Three years to replenish key weapons, warns analysis in Washington

The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) approved an emergency program with economic opening measures and free market elements, in a context of deep crisis. The plan, discussed behind closed doors, will be sent to the National Assembly of People’s Power for analysis and possible implementation.

Economic opening measures

The document – not yet officially published – contemplates greater participation of private initiative, more autonomy for municipalities and state companies, and more flexible conditions to attract foreign investment. The goal is to reactivate an economy hit by shortages and low productivity.

During the session, President Miguel Díaz-Canel pointed out that the country faces a situation that requires urgent changes. The implementation of these measures could mark a significant shift in Cuban economic policy, seeking to adapt to the new realities of the global context.

A new attack with Ukrainian drones hit a major oil refinery in Moscow. The impact generated a large fire and a dense column of smoke visible from various points in the Russian capital.

Immediate effects

The incident forced emergency teams to be deployed to contain the flames and assess the damage to one of the most important energy facilities in the region. Additionally, several Moscow airports temporarily suspended operations, causing delays and cancellations of hundreds of flights.

Ukrainian strategy

The Ukrainian government has intensified its offensives against Russian oil infrastructure as part of a strategy to reduce energy revenues that finance Moscow’s war effort. This attack is considered one of the most significant with drones since the start of the war.

Governor Jenniffer González’s administration faces a new political crisis. Allegations of corruption and government interference involve his chief of staff, Francisco Domenech, who also heads the Puerto Rico Financial Advisory Authority and Fiscal Agency.

Domenech filed sworn statements against the former head of economic development, Sebastián Negrón, before the Department of Justice and the Office of Government Ethics. Negron resigned in May, accusing the government of interfering in his work.

In an interview with WIPR, Domenech justified his delay in coming forward with the accusations: he needed to gather evidence against Negron, whom the governor had called “a star.”

The case reached the United States Congress. Republican Senator Mike Lee asked González: “How can Congress be certain that federal funds sent to Puerto Rico are not being misused?” The governor affirmed that there is strict supervision and that the accusations against Domenech are false.

The president of the Senate of Puerto Rico, Thomas Rivera Schatz, from the governor’s same party, called for Domenech’s resignation. He offered legislative immunity “if they confess their crimes” to eradicate corruption.

Domenech alleges that Negrón interfered in bids with federal funds and pressured to place González loyalists in positions. Negrón described the accusations as false and warned: “The most worrying thing is not the attack against me, but the message that is sent to every public servant who witnesses irregularities and decides to report them.”

Negrón maintained that companies that invest in Puerto Rico have been dragged into the scandal. “Puerto Rico needs to strengthen the confidence of those who invest, not turn them into collateral damage in political disputes,” he stated.