Embargo and the Cuban spirit

Cubans are enduring a crisis reminiscent of the 1990s Special Period, with rolling blackouts, food scarcity, and collapsing public services—despite decades of U.S. sanctions. Jose Carlos Cueto Lopez, a Cuban-born BBC journalist, reveals that while the embargo is blamed for much of the suffering, internal inefficiencies and decades of isolation have also eroded the very systems Cubans once took pride in, like healthcare and education. Yet, amid hardship, a deep cultural identity persists—both in Cuba and among the 1.5 million Cubans in the diaspora. Contrary to expectations, political revolution is no longer the priority; survival, family reunification, and basic dignity are. Meanwhile, in Iran, the state is executing at record levels, with at least 37 political prisoners executed in the first five months of 2026—many without public records or family access. Executions are now fast-tracked, often preceded by state TV confessions, and charges have broadened to include protest links, online activity, and even vague 'enemy collaboration'. The regime uses these executions as a deterrent, especially after mass protests, while journalists struggle to verify details due to internet blackouts and fear of retaliation. The contrast between Cuba’s quiet resilience and Iran’s escalating repression underscores how authoritarian systems respond to dissent—through either endurance or terror.