Previously, U.S. Ambassador Waltz urged member states to reject Havana’s annual resolution against the blockade.

On Oct. 27 and 28, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holds, for the 34th time, a debate and vote on a resolution presented by Cuba titled “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba.”

RELATED:

UN General Assembly Debates Cuban Resolution Against U.S. Blockade for 34th Time

On Tuesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the U.S. government of lying “in a crude and permanent manner” to the countries represented at the UNGA.

“With its crude lies at the UNGA, the U.S. government has launched a new desperate attempt to justify its economic aggression against Cuba and its criminal energy blockade,” he said, lashing out at U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and criticizing his “arrogance and haughtiness.”

“He forgets that he is at the United Nations. He is not at the U.S. National Security Council, in a Green Beret unit, or in a Signal group, where he has repeatedly demonstrated his incompetence and inability,” Rodriguez stated.

The Cuban diplomat said Waltz’s remarks before the General Assembly “are part of a media circus, threats and an election campaign” to which Washington “devotes substantial financial and human resources.”

“There is no justification for maintaining the act of collective punishment to which the Cuban people are subjected,” Rodriguez stressed.

#Cuba | Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confronts U.S. representatives at the UN General Assembly, invoking Rule 71 to reject accusations against Cuba during discussions on Washington's economic blockade.#UNGA #BrunoRodriguez #USBlockade #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/BK8ZNXgKWT

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2026

Waltz Seeks to Put a Positive Spin on the U.S. Blockade

During his address, Waltz called on countries to vote against the text presented by Cuba, arguing that doing otherwise would contribute “to the mistreatment of the Cuban people.”

He also accused Cuban authorities of using the annual UN resolutions against the blockade as though they were international endorsements of the revolutionary government.

On Wednesday, more than 30 countries are expected to deliver speeches before the vote on the 34th resolution concerning the blockade against Cuba.

Since 1992, Cuba has presented this nonbinding resolution annually. In 2025, it received 165 votes in favor, seven against and 12 abstentions.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Cuba Presses Case Against Six-Decade Blockade as Washington Applies Pressure on Sovereign States.

On Oct. 27 and 28, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holds, for the 34th time, the debate and vote on the resolution presented by Cuba titled: “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.”

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Cuba Joins BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi as Partner Country

Under the slogan “Cuba is not a threat, the blockade is,” the island defends its right to exist without the criminal weight of the blockade, while it considers “unfounded pretexts” the arguments put forward by Washington to maintain and intensify the siege in recent years, as well as denouncing the efforts deployed by the White House to condition Wednesday’s debate, with the use of direct threats and pressures against sovereign states to change their voting intention.

In this forum, Washington’s diplomatic isolation on this question is evidenced year after year, with the majority of the international community demonstrating its support for Cuba’s demand for the immediate cessation of this policy, a global will that is systematically ignored by the North American nation.

Against this backdrop, Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez recently warned of the brutal deployment of extreme pressures against numerous states to force them to change their position regarding the draft resolution against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba, particularly with intense coercive efforts by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He explained that the U.S. has been engaged for months in efforts to coerce other governments. He showed several documents that attest to intimidating messages against those nations, which contain lies such as that the U.S. blockade is legal and that the U.S. allows trade with Cuba.

In the documentation presented, the Cuban Foreign Ministry detailed that “the accumulated damages during more than six decades of application of this policy reach US$178.7 billion,” an accounting impact that hinders the obtaining of foreign currency and slows cross-border trade.

The total amount of damages to Cuba derived from the blockade in the period from March 1, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026, shows a record figure of US$8.083 billion.

The Cuban Foreign Affairs Ministry stressed that “the persecution of oil tankers and banking institutions worsened the electricity generation crisis,” by causing continuous failures in the national interconnected system, and blocked the purchase of “medicines for hospital use.”

The consequences derived from this policy of maximum asphyxiation are identified by Havana as the main brake on the country’s economic and social development, while generating invaluable harm to the population, which suffers the hardships caused by a stance of collective punishment described by the highest authorities of the Caribbean archipelago as a “silent genocide.”

The Cuban delegation in New York asserted that “the international community will again choose truth, dignity and international solidarity,” while it will reject “diplomatic maneuvers aimed at fracturing the historical support for the island.”

Cuban FM Rodriguez highlighted that what is unusual in this case is the extreme and unprecedented intensification of the U.S. blockade, to which has been added, under the excuse that the archipelago is a threat to U.S. national security, an energy siege that prevents the arrival of fuel to the country under the risk of sanctions and tariff reprisals, extraterritorial actions that violate international law and free maritime trade.

This will then be the first time that the UNGA pronounces itself as a whole against the energy blockade and the collective punishment against our country, with serious humanitarian damages. In addition to the energy blockade, all Cuban commercial operations are pursued, he noted, as part of a policy to cause deliberately planned damages and destabilize the country by generating suffering and desperation.

The U.S. Permanent Representative Mike Waltz is a disgrace to what it means to be a diplomat.

The man talk, walks, and acts like a character from the film Idiocracy.

Cuba will not stay idly as this person eviscerates the principles of the United Nations.…

— David Ramírez Álvarez 🇨🇺 (@DvidTwit) October 27, 2026

Cuba Calls for Order Against U.S. Representative

Cuban FM Rodriguez urged the United Nations General Assembly to call to order the U.S. representative, Mike Waltz, for offensive statements that lie to distract attention from the consequences of the blockade they impose on the island.

He asked the speaker to prepare better and stop ignoring the serious humanitarian repercussions that the North American siege entails. Finally, he wished Waltz a better performance in his future political positions after describing his current performance as “disastrous.”

Eritrea Calls for Compliance with International Law

The representative of Eritrea, on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, urged compliance with international law regarding the question of the blockade against Cuba with respect to United Nations rules.

The African diplomat affirmed that, furthermore, the siege against Cuban medical collaboration with third countries, in which Washington’s stance has persisted, is a cruel maneuver, when this has allowed saving millions of lives around the world, while the U.S. promotes ongoing international conflicts.

Namibia and Africa: With Cuba, Solidarity Over Silence

Namibia joined previous declarations of support for the Cuban resolution while recalling Cuba’s support and participation in the struggle for national liberation on the continent and against Apartheid.

The regional representative noted that these positions are contrary to the rules of free trade among nations. The diplomat announced his vote in favor of the Cuban draft resolution, then recalled that respect for sovereignty and non-interference should be the compass of bilateral relations.

He lastly appealed to the United Nations to assume the responsibility of responding to these injustices and to put solidarity above silence toward Cuba.

At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Singapore condemned the severe human and economic impact of the U.S. blockade on Cuba. 🇸🇬🇨🇺

Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, speaking on behalf of ASEAN, noted that unilateral sanctions caused critical shortages, affecting more than 60% of… pic.twitter.com/AeeiyiWPEg

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 27, 2026

Uruguay Highlights Cuba’s Weight in South-South Cooperation

Uruguay’s representation praised Cuba’s weight as a key link for South-South cooperation, and therefore proposed not only immediately ceasing the North American siege, but also removing it from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The South American diplomat expressed concern about the humanitarian consequences of the application of these sanctions and the brake on the achievement of sustainable development goals. She exemplified how these actions constitute an unsustainable threat to the laws of free trade and relations among nations.

She thus extended the solidarity of the group, and in particular of Uruguay, with the Cuban population, while reiterating the unjustifiability of imposing this type of relations between states for political reasons.

NAM Urges Respect for the Cuban People’s Rights

To Cuba’s cause for the lifting of the U.S. blockade was added the representation of Uganda, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In accordance with the bloc’s position, the African nation expressed particular concern about the measures adopted by Washington, which amount to an unprecedented naval blockade without basis in international law.

Uganda also condemned the weight of this measure in expanding the extraterritorial effects of the blockade that affect not only Cubans but also third countries, for which it is not only a bilateral question. Likewise, it urged the international body to mobilize efforts to prevent a military intervention, in violation of the current world order.

Ugandan diplomacy concluded by reiterating the country’s and the bloc’s commitment to cooperate in maintaining multilateralism and in defense of international forums where differences can be settled peacefully.

The United Nations General Assembly will hold its 34th annual debate +vote on October 27–28, 2026, regarding the Cuban blockade

RESIST THE GENOCIDAL WARMONGERS!
STAND WITH CUBA!

Share messages on your socials with the hashtag #CUBAISNOTATHREAT THE BLOCKADE IS@EmbCubaNigeria pic.twitter.com/HQ7CVesEAH

— Movement for African Emancipation (@Arise4freedom) October 27, 2026

ASEAN: Lifting the Blockade Is a Position of Coherence

At the opening of the debate, the representative of Singapore, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), noted that demanding the immediate cessation of the U.S. blockade against the island represents a collective act of coherence in line with the multilateral order based on rules and not on the use of force and coercive pressure.

The regional bloc expressed particular concern about the situation of the Cuban people, who are subjected to effects on the energy sector that hinder the exercise of basic human rights.

It forcefully mentioned the wait for more than 100,000 surgical operations for patients, with a high proportion of children, threatened by the current restrictions.

ASEAN added its voice to the international call of the body’s 81st General Assembly to end the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Gaza food crisis deepens as Israel blocks flour supplies, leaving only seven bakeries operating and 1.4 million Palestinians facing acute hunger.

Related: New U.S. and Israeli Military Actions Against Iran Would Be Underway

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Gaza Food Crisis Worsens as Israel Blocks Flour Supplies

The Gaza food crisis has reached a critical point after Israel blocked commercial flour shipments, leaving Gaza’s last seven operating bakeries at risk of closing within 48 hours.

Abdul Nasser al-Ajrami, head of the Gaza Bakeries Association, warned on Thursday, October 22, that flour reserves in the enclave had been exhausted.

He said the remaining bakeries would stop producing bread within two days unless new supplies were allowed to enter.

“Israel kept the crossings closed throughout last week and continues to strangle the supply of commercial flour even after partially reopening them,” al-Ajrami said.

He added that the small amount of flour previously stored had already run out, forcing several bakeries to shut down.

Only seven of the 20 bakeries that had been operating in Gaza remained active when the warning was issued.

The closure of bakeries would deprive families of one of the few remaining sources of affordable food in the devastated territory.

Bread is a basic staple for Palestinian households, particularly as prices for other foods have risen sharply amid shortages and reduced humanitarian assistance.

The Gaza food crisis has worsened as commercial supplies have been blocked and international aid has been reduced.

Al-Ajrami said the flour currently sold in local markets comes from the United Nations World Food Programme, known as the WFP.

Commercial bakeries that depend on supplies brought through the crossings have been left without raw materials.

The shortage has intensified since the WFP announced a severe funding deficit and reduced food assistance for more than half a million people in Gaza.

The reduction has left more families competing for limited flour while prices continue to rise.

Gaza Food Crisis Deepens as WFP Cuts Aid

World Food Programme | United Nations News

The Gaza food crisis has been compounded by a major reduction in humanitarian assistance from the World Food Programme.

On October 19, the WFP announced that funding shortages had forced it to cut food assistance in Gaza by about one-third.

The agency said the number of people receiving food and cash assistance would fall from 1.6 million in September to 1.1 million in October.

That means approximately 500,000 people will lose access to critical food support as winter approaches.

The WFP has also halved food rations. Families receiving assistance will now receive one food parcel instead of two, along with a smaller bag of wheat flour.

The agency has reduced daily hot meals from 250,000 to 150,000 and cut cash assistance for 75,000 families.

The WFP said the cuts were not caused by a reduction in humanitarian needs or by a lack of access to deliver aid.

“We don’t have the funding to sustain the levels of assistance that are required,” said Shaun Hughes, the WFP’s representative and country director in Palestine.

The agency said it urgently needs $450 million to maintain critical operations in Gaza and the West Bank from October 2026 to March 2027.

The WFP received less than half of the funding allocated to its operations in Palestine in 2026 compared with previous years.

The funding shortfall has come at a time when approximately 1.4 million people, or 67 percent of Gaza’s population, face acute food insecurity at crisis levels or worse.

The WFP estimates that around 200,000 people are experiencing emergency conditions and require immediate food assistance to prevent deaths from hunger.

The agency said it can still support bakeries that cover one-third of Gaza’s bread needs, provide nutrition assistance to 300,000 women and children and deliver school snacks to 200,000 students.

However, the reduction in aid has placed additional pressure on families already struggling to obtain basic food supplies.

Gaza Food Crisis Exposes Impact of Israel’s Blockade

United Nations Relief and Works Agency | World Health Organization

The Gaza food crisis is closely linked to Israel’s restrictions on the entry of food, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid.

Human rights organizations say Israeli authorities have repeatedly closed Gaza’s crossings since early October, obstructing the entry of essential supplies.

The closures have deepened shortages of flour, cooking gas, fuel and medical materials across the enclave.

The Rafah crossing has remained closed to sick and injured Palestinians waiting to be evacuated for treatment abroad.

International health organizations have also raised concerns about continued attacks on medical facilities and the detention of healthcare workers.

Gaza’s Ministry of Social Development warned that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face an imminent humanitarian catastrophe if restrictions on flour and bakery supplies continue.

The ministry called for immediate action to stop what it described as Israel’s systematic policy of starvation and the use of food as a weapon against civilians.

Israel has said the disruption in commercial deliveries stems from a fiscal dispute between traders and the administration led by Hamas.

Palestinian traders have rejected that explanation and say the restrictions remain in place.

The Israeli military has said commercial goods would resume entering Gaza after a five-day pause.

However, Palestinian traders reported that major cuts to food supplies remained in force and that the blockade had become increasingly severe.

The WFP said the halt in commercial truck entries through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing was further restricting supplies entering Gaza.

The organization warned that restrictions on goods entering the territory were holding back recovery and reducing the purchasing power of families.

The Gaza food crisis has been aggravated by the destruction of infrastructure, displacement and the collapse of local agriculture and food production.

Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many families living in tents or overcrowded shelters without reliable access to clean water, sanitation or cooking fuel.

The World Health Organization has warned that malnutrition, disease and the collapse of healthcare services are creating a deadly combination for civilians.

Geopolitical Context

The Gaza food crisis has implications beyond the immediate humanitarian emergency because it reflects the broader political and military conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Control over crossings, food supplies and humanitarian aid has become a central element of the conflict.

International law requires parties to a conflict to allow humanitarian assistance to reach civilians and to protect access to food, water and medical care.

Human rights organizations argue that the deliberate restriction of essential goods may constitute collective punishment and a violation of international humanitarian law.

The crisis has drawn attention from the United Nations, international courts and humanitarian agencies, which have repeatedly called for unrestricted access to Gaza.

The situation also has regional implications. Egypt, Jordan and other neighboring countries have faced pressure to facilitate aid deliveries and medical evacuations.

The closure of the Rafah crossing has left injured and seriously ill Palestinians unable to leave Gaza for treatment.

The Gaza food crisis could further destabilize the region by increasing displacement, deepening poverty and fueling anger across the Arab and Muslim world.

The United Nations has warned that famine risk remains high as winter approaches and humanitarian funding declines.

The WFP has said that recent modest improvements in food security remain fragile and could be reversed if access and funding are not restored.

The immediate priority is to allow flour, fuel and medical supplies to enter Gaza and to restore the operations of bakeries and humanitarian kitchens.

Without urgent action, the Gaza food crisis could push the territory into a new phase of mass hunger and deepen one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

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Former Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have called on the international community to support the resolution proposing an end to the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, which is scheduled for consideration on October 28th at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Cuba Rejects Trump’s New Threats of Military Intervention: Former Caribbean Leaders Call on the International Community To Support the End of the US Blockade On Cuba

In an open letter addressed to all nations of the world, the former leaders described the US sanctions as contrary to international law and the fundamental principles of coexistence between peoples. They also urged UN member states to vote in favor of the resolution and to reject the pressures which, they denounce, seek to prevent its approval.

The document recalls that since 1992, the General Assembly has repeatedly supported initiatives calling for the lifting of the blockade, without Washington substantially changing its policy towards the island.

Open letter by former CARICOM Heads of State and Government urging all nations to vote in favour of the UNGA resolution calling for an end to the US blockade against Cuba on October 28.
Cuba is not a threat. The blockade must end! 🇨🇺#CubaIsNotAThreat . The blockade must end! pic.twitter.com/feZAz0QzIl

— EmbaCuba_Guyana (@consulcu) October 24, 2026

For the signatories, this year’s vote is of particular importance due to the tightening of economic measures against Cuba.

One of the main concerns highlighted in the letter is the extension of sanctions to third countries and entities that supply, sell, or transport energy products to Cuban territory, including fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

The former leaders argue that these restrictions worsen the economic difficulties of the population and denounce that they aim to subdue the country through economic pressure. The signatories consider these measures to be an inhumane practice and a violation of Cuba’s sovereignty and independence.

They also warn that the blockade represents a threat to regional and international peace and security, in addition to affecting fundamental rights of Cuban citizens.

The statement also insists on the need for governments to resist Washington’s attempts to influence their votes. In the opinion of the former leaders, the international community must defend multilateralism and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.The initiative comes amid growing diplomatic tension between Washington and Havana.

The annual resolution of the General Assembly is non-binding, so its approval would not legally oblige the United States to lift the sanctions. The decision to end the blockade ultimately rests with the US political and legislative system.

The purpose of lifting the blockade is to heal the division between the US and Cuba, emphasizing that Cuba does not pose a threat. Signatories include former prime ministers of Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as a former president of Guyana.

Pope Leo XIV demands an end to Yemen hostilities, highlights Taiz’s humanitarian crisis and calls for peace after a deadly church attack in Jordan.

Related: Pope Leo XIV Confirms Official Visit to Argentina in November

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Pope Leo XIV Demands End to Yemen Hostilities

Pope Leo XIV demanded an immediate end to Yemen hostilities during his Angelus address on Sunday, October 25, warning that civilians are paying the highest price in the conflict. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace before thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pope expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

He paid particular attention to the city of Taiz, where residents are suffering from severe shortages of food, drinking water and medical care.

“I make a heartfelt appeal for hostilities to cease and for the Yemeni people and all the peoples of the region to be guaranteed the right to live in peace,” Pope Leo said.

The pope’s message came as fighting and road closures have cut off vital supplies in Taiz, leaving civilians increasingly isolated. The Vatican said the pope’s appeal was directed at all parties involved in the conflict and at the international community.

Pope Leo also condemned the broader spiral of violence affecting West Asia, calling for urgent guarantees for regional peace. He denounced the devastating consequences of armed confrontations across the region and urged leaders to choose dialogue over war.

The pontiff said wars not only cause death and destruction but also impoverish and damage the world. His appeal placed the humanitarian suffering of Yemeni civilians at the center of the Vatican’s message.

Pope Leo XIV draws attention to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, remembers victims of an attack on Christians in Jordan, and looks ahead to the Assisi gathering marking 40 years since the first World Day of Prayer for Peace.https://t.co/UZ47Hb6oMw

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) October 25, 2026

Yemen Hostilities Deepen Taiz Humanitarian Crisis

Vatican News | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The pope’s warning focused on Taiz, a city that has become one of the most visible symbols of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

Residents face severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel and basic medical services as fighting and road closures restrict the movement of supplies.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that the blockade of supply routes has worsened conditions for hundreds of thousands of people.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access to affected communities across Yemen.

Yemen has been devastated by years of war, economic collapse and the destruction of essential infrastructure.

The conflict has left millions of people dependent on humanitarian assistance and has created one of the world’s most severe food-security emergencies.

The pope said the Yemeni people, like all peoples of the region, have the right to live in peace.

His message also called for an end to the cycle of violence that has spread across West Asia.

Pope Leo condemned the human cost of armed conflict and urged the international community to prioritize negotiation and diplomacy.

The Vatican has repeatedly emphasized that military solutions cannot resolve political crises or address the needs of civilians.

The pope’s appeal comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, where conflicts have displaced communities, damaged infrastructure and deepened humanitarian needs.

The Vatican’s message called for a regional approach to peace that protects civilians and guarantees access to humanitarian aid.

🚨 Saná denunció que Arabia Saudita incumplió pactos previos a 2023 al bombardear el aeropuerto de la capital y poner fin a la tregua. Mohammed Abdul-Salam afirmó que la vía diplomática se agotó tras la falta de respuestas claras de Riad. #Yemen #ArabiaSaudita #teleSUR #19Oct pic.twitter.com/ONZhAvdkCG

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 19, 2026

Pope Leo XIV Mourns Jordan Church Attack Victims

Jordan News Agency | Middle East Council of Churches

Pope Leo XIV also addressed the deadly attack on worshippers at Saint George’s Orthodox Church in Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak governorate.

The attack occurred on Friday, October 23, during a funeral service at the church.

Jordanian authorities said gunmen opened fire on worshippers, killing nine people and wounding around 40 others.

The pope prayed for those killed and injured in the attack and expressed his closeness to the affected community.

He also expressed solidarity with Jordan, a country he praised for its history of peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions.

Jordan declared three days of national mourning following the attack.

Jordanian authorities launched an investigation to identify those responsible. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack as of Sunday.

Christian leaders across the region condemned the attack as a crime against humanity and an assault on religious coexistence.

Patriarchs and heads of Churches in Jerusalem called on churches across the region to ring their bells in solidarity and pray for the victims.

The pope’s response highlighted the vulnerability of religious communities in a region marked by political instability and sectarian tensions.

His message emphasized that attacks on places of worship are attacks on human dignity and the right to religious freedom.

The Vatican has repeatedly called for the protection of Christian communities and all religious minorities in the Middle East.

119 ataques aéreos de la coalición saudita en 24 horas contra Yemen. En Taiz, un bombardeo a una escuela y un puesto sanitario dejó 3 muertos y 12 heridos, entre ellos mujeres y niños. La escalada supera 2.177 agresiones. #teleSUR #13oct pic.twitter.com/SLJn8j89uW

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) October 13, 2026

Assisi Meeting Marks 40 Years of Interfaith Peace

Community of Sant’Egidio | Holy See Press Office

Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to join spiritually in the peace gathering taking place in Assisi, Italy, on October 27.

The meeting, titled “Unarmed and Disarming Peace,” marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Saint John Paul II in 1986.

The event is organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio and brings together religious leaders, representatives of Christian Churches and figures from other faiths.

The 2026 gathering includes 384 representatives of religions, cultures and institutions from 53 countries.

Participants will take part in 24 thematic forums addressing conflict, disarmament, migration, poverty, young people and the role of religions in building peace.

The pope had planned to attend the closing ceremony in person but canceled the trip on medical advice after undergoing thoracic surgery.

The Vatican said Pope Leo would send a message expressing his closeness to organizers and participants.

The pope urged believers around the world to join the Assisi gathering in prayer.

“Never has it been more evident that wars, in addition to sowing death and destruction, impoverish and harm the world,” he said.

The pope called on the international community to abandon weapons and commit decisively to understanding and harmony among peoples.

The Assisi meeting recalls the historic 1986 gathering, when Pope John Paul II brought together representatives of different religions to pray for peace.

That event became a landmark in interreligious dialogue and remains a reference point for Vatican diplomacy.

The 2026 meeting seeks to renew that tradition at a time of multiple conflicts and growing humanitarian crises.

Geopolitical Context

The pope’s appeal on Yemen hostilities reflects the Vatican’s broader diplomatic effort to promote dialogue in a region marked by war and humanitarian emergencies.

Yemen’s conflict has become one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions of people facing hunger, displacement and limited access to healthcare.

The war has drawn in regional and international powers, making a political solution increasingly difficult.

The crisis in Taiz illustrates how blockades, fighting and the collapse of public services can trap civilians between military objectives and humanitarian needs.

Pope Leo’s message also comes amid rising tensions across West Asia, where conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Yemen have deepened regional instability.

The Vatican has positioned itself as a voice for civilian protection, humanitarian access and negotiated settlements.

The pope’s call for peace in Yemen and his solidarity with Jordan highlight the connection between armed conflict, religious violence and the erosion of social cohesion.

The Assisi gathering offers a platform for religious leaders to promote dialogue at a time when political institutions face growing difficulty in resolving conflicts.

The Vatican argues that interreligious cooperation can help reduce hatred, protect minorities and build conditions for peace.

The pope’s message is a reminder that wars have consequences beyond battlefields: they destroy economies, displace communities and damage the future of entire generations.

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Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on Friday rejected a new threat from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said U.S. ships would make a “small stop” off the island on their return from Iran.

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President Donald Trump has issued a new threat against Cuba as U.S. officials reportedly press ahead with military planning for the Caribbean country, an escalation that coincides with an intensified oil blockade and UN vote scheduled for October 28.

At a campaign rally in Fort Myers, the Republican President laid out his plan in vivid terms. “What we are going to do with Cuba is we are going to come back from Iran. Those beautiful ships, we will pass by Cuba, we will have one of them stop about 50 yards (45 meters) from the coast. They will raise their hands and then we will send Marco Rubio to close the deal,” he said.

RELATED: Cuba Denounces U.S. Pressure Ahead of the UN Assembly Vote On Economic Blockade

The U.S. President closed the scene with a concrete promise: “We will take care of Cuba on our return from Iran. We will make a small stop.”

Cuba answered on X. “We reject all threats related to the ambitions of United States toward Cuba,“ wrote the Caribbean nation’s FM Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

He added a description of the coastline that carried an unmistakable warning. “Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there ara also razor-sharp limestone spikes,” he said, referring to the karst rock formations along the shore. “Inhospitable to those who arrive with hostile intentions and dreams of domination,” he warned. The jagged coastal limestone, sharp and cutting, gave the response its edge.

We reject every threat related to US ambitions toward Cuba.

Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination.… pic.twitter.com/jrrBc1jR8S

— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) October 23, 2026

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used the same platform to urge those pushing for “change” on the island to engage in “discreet collaboration with the CIA.” In August, The New York Times reported that the intelligence agency had secretly set up a task force focused on Cuba.

The threat came amid a heated campaign in a state that is home to the largest Cuban community in United States. Its lawmakers and an influential segment of that community shape Washington’s decisions on Cuba.

Rodriguez Parrilla’s post also echoes another phrase from the current U.S. President. In March, speaking at the White House, Trump said he would have “the honor of taking Cuba” and that he “could do whatever he wanted with it.” He described Cuba then as a beautiful place, with “good land, landscapes, wonderful weather and great potential for tourism centers.”

On that occasion his unfamiliarity with the territory was on display. He argued that taking control would be good because the country is “not in the path of hurricanes.” “They won’t ask us for money for hurricanes every week,” he said in that time.

Passing by the island after Iran is not a new idea. In early May, while signing the Executive Order that launched an unprecedented wave of unilateral and illegal penalties against Cuba, Trump had already spoken of “taking control” once his military objectives in Iran were met. Following that, he has promised the war will end “immediately” after the November 3 elections, without explaining how.

The new threat coincides with the campaign Rubio himself is leading to sway the votes of UN member states on the resolution against the blockade against Cuba. In a recent press conference, Rodriguez Parrilla denounced the pressures and threats against governments to make them change their position.

In recent weeks the U.S. administration has seized fuel shipments bound for Cuba as part of an oil blockade. The campaign against Cuba’s international medical cooperation has intensified in parallel.

Elections Add Pressure

The escalation arrives at a difficult political moment for the U.S. President. Midterm elections take place on November 3, and the Republican Party could lose control of Congress. Trump’s approval has sagged, and a majority of voters now reject his management of the country’s main fronts, a rejection that cuts across every issue.

The domestic scenario is complicated further by the conflict with Iran. Tehran retains control of the Strait of Hormuz and has inflicted significant destruction on U.S. military bases in West Asia.

Fuel prices keep climbing in the meantime. The increase strikes U.S. households directly, and every rise deepens the damage to the President’s public standing at a moment when he can least afford it.

The pattern toward Cuba has hardened even as those pressures mount at home. The fuel seizures, the diplomatic campaign and the military planning all point in the same direction, toward an increasingly explicit posture of confrontation against the island.

With the United Nations vote set for October 28 and the U.S. midterm elections following days later on November 3, the coming weeks will reveal whether the planning described in U.S. media translates into further concrete action against Cuba, or whether it remains a lever of pressure in a campaign that already weighs heavily on the island.

Palestinians queue for bread as shortages deepen, with authorities warning of imminent famine and worsening food insecurity

Israel’s war has disrupted every stage of breast cancer care, from early diagnosis and identifying tumour characteristics to treatment and follow-up. Only a handful of hospitals can still provide these services.

The accumulated losses from more than six decades of the blockade exceed US$150 billion.

On Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced the United States for exerting diplomatic pressure on numerous countries to change their stance ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly vote on the economic blockade imposed on the island.

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According to the Cuban minister, Washington’s actions are intensifying in the lead-up to the debate scheduled for October 27 and 28, when UN member states will again vote on the draft resolution calling for an end to these sanctions.

Rodriguez stated that the current discussion is taking place against a backdrop of a tightening blockade and noted that, for the first time, the General Assembly will also address the effects of the energy blockade imposed on Cuba.

The foreign minister maintained that the U.S. measures are affecting Cuban foreign trade and are part of a strategy designed to create economic and social hardship in order to generate instability in the country.

During a public appearance, the Cuban foreign minister asserted that he possesses documents evidencing efforts to influence foreign governments to change their vote on the resolution presented by Cuba.

As the cruelty of collective punishment continues, Cubans are standing together against the shortages caused by the U.S. blockade.

Watch how hundreds of community groups are helping Cubans get the medicine they need 👇 pic.twitter.com/0NdgM0mM29

— Cuban Americans For Cuba (@Cubans4Cuba) October 21, 2026

According to Rodriguez, these documents include messages that deem the blockade legitimate. The minister also denounced threats of sanctions against sovereign countries, including trade measures, restrictions against officials, and other forms of political and economic pressure.

He also rejected claims that, he said, attempt to link Cuba to the conflict in Ukraine, calling these accusations “false” and part of a “smear campaign” against the Caribbean nation.

Rodriguez asserted that these actions reflect the international isolation of U.S. policy toward Cuba and recalled that, according to calculations presented by Havana to the United Nations, the accumulated losses from more than six decades of the blockade exceed US$150 billion.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | In Cuba, over a million students return to school, marking an achievement for the nation's education system amid ongoing United States aggression. pic.twitter.com/oMCCt8jRPD

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 4, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: teleSUR

European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno has announced a hunger strike to draw international attention to the humanitarian disaster in Russian-occupied Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast, she wrote on X on 20 October. The Italian lawmaker called on associations, citizens, and institutions to join her and demand a humanitarian truce, food and medicine for residents, and safe evacuation for those who want to leave.

Russia has occupied the left bank of the Dnipro in Kherson Oblast since 2022. Its forces have cut Oleshky off, leaving its remaining residents short of food and medicine, Ukrainian officials and UN monitors say. Oleshky had about 24,000 residents before the full-scale invasion. About 1,700 remain, including 47 children, Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, said. Picierno’s protest adds to growing international pressure after Pope Leo XIV asked Russian leader Vladimir Putin for a truce to help the town.

“This battle cannot be mine alone”

In Oleshky, thousands of people are trapped in territory occupied by the Russian army, without regular access to food and medicine, Picierno wrote. Mined areas make escape extremely dangerous, she added.

“Those who stay risk dying of hunger, those who try to leave risk their lives,” she wrote. “To draw international attention to this emergency, I have announced a hunger strike. But this battle cannot be mine alone.”

She said the campaign is meant to support the efforts of Pope Leo XIV and others trying to avert a humanitarian tragedy. By the morning of 21 October, 277 people had joined the initiative, Liga reported.

Picierno, who left Italy’s Democratic Party in June and joined the Renew Europe group, has backed military aid to Ukraine, tougher sanctions on Russia, and Ukraine’s bid to join the EU, according to Liga.

A town Kyiv calls a “death trap”

On 16 October, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern to Putin about the situation in Oleshky. He asked for a truce so that food and medical aid could be delivered and civilians could leave voluntarily and safely.

A day later, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help evacuate residents.

“Russians are trying to turn the Ukrainian town of Oleshky into a death trap,” Sybiha wrote. “Dozens of bodies lie in the streets or in homes, as Russians forbid residents from burying them.”

Ukraine has flown tons of food into the town by drone. Russian troops seize some of the parcels and accuse the people who receive them of cooperating with Ukraine, local officials say. A resident said eggs there cost nearly 20 times the US price.

Evacuation talks “moved forward”

Talks with Russia on a ceasefire and evacuation are at the stage of “agreeing the final details,” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on 18 October. He estimated that about 6,000 civilians, including up to 200 children, remain in Oleshky and six nearby settlements. He gave no timeline.

On 20 October, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was doing everything it could to help people in Oleshky, calling the situation there “simply terrible.”

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