In this article, we briefly review what the polls are saying and the profiles of the leading candidates vying for the presidency.

After nearly a month of intense protests, the Paz administration decided to call for dialogue once again, even as it passed a law granting it greater powers to declare states of emergency.

At the same time, several Chavista activists condemned the military exercises and called for an end to such activities.

On May 26, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez addressed the United Nations Security Council to denounce the energy blockade that the United States has unilaterally imposed on Cuba and demanded an end to the “acts of war” against his country.

The perpetrators and masterminds behind the attack remain unknown. A few hours later, five police officers were executed by a criminal gang in another part of the country, alerting the government to a clear surge in violence in recent hours.

The protests have prompted various response strategies from the government. Now, mounting pressure has led the Paz administration to reshuffle the cabinet in an attempt to defuse calls for resignations. At the same time, it has opened another front of conflict with Colombia by expelling the ambassador from Bogotá.

The US Department of Justice has indicted the historic leader of the Revolution for an event that took place nearly 30 years ago. Havana maintains that this is a ploy to justify military aggression against Cuba.

The two candidates will face off in a runoff election on June 7. Their governing policies differ profoundly, as evidenced by their recent statements ahead of the upcoming election.

Demonstrators have closed several roads and faced heavy repression from security forces. Meanwhile, the Paz government has accused former president Evo Morales of being behind the mass protests.

The situation has been classified by the United Nations as a “humanitarian crisis” that affects the most vulnerable groups the hardest. The United States insists on its policy of suffocating Cuba at all costs.

Sánchez is accused of failing to report his political party’s income, although he denies these allegations. Several critics argue that this is a ploy to prevent him from participating in future elections, thereby benefiting the far right.

The former president claims this is a case of “lawfare” intended to destroy him physically and morally. The alleged victim of the crime has requested that the case be dismissed, but the prosecution insists on proceeding.