World
Cuban Leaders Beef Up Police Patrols After Rare Protests
Published
5 years agoon
By
Willie David
HAVANA (AP) — Cuban police are out in force on the country’s streets as the president is accusing Cuban Americans of using social media to spur a rare outpouring of weekend protests over high prices and food shortages.
The demonstrations in several cities and towns were some of the biggest displays of antigovernment sentiment seen in years in tightly controlled Cuba, which is facing a surge of coronavirus cases as it struggles with its worst economic crisis in decades as a consequence of U.S. sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Many young people took part in Sunday’s demonstrations in Havana. Protests were also held elsewhere on the island, including in the small town of San Antonio de los Baños, where people objected to power outages and were visited by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. He entered a few homes, where he took questions from residents.
Authorities appeared determined to put a stop to the demonstrations. More than a dozen protesters were detained, including a leading Cuban dissident who was arrested trying to attend a march in the city of Santiago, 559 miles (900 kilometers) east. The demonstrators disrupted traffic in the capital for several hours until some threw rocks and police moved in and broke them up.
Internet service was spotty, possibly indicating an effort to prevent protesters from communicating with each other.
“We’ve seen how the campaign against Cuba was growing on social media in the past few weeks,″ Díaz-Canel said Monday in a nationally televised appearance in which his entire Cabinet was present. “That’s the way it’s done: Try to create inconformity, dissatisfaction by manipulating emotions and feelings.”
In a statement Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden said Cuban protesters were asserting their basic rights.
“We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian regime,″ Biden said.
The U.S. urges the Cuban government to serve their people ’’rather than enriching themselves,″ Biden added.
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq on Monday stressed the U.N. position “on the need for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly to be respected fully, and we expect that that will be the case.”
The demonstrations were extremely unusual on an island where little dissent against the government is tolerated. The last major public demonstration of discontent, over economic hardship, took place nearly 30 years in 1994. Last year, there were small demonstrations by artists and other groups, but nothing as big or widespread as what erupted this past weekend.
In the Havana protest on Sunday, police initially trailed behind as protesters chanted, “Freedom!” “Enough!” and “Unite!” One motorcyclist pulled out a U.S. flag, but it was snatched from him by others.
“We are fed up with the queues, the shortages. That’s why I’m here,” one middle-age protester told The Associated Press. He declined to identify himself for fear of being arrested later.
Later, about 300 pro-government protesters arrived with a large Cuban flag, shouting slogans in favor of the late President Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution. Some assaulted an AP videojournalist, smashing his camera. AP photojournalist Ramón Espinosa was then beaten by a group of police officers in uniforms and civilian clothes; he suffered a broken nose and an eye injury.
The demonstration grew to a few thousand in the vicinity of Galeano Avenue and the marchers pressed on despite a few charges by police officers and tear gas barrages. People standing on many balconies along the central artery in the Centro Habana neighborhood applauded the protesters passing by. Others joined in the march.
About 2 1/2 hours into the march, some protesters pulled up cobblestones and threw them at police, at which point officers began arresting people and the marchers dispersed. AP journalists counted at least 20 people who were taken away in police cars or by individuals in civilian clothes.
Although many people tried to take out their cellphones and broadcast the protest live, Cuban authorities shut down internet service throughout the afternoon Sunday.
On Monday, Cuban authorities were blocking Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram, said Alp Toker, director of Netblocks, a London-based internet monitoring firm.
“This does seem to be a response to social media-fueled protest,” he said. Twitter did not appear to be blocked, though Toker noted Cuba has the ability to cut it off if it wants to.
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World
Ecuador Honors Marco Rubio With National Order of Merit Grand Cross
Published
3 weeks agoon
September 10, 2026
President Daniel Noboa recognizes U.S. secretary of state during Quito visit focused on security, counternarcotics cooperation and stronger U.S.-Ecuador relations
QUITO, Ecuador (FNN) — Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa awarded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the National Order of Merit in the degree of Grand Cross on Wednesday, recognizing Rubio’s role in strengthening relations between the United States and Ecuador.
The Sept. 9 ceremony took place at the Carondelet presidential palace in Quito during Rubio’s South American diplomatic tour. Official State Department photography confirms Noboa presented the decoration to Rubio during the ceremony.
The honor came as Rubio and Noboa emphasized deeper cooperation on regional security, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and economic prosperity.
ECUADOR RECOGNIZES RUBIO’S ROLE IN BILATERAL RELATIONS
An executive decree read during the ceremony cited Rubio’s “distinguished services” and commitment to strengthening ties between Ecuador and the United States.
The decree highlighted bilateral cooperation against transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking and illicit financial networks.
Noboa praised Rubio’s diplomatic engagement in Latin America and said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond government-to-government cooperation.
Ecuadorian media also reported that the award recognized Rubio’s contributions to bilateral relations and cooperation on security.
RUBIO: U.S.-ECUADOR RELATIONS HAVE IMPROVED
Accepting the decoration, Rubio called it a “great honor” and emphasized what he described as significant improvements in relations between the two countries.
Rubio focused particularly on two priorities: security and prosperity.
He said governments must provide security to create conditions for economic opportunity and pledged continued cooperation from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Quito meeting was Rubio’s third meeting with Noboa, according to Rubio’s remarks.
SECURITY COOPERATION TAKES CENTER STAGE
The ceremony came during a broader visit focused heavily on counternarcotics and security cooperation.
Rubio announced that the Trump administration would seek approximately $45 million from Congress for security assistance to Ecuador, along with an additional $10 million targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment and illicit finance, according to Reuters.
The United States also designated Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization during Rubio’s visit.
Ecuador has become an increasingly important U.S. partner in regional counternarcotics operations under Noboa. The country has struggled with escalating violence involving criminal organizations competing over drug-trafficking routes and access to ports.
NOBOA PRAISES RUBIO’S LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT
Noboa used the ceremony to emphasize Rubio’s connection to Latin America and his work on regional security.
The Ecuadorian president said Rubio’s approach has helped strengthen relationships between the United States and countries throughout the region.
“We have achieved, working hand in hand with the United States, to provide more peace, health and also more liberties,” Noboa said through an interpreter, according to the ceremony transcript.
Noboa described the decoration as one of Ecuador’s highest honors. Independent reporting characterized the National Order of Merit in the Grand Cross degree as a major Ecuadorian national distinction awarded for extraordinary service.
RUBIO’S SOUTH AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC TOUR
Ecuador was part of a broader South American trip for Rubio.
He traveled to Ecuador after meeting Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, with security, counternarcotics cooperation and economic relations among the major subjects of the trip. Rubio was then scheduled to travel to Peru.
The Ecuador visit underscored the Trump administration’s effort to strengthen relationships with regional governments cooperating with Washington on narcotics trafficking, migration and security.
For Rubio and Noboa, the Grand Cross ceremony also provided a symbolic backdrop for an expanding bilateral relationship centered on security cooperation, combating organized crime and economic ties.
US NATIONAL NEWS
U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Financial Networks and Regime Financiers
Published
3 months agoon
July 10, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting individuals and businesses accused of helping finance Iran’s ruling elite and facilitating international financial transactions on behalf of the Iranian regime.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, target a global financial network that U.S. officials say supports Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior regime officials.
Global Financial Network Targeted
According to the administration, the sanctions focus on Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian national accused of managing an extensive network of real estate and commercial holdings across multiple countries on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and other regime insiders.
U.S. officials said the network includes assets and business interests in:
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Cyprus
- United Arab Emirates
- Other international jurisdictions
The administration alleges the network has been used to help Iranian regime officials maintain access to international financial markets.
Currency Exchange Houses Sanctioned
The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on three Iran-based currency exchange firms and their associated leadership:
- Mohammad Darbani and Partners
- Lavasani and Partners
- Mohsen Khandan and Partners
The sanctions also extend to the firms’ managing partners and affiliated front companies.
According to the administration, these entities allegedly enabled Iran to obtain foreign currency and conduct international financial transactions despite existing U.S. sanctions.
Administration Cites Maximum Pressure Campaign
The White House said the latest designations are part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Administration officials said they will continue targeting individuals, businesses and financial institutions—including foreign entities—that facilitate illicit Iranian commerce or assist the regime in evading U.S. sanctions.
The administration maintains that the sanctions are intended to pressure Iran to end what it describes as destabilizing activities in the region and to hold accountable those who enable corruption within the Iranian government.
Authorities Used for Sanctions
The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive authorities, including:
- Executive Order 13902, targeting Iran’s financial and petroleum sectors.
- Executive Order 13876, focusing on Iran’s Supreme Leader and affiliated individuals.
- Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which provides counterterrorism sanctions authority.
Treasury officials said the latest designations build upon previous actions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran’s shadow banking system and currency exchange networks.
World
U.S., CARICOM IMPACS Sign Landmark Biometrics Data-Sharing Agreement to Strengthen Border Security
Published
3 months agoon
July 10, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) signed a Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership (BDSP) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Friday, establishing a new framework for sharing biometric information to strengthen border security and immigration screening.
The agreement was signed July 10 at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, D.C.
Strengthening National and Regional Security
According to DHS, the agreement enhances U.S. national security by enabling biometric information sharing between the United States and CARICOM member states that operate Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.
Officials said the partnership will improve the ability of both the United States and participating Caribbean nations to identify potential security threats before individuals enter the United States.
The agreement is also intended to help prevent individuals from exploiting Citizenship by Investment programs to evade immigration or law enforcement screening, addressing what officials described as a critical gap in Western Hemisphere security.
Supporting Immigration Integrity
The memorandum also reflects Caribbean governments’ commitment to strengthening immigration integrity and aligning border security practices with U.S. standards.
DHS said the partnership reinforces regional cooperation on identity verification, information sharing and security screening while supporting lawful travel and international security efforts.
Senior Officials Attend Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- White House Homeland Security Council
- U.S. Department of State
- CARICOM IMPACS
Diplomatic representatives from the following Caribbean nations also participated:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
These countries currently operate Citizenship by Investment programs that provide foreign nationals a pathway to citizenship through qualifying investments.
Regional Security Cooperation Expands
The Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership represents one of the most significant security cooperation agreements between the United States and CARICOM member states in recent years.
Officials said the framework will strengthen information sharing, improve border security, support immigration integrity and enhance efforts to identify individuals who may pose security risks before they travel to the United States.
