Belly of the Beast
@bellyofthebeastcuba.com
Belly of the Beast tells #Cuba’s untold stories, from the inside. 🇨🇺 Through hard-hitting journalism and stunning cinematography, we inform and inspire.
https://www.bellyofthebeastcuba.com/
https://www.bellyofthebeastcuba.com/
Fifty-seven percent of people in the United States would like to see Cuba remain an independent nation, while 18% want the island to become a U.S. territory and 4% would prefer to see it as a U.S. state, according to a recent poll. https://researchco.ca/2026/01/19/usa-expansion/
January 29, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Fifty-seven percent of people in the United States would like to see Cuba remain an independent nation, while 18% want the island to become a U.S. territory and 4% would prefer to see it as a U.S. state, according to a recent poll. https://researchco.ca/2026/01/19/usa-expansion/
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) described Cuba's international medical aid missions as "the definition of human trafficking" and the doctors serving on them as "slaves" at a press conference earlier today.🧵(1/3)
January 29, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) described Cuba's international medical aid missions as "the definition of human trafficking" and the doctors serving on them as "slaves" at a press conference earlier today.🧵(1/3)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the sanctions on Cuba will not be lifted without regime change in Havana. Speaking at a Senate Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio added he would “love to see” Cuba’s government removed.
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 PM
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the sanctions on Cuba will not be lifted without regime change in Havana. Speaking at a Senate Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio added he would “love to see” Cuba’s government removed.
The annual March of the Torches is a student tradition celebrated in Cuba on January 27, the eve of the birth of José Martí, Cuba’s national hero. Thousands gathered on the steps of the University of Havana, carrying handmade torches, calling for a rejection of U.S. imperialism.
January 28, 2026 at 6:33 PM
The annual March of the Torches is a student tradition celebrated in Cuba on January 27, the eve of the birth of José Martí, Cuba’s national hero. Thousands gathered on the steps of the University of Havana, carrying handmade torches, calling for a rejection of U.S. imperialism.
ICE guards likely killed a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos in a detention center in Texas on January 3. ICE claims Campos committed suicide, but witness accounts and a medical examiner’s preliminary assessment suggest he died after being restrained by guards.
January 28, 2026 at 5:47 PM
ICE guards likely killed a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos in a detention center in Texas on January 3. ICE claims Campos committed suicide, but witness accounts and a medical examiner’s preliminary assessment suggest he died after being restrained by guards.
On Tuesday, Cubans celebrated the March of the Torches, an annual event held on January 27, the eve of José Martí’s birthday, to celebrate the Cuban poet and national hero’s legacy. Thousands carried lit torches as they commemorated Martí and rejected U.S. imperialism.
January 28, 2026 at 4:25 PM
On Tuesday, Cubans celebrated the March of the Torches, an annual event held on January 27, the eve of José Martí’s birthday, to celebrate the Cuban poet and national hero’s legacy. Thousands carried lit torches as they commemorated Martí and rejected U.S. imperialism.
President Claudia Sheinbaum says the decision on whether Mexico sends oil to Cuba remains a matter of national sovereignty. Her remarks come in response to international media reports claiming shipments had been suspended due to pressure from the United States.
#Mexico #Cuba #Trump #oil #Venezuela
#Mexico #Cuba #Trump #oil #Venezuela
January 28, 2026 at 12:33 AM
President Claudia Sheinbaum says the decision on whether Mexico sends oil to Cuba remains a matter of national sovereignty. Her remarks come in response to international media reports claiming shipments had been suspended due to pressure from the United States.
#Mexico #Cuba #Trump #oil #Venezuela
#Mexico #Cuba #Trump #oil #Venezuela
For years, Cubans who immigrated to the US benefited from a privileged policy known as “wet foot, dry foot.” From 1995-2017, Cubans who reached US shores without being intercepted at sea by US immigration authorities were allowed to pursue legal permanent residency after 1 year.
January 27, 2026 at 5:56 PM
For years, Cubans who immigrated to the US benefited from a privileged policy known as “wet foot, dry foot.” From 1995-2017, Cubans who reached US shores without being intercepted at sea by US immigration authorities were allowed to pursue legal permanent residency after 1 year.
Cuba’s National Defense Council on January 17 reviewed plans for Cuba to enter a "state of war." This review happens annually.
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Cuba’s National Defense Council on January 17 reviewed plans for Cuba to enter a "state of war." This review happens annually.
This week, China announced a new assistance package for Cuba that includes $80 million for electrical equipment to improve the energy sector and 60,000 tonnes of rice. A ceremony at a grain transit warehouse took place on Monday to mark the first batch of rice delivered.
January 26, 2026 at 4:52 PM
This week, China announced a new assistance package for Cuba that includes $80 million for electrical equipment to improve the energy sector and 60,000 tonnes of rice. A ceremony at a grain transit warehouse took place on Monday to mark the first batch of rice delivered.
Cuba’s legendary Jazz Plaza festival expands outside Havana this year, bringing musicians from the U.S. and around the world to the island. More than just music, it’s about resilience and resistance.
#CubaJazzFestival #CubanCulture #CubanMusic #festivaldejazz
#CubaJazzFestival #CubanCulture #CubanMusic #festivaldejazz
January 25, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Cuba’s legendary Jazz Plaza festival expands outside Havana this year, bringing musicians from the U.S. and around the world to the island. More than just music, it’s about resilience and resistance.
#CubaJazzFestival #CubanCulture #CubanMusic #festivaldejazz
#CubaJazzFestival #CubanCulture #CubanMusic #festivaldejazz
The Trump administration is considering imposing a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba as one of its potential avenues for forcing regime change, according to POLITICO. The report was based entirely on anonymous sources.
January 24, 2026 at 1:15 AM
The Trump administration is considering imposing a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba as one of its potential avenues for forcing regime change, according to POLITICO. The report was based entirely on anonymous sources.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum explains why her government continues sending oil to Cuba, even under U.S. pressure. “If Mexico can help create better conditions for Cuba,” she says, “we will always be there.”
January 22, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum explains why her government continues sending oil to Cuba, even under U.S. pressure. “If Mexico can help create better conditions for Cuba,” she says, “we will always be there.”
Venezuela's Health Minister Magaly Gutiérrez recently met with Cuban officials to reaffirm the two countries’ commitment to public healthcare and resistance to U.S. pressure.
January 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Venezuela's Health Minister Magaly Gutiérrez recently met with Cuban officials to reaffirm the two countries’ commitment to public healthcare and resistance to U.S. pressure.
The Catholic Church will start delivering $3 million in U.S. government humanitarian aid to people affected by Hurricane Melissa — more than two months after the hurricane hit the island.
January 19, 2026 at 8:10 PM
The Catholic Church will start delivering $3 million in U.S. government humanitarian aid to people affected by Hurricane Melissa — more than two months after the hurricane hit the island.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Cuba Mike Hammer held a press conference Wednesday in Weston, Florida, a Miami-area suburb.
January 19, 2026 at 5:36 PM
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Cuba Mike Hammer held a press conference Wednesday in Weston, Florida, a Miami-area suburb.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said January 7 that her country has not substantially increased the volume of oil it sends to Cuba. Mexico surpassed Venezuela in 2025 to become Cuba’s leading source of oil, according to a Financial Times report.
January 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said January 7 that her country has not substantially increased the volume of oil it sends to Cuba. Mexico surpassed Venezuela in 2025 to become Cuba’s leading source of oil, according to a Financial Times report.
A “territorial defense day” took place in various provinces across Cuba — Villa Clara, Camagüey, Artemisa and Pinar del Río — to hone Cuban armed forces’ and civilians’ combat skills. Trainings were held for shooting, throwing grenades, anti-aircraft defense and more.
January 18, 2026 at 1:56 PM
A “territorial defense day” took place in various provinces across Cuba — Villa Clara, Camagüey, Artemisa and Pinar del Río — to hone Cuban armed forces’ and civilians’ combat skills. Trainings were held for shooting, throwing grenades, anti-aircraft defense and more.
Donald Trump re-posted a joke about Marco Rubio becoming Cuba’s president, replying: “Sounds good to me!”
January 17, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Donald Trump re-posted a joke about Marco Rubio becoming Cuba’s president, replying: “Sounds good to me!”
Thousands of Cubans marched to the U.S. Embassy in Havana to honor the 32 Cubans killed in Venezuela and show they are willing to defend their country from U.S. aggression.
January 17, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Thousands of Cubans marched to the U.S. Embassy in Havana to honor the 32 Cubans killed in Venezuela and show they are willing to defend their country from U.S. aggression.
During a meeting with Trump, Halliburton’s CEO acknowledged they left Venezuela in 2019 because of sanctions imposed by Trump not because of the Venezuelan government. Now, Trump is discussing Venezuela’s oil future with the same companies his policies forced out.
January 14, 2026 at 1:56 PM
During a meeting with Trump, Halliburton’s CEO acknowledged they left Venezuela in 2019 because of sanctions imposed by Trump not because of the Venezuelan government. Now, Trump is discussing Venezuela’s oil future with the same companies his policies forced out.
Donald Trump said the U.S. is “talking to Cuba” and vowed to support Cuban Americans who left the island and became U.S. citizens. Cuba responded, rejecting the claim and stressing there are no negotiations, only technical migration contacts.
January 12, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Donald Trump said the U.S. is “talking to Cuba” and vowed to support Cuban Americans who left the island and became U.S. citizens. Cuba responded, rejecting the claim and stressing there are no negotiations, only technical migration contacts.
For years, U.S. officials complained that Venezuela was propping up Cuba with subsidized oil. But in 2019, the first Trump administration flipped the script. That year, Trump called Maduro a “Cuban puppet.”
January 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
For years, U.S. officials complained that Venezuela was propping up Cuba with subsidized oil. But in 2019, the first Trump administration flipped the script. That year, Trump called Maduro a “Cuban puppet.”
Trump says Cuba is “hanging by a thread” but admits collapse has been predicted for years “and they haven’t gone down.” Trump said there wasn’t much more pressure that could be applied except “blasting the hell out of the place.”
January 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Trump says Cuba is “hanging by a thread” but admits collapse has been predicted for years “and they haven’t gone down.” Trump said there wasn’t much more pressure that could be applied except “blasting the hell out of the place.”
Belly of the Beast journalist Liz Oliva Fernández has been sharing her perspective on the U.S. abduction of Nicolás Maduro inVenezuela and its potential consequences for Cuba in interviews with BBC, Al Jazeera and ABC Australia.
January 8, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Belly of the Beast journalist Liz Oliva Fernández has been sharing her perspective on the U.S. abduction of Nicolás Maduro inVenezuela and its potential consequences for Cuba in interviews with BBC, Al Jazeera and ABC Australia.