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Daily Archives: 13. August 2026
Die USA wollen Kuba aushungern
Wenn GECOMEX keine derartigen Maschinen und AusrĂĽstung importieren kann, sind seine Tochtergesellschaften nicht in der Lage, Agrarrohstoffe wie Weizen und Bohnen effizient zu verarbeiten. Dies fĂĽhrt wiederum dazu, dass weniger Grundnahrungsmittel ihren Weg in die kubanischen Haushalte finden.
Die Sanktionen gegen den Hafenbetreiber GEMAR sind noch gravierender: Sie verursachen Compliance-Risiken für jedes Schifffahrtsunternehmen, das Liegegebühren in Kuba zahlt. Mehr als 7.000 Container mit Bestimmungsort Havanna sind daher aktuell in der Karibik gestrandet, nachdem Unternehmen wie Hapag-Lloyd und CMA CGM aufgrund der rechtlichen Unsicherheit ihre Aktivitäten in Kuba vorerst eingestellt haben.
After Blocking Fuel, the US Turns to Cuba’s Food Supply
In July, the US State Department announced a round of broad economic sanctions against Cuba targeting industries that have historically been spared, limiting the Cuban government’s ability to purchase agricultural commodities and food processing equipment from third countries by singling out Cuba’s state importer (GECOMEX) and port operator (GEMAR).
This is happening in the context of America’s monthslong oil blockade against Cuba, which has already immiserated the general population by impeding basic sanitation and food safety and has killed scores of patients in Cuban hospitals. A US congressional delegation that visited in early July described the situation on the ground as a “silent Gaza.”
U.S. sanctions against Cuba are endangering lives and must be lifted
(June 8, 2026)
The U.S. declaration of a national emergency in January disrupted fuel shipments to Cuba, severely reducing the country‘s fuel reserves by mid-May. This depletion has led to daily blackouts that now frequently exceed 20 hours. Additional sanctions were imposed in May, including some with extraterritorial effect on private entities, such as traders, insurers, tourism or shipping companies, financial institutions, and others involved in fuel supply or engaged with the country‘s energy, defence, mining, finance, and security sectors.
These measures, combined, are significantly affecting the population’s human rights, notably their access to essential supplies and services, including water, food and healthcare.
Mysterious Attacks on Ecuadorian Fishers Raise Fears of Expanded US Boat Bombings
According to the Times, it was registered to a private company whose address was a UPS store mailbox in Virginia, deepening the mystery over who was operating it—and for whom.
“It would be one thing if the US didn’t have an overt maritime strike campaign, but they do, and they’re posting snuff films of boats going up in flames regularly,” Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who specializes in the laws of war, told the Times.
“And that’s what makes this even more squirrelly,” added Finucane, now a senior adviser in the US Program at the International Crisis Group. “Who are these people that are operating, and under what authority? And they are using a UPS store as their company address? Come on.”
CIA was skeptical of Israeli tip about Iranian threat to Trump
Some American officials suspect the Israeli warning fit a pattern of Jerusalem using intelligence to shape US policy, particularly given its deep concerns about Iran and unease over closer US-Turkey ties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was briefed on the threat and the ruse but reportedly stayed on the larger Air Force One. Speaking to the Post, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen questioned whether the Israeli information was „independently verifiable,“ calling the episode „a little fantastical.“
Gaza death toll rises to at least 73,388
The ministry said Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,259 Palestinians and wounded 4,148 others since last October’s ceasefire.
Since October 2023, at least 73,388 Palestinians have been killed and 174,259 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to the ministry.
How the Iran-Contra Scandal Impacts American Politics Today
(May 14, 2025)
The revelation of the intertwined scandals captivated Americans. Between the fall of 1986 and the fall of 1987, more than seven out of 10 Americans watched some of the televised congressional hearings about Iran-Contra. But once it became clear that Democrats would not impeach Reagan, public interest waned. Unlike Watergate, when a smoking gun tape implicated President Richard Nixon, to many, the 1980s scandal seemed a blur of byzantine Cold War diplomacy, opaque Swiss bank accounts, and a large cast of forgettable middlemen. The country boxed up the ugly affair and stored it in the attic of its memory.
It did so even as the scandal persisted and investigators indicted dozens of administration officials. In 1988, Reagan’s vice president, George H.W. Bush, won the presidency, and throughout his entire administration, those responsible for Iran-Contra dodged the political and legal consequences of their actions.
President Pezeshkian: Iran never acted outside international law
(August 12, 2026)
In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran had never sought regional unrest and denounced the United States and the Israeli regime for undermining regional peace and stability through aggression against Iran and attacks that led to the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and a large number of civilians, including defenseless Minab children in their classrooms, as well as destroying civilian infrastructure.
Pezeshkian expressed hope that Japan’s diplomatic efforts to establish peace and stability in the region would bear fruit and prevent crimes and warmongering by aggressive powers.
Takaichi Urges Iran to Ease Tensions in Phone Call With President
(August 12, 2026)
TOKYO – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 12, urging an early easing of military tensions in the Middle East while stressing the importance of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without additional costs.