Mom or Mamá: The Grief of Child Raising in Two Languages

Soon my son will start grade school, and with it, English will become dominant: classes, meetings, notes in his backpack, birthday parties with clowns I can’t understand, and jokes that he can. That’s when I’ll know it’s time to learn alongside him, at his pace, in his language, to keep building bridges between his world and mine.

Cuban Economist: Even Doubling Production, Cuba Would Remain Among Latin America’s Poorest Nations

Cuban economist Miguel Alejandro Hayes dismantles official economic figures and exposes the true scale of Cuba’s collapse. His analysis offers a critical approximation of the island’s economic reality using alternative methods amid a lack of government transparency.

Cuban Doctors in Spain: Lifeline for Public Healthcare, Victims of Bureaucratic Delays

Cuban doctors are vital to Spain’s public healthcare system, yet thousands face years-long delays in getting their credentials recognized. Amid staff shortages, they remain trapped in bureaucratic limbo.

“It Was All a Scam” A Cuban’s Tale of Deceit from Russia

In April 2025, elTOQUE received a disturbing report: a group of young Cubans lured to Russia with false promises of legal work and a better life. Instead, they faced detention, forced labor, and threats. Lázaro’s story is just one of many.

Two Cuban Men with Criminal Records Deported to South Sudan, DHS Confirms

Two Cuban nationals convicted of violent crimes were deported to South Sudan after the U.S. failed to find another country willing to accept them, defying a federal judge’s order and raising concerns over deportations to conflict zones.

Mexico Awarded Millions in No-Bid Contracts to Cuban Pharma Firm Despite Faulty Medicines

An investigation reveals the López Obrador administration granted over $6 million in direct contracts to a Cuban-linked pharmaceutical firm, despite poor-quality, expired, and undelivered medications.

Cuba Grants Canadian-Owned Novabank License to Operate as Corporate Bank

Novabank S.A., a newly licensed corporate bank in Cuba, is owned by Canadian investors from the Lussier family, longtime business partners with decades of experience on the island.

Russia Extends Migration Deadline for Irregular Foreigners, But Doubts Persist Among Cubans

Russia has extended Decree 1126, giving undocumented migrants—including thousands of Cubans—until September 10, 2025, to legalize their status or leave voluntarily. While the move offers temporary relief, strict requirements and regional inconsistencies fuel ongoing uncertainty.

Cuba Moves Toward Dollarization Amid Peso Collapse and Rising Inequality

Cuba accelerates partial dollarization amid the peso's collapse and rising inflation. A new report reveals shrinking wages, increased inequality, and government-backed policies fueling a dual-currency economy.

Ukrainian Government Releases Names of 39 Cubans Killed in the War

A Ukrainian government channel has revealed the names of 39 Cuban citizens killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, raising fresh questions about foreign recruitment and the Cuban government’s silence.

The Shared Anguish of Three Cuban Mothers

Life in Cuba feels like time standing still, except for the pain, which never pauses. In a country ruled by scarcity and silence, three women —Olga, Lulu, and Lucrecia— share stories of endurance, separation, and quiet rebellion. Their lives show that behind every statistic is someone who stayed, someone who left, and someone who couldn’t.

Cuban Gov. Opens Mega Wholesale Store Selling in US Dollars

On May 6, the Cuban military-owned Tiendas Caribe opened a new dollar-only wholesale store in the Mariel Special Development Zone — but private business owners are sounding the alarm. While the state sells in USD, entrepreneurs still can’t charge in foreign currency, forcing them to buy dollars on the black market at triple the official rate. Is this really support for private enterprise or just another layer of control?

Cuban Mother Defies Military Draft to Defend Son’s Right to Object

After her teenage son refused compulsory military service, Ismari Saavedra faced years of government harassment, school expulsion, and threats—exposing Cuba’s crackdown on conscientious objection.

Amnesty International Warns of Human Rights Crisis in Cuba

Amnesty International’s latest report paints a bleak picture of Cuba in 2024: growing repression, deepening poverty, and a mass exodus that has shrunk the population by 18 %. Amid blackouts, censorship, and arbitrary arrests, the Cuban regime continues to deny the crisis.

Airbnb Pauses Services in Cuba, Impacting Hosts and Tourism

Airbnb has paused payments and experiences in Cuba, leaving many hosts without income. The move highlights growing challenges for the island’s private tourism sector.