Cuban artists

Outgoing Cuban Communist Party First Secretary Raul Castro (right) presents his replacement, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the close of the party's 8th Congress in Havana on Monday.

Communist Congress Leaves Cuba Castro-less At The Top. Little Else Changes

Tim Padgett

Raúl Castro has stepped down as Cuba's communist boss — but the regime's old guard's still making sure the new guard keeps its rigid system intact.

HORRIBLE EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK Cemetery workers bury COVID-19 victims outside Sao Paulo, Brazil, last summer. Brazil recorded the world's second-highest number of coronavirus deaths this year, behind the U.S.

Latin America And The Caribbean 2020: From COVID-19 Devastation To Cuban Artist Defiance

Tim Padgett

As if the region's coronavirus catastrophe wasn't enough, 2020 heaped human rights crises and historic hurricanes on Latin America and the Caribbean too.

Cuban artists protesting in front of the Cuban Cultural Ministry in Havana on Nov. 27.

Cuban Artists Are Captivating The World. But Can They Challenge The Regime?

Tim Padgett

Artists' sudden, stunning push for free speech and expression in Cuba is resonating with ordinary citizens in ways authorities have rarely seen.

Cuban exile YouTube personality Alex Otaola leading a demonstration in Little Havana on Saturday against the Cuban regime's crackdown on the island's artists.

Commentary

Hola Otaola! Can A Racist Demagogue Be A Serious Defender Of Cuban Rights?

Tim Padgett

COMMENTARY Saturday's brief arrest of Cuban exile influencer Alex Otaola in Miami is a reminder of how much he sounds like communist leaders in Havana.