In Cuba, Natural Disasters Mirror Political and Diplomatic Shocks
Welcome to CEDA’s U.S.-Cuba News Brief, where we highlight and break down recent news about Cuba and U.S.-Cuba relations.
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It has been an eventful month for the island of Cuba. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and blackouts hit the country. Pockets of the country are still without power, some without water, and morale is low. The prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and overall disruption have sparked protests, leading to arrests as authorities crack down on protestors.
Amid these crises, the election of Donald Trump and announcement of Senator Marco Rubio as the incoming Secretary of State has raised concerns among proponents of engagement with Cuba. Trump’s first presidency slashed diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement with Cuba. Rubio has consistently supported a tough U.S. stance toward Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Cuba anticipates even harsher U.S. measures under the new Administration, fueling speculation about the challenges ahead, including another migration wave from the island.
The return of President Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 also signals a dramatic shift in immigration policy. As of the end of August 2024, 111,000 Cubans have been granted parole under the CHNV humanitarian parole program, The program, put in place by the Biden Administration, allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to live and work in the U.S. legally for two years. The future of this program under the new administration remains uncertain, particularly as discussions of mass deportations take center stage. “You can’t raise the alarm about Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua and then say these people don’t have a reason to be here. How can you say ‘This is terrible, and people should rightfully seek freedom,’ and then not receive them humanely?" noted Ana Sofía Pelaez, co-founder of the Miami Freedom Project.
Currently, a potential 200,000 Cubans are residing in the United States without the legal means to obtain permanent residency because they were released without parole documentation (e.g., they were given either Form I-220A, I-220B, or a DHS Bond under INA § 236) and are unable to adjust status under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Over 83,000 Cubans have pending asylum applications nationwide. This is up from 10,000 in 2020, and in the hundreds in 2017 when the Obama Administration rescinded wet-foot-dry-foot. How Cuban immigrants will be treated could depend on various factors, including broader political dynamics and potential input from influential Cuban Americans within the administration.
This week in U.S.-Cuba news:
Cuba Foreign Relations
Reuters | Russia to aid hurricane-hit Cuba with diesel fuel, minister says
Russia has announced it will send around 80,000 tons of diesel fuel, valued at $60 million, to aid Cuba amid its ongoing energy crisis. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the assistance as a “brotherly” gesture to help stabilize Cuba’s energy sector, which has experienced multiple blackouts recently. Cuban authorities have begun restoring electricity to parts of the island but face continued challenges in maintaining reliable power.
In Cuba
Cuba Faces Multiple Crises After Natural Disasters
Cuba has been severely impacted by multiple natural disasters in recent weeks. After Hurricane Oscar knocked out power across the island on October 20, recovery efforts were underway when Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, struck, causing widespread damage and leaving millions without electricity. Power has been partially restored in Havana, though blackouts persist, particularly in the west. To add to the strain, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake caused further destruction. Protests over prolonged outages led to arrests, highlighting Cuba's ongoing energy and economic struggles. For a deeper dive, read our recent U.S.-Cuba News Brief, Cuba in Crisis.
Reuters | Cuba sees growth unlikely in 2024 as hurricanes, earthquakes rattle economy
Economy Minister Joaquin Alonso recently stated that Cuba is unlikely to experience any growth in 2024, as the island’s already struggling state-run economy reels from the recent natural disasters. Hurricane Oscar and Rafael not only devastated infrastructure but also exposed severe weaknesses in Cuba’s aging electrical grid, leading authorities to impose extended emergency blackouts in Havana. Alonso emphasized that the prolonged crisis has led to a record-breaking exodus of Cubans leaving the island.
AP | Cuba Left Reeling after Category 3 hurricane ravages island and knocks out power grid; Reuters | Cuba warns against 'public disorder' as scattered protests erupt
Rafael, a category three hurricane, struck Cuba, destroying homes, crippling the power grid, and displacing hundreds of thousands. No fatalities were initially reported, but severe damage occurred, especially in Havana, where numerous buildings collapsed. The storm downed power lines and trees, worsening the nation’s ongoing energy crisis, which had already led to blackouts and protests. Authorities warn that blackouts will continue due to a significant power generation deficit.
After protests broke out over the blackouts, Cuban authorities made numerous arrests for “assault, disorderly behavior, and damages.” The protests, fueled also by economic hardships and resource shortages, saw demonstrators in places like Ciego de Ávila demanding power restoration. Cuba has seen increasing protests since mass anti-government demonstrations in 2021, often met with similar crackdowns.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael, Cuban authorities warned against public disorder, detaining individuals for alleged acts of vandalism and public disturbance during ongoing blackouts. Although most of the capital city Havana’s power has been restored, provinces like Artemisa and Pinar del Rio remain largely without electricity. The government is addressing sporadic protests over continued outages, with tensions high due to shortages of basic supplies.
CBS News | 6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Cuba after hurricanes and blackouts
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba, adding to the challenges following recent hurricanes and power outages. The earthquake, centered near Bartolomé Masó, was widely felt in cities like Santiago de Cuba, where residents were shaken but reported no major damage. This comes after weeks of disruptions, including widespread blackouts and severe hurricane damage, which have left the country struggling to recover. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, chief of the National Seismological Service of Cuba (CENAIS), reported that the municipality of Pilón, located in Granma Province, suffered "a lot of damage.
Cuban Migration
Washington Post | Trump’s win puts militarized, mass deportations on the agenda
Donald Trump's return to the White House promises a hardline immigration stance, focusing on mass deportations, border security, and reviving policies from his first term. His win sets the stage for significant shifts in U.S. immigration, including potential mass deportations, ending protections and legal pathways for migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, and other nations, and building the border wall. Advocates are preparing for legal battles, while Trump’s policies may face challenges due to logistical constraints and opposition from sanctuary cities. The economic impact of these measures could be profound, reducing labor force participation and increasing inflation.
On migration, Senator Rubio has shifted from moderate positions to stricter anti-immigration policies, aligning with President Trump's views. He opposed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2016 and supported Trump’s zero-tolerance policy in 2018. On Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Rubio co-authored the 2019 TPS Act but later aligned with the Trump administration's preference for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) in 2020. By 2021, he welcomed DHS’s TPS designation for Venezuelans and, in 2022, joined Senator Menendez in urging its extension. Rubio has also pushed to extend Title 42, blocking asylum access for Cuban, Venezuelan, and Haitian migrants in Florida.
Recommended Readings, Viewings, and Events
NPR Planet Money | The story behind Cuba's economic dysfunction
This week, a powerful hurricane hit Cuba, causing nationwide electricity outages — right after a string of power failures that have plagued the country in recent months. These power outages are a low point for a country that has struggled economically for years and is experiencing mass emigration. Planet Money explains why Cuba is struggling to keep the lights on and investigate the root causes of the Caribbean nation's dramatic fall.
Forbes | How Two Visionaries Have Opened A Stunning New Boutique Hotel In Havana
In Havana, the luxury boutique hotel Tribe Caribe, recently opened by Grammy-winning producer Andrés Levin and entrepreneur Chris Cornell, has transformed a historic building into a cultural and artistic destination. Located in the Cayo Hueso district, the restored property is more than a hotel–it features art galleries, performance spaces, and a Pan-Caribbean restaurant that sources ingredients locally, highlighting the work of Cuban artists and craftsmen.
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of CEDA.
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