🇨🇺Week of October 12

Washington announced a new round of sanctions against Cuba, this time targeting the Banco Internacional de Comercio de Cuba (BICSA). The bank is accused of maintaining links to an Iranian entity.123

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) gave foreign parties less than 30 days to close their operations with BICSA.4

Attributed claim: Cuban state outlets framed the measure as a continuation of Washington's effort to strangle the island's economy, while France 24 centered its report on the bank's alleged Iranian ties.123

Separate coverage reported that the United States sanctioned more than 20 Cuban politicians and more than 30 Cuban companies.5

The US dollar reached a record 800 pesos on Cuba's informal market, with the euro approaching 900 pesos in the same trading. The rates were reported across Cuban and exile outlets covering the parallel currency market.123456

The milestone came as Cuba's economic crisis deepened: Infobae tied the new dollar maximum to a fire at an electric plant that left 75% of the island without power. The outlet framed both developments as part of a single crisis in Cuba.7

The record dollar rate was carried by the EFE wire and by oppositional outlets Diario de Cuba, 14ymedio, El Nuevo Herald and Diario Las Américas, which reported the 800-peso level as a new high for the informal market.21356

Russia donated 750 tonnes of vegetable oil to Cuba, with the shipment delivered through the World Food Programme. The donation is intended for vulnerable groups on the island.123

The delivery is one of two food donations reported the same day: Japan also sent a rice donation to Cuba. The Russian shipment was described as more than 750 tonnes of sunflower oil destined for vulnerable groups.435

Attributed claim: Opposition outlet Diario de Cuba framed the donations as aid arriving for "a Cuba in ruins," presenting the food shipments against the country's broader deterioration. State outlets Cubadebate and Noticias de Cuba reported the Russian oil and Japanese rice as straightforward donation deliveries.245

Cuba produces 21.4 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, a figure reported as specialists clarified the status of solar panel installation on the island. A specialist from Cuba's Solar Energy Research Center addressed the topic under the framing that there is neither an alert nor a brake on panel installation.123

The specialist explained in Zaragoza how Cuba operates under what the account describes as a brutal US oil blockade. The same account ties Cuba's electricity situation to that blockade while presenting the country as advancing in renewable energy.23

Provincial coverage reported additional solar parks being built for energy generation and highlighted solar power lighting the Hospital de Yaguajay. The reports place the panel rollout alongside the national renewable share figure.45

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reviewed the Pocito Palmar Defense Zone in Marianao, where its plans were checked, and toured a Defense Zone in La Lisa. The reviews were reported by state outlets Granma, the Presidency and Noticias de Cuba.123

The Presidency's account carried the message that the combat for Cuba does not cease and is maintained and intensified, framing the Defense Zone checks within that ongoing effort.1

The Defense Zone visits were reported alongside the Presidency's audio message on the same theme, with the Marianao check and the La Lisa tour presented as the concrete developments of the day.123