Frances Robles

Guidance for NGOs, political parties, Substack writers and public relations folks everywhere: please don't take the fact that I share my email address publicly to mean that I'd like to be on your listserve. I don't. I won't read it, and my inbox is out of control. Thanks

Raul Castro's indictment, explained. My interview on The Daily Podcast: nytimes.com/2026/05/21/pod…

The Day Cuba Shot Down Two Civilian Planes nytimes.com/2026/05/15/wor…

“In what is perhaps the worst kept secret in South Florida, federal prosecutors in Miami are working toward securing an indictment of Mr. Castro, who is no longer president but remains a key decision maker in Cuba, according to several people familiar with the matter. The number of defendants and the exact charges are still under discussion, but it could include drug trafficking charges and accusations connected to the ill-fated Cessnas, the people said.”

Wondering what all the talk about an indictment of Raul Castro is about? Read here: nytimes.com/2026/05/15/wor…

CIA Director John Ratcliff traveled to Cuba today: nytimes.com/2026/05/14/us/…

The Cuban government admits it has run out of fuel reserves -- and the CIA director is on the island on an official visit, the Cuban government confirms. nytimes.com/2026/05/14/wor…

U.S. spy planes and drones are increasing surveillance of Cuba to give American political and military leaders greater insights into Cuba at a critical moment w/@FrancesRobles, @julianbarnes nytimes.com/2026/05/13/wor…

Decades later, Cubans and Americans who lost property in Cuba are still asking: will I ever get paid back? nytimes.com/2026/04/28/wor…

NEW: A DOJ plane was spotted headed to Cuba, sparking rumors online. Its purpose? An unusual FBI mission to retrieve a U.S. child who the FBI says was kidnapped by a parent to potentially get gender transition surgery in Cuba. W/ @FrancesRobles: nytimes.com/2026/04/21/wor…

Why did a DOJ plane land in Cuba this week? nytimes.com/2026/04/21/wor…

I talked to @FrancesRobles about her beat covering Latin America and the Caribbean for @nytimes, from the lessons she's learned through experience ("what NOT to eat") to the precautions she takes while reporting in dangerous areas. nytimes.com/2026/04/15/ins…

Many Venezuelans Want to Go Home. But They Can’t Get Passports. By Patricia Sulbarán nytimes.com/2026/04/10/wor…

Cuban Americans Will Be Allowed to Own Businesses in Cuba, but Is That Enough to Rescue the Economy? nytimes.com/2026/03/17/wor… via @NYTimes

Gift link to @nytimes story by me, @FrancesRobles and @anniecorreal: nytimes.com/2026/03/16/wor…

NEW: Trump wants Cuba's president out. (While keeping the communist government in place.) nytimes.com/2026/03/16/wor…

Cuban President Acknowledges Talks with the Trump Administration. Reporting with @FrancesRobles nytimes.com/2026/03/13/wor… via @NYTimes

"The Trump administration, in its quest to topple Cuba’s government, has targeted the country’s main sources of foreign currency, including tourism, but also medical missions to other countries in exchange for payments to Cuba's government" @FrancesRobles nytimes.com/2026/03/04/wor…

Thanks to Trump policies, tourism is tanking in Cuba. nytimes.com/2026/03/04/wor…