Cuban ambassadors ask Canada to renew its rejection of U.S. embargo and fuel blockade
Havana is urging Ottawa not to drop its public opposition to the decades-long U.S. embargo as Washington ramps up pressure on countries supporting Cuba.
"We are confident that Canada will stay with us, as they have done in the past," Cuban Ambassador to Canada Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz told The Canadian Press.
"The blockade and this intensification is, in practice, killing people."
The United Nations is set to vote next week on a motion Cuba has put forward nearly every year since 1992. It calls for the termination of "the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."
Canada has voted in favour of this motion multiple times.
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been trying to overthrow Cuba's Communist government through a de facto oil blockade. Washington cut off Venezuelan shipments in January and has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to the island nation.
Washington claims Cuba poses a national security threat to the United States. Malmierca said the Caribbean nation is being collectively punished by an American pressure campaign that is harming the health and education of Cubans.
An economic crisis has gripped Cuba since 2020, triggering critical shortages and severe blackouts that peaked after January's fuel blockade.
Havana insists its economic struggles stem from six decades of American sanctions, but critics point to the inefficiency of its Communist regime. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say Cuba's government engages in arbitrary arrests, tortures political prisoners and limits media and political parties.
Cuba produces only 40 per cent of the fuel it needs. Shortages have led to frequent blackouts that have threatened health care systems and crippled the island's economy. Air Canada and other airlines cancelled flights to Cuba in February because of shortages of aviation fuel.
Ottawa has pledged to distribute $13 million in humanitarian aid for Cubans through international organizations — not the Cuban government. Past Canadian development funding has gone to things like solar panels aimed at making the island less reliant on foreign fuel.
"The people are resisting because we are convinced that the most valuable thing we have is the independence, the sovereignty of Cuba. And we are not going to surrender that," Malmierca said.
"We would like to have a normal relationship with the U.S. We are ready for dialogue."
Malmierca said countries that have supported Cuba have told Havana they're being warned by Washington their access to American trade or aid could be curbed if they continue supporting UN motions to end the blockade.
He said Cuba is "not naive" and knows Canada is facing its own economic pressure from the Trump administration.
"This year is a particular moment because of all this aggressivity of the U.S. government against Cuba," he said. "They are in a kind of offensive with other countries, trying to exercise influence for them to change their votes. We know they are using threats."
The Canadian Press asked the U.S. State Department for comment but didn't receive a response.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz this week urged countries to vote against the motion, dismissing it as a product of "70 years of propaganda" meant to distract from corruption in Havana. He said Washington has been lobbying European countries to vote against the motion.
"Do not let them abuse your vote for their oppression," he said at a Monday event he hosted. "Do not give in to this lie."
In a statement, Global Affairs Canada said it is still pondering how it will vote on the UN motion next week.
"As with all UN resolutions, Canada's voting position is being considered in advance of the vote," wrote spokesperson Thida Ith.
"Canada continues to call for the Cuban government to implement needed reforms to respect the political and economic rights of the Cuban people, and to release all political prisoners."
In July, Havana called for a UN debate on the American embargo in the context of the island's fuel crisis. Washington suggested it was a waste of resources to debate a motion that had already been debated nine months prior, and insisted that the decision to hold a debate be put to a recorded vote.
The vote passed and a debate was held. Canada was among 30 countries that abstained from the motion on holding a debate.
Civil society groups such as the Canadian Network on Cuba said they fear Ottawa may be pulling back from Cuba.

A document The Canadian Press obtained through a freedom-of-information request shows Ottawa had frank exchanges with Cuba about its liquidity crisis before Trump ramped up pressure on the Communist government.
The document — a briefing book prepared by Global Affairs for its deputy minister — shows the deputy minister met with three Canadian firms during a visit to Havana in February 2023 to discuss their Cuban clients' unpaid bills.
The document says the aim of the meeting was to reassure the three firms that Ottawa "has their back … without unduly encouraging new investors and traders who risk not being paid for their goods/services."
The companies mentioned in the document are the National Bank, mining firm Sherritt and hotel chain Blue Diamond, now called Royalton. None of the companies responded to The Canadian Press when asked whether they still have accounts in arrears in Cuba.
Sherritt and Royalton have both ceased operations in Cuba. Havana has blamed their withdrawal on American pressure tactics.
The briefing book for the deputy minister reveals some of the nature of Canada's discussions with Cuba, with Ottawa pushing for details on small and medium-sized enterprises and Havana requesting more aid.
"Canadian firms are facing mounting payment arrears with Cuban buyers. Many Canadian firms in Cuba are SMEs and the situation is threatening their sustainability," reads the February 2023 document for the deputy minister.
"We sought bilateral meetings for you, that would allow you, for example, to engage on human rights and new economic actors (private sector SMEs and entrepreneurs). The Cuban side wanted rather to talk to you about new tourism initiatives and more Canadian international development projects."
The briefing book proposed that Canada "leverage Cuba's desire for increased assistance in our dialogue on other priorities (e.g. human rights)" — but added that the cheapest and most effective things Canada could offer would be technical help with reforming the agriculture sector and rules for smaller businesses.
Malmierca said Cuba is implementing 176 reform measures which came out of parliamentary and public consultations. He said these measures will allow a larger role for the private sector, foreign investment incentives and municipal autonomy.
"In Cuba, we work according to the rule of law," he said. "Cuba is a society that is continuously trying to improve."
He said a trade fair in Havana next month is going largely virtual due to the current electricity shortages, and Cuba will hold an event in Toronto ahead of time to drum up interest from Canadian entrepreneurs.
"We can maintain not only the economic relationship, but we can increase it in better conditions in the near future."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
By Dylan Robertson | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
U.S. ambassador offers Canada help almost a week after Wainwright tragedy
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says the United States has offered to help following the deadly fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
Four soldiers were killed and 39 injured on Oct. 17 when a fire that began during a training exercise on an anti-grenade launching range was picked up by fierce winds.
The military says the fire swept in less than a minute about a kilometre away to where a different training exercise was taking place on the base about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
Twenty-seven soldiers remain in hospital, including 13 in critical condition, many of them with severe burns.
In a social media post today almost a week after the tragedy, Hoekstra said the U.S. government has made a formal offer of assistance and resources to Canada's federal government to help support the recovery of soldiers affected by traumatic burns "should it be deemed necessary."
The military says there are three different investigations into the tragedy and could not say when more answers will be available about how the tragedy occurred.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
— With files from Kyle Duggan and Nick Murray in Ottawa
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Son says Canadian died in U.S. after declining hospital care due to deportation fear
The son of a Canadian woman who died after a fall at her home in Point Roberts, Wash., earlier this month says she refused to seek treatment as she feared she would be detained by U.S. authorities or prevented from returning to the country.
Dylan Adamson says his 61-year-old mother was afraid to leave the United States because immigration authorities had recently commenced deportation proceedings, alleging she illicitly voted in a state election in 2018.
Health care is limited in Point Roberts, which is cut off from the rest of the United States and accessible by land only by travelling through British Columbia, and Adamson says his mother, Paige Adamson, refused to be taken to a hospital because she feared being unable to return home due to the deportation action.
Adamson says he only learned of his mother's fall after speaking with a firefighter who attended the scene of her death last Sunday, within a week of the accident.
The fall came about a month after Paige Adamson, a U.S. permanent resident, was heading home from a birthday dinner in nearby Tsawwassen, B.C., when American border officials held her for hours and questioned her about voting in the country.
Dylan Adamson says his mother did not recall registering to vote or casting a ballot, and the ensuing deportation proceedings sent her into a "panic."
Adamson, who lives in B.C., says he's been told paramedics who saw his mother before her death said to her that she needed to go to a hospital, but she signed a form declining further care because she was afraid of crossing the border.
"I'm just at a loss. Just because of a vote, my mom is dead. Just because of a stupid technicality, my mom is dead."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

13 choses qu'on veut vraiment voir lors de L'heure de vérité à OD Chez Nous
Le moment tant attendu de la saison d'OD Chez Nous, L'heure de vérité, sera diffusé le dimanche 6 décembre dès 18 h 30 et voici treize choses que les téléspectateurs espèrent voir.
Dès les premières semaines de l'aventure, plusieurs triangles amoureux et alliances se sont formés, créant ainsi des ambiguïtés et des déceptions pour certains participants.
D'autres candidats ont également entretenu des relations houleuses pendant leur parcours et il risque d'y avoir quelques règlements de compte.
Ça sent définitivement la bisbille.
La sélection de l'éditeur : Voici les régions qui ont encore le droit de se rassembler à Noël au Québec
Le commentaire de Jay Du Temple à Éloïse
C'est le moment le plus attendu de la saison depuis que Jay a mentionné à Éloïse, au souper avant son départ volontaire, qu'il exprimerait sa façon de penser à L'heure de vérité.
Les réactions de Carl
À plusieurs moments, Carl avec un C s'est emporté envers certaines situations.
On pense, entre autres, à quand il cherchait à boycotter le vote pour éliminer un couple, au moment où il voulait s'assurer qu'Andréanne buvait de l'eau après le party ou quand il a frappé les caméras qui suivaient Andréanne en larmes.
On verra si les autres candidats ont été aussi irrités par son comportement en visionnant les épisodes que certains membres du public et s'ils lui demanderont des comptes par rapport à ses actions.
Le triangle amoureux entre Julie-Anne, Naadei et Jordan
Le potentiel amoureux se serait peut-être davantage développé entre Naadei et Jordan si Julie-Anne d'OD Grèce n'avait pas fait partie de la twist ultime.
Plusieurs fans pensent même que Naadei aurait choisi Jordan plutôt que Patrick si les choses avaient été différentes, et ils espèrent certainement que la question soit posée à la candidate.
Charles qui voulait « régler des choses » avec Carl
Dans une vidéo partagée par Noovo après son aventure, Charles a mentionné vouloir valider des choses avec son ami :
« Je pense qu'il va falloir que je valide des choses avec Carl. Ce que j'ai vu m'a un peu déçu. »
Donc, Charles se prononcera peut-être sur ce qu'il désirait aborder.
Quand Karine s'est ouverte à Kevin face aux sentiments de Cintia
Pendant la soirée pyjama entre les gars et Karine, cette dernière a dévoilé plusieurs informations suite aux confidences de Cintia, ce qui a semé la bisbille dans les maisons.
Alors, on veut savoir ce qu'auront à dire Cintia et Kevin maintenant qu'ils ont visionné les épisodes.
Jordan qui était déçu de la délibération de Jamie
Après avoir visionné un segment de la délibération précédant l'élimination de Julie-Anne et Karine, Jordan était déçu d'entendre le discours de Jamie :
« Jamie aurait pu mettre ses culottes. […] Il s'est juste retiré, ce n'est pas la première fois. »
Il serait intéressant d'entendre Jordan lui dire ce qu'il pense.
La tension entre Charles-Éloïse et Vincent-Noémie
Suite aux informations rapportées par Éloïse grâce à sa tricherie, Charles a voulu évincer Noémie et Vincent, parce que ce dernier a voulu sortir Éloïse de la maison mixte en début d'aventure.
Comme présenté à La Semaine des 4 Julie dans le premier extrait de L'heure de vérité, Charles et Vincent se confronteront à ce sujet et le dénouement de cette histoire pourra enfin avoir lieu.
Les propos de Julie face à Julie-Anne
Lors de la présentation des anciens candidats qui débarquaient en milieu d'aventure, Julie a passé un commentaire à propos de Julie-Anne parce qu'elle n'avait pas répondu au message de Jordan sur Instagram :
« T'es pas en train de trouver un remède contre le cancer, fille. T'es influenceur tabarn*k. »
Quand Julie-Anne a vu cet extrait lors d'un jeu OD, elle n'a pas eu l'air d'apprécier. Elle décidera donc peut-être de confronter le coup de cœur du public sur le sujet.
Les commentaires sur le couple de Marjorie et Cintia
Après s'être affichées comme étant un couple, Marjorie et Cintia ont eu droit à plusieurs commentaires de la part des autres participants, dont Kevin, qui a comparé leur relation à leurs poitrines.
Cintia s'était dite triste d'entendre ce commentaire qu'elle juge sexiste.
Ce sera peut-être l'occasion pour Kevin de présenter ses excuses face à face maintenant que les filles ont regardé la saison.
Émilia qui confronte Jamie
Au début de la saison, Émilia avait un intérêt pour Jamie et elle l'a sauvé de l'élimination à deux reprises.
Quant à lui, Jamie se dirigeait davantage vers Stacey et il n'a pas protégé Émilia.
Durant le retour des exclus pour le vote en vue d'envoyer un troisième couple en finale, Émilia a d'ailleurs rappelé que sans elle, Jamie ne serait pas en finale.
Un moment croustillant s'annonce si elle décide de lui en parler.
Les sentiments de Karine pour Patrick
À sa sortie d'OD, Karine a confié croire qu'elle aurait eu plus de chances avec Patrick si elle était arrivée plus tôt ou si elle n'avait pas parlé de Naadei à Patrick.
On aimerait bien connaître l'avis de Patrick sur le sujet et que Naadei et Karine puissent revenir sur leur conversation à propos de l'ouverture de la première envers les gars de l'aventure.
La chicane entre Marjorie et Naadei
La dispute entre Naadei et Marjorie lorsque celle-ci a pris la Poppers de Naadei a divisé le public.
Lors d'une entrevue à Rouge FM, Naadei a exprimé ne pas partager d'affinités avec Marjorie et c'est pourquoi il y avait des frictions.
Dans l'extrait divulgué à La semaine des 4 Julie, il semblerait que les deux femmes sont prêtes à régler leur compte et puisqu'elles sont toutes les deux très articulées, ça risque d'être divertissant.
La relation entre Martine et les filles
Lorsqu'elle a été éliminée, Martine a avoué se sentir visée par les filles dans les maisons et avoir eu l'impression que tous les commentaires négatifs étaient dirigés vers elle.
Maintenant que les candidates ont écouté les épisodes, il serait intéressant d'en savoir plus sur leur version des faits.