow what Chérizier calls a “pro-imperialist” government. Kenyan and other foreign police contingents brought in by the authorities are described as occupiers, and VA’s military campaign is framed as a national liberation struggle.

The coalition relies not only on violence but also on community structures to expand its influence. It uses neighbourhood committees, trade unions and sympathetic politicians to build support. In the summer of 2025, VA managed to stage several large public demonstrations that disrupted attempts by the police and army to retake gang-held districts.

The coalition also has backing from media outlets, both domestic and international.  Haiti Liberté , an online publication headquartered in New York with bureaux in Port-au-Prince, Toronto, Miami and France, has voiced strong support for the movement.

The Canadian left-wing platform  The Canada Files  publishes extensively on Haiti and shows sympathy for Chérizier’snarrative. One article states: “Chérizier calls for the overthrow of the Haitian bourgeoisie and what he describes as a ‘putrid, rotten system’. Instead of ‘5% controlling 85% of national wealth’, he advocates a system in which Haiti’s resources are shared by all.”

A similar message comes from  Internationalist 360° , a far-left US-based news portal. In its piece “Barbecue’s Haitian Revolution, & Empire’s Scramble to Stop it from Spreading Across America”, the site writes : “What Barbecue has built is the perfect threat towards Washington’s designs in the American hemisphere in particular; to ensure Haiti’s continued subjugation, the U.S. engineered the destabilization of Haitian society, but now Barbecue has come in to unite the gangs while lifting up people’s living standards. The empire’s worst fear is that this revolutionary struggle will keep spreading, until it comes to overthrow the imperial state itself.”

Chérizier may not be entirely wrong in believing that if his forces seize power, the UN, the United States and the European Union will not cut food and financial aid, and may even increase it out of a sense of obligation to a “desperate” country.

All he would need is recognition as a “party to the conflict,” which is often the first step toward becoming a legitimate political force. After all, Colombia is now conducting formal negotiations with the Gulf Clan, a criminal group involved in drug and human trafficking. And armed groups like the FARC in Colombia, the Shining Path in Peru and Mexico’s Party of the Poor were long seen in parts of the West as political actors, despite their methods.

Chérizier may therefore believe he can one day lead Haiti, swap his combat gear for an expensive suit, and denounce imperialism not from the burning streets of Port-au-Prince but from the podiums of international conferences.

This is why the war in Haiti can no longer be dismissed as mere gang violence. It has become a genuine civil conflict, fought by radical movements - criminal in origin, but hardly unique in that - against a pro-Western government.

This editorial represents the opinions of an international policy analyst who chooses to remain anonymous to avoid compromising his work. His identity has been verified by Global South World.

The visit places Chaves among a limited group of international officials who have previously entered CECOT, including US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and former Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. The prison, widely associated with El Salvador’s crackdown on organised crime, has become a focal point for regional security discussions.

Chaves’ tour concluded a visit that began on Thursday and included meetings with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. During the trip, both leaders signed the Shield of the Americas Alliance , an agreement designed to strengthen cooperation against organised crime and enhance national security efforts between the two countries.

CECOT is the largest prison in Latin America , built to house up to 40,000 inmates and currently holding around 15,000 people accused of links to the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. In August, Chaves announced plans to construct a 5,000-inmate prison in Costa Rica inspired by El Salvador’s model, a project scheduled for completion in 2026 but which has yet to begin construction.

“I told Trump, ‘We don’t want a war in Latin America, we are a zone of peace.’ And he replied: ‘But I have some weapons, I have more navy, I have more bombs!’” Lula said.

Lula recounted telling Trump that diplomacy should take precedence over force. “I believe more in the power of the word than in the power of weapons,” he said. “Let us try to use dialogue as a tool of persuasion so we can do things right.”

The Brazilian president linked the rising tensions between Washington and Caracas to what he described as a broader global shift toward division. He warned of “fragmentation” and “a destruction of democracy ,” accusing the United States of undermining international cooperation.

“There is an attempt to end multilateralism, which sustained peace in the world since World War II, in favour of the unilateralism President Trump wants—where the strongest determines what the others are going to do,” Lula said.

The call between Lula and Trump took place on December 2, during which the two leaders also discussed tariffs, cooperation against organised crime, and instability in Latin America amid strained relations driven by US sanctions on Brazil.

Rodríguez said the presence of US forces in the Caribbean amounts to “ military aggression” and warned that the deployment should be viewed as a regional issue rather than a bilateral dispute. According to her statement, the threat extends to all Latin American and Caribbean nations, which she urged to adopt a common stance.

Addressing the governments of Colombia, Mexico and Brazil directly, Rodríguez called for political coordination in the face of US security policy. She said Venezuela has been prepared “for more than two centuries” to defend regional sovereignty and appealed to leaders Gustavo Petro, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Claudia Sheinbaum to strengthen unity.

The Vice President additionally criticised opposition figure María Corina Machado’s recent Nobel Peace Prize, calling it a “blood-stained award.” Tensions between Caracas and Washington have intensified since August, when the Trump government began deploying military forces to the Caribbean, allegedly to combat drug trafficking —an accusation Venezuela rejects as a pretext for “imperialism” and attempted “regime change.”

The Supreme Court confirmed that the warrant was requested by the Public Ministry, which also asked Interpol to activate an international alert. Honduran authorities said they are obliged to continue their own proceedings, stressing that domestic cases remain open and active regardless of the outcome of Hernández’s case in the United States.

Hernández’s defence strongly rejects this position. His lawyers argue that the US presidential pardon should influence Honduras’s view of the case and reinforce their claim that the accusations against him were politically motivated. They accuse Honduran institutions of ignoring what they describe as an important judicial development abroad.

The arrest warrant adds another layer of complexity to an already turbulent legal saga. Hernández was extradited to the United States in 2022, convicted, and later pardoned by Trump, a decision that sparked intense debate inside Honduras. His case remains one of the most controversial in recent Central American political history .

For now, Honduran authorities insist that the country must follow its own legal framework, independent of decisions made overseas. The new warrant is meant to ensure that Hernández can face the pending cases against him, whether he remains abroad or returns to Honduras.

Laurent Saint-Cyr, President of the Haitian Presidential Transitional Council (PTC), welcomed the officers during an official ceremony, stating that the new arrivals will work alongside Haiti’s National Police and the Armed Forces to help secure the planned 2026 elections . “Haiti needs this support. The restoration of security is an imperative to allow the holding of elections,” he said, pledging visible results for the population.

The arrival of the new contingent coincided with the departure of another group of 100 Kenyan officers who completed their mission and returned home. Saint-Cyr thanked them for their service, expressing “eternal gratitude” on behalf of the nation and wishing them a safe return to their families.

The reinforcements come as Haiti awaits the full deployment of the Gang Repression Force (GRF), which is expected to reach 5,500 personnel. According to the UN, the GRF is intended to significantly weaken gang control and improve living conditions within a year of its full mobilisation.

The scale of the challenge remains immense. In 2024 alone, gang violence in Haiti reportedly left at least 5,600 people dead, more than 2,200 injured, 1,494 kidnapped, and over one million internally displaced. Between April and June 2025, authorities recorded a further 1,520 killings and more than 600 injuries, underscoring the country’s ongoing security emergency.

However, just days ago, a partial collapse of the grid once again plunged Havana and large swathes of western Cuba into darkness. A transmission-line failure severed the connection between the capital and the country’s largest power plant in Matanzas, the latest in a string of outages underlining how fragile the system remains. Even though officials reported a gradual restoration of power, the blackout reinforced doubts among citizens about whether promises of recovery are realistic.

In recent years, the government has announced plans to diversify energy production by investing in renewable sources, including solar, wind and biomass projects and to gradually reduce reliance on fossil-fuel thermal plants. But experts warn that these measures alone may not be enough. With effective generation capacity reportedly far below national demand, and a legacy of deferred maintenance and substandard fuel quality, the grid remains highly vulnerable to further failures unless major structural reforms are implemented.

For ordinary Cubans, the unreliability of electricity has become a daily reality, with long power cuts, unpredictable outages, and uncertainty over essential services from water pumping to food preservation. While 2026 is being billed by authorities as a year for possible recovery, the recent collapse illustrates how fragile hope remains, and how much work still lies ahead if the island hopes to restore a stable, reliable power supply.

Survivors described desperate scenes: families escaping at night, many forced to abandon their homes with nothing but what they carried. Coastal towns like Saint‑Marc have seen a flood of displaced people , anger rising as residents demand protection from a government many say has failed to act.

The violence continues a trend of escalating gang power across Haiti. According to recent UN-linked reports, gang violence killed more people in 2024 than in previous years, while armed groups now dominate key regions, including the capital and central territories. The attacks over the weekend underscore how fragile state control has become and how vulnerable civilians are where armed groups operate freely.

Humanitarian organisations warn that the impact goes beyond deaths and displacement: huge numbers face food insecurity, lack of shelter, disrupted access to healthcare and education , and psychological trauma from repeated violence. For many families, survival has turned into a daily struggle, with uncertainty over whether they’ll ever return home or even remain safe while fleeing.

As Haiti’s government and international actors assess next steps, this crisis highlights the urgent need for sustained humanitarian and security responses. Without a coordinated strategy to curb gang power and protect civilians, regions like Artibonite risk sinking deeper into chaos, and thousands more could be forced to abandon everything they know.

Hondurans were voting not only for a new president, but also to renew Congress and more than 290 municipal governments. The choice seemed to pivot around two visions: continuity under a leftist approach, prioritising social justice and state-led reforms, or a shift toward conservative promises of economic growth, security and reestablishing ties with foreign investors.

The left’s setback appears rooted in deep disenchantment with the current government’s mixed record. While President Castro’s administration made modest progress on reducing violence and pursuing some social policies, many Hondurans remain frustrated by persistent poverty, weak public services, and unmet promises of meaningful reform. The rhetoric around crime, economic decline and corruption dominated, reflecting widespread demand for tangible change rather than ideological continuity.

On the right, Asfura capitalised on this frustration and on international backing. As a former mayor of the capital and a pro-business candidate, he pledged infrastructure development, foreign investment and job creation. His campaign gained additional traction after he was publicly supported by Donald Trump , a factor that stirred international attention and could reshape Honduras’ foreign alliances.

But the narrow margin and the presence of just-under-20 % for Moncada leave Honduras at a political crossroads. With Congress and local governments also up for grabs, the final outcome could reshape power balances for years. The results reflect not just a defeat for the left but a broader rejection of the political status quo and unmet promises. For a country battered by economic inequality, violence and political disillusionment, the vote seems to reflect a desire for pragmatic solutions over ideological loyalties.

This concludes our live coverage of Honduras’s 2025 general elections. After a tense and closely contested voting day, the ballot count is now under way as the country awaits clarity on its next president. Provisional results are expected in the coming hours. Follow Global South World for continued updates and post-election analysis from Honduras.

01:13 GMT: An international observer was expelled from a vote-counting centre amid tensions during the tallying process. The incident comes as conflicts and allegations of possible fraud emerged while ballots were being counted in several polling stations.

00:00 GMT: Polls have now closed and the vote count is under way.

23:00 GMT: Polling stations were originally set to close at 5:00 p.m. local time, but authorities have indicated they may remain open until 6:00 p.m. because of long queues. The extension aims to ensure that everyone already in line can vote as part of the general election.

22:30 GMT: Honduran President Xiomara Castro cast her vote, accompanied by her grandson José Manuel, during the country’s general election.

18:55 GMT: Honduran President Xiomara Castro said: “The satisfaction we feel goes beyond what I personally think — it reflects the sentiment of the people. We have intervened in all areas,” in her remarks on today’s elections.

17:25 GMT: The EU Election Observation Mission has deployed 138 observers across the country for today’s vote. Teams are visiting polling centres in every department, filing reports through a dedicated app that forwards their assessments to the mission’s central team in Tegucigalpa.

17:05 GMT: Nasry Asfura, the National Party’s presidential candidate, has arrived at the polling centre where he is set to cast his vote.

15:45 GMT: Tensions rose near a polling centre when some supporters of Salvador Nasralla confronted journalists covering Sunday’s presidential election. Several reporters were attacked while documenting the incident, underscoring the growing friction between media crews and Nasralla’s sympathisers.

15:15 GMT: Salvador Nasralla, the Liberal Party (PLH) presidential candidate, cast his vote in Tegucigalpa, accompanied by his wife, Iroshka Elvir.

14:15 GMT: Libre’s presidential candidate, Rixi Moncada, cast her vote, arriving at the polling station accompanied by political allies.

13:30 GMT: “The only results that count are those issued by the CNE,” said Ana Paola Hall, the council’s presiding member, on Sunday morning. With that statement, Honduras enters its most tense election day in a decade, as voters decide who will succeed President Xiomara Castro.

13:00 GMT:  Honduras’s polls open as voters begin a decisive day for the country’s political future.

11:47 GMT: Honduras’s Armed Forces have reiterated their commitment to remain strictly impartial throughout the electoral process. They emphasised what is set out in Article 284 of the Electoral Law, which makes clear that the final declaration of results is the exclusive responsibility of the National Electoral Council (CNE).

10:26 GMT : Electoral Commission confirms that the use of the biometric device is mandatory

10:15 GMT : Ahead of the polls, the head of the Electoral Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) urges Hondurans to go out in their numbers to vote in a peaceful manner and calls on all actors to respect the citizens' right to choose while awaiting the results that will be delivered by the CNE

09:45 GMT : Honduras rejects US 'interference' as Trump wades into election debate

Honduran Vice Foreign Minister Gerardo Torres Zelaya sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for interfering in the country’s internal affairs ahead of the 30 November elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Tegucigalpa, he argued that Washington’s recent moves show clear double standards in its public stance on drug trafficking. Torres Zelaya condemned what he described as external pressure, warning that Honduras would not accept actions that could pave the way for a return to the “narco-state” the country fought to overcome. More here

09:38 GMT : Trump to pardon Honduras’ former leader Hernández, serving time for narcotrafficking

Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will grant a full pardon to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence in the United States after being convicted of drug-trafficking and weapons-related offences.

The announcement, made just two days before Honduras goes to the polls , immediately sent shockwaves through the country. In his statement, Trump insisted that Hernández had been “treated very harshly and unfairly,” framing the pardon as a corrective measure rather than a political intervention. Read more

Polls open at 7:00 AM local time (13:00 GMT) and close at 5:00 PM local time (23:00 GMT).

What to know

Overview of the main contenders

The contest centres on three figures who represent different political blocs and visions for the country:

Key issues in the election

Voting and electoral context

Historical background

Honduras arrives at this vote after a politically charged decade marked by contested elections, corruption scandals tied to past administrations, and persistent security challenges. Outgoing president Xiomara Castro’s government emphasised social spending and a tougher posture on gangs; her endorsement of Moncada frames the vote partly as a referendum on those policies . International players, including the U.S., are paying close attention to both the substance of the campaigns and the conduct of the vote.

Poverty remains one of the country’s most severe challenges. Large segments of the population continue to depend on informal or unstable work, and many families struggle to cover basic needs. This economic strain fuels broader disillusionment: as living costs rise and social support systems remain weak, confidence in the country’s leadership erodes further. For many households, the election arrives at a time of acute financial uncertainty.

Violence adds another layer of pressure. Honduras is among the region’s most affected countries when it comes to crime, gang activity and organised criminal networks. Extortion, territorial control and forced displacement have become common in many communities, compounding fear and insecurity. Reports of political violence have also increased, contributing to an atmosphere of unease as campaigning intensifies. In this environment, trust in state institutions, particularly security and justice systems, remains low.

Corruption is a central concern for voters and a recurring theme in national debates. Years of scandals, political disputes and public accusations have weakened confidence in the political class. The current electoral season has exposed deep divisions between parties, raising fears that the country could once again face instability or contested results. This uncertainty is heightened by widespread dissatisfaction with the government's ability to address long-standing issues such as unemployment, social inequality and the influence of criminal groups.

As Hondurans prepare to cast their ballots, many see the election as a test of the country’s democratic resilience. Beyond choosing new leaders, citizens are hoping for meaningful responses to structural problems that have shaped daily life for decades. Whether the next government can deliver reforms, restore trust and address the root causes of the crisis will determine whether Honduras moves towards greater stability or remains caught in a cycle of political and social turbulence.

The remarks followed Trump’s announcement that he intends to grant a full pardon to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence in the United States for drug-trafficking and weapons-related offences. Trump also used his social media platform to endorse Hernández’s National Party ally, Nasry “Tito” Asfura, ahead of Sunday’s vote. The vice foreign minister stressed that a pardon would not alter Hernández’s record, insisting that the convictions remain a matter of public record.

Torres Zelaya denounced what he sees as contradictions in Trump’s position, citing past US-led anti-drug operations in the region. “Another thing that we find interesting to mention is that it carries a great load of irony and even contradiction that President Trump raises the banner of the fight against drug trafficking to generate actions against other countries, and in the case of Honduras, he is asking for the vote for the main drug lord of Central America , Mr Juan Orlando Hernandez,” he said.

He also argued that Trump’s endorsement of Asfura sends a clear political message. “It is no longer us saying it, Trump already said it: voting for Nasry Asfura is voting for Juan Orlando Hernandez. Voting for the National Party is voting for the narco-state to return and for the cartel to govern Honduras again,” he warned. Honduras is set to elect a president, members of the National Congress, representatives to the Central American Parliament, and local authorities, with more than six million citizens eligible to vote.

Hernández, once a close U.S. ally, was found guilty in a New York federal court in 2024 for facilitating the movement of cocaine into the United States during his presidency. His conviction marked one of the most significant cases in Washington’s anti-narcotics efforts in Central America. By signalling that he will overturn that judgement, Trump has reopened a debate about accountability, foreign policy and the power of presidential pardons.

The timing has stirred particular controversy in Honduras, where voters are preparing for a tightly contested presidential election. Trump has openly backed conservative candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura, and critics argue that announcing the pardon so close to the vote could influence the outcome. The move has therefore raised broader questions about external pressure on domestic politics, especially in a country already grappling with corruption, security concerns and deep political divisions.

Rixi Moncada is a veteran of public service: former teacher, lawyer, magistrate, finance minister and, until recently, defence minister. She is the official candidate of the ruling party, seeking to carry forward a “refoundational” project for the state.

Her platform centres on strengthening public institutions, defending state-controlled services and natural resources, and pushing for social justice . She frames her campaign as a defence of the “public good” against privatisation pressures.

Nasry "Tito" Asfura (Partido Nacional — Right / Conservative)

Nasry Asfura, 67, is a businessman and former mayor of Tegucigalpa, with a track record in infrastructure and urban administration. He runs as the candidate of the conservative National Party, pursuing a pro-business, free-market agenda.

His plan emphasises legal certainty, investment in energy and infrastructure, and job creation through public-private partnerships. Asfura pitches himself as a pragmatic “executor”, someone who can deliver stability, economic growth and institutional order.

Salvador Nasralla (Partido Liberal — Centrist / Reformist)

Salvador Nasralla is perhaps the most internationally familiar of the trio, a former television presenter turned politician, who previously served as vice-president. Now 72, he again enters the presidential race under the banner of the Liberal Party.

His proposal centres on tackling corruption, modernising the state and reviving the economy through support for small and medium enterprises, improved infrastructure, formal employment and social investments. He promises sweeping institutional reforms, including a revamped labour code, streamlined regulations and support for migrants and Hondurans abroad.

Supporters argue that the measure could strengthen efforts against narcotrafficking routes that cut through the Caribbean and increasingly impact local communities. But others see the decision as part of a long pattern of U.S. strategic interests in the region. “I think it is more about United States interests than about helping our country,” said resident Ricardo Jimenez to Viory, adding later: “I would not really support the President’s decision because it goes against our rights, it goes against our Constitution, which is always to have everything under government control.”

Concerns over foreign influence were echoed by other residents who questioned Washington’s intentions in a region where geopolitical tensions intersect with domestic security needs. “If there are other objectives, I really do not know. But you know that the United States always has an ace up its sleeve,” said Virginia Ramirez.

The government insists the authorisation is strictly temporary and limited to refuelling, transport and technical support, stressing that no foreign military operations will take place on Dominican soil. Still, the decision has sparked a broader national discussion, one that reflects the Dominican Republic’s longstanding tension between reliance on international security partnerships and the desire to safeguard its sovereignty in a region where external powers have long shaped the rules of engagement.

The frontrunners for the 30 November elections are Rixi Moncada (Libre), Salvador Nasralla (Liberal) and Nasry Asfura (National Party). Their final campaign events were marked by mutual accusations of fraud, limited policy proposals and an increasingly fragile institutional environment, including internal disputes within the National Electoral Council (CNE). The military’s role in safeguarding electoral materials has also fuelled public suspicion.

Hall warns of legal action over delayed GPS for electoral kits

Ana Paola Hall, president of Honduras’s National Electoral Council (CNE), has sounded the alarm over the delayed arrival of GPS devices meant to track the transport of voting material. She says that while shipments of election kits began on schedule, legal and financial consequences may follow if the GPS units don’t arrive. According to her, vehicles transporting the materials do have tracking, but individual boxes remain unmonitored until the promised GPS is installed.

EU election observers hear threats to press freedom

The European Union ’s Election Observation Mission (EOM) met with the Honduran press this week, learning about growing political risks for journalists covering the election. The Union’s team met with the Honduran Journalists’ Association, where media professionals expressed concerns over intimidation and threats tied to the heated political climate.

Nasralla denounces attacks on Liberal supporters during campaign

Salvador Nasralla, presidential candidate for the Liberal Party, accused political opponents, especially members of Libre, of assaulting his supporters during a campaign caravan in Tegucigalpa. He claimed that militants of the ruling party threw stones and used sticks, escalating fears of political violence on the eve of the vote.

US warns of sanctions for backing criminal terror groups

The US has issued a stark warning: any person or entity in Honduras that provides financial, logistical, or protective support to designated criminal organisations, such as MS-13 or Mexican drug cartels, could face serious consequences, including asset freezes, migration restrictions, and terrorism charges. Washington’s move comes after it labelled eight transnational criminal groups as "terrorist organisations," citing their threat to regional stability.

The reduction has especially hurt supplies of fuel oil, one of the most important inputs for Cuba’s ageing thermoelectric power plants. Deliveries from Mexico fell by approximately 73%, while imports from Venezuela, historically Cuba’s most significant energy partner, dropped by nearly 15%.

As a result, Cuba has been forced to shut down significant portions of its electricity generation capacity. According to the national electrical union, nearly 900 megawatts, almost a third of daily demand, are now offline due to a lack of fuel and lubricants. In Havana, residents report unplanned blackouts of up to nine hours, while more remote provinces sometimes receive only two to four hours of electricity each day.

Cuban officials have attributed the crisis to a combination of external and internal factors, including the steep reduction in shipments from allies, payment difficulties, and a shortage of vessels capable of transporting fuel across the Caribbean. Meanwhile, longstanding US sanctions , economic instability and damage to infrastructure from Hurricane Melissa are also compounding the problem.

The situation has renewed international attention on Cuba’s energy vulnerability and geopolitical isolation. As global allies recalibrate their own energy strategies, Havana’s ability to maintain stable electricity access and avoid further social disruption may depend on forging new partnerships or accelerating its transition to renewable energy .

The Communist Party of Cuba has officially convened its 11th Plenary Session of the Central Committee, marking another key moment in the island’s political calendar. This session reflects the country’s continuing effort to maintain centralised political coordination while addressing emerging national concerns. The announcement signals that the party leadership aims to evaluate ongoing national priorities and reinforce political alignment among its members. The decision to convene the 11th plenum underscores the CCP’s ongoing strategy of maintaining stable leadership structures amid evolving domestic and international conditions.

Party leadership outlines central committee agenda for the upcoming session

The 11th Plenary Session will bring together the Central Committee of the Communist Party, with the agenda reportedly focused on several internal and national issues. The explicit convening of the session indicates that party leadership intends to oversee critical aspects of governance, evaluate the political performance of institutions, and discuss the nation’s immediate priorities. This move continues a pattern in which the Central Committee meets to recalibrate strategies in response to changing socioeconomic pressures on the island.

Economic plan, hurricane damages, and “important issues” dominate PCC agenda

Among the detailed topics expected to be addressed at the plenary are Cuba’s national economic plan, the damages caused by Melissa, and other unspecified but “important issues.” This reflects the country’s need to manage multiple crises at once, economic stagnation, infrastructure challenges following natural disasters, and the broader strain on state resources. The reference to Melissa’s damages suggests a push to coordinate governmental response efforts and reinforce recovery initiatives. At the same time, highlighting “important issues” signals the party’s recognition that a wide range of political, economic, and social concerns now require attention at the highest levels of decision-making.

Government to conduct national review of its programme to correct distortions and boost the economy

A study and analysis of the Government Program will be carried out across Cuba with the intention of correcting distortions and implementing measures to boost the national economy. This initiative reflects an acknowledgement that structural problems and inefficiencies persist within the Cuban system and that a comprehensive review is necessary to stabilise conditions. The nationwide assessment indicates that authorities aim not only to diagnose the roots of the distortions but also to develop solutions that can strengthen the economic framework. This process is expected to engage officials at various administrative levels to ensure that corrections are implemented consistently across the nation.

Debate intensifies over the impact of U.S. unilateral sanctions

The question “Are the USA’s Unilateral Sanctions on Cuba a Good Thing?” reflects the ongoing debate, both domestically and internationally, about the real impact of U.S. restrictions on the island. The discussion continues to shape public discourse, as policymakers, analysts, and citizens evaluate whether the sanctions are causing undue suffering for the population, effectively pressuring the government, or creating new geopolitical tensions. By raising the issue at this moment, the roundup shows that sanctions remain central to Cuba’s economic difficulties and political narrative. The debate also highlights the growing pressure on policymakers to either negotiate relief mechanisms or adjust internal strategies to mitigate the effects of sanctions.

Dr. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the United Workers’ Party (UWP), has sharply criticised a new rule (SRO-39) that requires government-issued ID, like passports or driver’s licences, for voter confirmation. He argues that removing birth certificates from the list unfairly disenfranchises poorer citizens who can’t afford those IDs. Fontaine claims this undermines democracy and called on authorities to reverse the change.

Electoral chief says confirmation drive is running smoothly

Chief Election Officer Anthea Joseph reports that over 4,000 people have already applied for voter confirmation since the process began on 15 October 2025. She acknowledges minor issues, like dress code for photo-ID submission, but says overall feedback has been positive and parts of the system feel “very transparent.”

Voter registration temporarily suspended amid system overhaul

The Electoral Commission has announced a pause in new voter registrations while it builds a modern, electronic registration system. They’ve hired a consortium (SEMLEX / Genkey) to develop the software, train officers, and ensure compliance with the new Registration of Electors Act. A public update is scheduled for December 2025, when the resumption timeline should be clearer.

Opposition warns of civil liberty erosion over voter confirmation rules

Bernard Hurtault, leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, warns that the stricter ID requirements and the confirmation process disproportionately affect low-income and elderly voters, posing a threat to civil rights. He also raised concerns about confirmation centres allegedly being staffed by government supporters, challenging the impartiality of the Electoral Commission. Hurtault urged citizens not to be discouraged and called for continued pressure to ensure fairness.

Ocean Oasis Hotel opening hailed as CBI programme triumph

Government officials, led by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, celebrated the opening of the Ocean Oasis Hotel in Castle Comfort as proof that the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme is driving real economic development. The 37-room waterfront hotel is expected to create jobs and boost tourism, and Skerrit framed it as a concrete outcome of CBI funds being used for national growth.

Maduro’s appeal for calm comes at a moment of heightened friction with the United States , whose increased military presence in the Caribbean has fuelled concern in Caracas. Washington argues the build-up is part of its regional counternarcotics strategy, while Venezuelan officials insist the manoeuvres amount to foreign pressure aimed at destabilising the government.

During the rally, Maduro criticised what he described as mounting external threats, warning supporters that the country must remain vigilant. He framed the presence of foreign warships near Venezuelan waters as part of a wider attempt to intimidate the nation, while reaffirming that Caracas does not seek confrontation and continues to call for regional stability.

He also directed criticism at neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the government of staging military drills close to Venezuelan territory. “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has once again announced irresponsible exercises, sending its vessels off the coast of the State of Sucre for military exercises that are intended to be threatening to a republic like Venezuela, which is not intimidated by anyone,” Maduro said, presenting the operations as part of a pattern of external pressure.

Meanwhile, US military actions in the Caribbean have intensified. US Southern Command reported its 20th strike on a vessel allegedly involved in narcotics transport this week, bringing the reported death toll from operations since September to 80. Regional concerns have grown following incidents in which civilian casualties were reported, including an attack in October where searches for survivors were later suspended by Mexican authorities.

His remarks followed a diplomatic protest by the Mission of China to the European Union , which accused the European Parliament of hosting individuals advocating Taiwan’s independence—an act Beijing described as a serious violation of China’s sovereignty.

Cuba’s declaration reflects its longstanding alignment with Beijing’s foreign policy and underscores the continuing global resonance of the “One China” principle. The position also points to the growing influence of China’s diplomatic reach, as countries and institutions around the world navigate their stances on the Taiwan issue.

Viewed in a broader international context, this episode highlights how tensions surrounding Taiwan extend well beyond East Asia , involving states such as Cuba and regional bodies like the European Parliament. It also illustrates how modern diplomacy increasingly unfolds in the digital space, where public statements and social-media messages serve as tools of foreign policy.

“Liar Trump and your lying friends, liar Mr Rubio. Those you are killing are not drug traffickers,” Petro declared, referring to US operations in the region. He claimed that the real drug traffickers had long moved into political and financial circles. “The drug traffickers have gone, through their politicians, to the offices in Miami to speak with Mr Rubio’s senators, to ask that they bomb here as well, to ask that they also remove the president of the Republic elected by popular vote, to try to humiliate us,” he said.

According to the Colombian government, Petro also recalled the death of a fisherman killed in a US military strike in the Caribbean last year, rejecting claims that the victim was involved in illegal activities. “No one can say that this fisherman, a poor father of a girl, was a drug trafficker. I oppose that,” he added, denouncing what he described as the human cost of foreign intervention.

The president further linked Washington’s regional actions to wider global power imbalances, warning that “what we are seeing in Gaza will happen in the South, in the continents of working and poor people, in those of us who do not hold world power.” He has been one of the most vocal leaders in Latin America to denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza, having suspended coal exports to the country for humanitarian and moral reasons.

Cabello went on to describe the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as “the biggest drug cartel in the world ”, and dismissed accusations about the so-called Cartel de los Soles — which Washington alleges is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior military officials — as an “imperialist narrative” aimed at justifying US interference in the region.

Last August, the United States government offered a reward of up to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of President Maduro, a move Caracas has repeatedly condemned as an act of aggression.

Cabello’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, as Washington expands its operations in the Caribbean Sea under the pretext of countering drug trafficking and transnational crime .

In an official statement, the foreign ministry said the move was made after consultations with key partners, including the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB), to ensure the event remains inclusive and representative of all Latin American governments.

The postponement comes amid criticism over the exclusion of nations such as Venezuela , Cuba and Nicaragua from the forum, a move that has undermined participation and raised fears of a weakened regional dialogue.

Additionally, regional observers point to other underlying pressures: increased military and security operations in the Caribbean and broader hemispheric rivalry, which the Dominican government cited as factors complicating productive engagement.

For global stakeholders, the postponement signals that multilateral mechanisms in the Americas are under strain. The decision underscores the challenge of achieving consensus in a landscape increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition and ideological divides.

Fishermen in Las Cuevas say the heightened military presence is intimidating and dangerous. “I feel terrified, very terrified, knowing that anything can happen,” Karl Hernandez, a local fisherman, told Viory.

Their concerns rose after an October 14 airstrike by a US military aircraft killed six people aboard a small vessel in international waters near Venezuela ’s Sucre region. Among the victims were Trinidadian nationals Chad "Charpo" Joseph and Rishi Samaroo. The US claims the boat was part of a drug trafficking network.

However, families in Las Cuevas insist the men were returning home from a fishing trip and accuse the US of carrying out extrajudicial killings. “He could be whatever, but he is still my grandson,” said Christine Clement, grandmother of Chad Joseph. “For me, nothing would matter. That cannot bring life back. It would only show the world what is happening.”

Despite local outrage, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly backed the US operation.

Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela Jorge Luis Mayo Fernández expressed gratitude to Caracas for the assistance and highlighted the solidarity between both nations despite external pressure. "While the empire continues to threaten the peoples of our America , the peoples of the Caribbean, and our sister Venezuela with weapons, the Caribbean is crossed by ships of solidarity, by ships of love, by planes of love and planes of solidarity” he said. The remarks were aired by Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).

He added that this gesture of solidarity reflects “the kind of relationship that should unite all the nations of the world .”

According to regional authorities, while Cuba reported no fatalities, the death toll from the hurricane has risen to more than 40 in Jamaica and Haiti.

If adopted into the EU’s 2026 budget, the policy would mark the first time in decades that European funds to Cuba are categorically placed under review, placing the country in an unprecedented position of diplomatic isolation. The recommendation still needs ratification by the Council of the European Union and other institutional steps before it becomes binding.

This development has broader global implications. By tying aid to human-rights performance and geopolitical alignment, Brussels is amplifying a shift seen across many Western capitals: aid is increasingly conditional. For Cuba, this means not just a potential financial loss, but a symbolic setback in its relations with Europe at a time when the island’s economy is under severe strain.

The move also reflects growing trans-Atlantic alignment on how overseas aid is used amid new global tensions. EU resources, once seen as flexible, have now become strategic tools in diplomacy, especially in the Ukraine-Russia rivalry and US-China competition. For Cuba, the decision is not just about money—it marks a possible turning point in how lesser-pressured states of the Global South may be treated when their international partnerships clash with Western strategic interests.

Maduro described the deployment as immediate and comprehensive. “At 00:00 at night, I called those I had to call and gave them an order. Activate all forces, all military teams immediately for the defence of action points along the entire Venezuelan coast, from Zulia to Sucre state,” he told attendees at a ceremony in Caracas. He said military units, militia, police and specialised anti-air and coastal defence teams were positioned at 73 central points nationwide.

During the swearing-in of the Promoting Commission for the Venezuelan Workers’ Constituent Assembly, Maduro highlighted what he described as a moment of unprecedented patriotic unity across the country. He reaffirmed that Venezuela possesses the necessary military capability to defend its sovereignty, crediting international partners such as Russia and China for their support. The president also addressed recent restrictions on his online communications, criticising what he views as efforts to limit his digital reach.

The announcement comes amid heightened rhetoric between Caracas and Washington. US President Donald Trump has reportedly warned that “land is going to be next” as disputes over alleged drug-trafficking and recent strikes on so-called “narco-boats” intensify. Maduro’s large-scale coastal drill and public accusations reflect a region on edge, where military posturing and political claims risk escalating diplomatic tensions unless channelled back into dialogue.

The US embargo, first imposed in the 1960s, remains one of the world ’s longest-standing economic sanctions. While the Obama administration made limited moves towards normalisation, President Donald Trump reversed those policies and re-added Cuba to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Biden administration has so far maintained most of those restrictions.

Cuba’s resolution condemning the blockade has been presented annually at the UN General Assembly since 1992, consistently receiving overwhelming support. In the most recent vote, 187 countries backed the motion, with only the United States and Israel opposing it. The next debate and vote are scheduled for 28 October.

For Havana, the resolution serves as both a diplomatic reaffirmation and a political weapon, a way to highlight Washington’s isolation on the global stage. For the United States, however, the vote remains largely symbolic, underscoring a standoff that has lasted for more than six decades and shows little sign of easing.