Cuba Defends Right to ‘Legitimate Defense’ After U.S. Media Claim Military Drone AcquisitionThe Axios report, citing a senior U.S. intelligence official, claimed that Washington is analyzing the threat of drones from Cuba that could be used against the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, U.S. military vessels, or Key West, Florida. The report also mentioned the alleged presence of Iranian military advisors in Havana. Such information could serve as a pretext for hypothetical U.S. military action on the island, according to the Cuban government. The diplomatic row comes just days after an unusual high‑level meeting in Havana between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Cuban intelligence officials.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/cuba-defends-right-to-legitimate-defense-after-u-s-media-claim-military-drone-acquisition/Venezuela ‘Deports’ Former Minister, Diplomatic Envoy Alex Saab to USThe executive led by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the “deportation of Colombian citizen Alex Saab Morán” through a statement issued by the Administrative Service for Identification, Migration, and Immigration (SAIME). The statement said the measure was adopted “taking into consideration that [Saab] is implicated in various crimes in the United States of America, as is publicly known and widely reported.” According to local media reports, Saab was transferred under custody from the El Helicoide detention center in Caracas to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, where a US government airplane was waiting for him. The operation reportedly involved agents from the FBI and the CIA, under the supervision of the US Justice and State Departments.
https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/venezuela-extradites-former-minister-diplomatic-envoy-alex-saab-to-face-us-charges/U.S. Agencies Will Operate From Surveillance Tower in Chihuahua, Despite Recent Unauthorized CIA Presence in the Mexican StateDespite the political scandal that has raised concern about U.S. government involvement in Mexico, Chihuahua is pressing ahead with a close collaboration with U.S. agencies—with the approval of the Mexican federal government, a Chihuahua spokesperson confirmed to Drop Site this week. Representatives from five different U.S. federal agencies—the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection—are slated to work out of the 18th floor of the new building in Juárez, known as the Centinela Tower.
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/juarez-chihuahua-border-surveillance-ciaTwo members of Colombian right-wing presidential candidate's campaign killedTwo campaign workers for right-wing Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella in the country's southeast were killed just two weeks before the presidential election, his party Defenders of the Homeland said on Saturday. Rogers Mauricio Devia and Fabian Cardona were shot on Friday night in a rural area of Cubarral, Meta province. Four hooded men on motorcycles intercepted them and opened fire, his party said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/two-members-colombian-right-wing-presidential-candidates-campaign-killed-2026-05-17/Youth groups condemn military harassment of Tarlac student leader According to the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), two individuals, who presented themselves as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) visited Valix’s house around 9 a.m. of April 28, 2026. They spoke with his mother and sister, claiming they wanted to “educate” him about his involvement in organizations and offer him “guidance.”
https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/05/17/youth-groups-condemn-military-harassment-of-tarlac-student-leader/Myanmar Junta’s Forced Remittance Rules Pull in $5.6 BillionThe surge follows rules enacted in 2024 that require migrant workers to remit 25% of their income through official banking channels. Failure to comply affects passport renewals and the right to work overseas, effectively securing international money flows for junta-linked banks at a time when sanctions and internal conflict have choked off other capital sources.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-14/myanmar-junta-s-forced-remittance-rules-pull-in-5-6-billionhttps://archive.ph/Hd7rP Activists raise alarm over 'flood' of military supplies from India to Israel New Delhi sent Indian-made Israeli Hermes 900 drones to Israel in early 2024, and later several shipments of military equipment, including rockets. No Harbour for Genocide said recent developments showed that military shipments from India were ongoing and were fundamental for Israel to make up its shortfall of 155mm shells. Israel fired upwards of 100,000 artillery shells into Gaza and Lebanon within the first few months following the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. As early as mid-October 2023, the Israeli government asked the US to send an additional 155mm, as supplies dwindled.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/activists-raise-alarm-over-new-military-grade-steel-shipments-india-israelPakistan deploys jet squadron, thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia during Iran warPakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact, ramping up military cooperation with Riyadh even as Islamabad serves as the main mediator in the Iran war, according to an exclusive Reuters report published on Monday.
https://www.newarab.com/news/pakistan-deploys-thousands-troops-saudi-during-iran-warIsraeli military intercepts vessels from pro-Palestinian flotilla trying to break the Gaza blockadeThe organisation’s livestream on Monday showed activists aboard several vessels putting on life jackets and raising their hands before a boat carrying troops approached. Israeli troops wearing tactical gear boarded the ship, and the livestream abruptly ended. Many of the ships are currently off the coast of Cyprus. Other footage showed Israeli troops on speedboats approaching and instructing the activists to move to the front of the boat.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/israeli-military-intercepts-vessels-pro-palestinian-flotilla-trying-break-gaza-blockadeban forces Palestinians to make their own cement from rubbleIsrael has barred cement and all building materials from entering Gaza since October 2023, deepening a blockade on construction imports in place since 2007. By October 2025, Unosat satellite imagery found approximately 81% of all structures in the Gaza Strip had been damaged, with more than 123,000 destroyed outright. The UN estimates the destruction generated 61m tonnes of rubble, and a joint EU, UN, and World Bank assessment puts the cost of recovery at $71.4bn (£52bn) over the next decade.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/18/gaza-cement-dual-use-israeli-ban-recycling-rubble-reconstruction4 people killed and dozens injured in Kenya protests over record fuel pricesFour people died and over 30 others were injured when police clashed with protesters in Kenya’s capital on Monday as a nationwide public transport strike kicked off to protest record fuel prices. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen also said 348 people were arrested and would be charged over their involvement in what he called violent illegal protests. He did not say how the four people were killed, but witnesses told local media that police in Nairobi had opened fire.
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-fuel-prices-protests-0195168fd0507d2b4800acbe43feb5a6Experts: Priority is protecting Sudan’s civilians as Tasees forms police force ‘to challenge legitimacy, not pursue secession’The Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasees) government is accelerating efforts to complete its institutions and administrative structures in areas under its control as it seeks legitimacy and international recognition. Following the appointment of the remaining ministers, state ministers, undersecretaries and directors-general, the administration has now moved to establish a new police force.
https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/experts-priority-is-protecting-sudans-civilians-as-tasees-forms-police-force-to-challenge-legitimacy-not-pursue-secession