Cuba Faces Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Cuba is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread power outages, food shortages, and a lack of essential medical supplies. Reports from Havana detail the struggles of ordinary Cubans as the U.S. embargo continues to impact daily life. Residents report soaring prices – a dozen eggs now costing a week’s salary – and growing frustration, occasionally leading to sporadic protests.

Several Cubans shared their experiences. Deostado Valdez, a 77-year-old farmer, expressed concern about the situation. Yvette Arencibia, a volunteer delivering food, noted the resilience of Cubans despite decades under a socialist regime. Manuel Perez, 80, urged people to speak up, expressing hope for a better future. Author Julio Aleaga Pessant, whose novel about a past crisis is banned in Cuba, believes the current situation, while difficult, is not as severe as the 'special period' of the 1990s following the fall of the Soviet Union.

Advocates are calling for the U.S. to lift the blockade, arguing it unfairly punishes the Cuban population. Protesters in Vancouver echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dire conditions, including deaths of newborns due to lack of medication. Two women from Kelowna are currently in Havana, delivering 14 suitcases filled with medical supplies.

Canadian Firm Garterworld Under Scrutiny Over US Detention Contract

The crisis in Cuba is unfolding alongside scrutiny of a Canadian company. Garterworld, a Montreal-based security firm, has secured a $313 million (USD) contract, potentially worth up to $700 million (USD), to operate a 1,500-bed detention center in Surprise, Arizona.

Corporate watchdogs in Quebec are calling for greater scrutiny of the deal, particularly given a $300 million investment Garterworld received from the Quebec government in 2022. Concerns have been raised about the company’s involvement with the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in Florida, which faces legal challenges over alleged human rights abuses. Amnesty International reports detail inhumane and unsanitary conditions at that facility.

Garterworld maintains it operates with respect for human rights, but opposition parties in Quebec are demanding Investissement Québec cut ties with the company. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding has significantly increased under the Trump administration, driving demand for detention centers.

Canada Denies Entry to European MP

Separately, Canada is facing criticism for refusing entry to French-Palestinian Member of Parliament Rima Hassan. Hassan was scheduled to attend conferences in Montreal on Palestinian issues and the rise of the far-right. Advocacy groups argue the decision stemmed from her pro-Palestinian stance and previous denial of entry into Israel, alleging a double standard. Canada’s Border Services Agency has declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns. Hassan will now participate in the conferences virtually.