Cuba Roundup: U.S. blockade denounced at UN, Díaz-Canel vows power plant stability, protests face

ALBA-TCP rejects U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean

On September 25, 2025, the Political Council of ALBA-TCP rejected what it called an “unjustified” U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, denouncing the interception of the Venezuelan vessel Carmen Rosa by a U.S. Navy destroyer. The bloc reaffirmed support for President Nicolás Maduro and dismissed U.S. reports labelling Venezuela a drug transit country as “false narratives” aimed at regime change.

Díaz-Canel promises stability at Renté thermoelectric plant

During a September 25 visit to the Antonio Maceo (Renté) thermoelectric plant in Santiago de Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel pledged that the facility would reach “stability” before the end of 2025. His statement came despite continuous outages, technical failures and even fatal accidents at the plant. Díaz-Canel blamed U.S. sanctions for hampering maintenance and argued that the government’s combined strategy of repairs and new solar projects would improve supply. However, electricity deficits of more than 1,700 MW continue to trigger blackouts lasting over 20 hours in some provinces, deepening public frustration.

Cuban foreign minister denounces U.S. blockade at UNGA

At the 80th UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced the U.S. economic blockade and its severe effects on Cuba’s access to food, medicine, transport and energy development. He also criticised U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and accused Washington of supporting Israel’s “genocide” against Palestinians. Rodríguez stressed the need for unity among developing nations under the G77 and China, condemned Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and warned that the blockade undermines climate action projects such as Cuba’s national solar energy plan.

Council of State evaluates economic and legislative measures

On September 25, the Cuban Council of State, led by Esteban Lazo Hernández, reviewed progress on economic recovery programmes and municipal development strategies. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz reported on preparations for the 2026 economic plan, updates to the government’s programme to “correct distortions”, and legislative advances, including food and fisheries regulations. The session also approved a decree law on honorary titles and decorations, while lawmakers examined compliance with measures under the Ministry of Food Industry and the national fisheries law.

Prosecutors seek nine-year sentences for protesters

Cuban prosecutors have requested sentences of up to nine years in prison for six men accused of participating in a peaceful “cacerolazo” protest against power outages in Encrucijada, Villa Clara, in November 2024. Among them is independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, denounced the trial as an attempt to criminalise dissent. Activists also reported the detention of opposition figure Guillermo “Coco” Fariñas while trying to attend the hearing. The case follows similar trials in 2024, highlighting the government’s hard line on public demonstrations.